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.
2025 Favorites
2025 Top JoCoLibrary Adult Checkouts
Curious what the most checked-out items of the year are? See the JoCoLibrary winners for Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic novels & DVDs.
2025 Top JoCoLibrary Adult Checkouts
Curious what the most checked-out items of the year are? See the JoCoLibrary winners for Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic novels & DVDs.
Having Heated Rivalry Withdrawals?
Has HBO Max's release of the Heated Rivalry made you obsessed with hockey romance? Here is a booklist for you!
Crime Never Takes a Holiday: Christmas
A selection of crime novels and short stories set over the Christmas Holiday Season.
Crime Never Takes a Holiday: Hanukkah
Dark deeds that take place during Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.
2025 Top JoCoLibrary Adult Checkouts
Curious what the most checked-out items of the year are? See the JoCoLibrary winners for Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic novels & DVDs.
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.
ALSC Notable Reads for Middle Readers
This list highlights the notable books for 2025 for middle readers (3rd-5th grade).
ALSC Notable Reads for Older Readers
This list highlights the notable books for 2025 for older readers (6th-8th grade).
Mesoamerican Books for Kids
In conjunction with "Painted Worlds: Color and Culture in Mesoamerican Art" featured at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art WInter 2025/6.
Middle School: Blech!
Life in grades 5-8 is hard. Here are stories of others like you doing their best to get through.
Fun Read-Aloud Toddler Picture Books from 2025
Kids benefit in many ways from hearing books read aloud. These fun 2025 picture books are great picks to read aloud to your little ones.
Picture books about unusual animals
Why do kittens & puppies get all the love? Enjoy these adorable picture books about capybaras, quokkas, axolotls, & naked mole rats.
Our Favorite Board Books Read in 2025 🍎
Here are the board books my toddler daughter and I loved the most that we read this year.
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.
Musical Malpractice
When musicals go wrong, sometimes they're so bad they have some charm to them....just don't let the songs get stuck in your head.
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.
6 by 6 Ready to Read: Nurture a Reader
Books about neuroplasticity, early literacy skills, and techniques to help you foster a lifelong love of books and reading in your baby.
Public Domain 2026
Have you been dying to film your own version of The Maltese Falcon, or create a webcomic featuring a modern Betty Boop? You're in luck.
Movies that Inspired Stranger Things
A selection of movies that inspired the Duffer Brothers in the making Stranger Things.
There's No Place Like Home
Chidrens' books about homes and houses.
America 250 Reading List
To celebrate the America's 250th anniversary, PBS Books made this booklist to celebrate the people, events, and ideals that made America.
Kansas: The Road to Statehood
America 250: Learn about the State of Kansas from the early native Kanza tribe, to the early pioneer days, to Bloody Kansas.
Fun Read-Aloud Toddler Picture Books from 2025
Kids benefit in many ways from hearing books read aloud. These fun 2025 picture books are great picks to read aloud to your little ones.
Binge a Miniseries
A miniseries might be that just-right fit for when you want something longer than a movie but not multiple seasons of a TV show.
Books with Eviscerating Reviews
A selection of books published in 2025 that were met with some scathing reviews.
Station Eleven: Just the Vibes
Explore titles that evoke the best-selling, post-apocalyptic Emily St. John Mandel novel and HBO series Station Eleven.
Scroll Through a Book Instead
You don't have to read every book cover to cover! Check out these nonfiction picks that you can 'scroll' through at your leisure.
6 by 6 Ready to Read: Nurture a Reader
Books about neuroplasticity, early literacy skills, and techniques to help you foster a lifelong love of books and reading in your baby.
Holiday Survival Guide Week 6: Endings and Beginnings
With a new year beginning, try these titles to gain some perspective, experience something new, and find hope in starting over.
I Want my Music Television!
By the end of this year, MTV’s remaining 24-hour music channels will shut down globally, ending an era in pop culture history.
Jess's New Year's Nine (2025)
9 books I loved reading in 2025, picked for your 2026!
Mary Lee’s (& her toddler’s!) Favorite Board Books from 2025
Here are our favorite board books we read this past year - when we could sit still long enough for one!