Staff Picks

New to ebooks or just looking for a few suggestions?
ERML's STAFF PICKS can get you started!

Click on the icon to the left to get started with eBCCLS or click on the individual title image to go directly to that selection.

What Happens in Paradise
by Elin Hilderbrand

(This is Book #2 of a trilogy --- See Chris' review for Book #1 below.)

Hilderbrand’s follow up to Winter in Paradise continues the investigation into the death of Russ Steele. Loving family man, husband to Irene and father to two grown sons, no one could believe it when it was discovered that Russ had a secret life in beautiful St. John.

Irene and her two sons go to St. John to get the answers to questions they desperately need. Not only did Russ have a mistress and a pre-teen daughter, but he was involved with some less than wholesome colleagues and a job that had illegal dealings with some of the worst kinds of people.

Falling in love with the lovely paradise that is St. John, Irene and her sons Baker and Cash all plan to make it their home, despite the situation that brought them there. A beautiful, enormous villa with more than enough room for all of them? Why not? Where better to start a new life?

But that soon becomes tainted, too, as they come to find out that the FBI will not only be taking the luxurious villa they discovered Russ owned in St. John, but also their home in Iowa since it had all been purchased with illegal monies.
How will they manage now? Will life in St. John be a possibility despite the financial situation they find themselves in?

With new challenges, new jobs and possibilities for new relationships and friendships, the Steele family is determined to make this work. There is still much to uncover, and you will look forward to the final book in this trilogy after reading this book.

Christine Hartigan, Director

Winter in Paradise
by Elin Hilderbrand

The first of a trilogy by Ms. Hilderbrand, Winter in Paradise tells the story of a typical American family. Irene and Russ Steele have a lovely home, two grown sons, and a beautiful grandson.
Irene works for a magazine company and spends her free time restoring their old, historic Victorian home. She is the envy of other wives in the neighborhood because her husband dotes on her endlessly and is hopelessly romantic even after all these years. Although Russ works a lot in his new job, the extra income it provides sure beats his old job as a salesman, and Irene couldn’t be happier with their new found wealth.

Then on New Years Day, everything changes. Russ was away on business, or so she thought, when she gets a call telling her that her husband had been killed in a helicopter accident in St. John. St. John? Why would Russ be in St. John? Is that where his business was? Did he tell her that? Did she miss that? Irene admits she misses a thing here or there, but she doesn’t remember that at all.

As the story unfolds, Irene finds out that her husband had a secret life on St. John, complete with a mistress. He also owned a fabulous secluded villa that was so grand she could hardly believe her eyes.

As Irene begins to unravel the details of her husband’s alternate life, she learns a lot about herself, her marriage and her family. Her perfect family is shattered in one short phone call.

Filled with disappointment, romance and intrigue, this is a novel that makes you appreciate how quickly life can change, and question how much do we really know about the ones we love.

Christine Hartigan, Director

Oona Out of Order
by Margarita Montimore

Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore is a time traveling adventure for non-sci-fi readers. Oona's adventure starts on New Year's Eve, just before her 18th birthday. She's in love with Dale, the front-man of the band she's in, and trying to decide whether to stay in Brooklyn with the band & pursue her passion for music or go abroad for a semester to London to study economics. Her world is turned upside down at midnight when suddenly she's thrust into the future and is 51 years old in 2015. Each New Year's Eve, Oona is thrown into a new experience, a new year and a new age, all out of order.

The story is filled with adventure, love, lust and everything else in between. There are bittersweet and heart-felt moments that make the main protagonist so engaging and likeable. As the tale unfolds, it leaves you wanting to know what leap will Oona take next!

Maria Russo, YA/Children's Librarian

Little Shop of Found Things
by Paul Brackston

After a series of unfortunate events involving men, betrayal, prison, and divorce, Xanthe and her mother Flora strike out together to open an antique shop in the English Countryside. Together with Flora’s passion for relics of bygone eras and Xanthe’s unique talent to hear certain objects “sing”, they make quite a pair. But when Xanthe finds a silver chatelaine whose song is louder than any she has ever heard before, she finds herself suddenly confronted by visions, ghosts, and a startling threat to her mother’s life.

Ultimately, Xanthe is plunged into the past. There, a young woman needs her help and Xanthe must do anything she can to uncover centuries old secrets and help this stranger, while her own mother’s life hangs in the balance. To do so, Xanthe enlists the help of surprising acquaintances and unlikely friends as she races against time.

In an incredible and romantic blend of Historical Fiction and Fantasy, Paula Brackston does not disappoint with this first installment of the ongoing Found Things series.

Hannah Flusk, Library Assistant

To Tell You the Truth
by Gilly MacMillan

Lucy Harper, the protagonist of the novel, is a successful mystery writer due to her famous detective stories. The main character, Sergeant Eliza Gray, is a much beloved favorite among her fans.

