Our Favorite Reads: 2022

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ADULT FICTION | ADULT NON-FICTION

YOUNG ADULT | CHILDREN’S

ADULT FICTION

All Souls Series by Deborah Harkness

Suggested by Amanda, Teen Services Specialist
Genre: Fantasy
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby (eBook and eAudio)

Why did we love it?
I love a good witchy book. Pair that with a historian, the famed Bodleian Library, ancient manuscripts and you have me hooked on page one! This entire series is engaging with larger than life characters who have incredible back stories. I couldn’t stop listening to these books! A perfect listen for long drives!

Annie’s Attic Mysteries Series by Various Authors

Suggested by Pam in Circulation
Genre: Mystery
Available at Warren Public Library; Book #1 is The Lady in the Attic by Tara Randel

Why did we love it?
This series is about a group of women who form a great friendship and solve mysteries.

From Annie’s Fiction: Let Annie and her close-knit group of stitching friends warm your heart while the mysteries they find in Grey Gables attic keep you guessing till the very end! You’ll enjoy Annie’s adventures as she discovers mysteries from her past and the Stony Point heritage that is uniquely hers. You’ll fall in love with the down-to-earth residents of Stony Point, Maine — especially the women in the Needlecraft Club who love stitching, relish friendship and are delighted to help Annie Dawson unravel the mysteries hiding in Grandma Betsy’s attic!

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

Suggested by Dawn in Circulation
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Available on Libby (eAudio)

Why did we love it?
Arsenic and Adobo is the start of a new cozy mystery series featuring Lila, a young woman who has just returned home after the end of a relationship. Now she’s back into life with her best bud, crazy aunties, and dachshund. She’s trying to save her Tita Rosie’s restaurant, but when her ex-boyfriend (a nasty food critic) drops dead in the restaurant, she gets roped into investigating the death to save her family and the restaurant. It’s a cute quirky listen with lots of fun characters and great food descriptions mixed in with the mystery.

Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

Suggested by Julie, Communication & Outreach Librarian
Genre: Mystery/Crime
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
I’m a sucker for meta/epistolary fiction. I love watching a story unfold using letters, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Richard Chizmar’s Chasing the Boogeyman is a fictional take on a true crime tale that’s ripe with nostalgia. After college graduation, aspiring author Chizmar returns home just as a serial killer begins to haunt his hometown. As the mystery unfolds, we’re along for the ride as Chizmar gets involved in the investigation. The chapters of Boogeyman volley between the genres of mystery, true crime, and memoir, giving it an authentic voice. Kudos to the publisher for including photographs to make this feel even more like a classic true crime book.

The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup

Suggested by Julie, Communication & Outreach Librarian
Genre: Mystery/Crime
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
The Chestnut Man is a brilliantly twisty and nasty piece of work. Published in 2018, I finally got around to picking up a copy in a local bookstore and read it last winter. When a series of murders begin cropping up around Copenhagen, police discover little Chestnut Men left at each scene. I really loved the characters that Sveistrup created and can’t wait to see what his follow-up to this gem will be.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Suggested by Julie, Communication & Outreach Librarian
Genre: Historical/Science Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby (eAudio)

Why did we love it?
Moreno-Garcia’s latest release was an imaginative retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells. Told from the perspective of Carlota Moreau (the daughter of Doctor Moreau) and Montgomery Laughton (who oversees Moreau’s estate), Doctor Moreau’s getaway is a secret paradise, but for how long and at what cost? Science fiction isn’t normally my go-to, but Moreno-Garcia’s writing and the beautiful scenery she evokes made this one well worth it for me.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

Suggested by Julie, Communication & Outreach Librarian
Genre: Thriller
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby (eAudio)

Why did we love it?
While the premise on the book’s jacket sounded a little too much like the film Ready or Not, I’m glad that I gave this book a chance. The story centers on Harry, an English transplant who finds herself living in New York City and engaged to Edward, an incredibly wealthy man with a rather complicated family. In order to assimilate into the Holbeck family, she’s tested by playing a series of games, each more twisted than the last. The first two thirds of the book lead up to a final act that definitely delivers. One of the games that Harry must play centered around the Christmas demon Krampus, which earned Catherine Steadman bonus points from me.

