July 2025
Chris’ Audiobooks Pick:
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston (2024)
At 82, it seems that Frederick Fife’s future is bleak, but all that changes after a chance encounter with grumpy Bernard Greer, his doppelganger, at a local park. What ensues is warmhearted mayhem as Fred becomes the center of a whole new community at Bernard’s care home. Entertainingly narrated by Tim Carroll.
Available on CD and downloadable from Libby and hoopla.
John’s Picks:
Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) by the Beach Boys (1990)
A reissuing of both the eighth and ninth Beach Boys studio albums into one compilation. In addition to each standard track listings, the album contains five new songs written by Brian Wilson. Additionally, both albums also contain a different version of the classic song, “Help Me, Rhonda; the original recording and the studio single respectively.
Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend by Jason Bailey (2025)
A new and extensive biography of James Gandolfini released over a decade after his sudden passing. The book chronicles Gandolfini’s life and career from character actor to his acclaimed performance as Tony Soprano in HBO's The Sopranos. With interviews from friends and family, this book is the preeminent guide into one of the greatest actors of all time.
A Working Man (2025)
An action thriller directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham. Based on the book, Levon’s Trade, by Chuck Dixon, the film follows Statham’s character, an ex-Royal Marine turned construction worker, who must use his old skills to rescue his boss’s daughter after she is kidnapped by traffickers. Costarring Michael Peña and David Harbour, the film is your typical action movie, but still packs a decent punch.
Lauren’s Pick:
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis (2025)
Parenting is hard— parenting a kindergartener who is also a werewolf is harder. Vivian is a fish out of water, trying to navigate her daughter’s move to a new elite private school for kids like her. In addition to the usual challenges, Vivian now has play PTA politics with mages and sirens, grapple with the town’s prophecy of doom and gloom that may involve her daughter, and address her own insecurities about fitting in to a community that may never accept her.
Jenna’s Children's Picture Book Pick:
Big Family Beach Day by Nina Crews (2025) (Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years old.)
This is the perfect summer read! Every summer Maya visits the beach with her cousins, aunts, uncles, grandma, and mom. The colorful illustrations make you feel like you're right there on the beach splashing in the cool water, digging in the warm sand, and exploring tidal pools. After reading, caregivers and children alike will want to share their favorite memories on the beach with loved ones.