Kate- Managing Librarian

Like many of us, I spent many days in the last year finding escape through literature, and, despite everything else, 2020 brought us a bounty of compelling stories. I've also included a couple that had been sitting on my to-read pile for a couple of years and found they absolutely justified the wait.

Though the settings are vastly different, I discovered an unintentional theme in this list: characters and experiences that challenge perceptions and the known, whether it's here on our Earth or a bit farther afield. There is something deeply satisfying in the crack of realization when suddenly either everything before it makes sense, or you realize that your world has shifted a tiny bit from the reality you occupied just a minute ago.

The best part of winter is cozying up with tea and a book! Luckily many great authors have provided a steady diet of holiday and winter fare to choose from.

(You'll note the lack of Winds of Winter; sorry, George R R Martin fans, still no publication date set on that one.)

Having kids is a major life change, but fortunately any person who routinely seeks inspiration and advice from books has no lack of resources to assist with the transition. The question then becomes, "Which one is correct?" From my experience, the answer is usually, "Whatever works today!" All the following books are wonderful, well-researched resources that helped me work through many parenting obstacles each in its own way and at different times. Many were well worth re-reading when my little ones hit a different stage because the issues and how to deal with them are ever-changing.

They're also great for giving parents regular reassurance that first, this is just a stage, and, second, you are not alone. Fair warning: these aren't your grandma's parenting methods!

Twisty and unpredictable, all of these titles have a narrator (or a couple of them) that just don't have the firmest grip on the truth. Sometimes it's hard to tell how much is on purpose and how much is the reality they're creating for themselves, but either way it's a roller coaster. You might enjoy the ride, but don't ever trust that you know what's coming next.

One of the peculiar delights of written English is the ability to use footnotes not just to expand the text but to connect with the reader in a way that can be unusual, personal, and very funny. The first author I found using footnotes this way was Jonathan Stroud, and over the years I've seen several authors using similar techniques to escape the boundaries of a conventional narrative. The only downside to this list is that audiobooks often lose the flavor of the author's intent so I definitely recommend the print version.

Sometimes the best part of the day--and usually the most relaxing--is when I can finally settle in with a stack of books before bedtime with my two boys especially when it starts to get cold outside and we can be surrounded by the holiday lights! My three-year-old says with authority that this list is a favorite, and I like them even after nine repetitions per day so that's a recommendation indeed. (I would include Lemony Snicket's "A Lump of Coal," but really that would be more for me. It will be a few years before they get the humor.)

吸血鬼和术士在现代,英雄和他roines taking a stroll through time and dimensions. Whatever the focus, these authors all tickled me with witty characters and excellent worldbuilding. Many are part of a series so, if you find a favorite, there's even more to satisfy your craving for slyly funny fantasy.