Her current novel, however, takes a twist from the Eliza Gray stories, and Lucy is anxious to see what her publishers will think. When they come back with some significant changes, she doesn’t know how she feels about it.

As if dealing with anxiety in her career wasn’t enough, her husband makes a huge purchase without her consent and the surprise did more than surprise her. They fight and he leaves the house and does not come back. She is shocked when he does not return the next day either and then gets the police involved.

Uncovering an unresolved case involving her younger brother when she was 9 years old, the police start to look at Lucy as a suspect and she starts to question whether or not there may be some truth to that possibility. The trauma caused by her missing brother left her with many questions and now she wonders about her own actions both then and now.

Filled with twists and turns, To Tell You the Truth will keep you guessing until the unpredictable end.

Christine Hartigan, Director

The Woman in Cabin 10
by Ruth Ware

I have been on a Ruth Ware kick lately and for good reason. As we often do when we read a new author, I read one of her books and then went back to look for past books.  Although I find her books have a bit of a slow start, the wait for the story to unfold is worth it.

Lo works at a travel magazine and gets the break of a lifetime when her boss gets sick and can’t cover the first sailing of an elite boutique cruise ship. This is a great assignment, not to mention a free vacation. This luxury liner not only has the best of everything, but also few passengers and a great chance to relax and mix business with pleasure.

While Lo is enjoying the lavish life and meeting interesting people, all is right with the world. She even meets a nice woman in the cabin next to her. Then one night, she sees a woman from that cabin being thrown overboard! Frantic, she rushes to tell the Captain and crew only to find out that there is no one registered to that room. How can this be? Is she losing her mind?  She knows what she saw, but since everyone is accounted for, no one believes her and the ship keeps going along it’s merry way.

Thinking that she is going crazy, she must find the answer to this mystery. Follow along as Lo struggles to uncover this woman’s identity and identify the person responsible for throwing her overboard.  Filled with twists and turns, this is a great read.

Christine Hartigan, Director

The End of Her
by Shari Lapena

Another page turner from author Shari Lapena who wrote A Stranger in the House, Someone We Know, The Couple Next Door and An Unwanted Guest.
Once again Ms. Lapena has written a book you will want to read in one sitting.

Stephanie and Patrick are your average young couple and new parents to twin girls. Although the colicky twins are a challenge, life in general is pretty good. They are in love with each other and their new additions.

Then one day a woman from Patrick’s past comes to town and turns their lives upside down. Patrick was married before and his wife died from a horrible accident. Only this woman from the past is saying that Patrick is a murderer and that it was no accident. She warns her if he has killed before, he can do it again. With every passing chapter, you see Stephanie’s trust in Patrick eroding, not knowing who or what to believe.

Why would this woman lie? Did Stephanie choose to marry a murderer? A great read for mystery lovers, The End of Her will surprise you!

Christine Hartigan, Director

I Know Who You Are
by Alice Feeney

This a dark mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. You will never, ever see it coming. Aiimee Sinclair is a B list actress who people sort of recognize. There is one person, however, who really knows her and knows all about her past and her secrets. This person starts to stalk Aimee but Aimee thinks it is just a fan. If only it were that simple.

The novel goes back and forth from current Aimee and young Aimee. Her troubled past is something she wants to leave behind. She wants nothing more than to forget everything and move on with her life and career.

One day when Aimee comes home, she finds that her husband is missing. When the police start to question her, she doesn’t have any answers and they start to feel she is involved in his disappearance. When the police find out the marriage was less than perfect and that Aimee and her husband had a huge fight the night before he went missing, things don’t look good for Aimee. Is she involved? Is someone setting her up? Is her husband really missing? And what about her stalker? Is she involved somehow?

This is a twisted, disturbing novel that you will not be able to put down.

Christine Hartigan, Director

The Couple Next Door
by Shari Lapena

This book is about a couple who seem to have it all until one bad mistake and one horrible night changes all of that. A parents’ worst nightmare comes true and their baby infant daughter is abducted while they are next door at a dinner party. It seemed perfectly safe. When the babysitter cancelled at the last minute, the husband thought it would be fine to take the baby monitor with them and check in on her every half hour, right? What could go wrong? The wife wasn’t as sure, but went along with it anyway. When the unthinkable happens, they are beside themselves and overcome with guilt.

When the police found out they left their child unattended,they became the first suspects, but it is too soon to tell and there are many twists and turns along the way.

Anne does have postpartum depression and is having a hard time with it. Could she have abducted her own baby? Did she do something and not remember and her husband Marco is protecting her? But what about the car a neighbor saw leaving right around the time the abduction must have taken place? Is it a coincidence? DId it have anything to do with it?

Could the baby be being held for ransom? Anne’s parents are filthy rich. Is this a chance to cash in on some of their money?

Then there is the neighbor who dislikes children and the fact that her good friend Anne has changed since having the baby. Where does she fit in?

A real page turner for mystery lovers. The ending will surprise you. A definite must read.

