2017 Staff Picks - Plainsboro Public Library

Fiction

	In a dark dark wood by Ruth Ware– Maryann B
	Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware– Maryann B
	Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro– Lindsey
	Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes– Lindsey
	Loner by Teddy Wayne– Lindsey
	The Leavers by Lisa Ko– Maryann R.
	Saints for all Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan– Maryann R.
	The Last One by Alexandra Oliva – Laura
	Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuireThe second in a new series from McGuire, The Wayward Children series. The first, Every Heart a Doorway, which came out in April of 2017 and has since won a Nebula Award for best novella. The overarching plot behind the series is that there’s a group home for children dealing with the psychological fallout of being returned from various magical realms back to the mundane life on Earth they had left behind. The third book, Beneath the Sugar Sky, will be released in early 2018. – Adam
	All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane AndersA strange mix of science fiction and fantasy, this novel follows two childhood friends who’s lives take them in very different direction. And then tie them both together with the end of the world.– Adam
	My Absolute Darling by Gabriel TallentThis book was really hard to read but, most of the time, impossible to put down. It tells the story of a teenager named Turtle and her striking life with her father, grandfather, and the people she comes to know. It’s very graphic and disturbing at times, but all together tells an urgent story of survival. I thought about certain scenes for weeks after finishing reading. It’s definitely not a quick nor easy read, but absolutely worthwhile and important.– Shelly
	The History of Love by Nicole KraussThis novel is a little confusing at first, because you have to learn about several characters that span different, intersecting generations and try to figure out who knows what and who is whom throughout those relationships. However, the end result is a fabulous story that keeps you interested all the way to the final pages. I cried and read the last few chapters over before giving up the book completely. It’s a great, creative story told in a confusing but ultimately satisfying way. – Shelly
	Good Bones and Simple Murders by Margaret AtwoodThis is one of Atwood’s books of short stories and poems. Some were very interesting and easy, while others were confusing or just too strange for me. It’s a good next step for those of us who’ve read all her novels and want to try something different and quick. – Shelly
	Amp’d Ken PisaniWon 2nd prize for the comedy Thurber Award. (Born a Crime won first this year.) This is an original romp of a story. Odd, funny on every page and touching. – Regan

Non-Fiction

	Awkward by Ty Tashiro– Sew Yeng
	Dear Leader : poet, spy, escapee – a look inside North Korea by Jang, Jin-sungAn absorbing and terrifying look at the horrific conditions that still exist in North Korea, and a chronicle of the megalomaniacal personalities that created them.– Donna
	Radium Girls by Kate Moore– Maryann R.
	The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by Marina Keegan– Lindsey
	The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter – And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay– Lindsey
	We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha IrbyThis book of essays is funny, sarcastic, and shows (not tells!) the real-life musings of a very interesting woman. Irby is a comedian who has something to say about everything from online dating to maintaining friendships to finding (and losing) love to just simply existing as a black woman in America. Her stories were generally light, funny, easy to get through, and taught me something new about the human experience. – Shelly
	How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Prove to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael GregerThis book was definitely skimmed in parts, but overall had a wealth of knowledge to go back to. I’m generally skeptical of listening to advice about things that are good for you (acupuncture, essential oils, salt lamps, avocados…) but the key to this book is that all his offerings are research-based medical findings. Even if you’re not going to follow all the advice in the book, the general principles and best foods/spices to add to your diet will stick with you in a way that can truly extend your lifespan. – Shelly
	Born a Crime by Trevor NoahThere’s a reason why this made so many Best Of Lists this year, it’s great. I’d never even seen him on the Daily Show but that does not matter. I read the book, apparently this is a good pick for audio since he narrates it himself. – Regan & Neera
	Thinking, Fast and Slow by KahnemanTook me a long time to get through this on audio but this is a dense, important book. After this, one must read “the Undoing Project” by Michael Lewis. – Regan
	Book of Joy Desmond Tutu and the Dalai LamaWhat an inspiring book about the meeting late in life of two dear friends, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. Joy to read.– Regan

Young Adult

	We Were Liars by E. Lockhart– Lindsey
	Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven– Lindsey
	We Are Okay by Nina LaCour– Lindsey
	Resurrection by Derek LandyThe 10^th in the Skulduggery Pleasant series, this picks up years after the previous story. Things are different, and things are darker. I highly recommend working your way through the whole series. Landy is a great author, and has created a whole world to explore.– Adam
	It’s Not Like It’s a Secret by Misa SugiuraThis is a really, really sweet coming-of-age story about sixteen-year-old Sana. She moves to California, leaving many of her Midwestern problems and irritating “friends” behind, but opening up a whole new world of complicated relationships and uncovered secrets. You really end up rooting for her, even as she makes some questionable choices and struggles to find herself, her place in her family, and the ways of her new life at school. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened as the book progressed and different aspects of her story reached their climaxes. It was overall a fabulous debut for the author. – Shelly

