Staff Picks
What should you read, watch or listen to next? We're so glad you asked!
Love stumbling on a fun book display at the library? Welcome to the online version! Dive into our Library staff’s top picks—books, movies, music, and more—by theme, age, awards, read-alikes, and all kinds of cool topics we just can’t stop talking about.
Recent Staff Lists
Fourth Wing: Just the Vibes
Waiting for the 4th book in the Empyrean series? Pass the time with titles that match the vibes of Basgiath, dragon riding, and rebellion.
Hurt People Hurt People
Superheroes as archetypes of mental illness stemming from untreated traumatic events in their past.
Books the book club ladies are reading
Here's a list of the books my book club ladies are reading when they're not reading a book for our club.
Motorcycle Fixation
Explore different facets of motorcycle history, culture, subgroups, and stories--both fiction and nonfiction.
Required Reads We Actually Enjoyed
Here are some that staff at our Oak Park and Central branches were required to read but that we ended up loving enough to recommend to you!
Favorite Vegetarian Cookbooks
As an avid home cook, I'm always trying new cookbooks - these are my favorites featuring mostly vegetarian and lots of vegan recipes.
Halloween fun on full display
From creature features to cozy fireplace reads, we've got your Library-curated autumnal recommendations!
Investing for Everyone: Books & Research Tools
Investing can be a powerful tool to grow personal wealth and save for the future. Here are library resources to help investing first timers.
Debut Novels
It's exciting to discover a new favorite author. Share your love of these novels with your friends and help grow an author's popularity.
Required Reads We Actually Enjoyed
Here are some that staff at our Oak Park and Central branches were required to read but that we ended up loving enough to recommend to you!
Mental Health Awareness for Teens
Memoirs, self-help books and works of fiction can shine a light on mental illness and help us all feel less alone.
THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL (CD)
These books echo the themes, relate to the lyrics, or match the vibes of songs on Taylor Swift's new album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Sundry Historical Adventures, Some with Magic
A selection of stories featuring characters having adventures in historical settings, as often medieval as not, and a few with magic, too!
High School Book Talk List
These are the books I love to recommended when I visit high schools.
Elementary reads - May cause tears
These touching books may cause a few tears but are great to read in upper elementary school.
There's a Reason They Call Them "Crushes"
Bring on the books with a pinch of innocent first crushes and loves, a swirl of friendship woes and an extra dash of angst!
Misty Copeland and the Legacy of a Black Ballerina
Learn more about the amazing Misty Copeland and other trailblazing Black ballerinas both real and imagined!
PBS Kids
Whether it's a PBS show you watched growing up or a newer title, we have something for everyone!
Middle School: Blech!
Life in grades 5-8 is hard. Here are stories of others like you doing their best to get through.
Hide-and-Seek Books
Enjoy finding fun gems hidden in the pictures of these seek and find books.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
Also known as the Moon Festival, this harvest festival falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar.
Books and rhymes from Storytime with Becky Carleton
Enjoy the songs, rhymes and fingerplays planned for Fall 2025 in our storytime events with Becky Carleton!
First Day Nerves?
The first day at school - or even the first day back to school - can be nerve-racking for kids AND their adults!
Staff Pick Spotlight: Music
Couch Concert 🤘
Avoid the crowds and expense! Stay home, curl up on the couch, and enjoy these live performances and music documentaries.
Just the Jukebox Musicals
If you want a pick-me-up, some sing-along therapy, or just need a bop or two, these jukebox musicals are just the ticket.
Naxos Music Library
Music from the world's most extensive online classical music library. Unlimited streaming.
There's a Reason They Call Them "Crushes"
Bring on the books with a pinch of innocent first crushes and loves, a swirl of friendship woes and an extra dash of angst!
Misty Copeland and the Legacy of a Black Ballerina
Learn more about the amazing Misty Copeland and other trailblazing Black ballerinas both real and imagined!
PBS Kids
Whether it's a PBS show you watched growing up or a newer title, we have something for everyone!
Favorite Vegetarian Cookbooks
As an avid home cook, I'm always trying new cookbooks - these are my favorites featuring mostly vegetarian and lots of vegan recipes.
Halloween fun on full display
From creature features to cozy fireplace reads, we've got your Library-curated autumnal recommendations!
Investing for Everyone: Books & Research Tools
Investing can be a powerful tool to grow personal wealth and save for the future. Here are library resources to help investing first timers.
Book Group Recommends: Warrior Girl Unearthed Readlikes
Our Warrior Girl Unearthed book group recommends these books and movies that also include themes of indigenous identity and family.
Science Fiction Horror
Unstoppable creatures that want to kill, haunted houses in space & more. This Halloween why not relearn that not all aliens come in peace...
Greenwood Rising: The Tulsa Race Massacre, Remembered
Learn more about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, as well as the destruction, and resurrection, of the Greenwood district and its story.
Nobel Winner: László Krasznahorkai
László Krasznahorkai won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature. This Hungarian author is known for dystopian themes, fascination with art.
Box Office Poison
In his new book, Tim Robey puts forward the idea that we have as much to learn about Hollywood from its flops as we do from its hits.
Horror for Newbies
Wanting to join in the spooky season but unsure what to read?
Stay Gold: The Legacy of the Outsiders
A film from Francis Ford Coppola, a Best Musical-winning stage adaptation and more have been inspired by The Outsiders.
Different and Able: A Resource List
Books for those who want to better understand what it's like to move through this world as a differently abled person.
English Practice
These guides can help you practice pronouncing English words.
Gargoyles, Ghouls, and Other Ghostly Things
Welcome to my spooky-season reading list!