Spring is on its way, but for librarians that just means more fresh titles to dig into! This month, our staff just couldn’t help themselves and have bundles of recommendations to offer up. From snappy poetry to unique foreign films, our collection has kept us all entertained through the ups and downs of Ohio weather. Whether you’re still waiting for the chill air to finally recede or are totally ready to enjoy a good book in the park, Clark County Public Library has got you covered. Add these titles to your growing list of TBR’s, and you’ll be hopping through stories all the way to summer!
Sonya Knisley (Main)
The Collected Regrets of Clover
This was a favorite of several of us here at the library on the front lines and behind the scenes. I found the book very touching and thought-provoking. I learned about the death doula profession; one I had not heard of before. We know about birth doulas helping bring babies into the world, but I never thought about there being people who want to comfort and be there for others at the end of their life, those who might not have anyone else, and possibly assist them in taking action regarding a regret before their time here is over. The actions of the main character not only showed how wonderfully caring and helpful these doulas can be to someone at the end of their life, but also how beneficial it can be to the doulas themselves who have experienced a heavy regret or a death in their own life. This book made me think about a second career! After reading it I started following a death doula group on Instagram who teach classes. I am excited to read the author's next book, Good Joy, Bad Joy when it comes out in early May.
If you really like Stephen King's The Body (Stand By Me) and IT, you will enjoy this book too. The group of kids seemed so mature in dealing with all that was going on in their lives, as well as all of the strange activities going on in their town. It was impressive how they thought through the situations and dealt with them. The supernatural events got my heart pounding a bit at times! A co-worker said it was the scariest book they had read. The sequel books follow some of the kids as adults in other strange happenings around the world and back at their hometown. The sequels (Children of the Night, Fires of Eden, and A Winter Haunting) are all very good books by the recently deceased Dan Simmons, but this, the first in the series, is my favorite.
Allison Peck (PR Team)
The title says it all with this one. If you are a plant lover like me (or a fan of the Ents), you'll feel true joy in reading this book! And definitely learn some fascinating things along the way about these most important plants. The chill-vibe writing style also gets points from me. So, if you need to decompress from all of the things, I would highly recommend giving this a read.
Another fascinating read about plants that involves history, folklore, and more. Plus, it helped me realize that some of the plants in my home garden and in gardens that I played in as a child are highly toxic. EEK! I also feel that this would be a good prep book if your interests lean toward Jeopardy.
If you haven't dipped into the world of Big Panda and Tiny Dragon, you couldn't start with a more beautiful entry than this. In classic Norbury style, the sweet, colorful drawings and touching prose give us ways to relate to challenges in life that we will all face. This is the third book in the series.
Clever, quippy and relatable, this book of poetry aptly encapsulates the societal and familial expectations put on women (as its main focus), with all of the poems delivering in a punchy way. I verbally agreed and laughed out loud with several of these. No small feat!
An Elderly Lady Is up to No Good
So, who doesn't love a main character who happens to be an 80+ year old woman that...murders people in the blink of an eye?!? Welcome to the world of Maud, where you are brought behind the veil of what she's thinking at all times and how she outwits the authorities. She's a hipper, cooler, more modern version of Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment, and I'm here for it!
Looking for inspiration for your next creative project? Page through this book to gather color, texture, and pattern inspiration for your home or your next fit. Iris was nothing if not bold in her (almost) 100 years of life. Let this book be your guide to unapologetically being yourself and embracing whatever bold means for you!
If you are in need of the perfectly perfect movie about a simple but full life, you need to watch Perfect Days! Follow along with Hirayama as he goes about his days as a cleaner of public toilets in Tokyo. Not gonna lie, the public toilets in Tokyo look amazing!! Sculptural, beautiful and so CLEAN. Also has a banger of a soundtrack.
Cathy Reid (Main)
A moving, sometimes brutal, and thoroughly researched historical novel set during World War I. The story follows two young men, Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood, from their boarding school days in the English countryside to their enlistment then to the grim realities of the World War I trenches. It's a tale of the devastating tragedy of war and of a forbidden romance that blossoms in its midst - an unforgettable story that I highly recommend.
Lisa Pitt (Outreach Team)
This is the first James Patterson novel that I’ve read all the way through, but I am a big fan of his work now. It stood out to me the most from his other works because there were so many characters, twists, and suspense that I couldn't guess the ending. Usually, I can figure out who is guilty or what is going to happen. That book surprised me at the end like no other book has.
This was a lighthearted, fun, and romantic read. I felt like the characters were genuine. I was interested in seeing where their paths took them until the end. I enjoyed it so much, I will be reading more of Emily Henry's books.
Want More Recommendations?
As always, our staff is ready and waiting to help readers discover their next great book. Check out the new section at your favorite branch to see the latest and greatest books, games, and more! Plus, you can request a personalized reading list tailored to your tastes during any season! Connecting readers with engaging stories they’ll enjoy is one of the best parts of our job. If one of the recommendations is a big hit with you, we would love to hear about it!
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