previousstaffselections

Each month, Beaumont Library District staff members offer recommendations on some of their favorite books.

Find out what the staff recommends each month by viewing the list below.

Each recommendation is followed by a comment on why the title was suggested. 

Staff Picks 2021

Recommended by Allison
  • In Pursuit of a Proper Sinner by Elizabeth George: A classic British mystery.
  • The Univited by Cat Winters: 1918 flue pandemic, love, and loss.
  • Mystique by Amanda Quick: Medieval romance by a prolific author.
  • The Turn of the Screw and Other Short Novels by Henry James: A classic ghost story perfect for Halloween!
Recommended by Annyah
  • Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton: Emorional and thought provoking with characters you care about.
  • The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict: A glimpse into a hidden life; it made me want to learn more about this fascinating woman.
Recommended by Bronwyn
  • The Girls by Lori Lansens: A fictional yet poignant look from the viewpoint of conjoined sisters.
Recommended by Devon
  • Exhalation by Ted Chiang: Phlosophical sci-fi short stories that make you think for far longer than they took to read.
  • La Casa by Paco Roca: Una hermosa novela grafica sobre la familia, la perdida y los recuerdos.
  • Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1-3 by Hiromu Arakawa: The greatest action/adventure story ever printed in comic form.
Recommended by the Director
  • News of the World by Paulette Jiles: A great story that became a major motion picture with Tom Hanks.
  • Made in California: the California-Born Burger Joints, Diners, Fast Food & Restaurants That Changed America by George Geary: 50 famous fast food and specialty food chains started in CA.
Recommeded by Jasmine
  • Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: This book was a spooky, dark and magical ride set in 1950's Mexico.
  • Wild at Home by Hilton Carter: Plant lover's paradise of ideas. Great inspo pics and beautiful greenery!
  • Go With the Flow by Lily Williams: Empowering grphic novel about four teens who are fed up with their school's lack of supplies for menstruation.
  • There There by Tommy Orange: Unforgettable novel revolving around 12 people as they attend the Oakland Pow Wow.
  • Enchantress by James Maxwell: An entire new fantasy world with enchanters and magic. This is book 1 or a 4 book series. So good!!!
  • From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World To Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty: Fascinating book about death rituals around the world! Highly recommend this book!
  • Boys Run the Riot Vol. 1 by Keito Gaku: This boook is about a transgender teen is such a great read. I loved the heartfelt storyline and drama.
  • The Decent Proposal by Kemper Donovan: I could not put this modern romance down! Set in L.A. with lots of twists and turns.
  • The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead: Book based on a true story of a boys reform school in Jim-Crow era Florida. A must read!
Recommended by Julia
  • The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff: Highlights the contributions of the female resistance fighters of WWII.
Recommended by Sarah
  • The Loop by Ben Oliver: Think "Matrix" meets "Black Mirror" and Amazon original "The Wilds."
  • The Smashed by of Dread End by J.W. Ocker: A creepy and spin chilling middle grade read perfect for Halloween.
Recommeded by Tamara
  • Eat & Run by Scott Jurek: Love the combination of author's running journey and vegan journey/recipes.
  • Seconds by Bryan Lee O'Malley: Interesting graphic novel which shows the conswquences of getting a second chance at life.
  • A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen: Touching book showing the transformative power of having a pet in one's life.
  • The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James: Great combination of ghost story/mystery set in 1982 & 2017.
  • Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman:  A touching novel focusing on a teen boy's experience with mental illness and how it impacts his family and friends.
  • Humans by Brandon Stanton: Love the combination of stories, quotes, and photos from around the world.
  • High On the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America: Fascinating book show how foods from Africa shaped the culture of America.
  • The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea: Epic novel the focuses on two days in the life of a Mexican-American family involving a funeral & a birthday.
  • Still Alice by Lisa Genova: A touching & heartbreaking novel of a woman's decline after an early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis at the age of fifty.
  • The Charmed Wife by Olga Grushin: An interesting novel that deconstructs the Cinderella fairy tale and shows a tired housewife eager to escape her marriage.
  • Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: A teen novel written in verse that tells the story of two teen girls joined together by shared grief.
  • Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd: A gripping novel involving a woman on the run, a murder at a resort, and someone determined to get revenge.
  • My Italiam Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith: An enchanting novel about a Scottish food writer's adventure in Tuscany using an unusual mode of transportation.
  • The Called Us Enemy by George Takei: A riveting personal accoint of an unknown chapter in U.S. history involving the imprisonment of 120,000 Japanses Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Staff Picks 2022