Christine Hartigan, Director

The Book of Lost Names
by Kristin Harmel

In occupied France during World War II, a young Jewish woman, at great risk to herself, works with the French Resistance to help save hundreds of Jewish children from the Nazis. The main character, Eva, is not home when her father, a Polish Jew, is arrested by the Nazis. She flees with her mother to the countryside where she hopes they can be safe.

Her life is completely up-ended, with no one to trust. Then she meets up with members of the French Resistance. Eva uses her artist ability to forge documents with new identities for the Jewish children they are trying to save. She feels strongly about preserving who they really are. Many of them are too young to remember their real names. So with the help of her partner Remy, and at extreme peril, they record the names in a secret code in an eighteenth century religious book.

Sixty-five years after the war, the book shows up again. When semi-retired librarian Eva sees a picture of it in a magazine article, she is off to Germany.

This story is historical fiction, and it gave me some hope in Humankind. It was interesting to read about how people fought back against the Nazis during World War II. The author was inspired by true events. I was warmed by the courage and self-sacrifice that everyday people showed in the face of Evil. There is love, betrayal, sadness, & hope, with a nice twist at the end.

Terri Goldstein, Library Assistant

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

In this poetic tale of self discovery and friendship, we meet Dante, a wise-cracking, sarcastic teen who has his own philosophies on the world. Dante is filled with a host of emotions and perspective on life, most of which is formulated by the fact that his brother is in jail. He’s a bit of a loner and doesn’t socialize with many people. However, when Dante meets Aristotle (A.K.A. Ari) at the public pool, things change.

Their friendship builds a foundation that takes them through high school and beyond.

Author Benjamin Alire Sáenz's writing is fluid and lyrical, which brings the story to an elevated level. Through his melodic verse, Dante and Ari discover the ultimate secret to the universe: always be true to yourself.

Maria Russo, YA/Children's Librarian

Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

This is another page turner by Ruth Ware. Hal is a twenty something young lady who is barely getting by emotionally and financially. She works on a pier reading tarot cards for a living, having taken over for her mother after her mother was killed in a hit and run.  Her original plan was to attend university, but her financial situation changed that very quickly. Barely scraping by and in debt to a loan shark for rent money, she is beside herself and fears for her life.

Then one day, she receives a letter from a lawyer. To her shock, she is named as a beneficiary in the estate of Hester Westaway. She is named as her granddaughter. Hal knows this is a mistake. Her grandparents have been dead for some time, yet here it is. The letter has her name on it and came to her address.  For a brief moment, Hal thinks she should go to the reading of the will. After all, she is Harriet Westaway. Clearly, she is the wrong Harriet Westaway, but nonetheless she is intrigued.

Could she possibly do this? If she could get away with this, perhaps she could pay off the goons and still have some money left for expenses and university. This is crazy, she thinks until she realizes that she really has nothing to lose and also needs a place to hide out for a few days so the loan shark does not pay her a visit as he had at the pier just yesterday.

After hitting the Internet and finding out as much as she can about the Westaway family, Hal braves her fears and decides to go for it. Little does she know the strange and mysterious path this will lead her down, and the secrets that lie within the Westaway family, secrets that can have a very dangerous ending for Hal.

   Christine Hartigan, Director

Someone We Know by Shari Lapena

If you are looking for a quick summer read look no further!

In the book Someone We Know, the story takes place in a sleepy neighborhood where everything seems quite dull and ordinary. Meet Raleigh, the teenage boy who gets an adrenaline rush from breaking into neighbors homes to snoop on their home computers. Meet Olivia, Raleigh's stoic mom who tries to fix all her son’s mistakes. Meet Amanda Pierce, the beautiful, married woman on the block with many admirers, who is found murdered. Perhaps this town is not as quiet and virtuous as one might think.

As the number of suspects grows in the case of finding Amada Pierce’s murderer, so do the number of secrets neighbors keep from one another. Families are ripped apart as they point the finger at each other. Will the deception and madness ever come to an end?

The author does a great job building the suspense throughout the story. This book is an enjoyable mystery that keeps you guessing until the end!

Liz Corwin, Library Asst.

The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah

“If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: in love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.” Thus begins The Nightingale, a beautiful and emotionally gripping novel that tells the story of two sisters in German-occupied, war-torn France.

Having different ideals and passions, Vianne and Isabelle, born 10 years apart, are on divergent life paths. When the Nazis occupy their country during World War II, and the sisters’ lives are reshaped by the atrocities on the homefront, their responses lead them in differing directions as well. Vianne, in desperation, allows the requisition of her home to the enemy. Isabelle reacts with an uncompromising resistance From there, the sisters continue to embark on paths that will require difficult choices, strength, love, and courage.

The events depicted in Nightingale are especially impactful as they embody the many stories of people who actually experienced similarly appalling events during World War II.