The Fervor by Alma Katsu

Suggested by Julie, Communication & Outreach Librarian
Genre: Horror/Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby

Why did we love it?
Alma Katsu has cornered the market on horror retellings of historic events. She already reimagined the demise of the Donner Party in The Hunger and the sinking of both the Titanic and Britannic in The Deep. The Fervor is by far her most terrifying and personal novel yet. Set inside a Japanese American internment camp during World War II, The Fervor features a mysterious outbreak, a spider demon, and a wonderful mother and daughter who are simply trying to stay together. Elements of this story feel extremely relevant today which only manages to ramp up the unease that unfolds across the pages.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Suggested by Ruth, Business Manager
Genre: Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby (eBook and eAudio)

Why did we love it?
This book made for a good discussion with my book group.

From Amazon: A beautifully transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel. In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.

Gerald’s Game by Stephen King

Suggested by Jenn in Reference
Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Horror
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
Gerald’s Game follows Jessie Burlingame as she agrees to play a game of seduction to try and rekindle her relationship with her husband, but things go horribly wrong. Jessie is left trapped and alone and must try to figure out how to escape a horrible fate while being terrorized by hallucinations and haunted by traumas from her past. This book will make you question how far you would go to survive.

The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani

Suggested by Ruth, Business Manager
Genre: Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby

Why did we love it?
A best-selling author for some time now, Adriana Trigiani is an Italian American writer who has been writing for a number of years. This is her 20th book and her story and words continue to float off the pages and does not disappoint.

From Amazon: Matelda, the Cabrelli family’s matriarch, has always been brusque and opinionated. Now, as she faces the end of her life, she is determined to share a long-held secret with her family about her own mother’s great love story: with her childhood friend, Silvio, and with dashing Scottish sea captain John Lawrie McVicars, the father Matelda never knew…In the halcyon past, Domenica Cabrelli thrives in the coastal town of Viareggio until her beloved home becomes unsafe when Italy teeters on the brink of World War II. Her journey takes her from the rocky shores of Marseille to the mystical beauty of Scotland to the dangers of wartime Liverpool—where Italian Scots are imprisoned without cause—as Domenica experiences love, loss, and grief while she longs for home. A hundred years later, her daughter, Matelda, and her granddaughter, Anina, face the same big questions about life and their family’s legacy, while Matelda contemplates what is worth fighting for. But Matelda is running out of time, and the two timelines intersect and weave together in unexpected and heartbreaking ways that lead the family to shocking revelations and, ultimately, redemption.

Gwendy’s Button Box Trilogy by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

Suggested by Jenn in Reference
Genre: Fantasy
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
I really enjoyed reading the first book, Gwendy’s Button Box, and I was so glad to see it become a trilogy, even though the other two books (Gwendy’s Magic Feather and Gwendy’s Final Task) are written by a different author (Chizmar). This trilogy follows Gwendy Peterson as she faces the temptations of the powerful button box, both in her childhood and again as an adult. Not only is the button box dangerous in her own hands, but she must also keep it out of the hands of those who wish to use it for evil.

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

Suggested by Jenna in Technical Services and Julie, Communication & Outreach Librarian
Genre: Gothic Horror/Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby (eAudio)

Why did we love it?

From Jenna: Beatriz’s entire life is in upheaval after the assassination of her father. In order to secure her future and a home for herself and her mother, Beatriz quickly marries Don Rodolfo Solorzano, a handsome and enigmatic man who is the political opposite of Beatriz’s father. Beatriz travels to Rodolfo’s hacienda in the Mexican countryside, where she meets Juana, Rodolfo’s sister, and Andres, a local priest. After discovering more of Rodolfo’s history, including the mysterious death of his first wife, Beatriz begins to feel that the hacienda is not as safe as she had hoped. This is my absolute favorite book of the year. It’s touted as Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca, but it’s really a gothic horror story that delivers on every promise of ghostly spookiness without being grotesque. I loved it.

From Julie: Quite honestly, I was shocked when I put together my favorite novels from this year and three of them fell into the historic fiction category. Isabel Canas’ The Hacienda was what I wished Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic would have been. While it’s a gothic novel, The Hacienda has a brief build up, but the uneasiness and scares start pretty early. Beautifully, beautifully told.

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

Suggested by Kelley, Children’s Room Assistant
Genre: Domestic Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby (eAudio)

Why did we love it?
Elin Hilderbrand is the best “Beach Read” novelist in my opinion. She makes you want to get your flip flops and head to the island of Nantucket. This book is amazing from the start to the very end, where she has done something she has never done before. She has provided a list of her favorite places to eat, shop, party, and hang out. Included in the back of the novel is a complete list with website links and social media connections. She even gives tricks and tips to having the best visit to the island. The book will have you hooked! Enjoy!