Recommended by Allison
  • And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: A scary and classic British mystery.
  • Collected Stories vby Roald Dahl: Great adult stories! The opposite of his kid novels.
  • The Enemies of My Country by Jason Kasper: A great thriller! Pefect for fans of Brad Thor and Brad Meltzer.
  • Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory: An early beach read for summer.
  • Cowboy Christmas Redemption by Maisey Yates: Two C's - Cowboy & Christmas. A good combination.
  • His Mistress By Christmas by Victoria Alexander: A great holiday romance!
  • A Cowboy for Christmasby Lori Wilde: A  feel-good Xmas romance.
  • Evil in Emerald by A.M. Stuart: A great historical mystery series.
  • Last Chance Christmas by Hope Ramasy: A cute holiday romance.
  • Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie: A classic Christie mystery.
  • The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence: One of the author's best known works.
Recommended by Annyah
  • Let's Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World by Danielle Friedman: Fun and invigorating to read!
Recommended by Devon
  • Remina by Junji Itō: An absolutely insane cosmic horror. So bleaklyy over-the-top, it wraps back around to the hilarious.
Recommended by Estephanina
  • Blue Flag Vol. 1 by Kaito: A story of about a girl and a boy and their best friend. #highschooldrama
Recommended by Jasmine
  • On the Come Up by Angie Thomas: Inspiring story of a young black girl living in poverty and fighting for free speech through hip-hop;her salvation.
  • Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood: Debut novel that is a captivation Jane Eyre/Ethiopian inspired fantasy! Excellent!
  • The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski: Audiobook read by Peter Kenny who does an excellent job with voices and characters! This is book 1 in the series and just fabulous!
  • Spy x Family Vol. 1 by Tatsuya Endō: Hilarious graphic novel about an assassin and a telepath.
  • Running with Sherman: the Donkey with the Heart of a Gero by Christopher McDougall: Wonderful story of adoption of an abued donkey and his special owners.
  • Wish by Barbara O'Connor: Heatwarming story of finding love in an unlikely place. Great to read to your kid(s.) 
  • One Night on the Island by Josie Silver: Charming self-discovery rom-com with a forced proximity trope. Fun new adult read!
  • I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez: Beautiful story of loss and love in a first-gen Mexican-American teen's life. Lots of Mexican folklore and drama.
  • Tidesong by Wendy Wu: Beautiful graphic novel that any age can enjoy! Magic, water, dragons, & friendship!
  • Truth or Beard by Penny Reid: Fun book that starts the series of "Men With Beards." This is Duane's story. Bikers, romance, & beards!
  • Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez: Fun rom-com with laugh out loud moments and a sweet ending.
  • Vicious by V.E. Schwab: College roomates turned enemies in this fast paced, high stakes book. Superpowers abound!
  • Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel: An oldie but goodie! Excellent story that grips you from the first page. An oprhan who is raised by an early human clan.
  • Dance of Thieves by Mary Pearson: This was an excellent story of a female street thief. Definite Aladin vibes, but much bigger.
  • Loveless by Alice Oseman: A truly wonderful story of friendship and love for a girl who is asexual/aromantic. I love everything from this author!
  • That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming:Fun light fantasy read between a demon & a witch. Book 1 of "Mead Mishaps" series.
Recommended by Julia
  • The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis: Historical fiction set in NYC's Grand Central Terminal in an art school.
  • Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams: Great read inspired by Amelia Earhart and reimaging her life.
  • These Precious Days by Ann Patchett: Ann Patchett never disappoints, be it fiction or essays. This is a beautiful collection.
  • Five Days in Winter by Lily King: Some challenging content, included in beautiful text, in these short stories.
  • The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton: Engaging story, I am not a huge fantasy fan, but the autor makes that element work.
  • Into Thin Air by John Krakauer: So engrossing you'll have a hard time putting it down.
  • The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis: Set inside the New York Public Library wirh connecting stories. One is in 1913, one in 1993.
  • Sinapore Sapphire by A.M. Stuart: Interesting mystery set in 1910 in Singapore.
  • Death with a Double Edge by Anne Perry: After enjoying the Thomas & Charlotte Pitt novels, it's fun to read with the son as the protagonist.
  • The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka: Swimming, aging, dementia - hard topics beautifully presented in an unusal, fantastic short novel.
  • House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea: Beautiful story about a family facing their patriarch's last days.
  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: A classic worth re-reading. Begins in New York in 1912.
  • The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim: Sort of a mystery hidden within a mother/daughter story.