C. Digsby, Library Asst.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

"A sex tape. A pregnancy scare. Two cheating scandals. And that’s just this week’s update. If all you knew of Bayview High was Simon Kelleher’s gossip app, you’d wonder how anyone found time to go to class." -- Bronwyn Rojas

In this locked-door, fast moving mystery/thriller, the creator of a high school gossip app, Simon, ends up dead. There are only four other students in detention with him that day. So who killed Simon?

The story is told through the narration of each main character, the same students you would find at any high school: the smart girl (Bronwyn, quoted above), the star athlete, the school delinquent, and the pretty girl. Each one of them has a secret. Being murder suspects, the four of them quickly find out who their real friends are and band together to find the killer. This story has a shocking twist you won’t see coming.

This book is available on Libby.

Terri Goldstein, Library Asst.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

In this time of unrest, The Hate U Give is an important book, not only to young adults but to all. Author Angie Thomas tells the story of Starr Carter, who is witness to the shooting of her best friend Khalil by local police. At the time of the murder, he was unarmed; this sets into motion a series of national stories, hearsay about the character of Khalil. Headlines take aim at his character; some accuse him of being involved with local gangs, a thug or even a drug dealer. Starr knows the truth; she knows the real Khalil and what happened that night. However, telling the truth may target herself and her family.

Thomas' book is pertinent to the #blacklivesmatter movement. It's an emotional, realistic story that will tear at your heart and remind us all too well that justice does not come easily.

Maria Russo, YA/Children's Librarian

Immortal in Death by J. D. Robb

Veteran Homicide Lieutenant Eve Dallas doesn't usually walk into a crime scene and know the prime suspect is absolutely innocent. Means, motive, and a boatload of forensic evidence all say Mavis Freestone killed the gorgeous model laying broken and bloody at her feet. But as Mavis is Eve's oldest and truest friend, Eve will stop at nothing to clear Mavis' name and find the real murderer. She ties the death to a new designer drug as the bodies start to pile up, and now has to fend off a glory-seeking Narcotics detective's bid to take over her case, all while the clock ticks towards an indictment on Mavis and, oh, yeah, Eve's whirlwind wedding is only days away.

Immortal in Death is the third book in the "In Death" series featuring Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband Roarke. (Side note: this could have been the last book, as this series was introduced as a trilogy when first published -- luckily for us, Robb didn't stop there; the 50th book was released this year.) The mystery is tightly plotted and the characters are well-developed, even this early in the series. Immortal can be read as a stand-alone, even without reading the two earlier books, but it's a pretty sure bet you'll want to make room on your To-Be-Read list for the other 49 titles.

Caroline Dunsheath, Sr. Library Asst.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

This #1 bestseller is a psychological thriller.

Anna Fox, a former psychologist lives as a recluse in her NYC home. She hasn’t left her house in almost a year due to a post-traumatic stress disorder.

Her days consist of depressed drinking, taking a plethora of prescription drugs, watching old movies and spying on her neighbors.
One day, while looking out her window, she thinks she has witnessed a crime committed by her neighbor. This is the main mystery of the novel.

You will be quickly drawn into this thriller and won’t be able to put it down. There are so many twists and turns, some predictable, some shocking, that it will keep you entertained. Definitely, one of the better thrillers out there and worth a read. Soon to be a released as a movie.

Robin Offreda, Library Asst.

Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich

Humorous, irreverent and FUN.

Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter in Trenton, New Jersey. Not a very good one, but she tries. She's in the wrong place at the wrong time -- something she is very good at --- when she witnesses a crime by a vicious Trenton gang. Now there's a contract out for her life, with a mysterious killer known as The Junkman gunning for her.

She needs to track down this hitman before he makes her his next victim, so Stephanie hides out with Ranger, a fellow bounty hunter who also is one of her two love interests. But, it turns out, being that close to Ranger is equally dangerous.

Lula, a gun toting ex-hooker-turned-file clerk and would-be bounty hunter, is back as Stephanie’s sidekick. All the regular characters in this series are amusing and always up for an adventure. Ten Big Ones is one of the best.

Terri Goldstein, Library Assistant

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

In his highly recommended and readable book Thinking Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman, distinguished psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, explores the two systems our brain uses to process information and make decisions.

System One is fast, intuitive, and emotional--valuable, but it can also be prone to issues like biases, heuristics, and over-confidence. System Two is slower, effortful, logical, and often more reliable.

As humans, we are typically drawn to making decisions using less effort, but that frequently leads to bad decision making. By becoming aware of how we think and recognizing when it's beneficial to think more deliberately and rationally, we can help ourselves in making better choices in both our personal and professional lives.

Sunk Cost Fallacy, Anchoring Effect, Availability Bias, The Halo Effect, The Endowment Effect, and Prospect Theory are just some of the many topics addressed in this fascinating and accessible book.

C. Digsby, Library Assistant

The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up
by Marie Kondo

The London Times tagged Marie Kondo “a warrior princess in the war on clutter,” and she is an unapologetic advocate for sloughing off the excess weight of materialism and keeping (in their proper place, of course) only those possessions that spark a sense of joy. And isn't this the perfect time to find a sense of order and get all the joy we can get?