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

Suggested by Julie, Communication & Outreach Librarian
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby (eBook and eAudio)

Why did we love it?
Ruth Ware’s newest novel feels like slipping on that warm, cozy sweater you love. You know what to expect and it’s not exactly new, but at the same time, it’s comfortable and satisfying. The It Girl is a novel that fans of recent thrillers have probably read in some form, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Set at Oxford University during the early 2010s, our protagonist Hannah stumbles across the body of her popular influencer roommate, April, and points the finger at a university employee, sealing his conviction. Ten years later, April’s killer is dead and Hannah’s starting to question exactly what it was that she saw that night. Did her testimony send an innocent man to prison, and if so, could the killer be someone she knows?

The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier

Suggested by Susan, Children’s Librarian
Genre: Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library (audio)

Why did we love it?
Many theories surround the origins of the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries woven sometime in the fifteenth century. What we do know is that these six tapestries currently hang in the Musee De Cluny in Paris, France. Chevalier creates a fascinating tale of medieval characters and their contributions and impact on these centuries’ old tapestries.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Suggested by Susan, Children’s Librarian
Genre: Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby

Why did we love it?
This excellent story flips back and forth between present day London and eighteenth-century London. Several hundred years ago, hidden in the streets of London, there was a hidden apothecary known only to women seeking potions to rid themselves of the oppressive men in their lives. A woman in present day London, who is suffering from the misdeeds of her husband, stumbles upon a clue to unsolved apothecary murders that have haunted London for years. She goes on a wild romp to solve past murders as well as her own issues. As a woman, I am glad to know there is a network of women reaching out to help other women, in the past and present.

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Suggested by Courtney in Reference and Adult Services
Genre: Horror/Fantasy
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
Revisit the monsters of Lovecraftian Horror under the backdrop of a divided country. Join the young Atticus as he discovers the secrets of an old and powerful magic. Ruff plays with the mystique of the Lovecraftian catalog while weaving meaning and depth into mindless horror.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Suggested by Cathy in Circulation
Genre: Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby

Why did we love it?
Mad Honey is a fast paced book that is hard to put down. It’s story of a murder trial of a local high school girl told in two voices: The victim and the Mom of the accuser. There are so many layers to this story and there is a big reveal in the second half of the book. It is a very enlightening story touching on many issues of our times.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Suggested by Susan, Children’s Librarian
Genre: Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby

Why did we love it?
This beach romp involves celebrities and surfing in the California sun, with the main focus on four siblings from a dysfunctional family trying to survive despite their parent’s short comings. This book was out of my comfort zone in regards to the topic, but I enjoyed it anyway.

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

Suggested by Dawn in Circulation
Genre: British Mystery
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby

Why did we love it?
The Man Who Died Twice is the second book in the Thursday Murder Club series. It’s a great read with dry British humor. The mystery is a twisty one and there are several plotlines woven together. Great character development. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

The Midnight Library By Matt Haig

Suggested by Amanda, Teen Services Specialist
Genre: Science Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby

Why did we love it?
First off, the performer of the audiobook reminds me of actress Emma Thompson, which makes this even more delightful to listen to. The book really walks you through that age-old question of what if… What if I chose this over that in my life? What if my life ended today? When Nora Seed questions her missteps in life during her time in the midnight library, it’s such a human thing that we all can relate to! She has become a very memorable character to recall like an old friend when I am faced with decisions in my own life.

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

Suggested by Jenna in Technical Services
Genre: Fantasy
Available on Libby (eAudio)

Why did we love it?
This is a dark fairy tale centering on Marra, a third-born daughter raised in a convent and unfamiliar with much of the outside world. When she discovers that her sister is being abused by her husband, the prince, Marra is determined to save her at any cost. So she enlists the help of a gravewitch, who informs Marra that to save her sister, she must perform three impossible tasks. As Marra and the witch journey together, they are joined by a fairy godmother, a knight, and a demon-possessed chicken. It’s a short novel, but packed with whimsy and action. I loved everything about it, and highly recommend it for fans of fairy tale retellings and adventure stories about ragtag groups of misfits.