Recommended by Kelly
  • The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: Not your average circus!
  • Sourdough by Robin Sloan: For those who consider sourough your best friend.
Recommended by Sarah
  • Wilder Girls by Rory Power: A feminist/darker retelling of "Lord of the Flies."
  • Rules for Vanishing by Kate Allen Marshall: An excellent camp ghost story. Small town folklore, lost girls, and ghosts. It's very reminiscent of "The Blair Witch Project."
  • A Soft Place to Land by Janae Marks: A heartwarming story about connection, loss, and the meaning of home.
  • Swallow by Sam Shill: Had a very 90's teen horror vibe. A high school revenge story that is terryifying!
  • Trouble Girls by Julia Lynn Rubin: A darker verison of "Thelma & Louise." An excellent teen road trip thriller.
Recommended by Tamara
  • Black Widow by Leslie Gray Streeter: A sad yet humorous book chronicling the journey of a woman through unexpected widowhood at the age of forty-four.
  • The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson: A whimsical novel that shows the results of grief, the consquences of long kept secrects, & the life changing power of forgiveness.
  • The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan: A quick & concise unconventional novel telling the story of a relationship presented as dictionary entries.
  • This is What You Just Put in Your Mouth?: From Eggnog to Beef Jerky, the Surprising Secrets of What's Inside Everyday Products by Patrick Di Justo: Insightful book about ingredients in popular food & non-food items.
  • Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton: An interesting novel that presents a literal "bird's eye view" of the apocalypse as well as a journey of self discovery and awareness.
  • Larger Than Life by Maria Sherman: A must read book for fans of boy bands presenting history form the mid-1800s to 2020.
  • Make Your Own Sunshine by Janice Dean: A lterary ray of sunshine to brighten a world that has been darkened by COVID-19 & other personal tragedies.
  • Million Little Mistakes by Heather McElhatton: Great read for fans of "Choose Your Own Adventure" books with 1 beginning and 150 possible endings!
  • The Musuem of Rain by Dave Eggers: Short book with a message on aging, memory, and connecting with others while on a walk with family in the California Central Coast.
  • Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson: Intriguing & suspensful novel involving Christine Lucas, a woman who wakes up everyday with no memory of who she is.
  • Lady Death: the Memoirs of Stalin's Sniperby Lyudmila Pavlychenko: Impressive memior written by the first feal front-line sniper who fought for the Soviet Union during World War II.
  • The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson: A beautiful but difficult novel inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the Kentucky Pack Horse Library Service of the 1930s.
  • You'll Nver Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories About Racism by Amber Ruffin: A hilarious book on the heavy topic of racism presented through life experiences had by Amber Ruffin's older sister Lacey.
  • Bullet Train by Kōtarō Isaka: An entertaining thriller involving five assassins on a train ride from Tokyo to Morioka and the chaos that occurs during the ride.
  • Gold Rush Women by Claire Rudolf Murphy: A riveting book focusing on daring women who worked as madams, miners, or merchants in the Yukon & Alaska during the 1880s-1900s gold rush.
  • Awesome Achievers in Technology by Alan Katz: A nonfiction children's book that highlights 12 lesser known technology innovators and their contributions to the world.
  • The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey: A unfiltered, touching yet tragic memior focusing on Carey's traumatic childhood & how it impacted her adult life and music career.
  • The Memory of An Elephant by Alex Lasker: A riveting novel about the memories of a fifty-nine year old elephant as he returns to his birthplace.
  • The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat & Fierce by Angie Manfredi: Insightful book meant to remove the stigma of using the word "fat" as well as inspire and encourage readers to embrace their bodies. 
  • Fitness For Everyone by Lousie Green: Love seeing diverse people of various abilities doing various exercises. Motivational & inspirational!
  • Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam: A second chance romance involving cultural differences, gentrification, sexual education, control, family relationships, & the power of community.
  • Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper: A touching novel of an elderly woman's last great adventure walking across Canada.
  • Finding Me by Viola Davis: A heartbreaking, emotional, and inspiring biography that shows the lifelong impact that poverty can have on a person.
  • The Forty Elephants by Erin Bledsoe: An engaging historical novel based on the true story of Alice Diamond, leader of first all-female gang in 1920s London.
  • Love & Saffron by Kim Fay: Touching novel consisting of letters between two women joined together by a recipe that blossoms into a lifelong friendship.
  • Never Too Late by Kate Champion: An inspirational book highlighting 7 later-in-life athletes.