Simplicity is key, with practical tips offered on sorting, storing and streamlining. By her own admission, tidying is Kondo’s religion, and many may skim or scoff over sections, but there is something to be said for the extra service you'll get out of items you treat with care.

Clearing the physical space gives you the mental breathing room to see where you’re going in both the literal and figurative sense. And while the KonMari Method does not promote blindly tossing every keepsake, tee-shirt, or dust collector in the trash, it offers a systematic approach to inspecting and reflecting upon what you own, why you want to keep it, and where it truly belongs. Put your house in order, she promises, and the rest of your life will follow suit.

Caroline Dunsheath, Sr. Library Assistant

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim

This entertaining middle grade book combines culture, comedy and Korean barbecue. Yumi is an aspiring comedian that is stuck between a dream and fulfilling the expectations of her parents. They want her to pursue a medical degree and get a scholarship; Yumi fills her journal with funny anecdotes and dreams of doing stand up comedy.

A twist of fate and a mistaken identity brings her closer to her dream; she stumbles upon a comedy camp hosted by her favorite YouTube star. But will Yumi jump and take the chance to pursue her dream or stay the course as expected by her parents?

Author Jessica Kim writes a hilarious story that demonstrates the struggles of making your dreams come true and pleasing those around you.

Maria Russo, Children's Librarian

Mercy House by Alena Dillon

Looking at the outside of the century old house in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, you would never know what is inside the house with the angel door knocker.

Sister Evelyn and two other nuns have run Mercy House, the house for abused women for more than 20 years. Sister Evelyn has faith and devotion to justice and community service, all while hiding a dark history. When a bishop threatens to close down Mercy House, Sister Evelyn and her fellow nuns must pull together to save all they hold dear.

At the heart of this story is the nature of mercy: those who grant it, who deny it, who live it, who deserve it, and those who will preserve it at all costs.

Do you want to read a book about the power of women who are pushed beyond the breaking point and work together for a common goal? This is it.

Robin Offreda, Library Assistant

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

This is a beautifully written story about the unconditional love between a husband and wife. The choices they make, and secrets they keep have a way of unraveling.

This love story takes place on an island named Janus Rock off the coast of Australia. Tom and Isabel live on this remote island taking care of the lighthouse there. Isabel dreams and prays of starting a family but finds herself heartbroken time and time again. One day, a boat comes to shore. What they find in the boat changes the course of their lives forever. Is this the miracle Isabel prayed for?

This emotional story was also made into a movie. Although I haven’t seen the movie, I can tell you that the book will not only pique your interest but will also cause you to consider the ramifications of the choices we make in life. This book is currently available as an eBook or eAudio book!

Liz Corwin, Library Asst.

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman

I loved this book! Inspired by true crimes committed in the 1960’s, this novel is about two separate deaths, one a white girl and one a black woman.

The story is set in Baltimore where Maddie Schwartz, bored in her marriage, leaves her husband in her late thirties looking for more in her life.

She winds up being a crime reporter and gets involved in researching these two deaths. For one of them she is even the person who discovered the body! Tracking down information as a woman in the 60’s was no easy feat, but Maddie wasn’t about to give up. Wanting to find the truth as well as make a name for herself, Maddie stops at nothing to get to the bottom of these deaths.

It’s interesting to see how the story of the black woman did not seem to spark the interest that the death of the white girl did, and Maddie wanted to be sure this woman’s death got the attention it deserved.

While Maddie is trying to build a career in a man’s world, she also has a love affair with a black police officer which they both keep a secret. Not wanting to be tied down again, Maddie enjoys the relationship for what it is and also enjoys some insider tips from him.

Eventually, Maddie makes it in the journalist world and excels in her field. She is an independent woman in a time where that was not so easy to do!

I found this to be a very engaging novel.

Christine Hartigan, Director

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book is an American classic almost everyone has read, usually in high school or at some point in their lives. Its impact is so incredible that it is well worth reading again in later life.

To Kill a Mockingbird became an instant bestseller and a critical success when first published in 1960. This masterpiece of American literature won a Pulitzer prize in 1961 and was made into an Academy Award winning movie in 1962. Harper Lee co-wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay, and Gregory Peck won the award for best actor.
.
The plot of “Mockingbird” is loosely based on Lee’s experiences during childhood and on her family. Even though Lee downplayed the similarities, they are too close to events and people in her life to deny. The similarities are worth mentioning: the story takes place in the Deep South during the 1930s in a small town in Alabama, like the one Lee grew up in. Truman Capote, her life-long friend and neighbor was the basis for the character, Dill. The whole play was inspired by the racist attitudes in her hometown. Her father was a lawyer who defended two black men accused of murdering a white storekeeper. Unfortunately, both were hanged. Tom-boy Scout is the daughter of a respected small-town attorney. The story is depicted through the eyes of two children, Jen and Scout. Lee was very close to her brother growing up

I think the book became such a classic because we can still relate to the irrationality of adult attitudes towards race and class. It is as timely today as it was in 1960. The theme of morals permeates throughout the book. This novel is one of our most fluent and persuasive appeals for tolerance and justice in American literature. As we read the book we can examine racism through Jem’s and Scout’s eyes. As children they observe their lawyer father defending a black man on trial for the rape of a white woman.

