May 2025
Laura’s Pick:
One dark window by Rachel Gillig (2022)
A city haunted by magical, madness-inducing mist. A deck of Tarot-inspired cards that grant the user specific powers. A girl with a monster in her head, whom she calls the Nightmare. And a legend of the Shepherd King, who sought to unite the card deck, banish the mist, and save the kingdom. Do yourself a favor and check out the second book in this duology at the same time—it’s a page-turner.
John’s Picks:
Who Believes in Angels? by Elton John & Brandi Carlile (2025)
The thirty-third studio album by John and his first full collaborative effort with American singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile. The two previously worked together on individual tracks for John’s preceding works, The Lockdown Sessions and Elton John: Never Too Late respectively. Featured artists include Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and session bassist Pino Paladino. Both John and Carlile have described the album as one of the most challenging records to make, but also a completely rewarding musical experience.
Dylan by Bob Dylan (2007)
A relatively concise compilation of some of Dylan’s biggest singles throughout his career released through both Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings. The standard album consists of eighteen tracks while the three-disc deluxe edition has a total of fifty-one. Songs range from as early as Dylan’s self-titled debut album in 1962 up through his most recent work at that point, Modern Times, in 2006.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
The sequel to the highly successful first film based on the popular Sonic video game series. Ben Schwarz returns to voice the titular character with Jim Carrey also reprising his role as Sonic’s archenemy, Dr. Robotnik. Newcomers include Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Miles “Tails” Prower. Full of humor and action, this sequel is just as fun as the original film.
Lauren’s Pick:
Third Shift Society 1 by Meredith Moriarty (2024)
In this charming graphic novel, Ellie just can’t catch a break. Her rent is way overdue, she was just fired from her job, and any other job she tries ends in disaster. After a chance encounter with Ichabod, a man with a pumpkin for a head, Ellie discovers she has psychic powers. Ichabod offers her a job working as a paranormal investigator, and soon she’s whisked into a world where vampires are real, and so are giant bugs. Is there something even more sinister behind all these cases? What’s really happening in this strange new world Ellie has stumbled into?
Melissa’s Pick:
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl (2024)
Stella, a bookish, young American, discovers the world of food, art, and fashion in 1980s Paris. Sent by her outgoing mother, a tentative Stella enters a vintage clothing shop where an irresistible dress and insistent shopkeeper propel to her a brasserie. There she meets Paris native and octogenarian Jules who introduces her to a Paris filled with memorable characters and the search for an artist whose work has been lost.
Jenna’s Middle Grade Graphic Novels Picks:
Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers by Angela Dominguez
Soon to be middle schooler Gabby Torres is in for a crash course in social media when she launches a page for her Sea Musketeers Club, a student group that works to protect the ocean, beaches, and marine life that inhabit them. Can Gabby stick to the rules her parents set around posting on social media or will she let the pressure get to her and go rogue? This is a short graphic novel that is jam packed with lessons but keeps it light and fun for readers.
How to Draw a Secret by Cindy Chang
This autobiographical graphic novel packs a powerful emotional punch and many middle grade readers will relate to the struggle over identity and family. Twelve year old Cindy loves to draw but is stumped when an art contest asks her to draw what her family means to her. While Cindy lives with her mom and has two older sisters, her father has been living in Taiwan but Cindy has been told to keep this a secret. When a trip to Taipei reveals devastating revelations about her family, Cindy must learn how to navigate the new norm and ultimately grows stronger from it, building a support system and learning to empower herself in the process.
Ashlee’s Children’s Picks:
Dragon dreams by Roni Schotter; illustrated by Khoa Le (2025)
(Recommended for ages 4-8)
Roni Schotter’s new picture book exhibits both lyrical prose and dazzling illustrations of a child’s imagination come to life. This story focuses on a child and her dragon as they ride off on a nighttime adventure to a gathering with others in the neighborhood. Schotter describes it as, “Dragons of every color and kind. Carrying children of every color and kind.” Themes of inclusivity, imagination, kindness, and conflict resolution are present throughout this tale.
All about U.S.: a look at the lives of 50 real kids from across the United States by Matt Lamothe; with Jenny Volvovski (2024)
(Recommended for ages 8-12)
Matt Lamothe presents us with a detailed and unique look into the diversity of our country’s next generation, giving readers a glimpse into the lives of real children from every state. The families in this book were thoughtfully chosen to represent our country’s population and to illuminate children of varying races, ethnicities, disabilities, and family compositions. Each entry is paired with a beautiful illustration of the child with their family.