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Read in the Bathtub Day

Julie Wendland

Rub a dub, dub, James Bond in a tub. February 9th is Read in the Tub Day and what better way to celebrate it than by looking into some books relating to a tub theme!

Make Thrillers Fresh Again

Catherine

During the latter half of 2020, there was a stretch of time where I just wasn't interested in reading psychological thrillers. Ever since Gone Girl was released almost ten years ago, they have been churned out non-stop and I was beginning to find that only in rare cases did they still have the ability to surprise me. I know that I'm not alone in this.

Staff Pick: The Other Windsor Girl

Catherine

Kristin recently enjoyed The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock, a juicy novel of historical fiction that is evocative of The Crown. Here is her review:

Family Literacy Day

Kate Wilson

The Covid-19 Pandemic had squashed a lot of plans this year, especially when it comes to travel.  Good thing we still have books to take us to all the places we want to go!  This year’s Family Literacy Day theme is all about traveling the world together through books!  Check out these great picks below to start your family adventure around the world from the safety of your own home!

 

Staff Pick: Together, Apart

Catherine

Chantell McMahon recently enjoyed Together, Apart written by several popular YA authors, including Erin A. Craig, Auriane Desombre, Erin Hahn, and Bill Konigsberg. Here is her review:

Books into Movies 2021

Catherine

When it comes to books and their movie adaptations, the latter usually falls short. That said, even with disappointment looming, I am always excited when I learn that a book I have enjoyed will be released on the big screen (or maybe small screen this year). Here is a not even close to exhaustive list of books turned movies that you may want to look out for in 2021.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (Movie release date: TBA)

Staff Pick: Closer to Nowhere

Catherine

Patricia recently enjoyed Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins, a powerful novel about two cousins aimed at middle grade readers. Here is her review:

Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins is a powerful middle grade novel that explores timeless topics like bullying, mental illness, crime, family angst and grief. The books is written in verse from the perspectives of Hannah and Cal. They are cousins forced to live together and they have nothing in common…or do they?

Most Popular Reads of 2020

Catherine

Curious what your neighbours were reading in 2020? The following are the titles that had the most borrows last year.

 

Print (physical copies)

1. A Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci

2. Blue Moon by Lee Child

3. A Better Man by Louise Penny

4. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5. Becoming by Michelle Obama

6. Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

7. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

8. The Guardians by John Grisham

9. Criss Cross by James Patterson

Staff Picks: Barry Squires: Full Tilt

Catherine

Marg recently enjoyed Barry Squires: Full Tilt by Heather Smith, a Young Adult novel that has been described as "Derry Girls meets Billy Elliot with an East coast twist." Here is here review:

When I started reading Barry Squires: Full Tilt I thought it would be a lighthearted, rollicking romp through the bingo halls and streets of St. John’s, Newfoundland, it was indeed that but so much more.

My Top Reads 2020

Catherine

Now that we have safely entered 2021, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back on my favourite reads of 2020. It was challenging to narrow it down, but the following are my personal top ten in no particular order.