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

Suggested by Courtney in Reference and Adult Services
Genre: Fiction/Thriller
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
Cormac McCarthy has a way of submerging readers into the settings of his novels. No Country for Old Men follows three men on the hunt for a bag of money. Readers can almost feel the Texas heat as the men chase each other and their goal. Like a modern western, watch the Sheriff, the outlaw and the man caught in-between outrun and outwit each other.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Suggested by Jenna in Technical Services
Genre: Science Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby (eBook and eAudio)

Why did we love it?
I will admit to having trouble reading pandemic-centered books these days, but this is Emily St. John Mandel’s second end-of-the-world pandemic novel that I’ve read, and I loved this one just as much as the first (Station Eleven). This science fiction novel tells the story of several individuals as they are approached by a mysterious stranger in several different time periods, all weaving together to tell the narrative of how a strange blip in the universe has impacted the people who witness it. I know this is a confusing description of the book, but just trust that it makes sense eventually. This is definitely one of those books where the less you know going in, the better the payoff is at the end.

The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom

Suggested by Jenn in Reference
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Insirational
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio) and on Libby

Why did we love it?
Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors; I’ve read all of his books! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Life of Pi by Yann Martel or for anyone who enjoys reading stories about shipwreck survivors, but with a supernatural twist.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Suggested by Monica in Circulation
Genre: Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby

Why did we love it?
I liked it as it tugged at my heartstrings. It shows you can have love, loyalty, and friendship even in the midst of a war and horrible circumstances.

From Amazon: This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov – an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity.

A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

Suggested by Courtney in Reference and Adult Services
Genre: New Adult Romance
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby

Why did we love it?
Scarlett St. Clair offers readers an exciting new take on the Hades and Persephone romance. This novel has all the mythos of the ancient Greek legends with all of the fun of the modern world. Readers beware: You might fall in love with the god of the underworld.

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

Suggested by Cathy in Circulation
Genre: Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
West with Giraffes is based on real events. The story of an orphaned teenager driving two giraffes across the country in 1938, it is part historical, part adventure, and part coming of age love story. I have recommended this book to many. I gave this book as a gift numerous times this year.

adult non-fiction

Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic HIstory of America’s Most Notorious Pirates by Eric Jay Dolin

Suggested by Courtney in Reference and Adult Services
Genre: History
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
This beautifully written account of the golden age of pirates walks readers through the real history of these American legends. Dolin is able to merge the academia of history and the drama of storytelling, making this non-fiction title informative and fun.

Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

Suggested by Monica in Circulation
Genre: Biography
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
I liked it because it was very eye opening. It showed a man going to great lengths to show the whole truth about how it really is in the South. A must read!

From Amazon: In the Deep South of the 1950’s, a color line was etched in blood across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Journalist John Howard Griffin decided to cross that line. Using medication that darkened his skin to deep brown, he exchanged his privileged life as a Southern white man for the disenfranchised world of an unemployed black man. What happened to John Howard Griffin—from the outside and within himself—as he made his way through the segregated Deep South is recorded in this searing work of nonfiction. His audacious, still chillingly relevant eyewitness history is a work about race and humanity every American must read.

Finding Chika: A Little Girl, An Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom

Suggested by Jenn in Reference
Genre: Memoir
Available at Warren Public Library (book and audio)

Why did we love it?
Mitch Albom returns to his roots – writing a personal story about a deep relationship that he forged in his life. Just like his breakthrough book, Tuesdays with Morrie, this book is intimate and heartwarming. Albom is candid in expressing his vulnerability as he writes about love and personal loss. You will laugh and cry and fall in love with little Chika just like the author did.

Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World by Rich Villodas

Suggested by Amanda, Teen Services Specialist
Genre: Christian Living/Inspirational
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
Lately, I have found myself asking how did we get here? Our world seems more confusing than ever. I didn’t think a book would have so many answers to my questions as this one did. Rich has a great way of making us see the truth in our actions. He details how we can begin to live a good, beautiful and kind life through many scriptural practices. This can be a quick read, but I say let it linger into your daily life and never stop picking it up.

Killing Crazy Horse by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

Suggested by Susan, Children’s Librarian
Genre: Biography
Available at Warren Public Library (audio)

Why did we love it?
One of the numerous titles in O’Reilly’s Killing series. These authors share the fascinating and sometimes horrific story of America’s westward expansion. The book covers several decades and exposes numerous little-known historical facts and moments in the creation these United States.