It is no small wonder that in 1997, To Kill a Mockingbird was voted “best novel of the century.” Harper Lee’s magnificent study of human behavior is definitely worth a read or reread. It will never stop being an inspiring, wonderful book.

Robin Offreda, Library Assistant

Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens

The story is set in the marshlands of the Carolinas where we meet an unforgettable girl. Her name is Kya who at a very young age experiences profound loss and loneliness. Kya grows up self-reliant, finding peace through nature. The locals that live in nearby towns snub her and ridicule her life in the marshes.

When Kya meets two people outside of her rural area she experiences friendship and love. However, when one of them shows up dead, rumors start to swirl, pointing to Kya.

This is a mesmerizing book that has become one of my favorites!

Liz Corwin, Library Asst.

The Story of a New Name
by Edna Ferrante

This is the second part of a trilogy that began with My Brilliant Friend. All three parts are primarily set in Naples.

We continue with the life long story of Elena and Lila, childhood friends, who are now young adults. The two women share a complex and evolving bond that is central to their emotional lives and is a source of strength to them both.

Lila and Lenu are soul mates that have a strong love for each other but both have a burning desire to out do the other. Elena has always feared that Lila though uneducated is really the “brilliant friend," not her. In the second book, their love-hate relationship grows even more complicated and so does their intellectual competition. Both Elena and Lila do horrible things to each other that leave you shaking your head.

I found it very interesting how the book touches on a lot of political topics and the history of Italy. Elena tells the story of the “Southern Question,” the cultural and economic divide between north and south that has defined Italian life for centuries.

I enjoyed reading about how their lives are progressing. But, there was a downside, and that was the fact that this book broke my heart. With its many layers, it’s a book that stays with you long after you are finished. I can’t wait to dive into book three.

Robin Offreda, Library Assistant

Love & Gelato by Jenny Evans Welch

Italy, a mother's dying wish, romance, and, of course, gelato!

Love & Gelato is a whimsical tale of a young girl, Lina, who goes to live for the summer in Tuscany after the death of her mother. It was her mother's dying wish for her to go there and meet her father. But this is not how Lina wants to spend her summer, nor does she want to get to know this stranger of man.

The tale weaves secrets, young love, and the romantic backdrop of Tuscany. This story will transport you to Italy and leave your mouth watering for some authentic gelato!

Maria Russo, Children's Librarian

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

After finishing my first book by Ruth Ware, The Lying Game (see review below), I was anxious to read another. This book was even better! Ms. Ware's writing style keeps you wanting more.

This book grabbed me right from the beginning.

The main character, Rowan Caine, accidentally stumbles upon a job ad that seems too good to be true. At the time, Rowan was working in a daycare facility and feeling unfulfilled and usually broke. Just making ends meet, she sees a live-in nanny job with a salary that seems too good to be true, in a beautiful home that makes her own shabby apartment look pitiful. What does she have to lose?

Perhaps her life. The book is written from a jail cell and is one long letter to a lawyer she hopes will represent her. Her dream job turned out to be a nightmare. Somehow she went from being a nanny to 4 children to the main suspect in a murder case. She is desperate to tell her story. She claims she is innocent, but also does not have any answers as to who the real murderer may be.

This is a suspenseful quick read with an ending you will never see coming!

Christine Hartigan, Director

Before We were Yours by Lisa Wingate

This is one book that I could not put down. A historical fiction book that is based on the true story of the horrible woman, Georgia Tann, director of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. This was a notorious Memphis-based adoption organization that kidnapped over 5000 poor children in the mid-1900s. After changing their names, they were sold to wealthy families all over the country, but not before being subjected to physical and mental abuse and malnutrition while waiting in the home.

I particularly liked the way the author told the story through the children that were abducted.

The main character is Rill Foss, the twelve year old sister of four younger children all growing up on a houseboat. They lived very poorly but were raised with love. Life was going along, until one day, the father left to take the mother to the hospital to give birth to twins, leaving Rill in charge. By the time the parents came back the 5 children had been kidnapped and taken to the Tennessee Children’s Home. What ensued is a sad tale of siblings being separated and subject to abuse.

The story weaves in and out over the course of 70 years and keeps you wondering how it will end and if the siblings will somehow reunite. It’s definitely worth a read, if only to reach the uplifting end. Before We Were Yours, really touches the heart on many levels.