Graphic Novels

	Blankets by Craig Thompson– Lindsey
	Can’t we Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz ChastThis was one of our Adult Book Discussion picks this year but I read it after that meeting. Perfect book for anyone coping with aging parents. No, it’s not as depressing as it sounds despite the topic, it’s actually quite funny! – Regan
	Archie, Jughead, Josie and the Pussycats, Betty & Veronica Published by Archie If you had asked me a few years ago if I ever thought I’d care about Archie comics I would have laughed. But starting with the New Riverdale reboot by Mark Waid, these books are great. Each has its own style and each does that style justice. Archie is a teen drama, Jughead a comedy, Josie a self-aware adventure, almost like a lighter Deadpool. – Adam
	Motor Crush (digital) Brenden FletcherGreat style, intense color palette, and lots of action. This sci-fi title follows Domino Swift through her public racing career and her private struggles with an illegal racing fuel, crush. Toxic to humans, she needs it to survive…– Adam
	The Woods (digital) by James Tynion IV & Michael DialynasAn entire high school is transported to a plant across the galaxy. But they aren’t the first in human history to end up there. And there were already things waiting for them.- Adam

Childrens Books

	The Losers Club by Andrew ClementsThis is probably my favorite Clements book since Frindle. I’m not sure how much the average kid would enjoy it, but for a voracious reader — wow! It was so fun to follow the story of sixth-grader Alec through his obsession with reading. It’s a positive, fun story that adults would find nostalgic as well. – Shelly
	Superstar by Mandy DavisThis is the really fascinating story of fifth grader Lester, a boy attending school for the first time (reminiscent of Wonder). When he accidentally finds out he is on the autism spectrum, it changes a bit about how he sees himself and the rest of the world. His obsession with science fits in and we cheer as he makes friends. Of course, he also deals with unfriendly characters and other grade-school disappointments. It’s ultimately a fun, quick, and positive read that I think all ages — and all abilities — would enjoy and should read. – Shelly
	Us and Uncle Fraud by Lois LowryThis is an old, slightly strange story that redeems itself at the end. It’s a quick, intriguing read and Lois Lowry always has a great story to tell. I wasn’t sure how much I liked it until the final pages.– Shelly
	Family Game Night and Other Catastrophes by Mary E. LambertThis is the story of seventh grader Annabelle and her eccentric family, lead by her hoarder mother. She is part of the dysfunction but her whole family is rooted in love and caring. Annabelle navigates this through an especially tumultuous time in her life, when different members of her family are intersecting with friends, a crush, and her desire to keep her secrets. It’s a great middle-school voice and a character I’d love to hear from again. – Shelly
	The Little Book of Little Activists Penguin Young ReadersThis is such an adorable, inspiring little book! – Shelly
	She Persisted by Chelsea ClintonThis is a very sweet story of amazing women, that all youngsters should at least flip through. – Shelly
	This House, Once by Deborah Freedman – Colleen
	After The Fall by Dan Santat – Colleen
	A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryon; illustrated by Tom MurphyA great read-aloud (the rhyming just rolls off your tongue) and a fresh and fun way to reinforce phonics. Read the series!– Donna

Music

	Melodrama (digital) by Lorde– Lindsey
	Masseduction (digital) St. Vincent – Laura
	Music from Before the Storm by Daughter – Adam
	Be More Chill (Original Cast Recording)The YA novel came out in 2004, and the musical came out in 2015, but I just saw a local production for the first time this year and I loved is. A lovable loser ingests a quantum computer that tells him how to be more chill. Hijinks ensue.– Adam
	Natasha, Pierre And The Great Comet Of 1812 (digital) Original Broadway Cast Recording– Adam
	Sleep Well Beast by The National – Regan

Movies & TV

	Phobia – Sew Yeng
	The Cider House Rules – Lindsey
	Anomalisa – Lindsey
	Like Sunday, Like Rain – Lindsey
	Atomic Blonde – Adam
	Get Out – Adam
	Baby Driver – Adam
	You Laugh But It’s True – Neera
	Sold – Neera
	Grantchester – Sharon
	Endeavour – Sharon
	Home Fires – Sharon
	The Collection – Sharon
	Doctor Blake Mysteries – Sharon
	Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries – Sharon
	Murdoch Mysteries – Sharon
	Father Brown – Sharon
	Doc Martin – Sharon
	Chef – Sharon