Murders & Mysterious Deaths in the Pennsylvania Wilds (Vol. 1) by James Baumgratz

Suggested by Monica in Circulation
Genre: True Crime
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
True Crime Fans! If you like reading about mysterious deaths and unsolved cases that happen close to where you live, then this is for you. I highly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone that likes True Crime.

From Amazon: 25 True Murders & Mysterious Deaths from the Pennsylvania Wilds Region. Pennsylvania Counties included: Elk, Cameron, Potter, Tioga, Warren, McKean, Forest, Clarion, Jefferson, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming and Northern Centre. Most fascinating cases.

Reimagining Blue by Kristen Ziman

Suggested by Cathy in Circulation
Genre: Memoir
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
Reimagining Blue is written by a retired female police chief. It’s about her path to becoming a police chief, the challenges of being a female police officer, and her thoughts on policing in this time. It’s a very interesting and enlightening book and I think everyone can learn something from it.

YOUNG ADULT

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Suggested by Courtney in Reference and Adult Services
Genre: Fantasy
Available on Libby

Why did we love it?
In A Deadly Education, Naomi Novik applies all of her expertise as a fantasy writer to craft a relatable coming of age story. Follow El as she navigates a school that wants to kill her, the growth of her own dark powers, and the heroic boy who won’t stop saving her life.

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

Suggested by Amanda, Teen Services Specialist
Genre: Romance
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
This book packs a punch of emotion! It’s everything that you are looking for in a love story, but in addition, falling in love when you both have Cystic Fibrous, which can be very risky business. Stella is the glue to so many people that she loves so she always does everything as she should. Will is the rebel! When they meet they both learn so much from each other and it changes them forever!

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Suggested by Amanda, Teen Services Specialist
Genre: Graphic Novel/LGBTQ
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
One word for you: CUTE! This graphic novel gave me all the feels! Prince Sebastian is bold and beautiful when he is Lady Crystallia, but when he is back on the throne, he thinks he needs to hide his true self. When all is revealed, family and friendship become bigger than the fear of not being accepted for who you are.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Suggested by Susan, Children’s Librarian
Genre: LGBTQ/Dystopian Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
When you receive the dreaded phone call from Death-Cast that everyone only gets once in a lifetime, you know that you have about 24 hours to live. You don’t know how or what time you’re going to die…just that you are going to die soon. How do you spend your last day? Who do you tell? What if you find the love of your life on your last day? Excellent dystopian novel that makes you think.

Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

Suggested by Amanda, Teen Services Specialist
Genre: High Fantasy
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby

Why did we love it?
One of my favorite types of characters in a high fantasy novel is a strong female protagonist who is an assassin. This book has this and so much more like: Magic, iron teeth witches, fairies, curses, far off lands, shapeshifters, and creatures of the dark. It’s a high fantasy dream with a compelling story. Each book introduces non-stop action and unforgettable characters.

CHILDREN’S

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo

Suggested by Susan, Children’s Librarian
Genre: Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
Recommended for adults and children. Classic story of good vs. evil involving a prophecy, a girl, a monk, a boy and a very stubborn but intelligent goat. The reader should be quite satisfied with the end. Kate DiCamillo is a master storyteller; her words flow beautifully. Excellent story; could not put it down.

The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America’s Test Kitchen

Suggested by Kelley, Children’s Room Assistant
Genre: Non-fiction/Cookbook
Available at Warren Public Library and on Libby

Why did we love it?
America’s Test Kitchen does adult cookbooks that are out of this world wonderful and now they have this edition for kids. BUT…adults check this book out as well. It has a wide variety of recipes, tricks, tips and cool ideas that are for any age. Colored pictures from cover to cover make this cookbook a joy to flip through.

The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing Hahn

Suggested by Susan, Children’s Librarian
Genre: Ghost Story
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
Two young girls from different centuries are brought together when Jules, who lives in the current century, moves into an old house her father is restoring. The young girl from the previous century is awakened by the action in her home, and the two girls slowly become acquainted with each other. Jules looks for a way to help the ghost girl who seems trapped in time.

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Suggested by Susan, Children’s Librarian
Genre: Historical Fiction
Available at Warren Public Library

Why did we love it?
Young Audra’s farm in rural Lithuania is being run by the Russian Cossak soldiers, who cruelly enforce many laws, one of them being that books written in Lithuanian are not permitted. Audra’s parents have kept many realities of the world away from her in their attempt to protect her. But when Audra’s parents are taken away for breaking this law, Audra is forced to take many risks and must decide if she should become active in a growing resistance movement.