Robin Offreda, Library Assistant

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

The Lying Game is about four girls who meet at a mediocre boarding school and become fast friends, so much so that they dismiss everyone else and vice versa. The girls spent summer and holidays together at one of the girl’s (Kate’s) house near the English Channel. Every year they made memories with Kate and her bit of an eccentric father who taught art at the boarding school.

One of their favorite games was the lying game, where they made up lies, some big, some small, but never to each other. That was a hard and fast rule. But their fun ran out when they were all expelled in their senior year after Kate’s father Ambrose was found dead under mysterious circumstances.

After graduation, and 17 years of separation, three of the girls get a text from Kate with only these 3 words. “I need you”.” Sadly, they all knew what it was about as they had been keeping a deep, dark secret for all of these years.

Although a slow read at first, this book turned into a rather good read with a lot of twists and turns along the way.

Christine Hartigan, Director

A Home for Goddesses and Dogs
by Leslie Connor

A perfect middle grade book that exudes compassion and the importance of family & dogs!

After Lydia's mom dies, she goes to live with her Aunt Brat and her wife Eileen. Days after moving in, they adopt a big yellow dog. Lydia is not a dog person, and at first, has little interest in the dog. However, the story puzzles together a mystery of the dog's past which Lydia tries to piece together.

Without giving too much away, Lydia's affection for the dog grows, as does her character. The story weaves waves of love and strength all while reminding us of the beautiful sentiment that animals are family.

Maria Russo, Children's Librarian

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Somer is a successful doctor who is struggling to start a family. Far across the ocean lives an Indian woman named Kavita who is trying to save her newborn's life. As the story unfolds, we will come to see how a beautiful baby girl touches their lives and how they will never be the same.

This moving story discusses the struggles of love, family, loss and forgiveness. The author has the gift of detail in her story creating authentic settings and narratives that draw you in and tug at your heart strings.

I enjoyed this book but recommend having a tissue box close by especially for the ending.

Liz Corwin, Library Assistant

Witch Elm by Tanya French

I’ve been an avid admirer of author Tana French’s engrossing Dublin Murder Squad mystery series since it’s beginning; and her first stand-alone novel, The Witch Elm, has me equally enthralled.

The Witch Elm is the foreboding story of Toby, an easy-going, successful, and self-described “lucky” young man, who is surprised one evening by two burglars who beat him severely and leave him for dead. This incident turns the wheel on his charmed life and changes this once sharp, confident man into someone who now lives in a permanent state of anxiety and paranoia. After some time, he resolves to convalesce in his ancestral home. However, the discovery of a human skull on the property causes Toby to doubt everything he once believed about his past and himself.

Tana French skillfully creates a mood of deepening peril throughout the unfolding narrative, but it’s the skull’s discovery and the ensuing investigation that accelerate the plot into a twisting suspense novel.

Like other Tana French books, The Witch Elm is an engaging psychological thriller wrapped in an intriguing murder mystery. This title is available as an eBook or eAudiobook.

C. Digsby, Library Assistant

An Unwanted Guest
by Shari Lapena

A Rustic Lodge in the Catskills is the perfect place for a cozy couples' getaway weekend ... if they can survive it.

The guests of a rustic lodge are trapped by a ferocious blizzard with no power and no cell service. One by one the guests start to turn up dead. The storm rages outside and the panicked guests huddle together in the lobby to feel safe (and keep an eye on each other).

This story moves along at a nice pace with a good twist that will keep you guessing right until the end.

Terri Goldstein, Library Assistant

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

Sold on a Monday is a fascinating read. It is based on a real picture that first appeared in the Vidette-Messenger in 1948. This old newspaper photo of 4 siblings on the steps of an apartment building in Chicago was so troubling to author Kristina McMorris, she was motivated to write a story based on the "4 children for sale" sign.

In 1931, during the Great Depression, near Philadelphia, struggling reporter Ellis Reed takes a picture of the gut-wrenching scene of two siblings sitting on their porch next to a sign that says, "Children for Sale." With the help of a newspaper secretary, wannabe reporter Lillian Palmer, he writes an article to accompany the photo. The article quickly gains the attention of the nation.

We join Ellis and Lillian as they start a relationship and begin a journey to set things right. Along the way we find out what would possess a mother to sell her children and finally solve the mystery of what happened to the children.

Robin Offreda, Library Assistant

Short Story Collections

Sometimes it's difficult to keep your head in a book when there's too much going on around you. Too stressed, too busy, too tired --- too anything to focus long enough to enjoy a novel the way it was meant to be read. That's when short stories come to the rescue.

There are a number of story collections available through Libby, including some great humorous essays and, of course, the traditional short mysteries of Christie and Queen. If you're into horror, Joe Hill's Full Throttle offers plenty of creepy thrills (check out the one co-written with his dad, Stephen King). Jim Butcher's Side Jobs mixes mystery and the paranormal in a few quick cases with Harry Dresden, our favorite Wizard Detective.

