October 2025
Chris’ Audiobook Pick:
Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips (2023)
Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and set in 1874, this novel tells the harrowing story of eleven-year-old ConaLee and her mother who escape an abusive home and start a new life at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia.
Downloadable from Libby.
Chris’ Book Pick:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025)
This epistolary novel explores the complicated life of retired attorney Sybil Van Antwerp through her exchange of letters with family, friends and a variety of other folks whose lives cross paths with hers. Available in print and on Libby.
Laura’s Pick:
The starving saints by Caitlin Starling (2025)
Supplies are running low at Aymar Castle, which has been under siege for months. Just as it seems all is lost, the Constant Lady and her divine Saints arrive, bringing food and hope. It’s a miracle—or is it? How did they get through the barricaded gates? Where is the feast coming from? Have the castle citizens exchanged one unspeakable horror for another? This eerie tale will give you the shivers.
John’s Albums/Movies Picks:
Timepieces: the Best of Eric Clapton by Eric Clapton (1982)
A compilation album released on RSO/Polydor Records just before Clapton left to form his own label, Duck Records. Featuring eleven tracks, the album contains singles from Clapton’s discography between 1970 and 1978; with the exception of a cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.’ A follow-up compilation of live tracks was issued a year later.
Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run by Peter Ames Carlin (2025)
A look into the production and release of Bruce Springsteen’s landmark 1975 album, Born to Run. The book chronicles the tumultuous period in which Springsteen went through several personnel changes in his band, as well as the difficulties into the recording process. However, the final product resulted in one of the greatest albums of all time.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025)
A spinoff film to the highly successful John Wick franchise. Directed by Len Wiseman, the film stars Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina turned assassin who sets out to avenge her father’s death. Norman Reedus and Ian McShane costar along with Keanu Reeves, who has an extended cameo.
Lauren’s Pick:
Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove (2025)
Demeter is a spaceship tasked with ferrying passengers between Earth and Alpha Centauri, and all she wants to do is get them there safely. The only problem is that her passengers keep dying, and it’s not her fault. It all began when the legendary vampire Dracula came aboard, resulting in a bloody massacre, and everything downhill from there. To avoid being sent to the scrapyard, Demeter teams up with a motley crew of monsters to seek revenge on Dracula, and prove once and for all that she isn’t a ghost ship. This book is perfect for fans of Becky Chambers and Martha Wells.
Ashlee’s Children’s Book Picks:
Luna and the witch throw a Halloween party by Dan Murphy & Aubrey Plaza; illustrated by Hannah Peck (2025)
(Recommended for ages 3-7)
Luna Lopez and Pheenie the witch make a hilarious pair in this party-prepping tale! These two quirky characters strike a simple bargain: Luna wants to learn how to be a witch, and Pheenie wants to learn how to throw a successful Halloween party. After much work and compromise, ghosts, goblins, and children alike come together to experience the party of the year.
I am not a vampire by Miles McKenna; illustrated by Riley Samels (2025)
(Recommended for ages 3-6)
In a family of vampires, Arlo is a late bloomer and grows anxious awaiting the changes his siblings have already gone through. By the end of the story, though, we find out Arlo isn’t actually a vampire at all – he’s a werewolf! His family couldn’t be more proud. Miles McKenna has written a beautiful story of love and acceptance, offering a delicate introduction to gender identity and emphasizing the importance of embracing your truest self and accepting others for who they are.