Between Shades of Gray by Ruch Sepetys

A great book about Russia during the Stalin era.

Recommended by Lisa Bleeke

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler

An interesting historical fiction about the Booth family before and after John Wilkes Booth’s assassination of Lincoln and the way it affects his siblings.

Recommended by Greg Jones

Christmas of the Reddle Moon by J. Patrick Lewis

A great Christmas Story.

Recommended by Chris Nimmer

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

A thought-provoking narrative non-fiction, set in early 1930s Germany and told from the viewpoint of William E. Dodd, America’s first ambassador to Hitler’s Germany.

Recommended by Leigh Duncan

La Vie de Guinevere by Paula Lafferty

An enjoyable Arthurian fantasy by a local author.

Recommended by Donna Bobb

Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe

A fun modern twist on the Hades and Persephone myth, in graphic novel format.

Recommended by Lisa Rickey

Lucy’s Story: Right Choices but Wrongs Still Left by Larry Hamilton

This book dives into what I believe to be imaginative yet very regionally and historically accurate stories of America nearing the turn of the 20th century. The book touches on love and pain, power and struggle, and normalities and extremities of life just before, during, and just after the Civil War.

Recommended by Adam Randolph

The Midnight Club by James Patterson

A suspenseful tale of a powerful mobster who runs up against a very determined cop and his faithful crime fighters.

Recommended by Barb Conklin

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

I thought this was a creative way to use library imagery to tie together topics such as mental health/suicide, regret, hope, and family support. It’s a quick read that inspires positive reflection.

Recommended by Matt Shreffler

North Woods by Daniel Mason

I love generational tales and stories about houses. This one is both! It is a wild, spooky novel with beautiful descriptions of Western Massachusetts. Enjoy!

Recommended by Grace Ethier

Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

A reframing of Gladwell’s first book, The Tipping Point.

Recommended by Jane Wildermuth

The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche

A fascinating historical fiction tale about a female medicine woman who uses the power of stones to heal others. Taking place during the Black Plague in Italy, this story highlights the conflicts between magic and religion during this time period.

Recommended by Brenna McNulty