Want less thrills and more warmth? Try a the trio of novellas based on real women heroes in More Than Words: Stories of Hope or Tom Hanks' debut, Uncommon Type, and discover his personality comes through on the page as well as the screen.

The shorter format may introduce you to a new-to-you writer and then you'll be able to fill your to-be-read pile or it may offer a brief escape and relight your literary fire.

Caroline Dunsheath, Sr. Library Assistant

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

This intriguing, genuine book, #1 in a bestselling Neapolitan quartet begins in 1950. Lila and Elena are both 10 years old and this novel follows their friendship through school years and adolescence. Elena is the narrator of the story.

The girls are growing up in a very poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples. Lila and Elena develop a very complex and at times conflicted friendship.

Elena Ferrante has such an amazing grasp of language and emotions that she seems to reach down into their very souls.

My Brilliant friend, is not an easy read, but a thought provoking one that makes you ponder the life altering effect a friendship can have on your life. I cannot wait to read book #2 in this lovely series.

An interesting footnote: Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym. Only her publicist knows her real name. As I quote Ms. Ferrante, “her identity lives in her writing”.

Robin Offreda - Library Assistant

The Little French Bistro by Nina George

Marianne is stuck in an unhappy marriage. After forty-one years, she has had enough, and one evening she decides to leave her husband. Marianne leaves her former life behind in the hopes of something -- anything -- new. After all, it has to be better than what she has now.

She meets many new people along the way who welcome her, and she finds there is still life in her to live. As she starts to return to her former self, Marianne learns it's never too late to start again.

A story of self-discovery and new love, an uplifting read for us all.

Christine Hartigan, Director

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

This book takes the pandemic we are experiencing to a new level! What if you couldn't EVER leave your house? Yoon's romantic tale of Maddy, a girl that is allergic to the outside world, and Olly, the boy next door will have you cheering, crying and laughing in between.

Read the book, then watch the movie!

Maria Russo, Children's Librarian

The Diva Runs out of Thyme (Domestic Diva #1) by Krista Davis

An Agatha Christie award winner, this is a Cozy Mystery, so it is a fun read without graphic violence.

In this series, the amateur sleuth is Sophie Winston, a bright divorce who writes an advice column. She gives out a lot of down to earth, interesting advice, including recipes and tips for entertaining. Living with Sophie is her beloved dog Daisy, with whom she shares custody with her ex husband, and an Ocicat named Mochie.

In this the first Domestic Diva book, Sophie is competing in a local cooking competition. While shopping for groceries she stumbles upon a dead body -- and then another one at the contest! When the police keep finding connections between Sophie and the murder victims, she undertakes investigating the crimes herself to clear her name.

I love this series. Sophie and the other characters are definitely fun to spend time with. Sorting out the mystery is engaging and good entertainment.

Terri Goldstein, Library Assistant

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

With a couple million fans following her podcasts and television show, this Jersey Girl turned Life Coach has become quite a sensation. The title is the core of Marie Forleo's philosophy: whatever the problem, you can figure out a solution. That's a comforting thought, especially in these times.

Be warned, however: this is not a "there, there" pat on the head or an instruction book on daily affirmations. It's more of a challenge to get out of your own way, stop making excuses, and get to work on making the necessary changes to dig your way out of whatever hole you might find yourself in.

Caroline Dunsheath, Sr. Library Asst.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

If you are looking to read a suspenseful thriller look no more! The Girl on the Train will hook you in and take you on a psychological thrill ride that you cannot stop reading.

Commuter Rachel Watson travels daily on the train, catching glimpses of people’s lives along the way. One day she sees a glimpse of something happening in a stranger's yard. What she decides to do with that information spins her down a runaway path she never saw coming.

Liz Corwin, Library Assistant

Brooklyn by Colm Tòibìn

Brooklyn is an absorbing coming of age story of a young Irish woman in the early 1950's who emigrates alone to Brooklyn in search of a better future. Despite experiencing immense homesickness, she settles in and finds love, until her former life in Ireland summons her back. From Ireland to America and back again, she becomes torn between the two worlds. This smoothly written novel tells of a young woman’s journey in finding herself, and in finding home.

Brooklyn can also be borrowed as an unabridged downloadable audiobook from OverDrive.

C. Digsby, Library Assistant

New to ebooks or just looking for a few suggestions? ​ERML's STAFF PICKS can get you started!

What Happens in Paradise ​by Elin Hilderbrand

Winter in Paradise ​by Elin Hilderbrand

Oona Out of Order ​by Margarita Montimore

Little Shop of Found Things ​by Paul Brackston

To Tell You the Truth ​by Gilly MacMillan

The Woman in Cabin 10 ​by Ruth Ware

The End of Her ​by Shari Lapena

I Know Who You Are ​by Alice Feeney

The Couple Next Door ​by Shari Lapena

The Book of Lost Names ​by Kristin Harmel

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe ​by Benjamin Alire Sáenz