Staff Picks
August 2019
The Most Fun We Ever Had
by Claire Lombardo
Wonderfully complex, well written debut novel by an author who was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois. Joyful and sad at the same time! Highly recommend!
Recommended by: Carol Maresh, Cataloger II
Posted in: Adult Fiction
The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge
by Charlie Lovett
Years after the conversion of Scrooge, Marley comes to Scrooge for Help. Marley wants Scrooge to come up with a plan to help him shed his chains, so that he can rest in peace. With the help of the three ghost that once visited Scrooge. They set out to help Marley.
Recommended by: Holly Balasa, Youth Services Shelver
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Wicked Autumn
by G.M. Malliet
Max Tudor a retired MI5 agent, has adapted well to his post as vicar of St. Edwold’s . All is well in the idyllic village of Nether Monkship until a woman is found dead. Max’s training as a former agent kicks in, and before long he suspects foul play.
Recommended by: Holly Balasa, Youth Services Shelver
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Emeralds of Oz: Life Lessons from over the rainbow
by Peter Guzzardi
What a pleasant surprise to find this gem of a book. As a long time fan of the 1939 MGM production of the Wizard of Oz and Frank L. Baum, I dove right in. Guzzardi gleans pearls of wisdom from the actions of our beloved cast. Lessons of compassion and understanding are hidden just beneath the surface. MGM dedicated their classic movie to the young at heart and to those who faithfully return to it again and again. This book is for anyone who loves the book as much as the movie and who is eager to spend even more time with it.
Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Stuck
by Oliver Jeffers
Floyd has a problem. His kite is stuck in a tree! His solution? Throw a bunch of other things up there to get it unstuck, of course. Other things include: the family car, an orangutan, a duck, and the kitchen sink. Have a few laughs and find out if his plan works!
Recommended by: Stephanie Thomas, Preschool Services Coordinator
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Old Manhattan Has Some Farms E-I-E-I-Grow!
by Susan Lendroth
Written to the tune of Old McDonald, children read and sing as they learn about urban farms, composting, rooftop gardens and beekeeping. Added bonus—Chicago is a featured city!
Recommended by: Stephanie Thomas, Preschool Services Coordinator
Posted in: Youth Fiction
July 2019
Uncommon Type: some stories
by Tom Hanks
This is a delightful book! This book is made up of a bunch of short stories that keep you turning the page. As you go from story to story you will find you run into familiar characters. Hanks takes you back to characters from a previous story to share another moment/event in their lives. This book made me laugh, made me emotional, and inspired me. This is a must read!
Recommended by: Jenna Schwartz, Reference Librarian
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
Big Little Lies
by Liane Moriarty
Follow the intertwined lives of Madeline, Celeste and Jane as they deal with and try to conceal struggles within each of their own lives: domestic abuse, bullying, infidelity and murder. Although addressing social and moral issues that are hot button topics of today, author Liane Moriarty uses well-placed humor, sharp language, and insightful scenes to make this the page turning book of the summer.
If you enjoyed the book, check out a DVD or Blu-Ray copy of HBO’s Big Little Lies, Season One, an award-winning limited series available at the Orland Park Public Library.
Recommended by: Mary Adamowski, Assistant Library Director
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Somewhere Only We Know
by Maurene Goo
Being a K-pop star is not as glamorous and some might think. For Lucky, she is the biggest K-pop star on the scene. After performing her hit song “Heartbeat” in Hong Kong to a crowd of adoring fans, she is about to debut in America on “The Tonight Show”. And even though she is hoping for a breakout performance for her career she is also dying for a hamburger. While Lucky is staying at a fancy hotel determined to find a hamburger Jack, on assignment for his tabloid job, sneaks in. When their worlds collide nothing will ever be the same.
Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell
by Chris Colfer
Colfer shows that actors can definitely be writers as well. In the first book of a debut series, we follow the adventures of twins who accidently fall into their book of fairy tales. The only way home is the powerful Wishing Spell. The components needed for the spell are recognizable objects from familiar fairy tales such as a lock of Rapunzel’s hair and Cinderella’s glass slipper. This book successfully manages to feel both new and familiar at the same time.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction