Staff Picks: March 2020
Welcome to our very first Staff Picks post. Our staff reads a variety of genres, so we hope that there’s something for everyone in our list. Read on to find out what books our staff chose as their favourites for the month of March.
Elizabeth’s Pick: “Blood of Elves” by Andrzej Sapkowski
This is the second novel in the “Witcher” series, not the first book noted in our title. “Blood of Elves” is out at the moment, so we took a photo of book two instead.
GENRE: Fantasy Fiction
WHY SHE CHOSE IT: “Blood of Elves” is an excellent first novel in a series. While this book isn’t the best of the Witcher novels, it introduces the Witcher world and the important characters who live in it.
If you’ve watched the “Witcher” series on Netflix you’ll already know what’s going on but consider yourself forewarned, this is a quieter book that is concerned with the reader knowing who and where the “Witcher” takes place rather than a book full of suspense and action.
And, of course, as with most series, this book isn’t a standalone book but leads the reader to the next novel in the series, “The Time of Contempt”. So be patient and you will be rewarded with memorable characters that leave you wanting to see what happens next.
Since I recommend the entire series and you need to start somewhere, you may as well start here and now.
CLICK TO RESERVE “Blood of Elves” by Andrzej Sapkowski
Lisa G’s Pick: “All-American Murder” by James Patterson
GENRE: True Crime, Biography
WHY SHE CHOSE IT: It’s a true crime and celebrity book combo, which is a double whammy of greatness.
Rachel’s Pick: “A Darker Shade of Magic” by V. E. Schwab
GENRE: Fantasy Fiction
WHY SHE CHOSE IT: I’ve always had a soft spot for fantasy fiction, and V. E. Schwab is a really enjoyable voice in that particular scene. I have read a couple of her shorter novellas in the past and enjoyed them, so I decided to finally pick up the first book of one of her more serious series: Shades of Magic. Right away, I was interested; the premise was fresh and fascinating, and I really liked the two main characters. The engaging narrative and fast-paced plot ensured that I never knew what was coming next. Although the first book did wrap up what I thought was the main plot, the excerpt of the next book in the back told me that there was far more to the story than I initially realized. I’m excited to start the next book and see what happens next!
CLICK TO RESERVE "A Darker Shade of Magic” (Shades of Magic #1) by V. E. Schwab
Lisa S’s Pick: “After the End” by Claire Mackintosh
GENRE: Fiction
WHY SHE CHOSE IT: I enjoyed each of Claire Mackintosh’s previous three books, which are all thrillers, however, After the End is completely different. It deals with one of my worst nightmares: my child getting a terminal illness. It digs deeper when the parents, Max and Pip, disagree on what to do when end-of-life options are presented to them; Max wants to keep fighting to prolong their son’s life, and Pip wants to discontinue treatment and end his suffering.
It was a refreshing read because both outcomes are fully explored, so I wasn’t left wondering, “What if?” After the End deals less with the details of the illness itself, and focuses more on the effect it has on Max and Pip’s relationship. I highly recommend it if you like stories about relationships, where the plot is more about exploring the depths of love, and what happens when the end becomes a new beginning.
Abbey’s Pick: “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” by Ned Vizzini
GENRE: Young Adult Fiction, Comedy
WHY SHE CHOSE IT: I really like this book because it has such a real storyline and so many unique, but relatable, characters.
CLICK TO RESERVE “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” by Ned Vizzini
Eden’s Pick: Folk of the Air Series by Holly Black
GENRE: Young Adult Fantasy
WHY SHE CHOSE IT: I really like the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black, which is a spin-off of The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. The main character, June, is trying to work her way up through the faerie courts, taking major risks and trusting no one. June is a major inspiration to me, inspiring me to take charge and let nothing stand in my path.
CLICK TO RESERVE “Cruel Prince” (Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black
That wraps up our March 2020 Staff Picks. We hope you found something new, and we would love to hear what book you would recommend? Please share your own pick in the comments (because we all need more books to add to our To-Be-Read lists, right?)
-Lisa S., Library Clerk/Evening Supervisor
