As librarians, we’re used to turning to books for comfort and escape. One of the topics of discussion that has come up for us has been how our reading habits have changed as our world has changed. Many of us are turning to new genres (hello fantasy and romance!). Some of us are finding that it’s harder to focus and we’re reading less, while some of us are finding that we’re reading a lot more as we just want a way to escape 2020. Either way, here’s a roundup of some of the books that BPL librarians and staff have been reading recently.
Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
The story got a little muddled toward the end, but it was extremely suspenseful and pretty terrifying. I would recommend for a page turner and also if The Perks of Being a Wallflower was formative for you and you don’t want to miss anything by this author.
—Louisa Lebwohl, Children’s Librarian
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
I can never quite figure out if her books are any good. They always transport me and are sort of unputdownable, despite the obviousness of a lot of the characterization and plot points.
—Rebecca Cowley, Librarian Supervisor
Emma by Jane Austen
We chose Emma for our virtual book club with my best friends from grad school. The book club is our way of making sure we check in once a week and have a fun evening catching up and stay sane during the quarantine.
—Samantha Owen, Children’s Librarian
Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
I enjoyed Scythe (the first in this series), so I have high expectations.
—Diana Plunkett, Strategic Initiatives
The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith
This is one of the many installments in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and it is as comforting as all the others, though they are tackling a tough case.
—Maria McGrath, Children’s Librarian
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
I loved The Night Circus so much, and the mysterious tone and characters in this new work pulled me in right away. So far, it’s a magical and intriguing escape from the world we’re in.
—Robin Lester Kenton, VP, Marketing & Communications
Life of the Party by Olivia Gatwood
I’ve had a hard time reading novels right now, because my attention has been everywhere. Poetry, however, has been hitting the spot, unexpectedly. This collection is challenging but extremely beautiful.
—Jess Harwick, Children’s Librarian
Darlings of New Midnight by Andrea Speed
This is an epic queer adventure about trying to avert the apocalypse featuring a human man and his boyfriend who happens to be the son of the devil, a fashionable mummy, a harpy and her witch girlfriend, and the daughter of Cthulhu and her emissary.
—Diaz Zulida, Job Info Resource Librarian
If this list inspires you to pick up a new genre or try out one of the books that we’re reading, let us know! If reading still feels like too much right now with so much going on, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I hope you’re finding comfort in movies, exercise, video games, tv shows, or whatever is working for you right now. The books will be here when you’re ready.
Jess Harwick is a children’s librarian by day and an avid fantasy reader by night. She lives with a tiny tiger (read: tabby cat) who she named after one of her least favorite literary characters. When she’s not reading these days, she’s experimenting with her sourdough starter or going for socially distant runs in the park.
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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