Staff Picks 2023

Recommended by Devon
  • Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 1 by Kamone Shirahama: A cute, action -packed adventure about a young girl learning magic to save her mom.
  • The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerbils by Clint McElroy: Based on the actual-play Dungeons & Dragons podcast;comedy and adventure!
  • Oshi No Ko Vol. 1: Drama & murder mystery in the Japanese entertainment industry. A top anime in the Spring '23 season!
Recommended by Jasmine
  • Beartown by Fredrik Backman: Wonderful sweeping drama in a small, cold, hockey town.
  • Dumplin' by Julie Murphy: Wonderful comi g of age story with a plus-size main character. Also turned into a Netflix movie.
  • Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega: Sweet coming of age for a girl learning to love her hair.
  • Ghosted by Rosie Walsh: Wonderful novel that has romance and suspense and leaves you guessing.
  • Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean: Heartwarming story from the viewpoint of a bio-mother who gave up her child & reuniting 16 years later.
  • Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story: What an amazing book of a woman's struggle with cancer. Become a bone marrow donor today!
  • A First Time For Everything by Dan Santat: Really great juvie memoir about an awkward kid finding himself on a school trip to Europe.
  • Home Front by Kristin Hannah: Excellent novel about a troubled marriage put to the test when helipcopter flying wife is sent to the Iraq War.
  • Prunella and the Cursed Skull by Matthew Loux: A whole town is scared of monsters and becomes worse when a little girl turns into a skeleton.
  • Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly: Wonderful true story retelling of 3 women living through WWII.
Recommended by Julia
  • Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer: A fantastic follow up to the Pulitzer Prize winning "Less." Narrated by the character Freddy Pelu.
Recommended by Tamara
  • Gray Hair Don't Care by Karen Booth: An entertaining novel involving an older adult romance and helping women embrace getting older.
  • Life Is So Good by George Dawson: An inspirational book detailing the life of George Dawson, an 103 year old black man who learned to read at the age of ninety-eight.
  • The Way of the Househusband Vol. 1 by Kousuke Oono: Funny graphic novel following the life of a former gang member turned househusband.
  • The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald: An interesting novel involving a bookshop and small town politics.
  • Marriage Be Hard by Kevin and Melissa Fredericks: An entertaining and informative book showing how married couples should constantly communicate to grow independently and together.
  • Badass Vegan by John Lewis: Fascinating book about a former overweight butcher who becomes vegan and restores his health while motivating others.
  • Everything I Need To Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book by: Diane Muldrow: This book provides a much needed dose of childhood nostalgia & modern day amusement.
  • The Maid by Nita Prose: Entertaining novel involving a socially awkward 25 year old maid, murder, and unexpected friendships.
  • The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani: Fascinating children's novel based on real events in 1940s India during the largest mass migration in history.