Staff Picks: December 2025Like this list

16 items

• My Friends

  a Novel

  Backman, Fredrik, 1981-

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  Friendship, laughter, tears, and art. What more could you ask for? Fredrik Backman again pulls us into his characters’ lives with all their hardships and relationships and creates new bonds on the old. A book to give you all the feels.

• Always Remember

  the Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm

  Mackesy, Charlie,

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  This is the second, beautiful Boy, Mole, Fox, and Horse book. Once again, it shares great messages and illustrations for all ages to enjoy. I am not a graphic novel reader, but I was waiting with anticipation for this book to be released after…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Mystery Guest

  Prose, Nita

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  Molly Gray is back and is now the Head Maid at the Grand Regency Hotel. Another murder has happened at the hotel, and Molly is determined to find out who dun it. With her black and white personality, and fierce adherence to rules and regulations,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Hacienda

  a Novel

  Cañas, Isabel

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  Set in the aftermath of Mexico's War of Independence, this gothic romance both celebrates and subverts typical haunted house tropes. Beatriz, the novel's protagonist, is everything I look for in a main character: complex, stubborn, and sympathetic.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Have You Eaten Yet?

  Stories From Chinese Restaurants Around the World

  Kwan, Cheuk

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  In countless towns around the world from city metropolises to islands nations to remote northern communities, Chinese restaurants can be found serving traditional and hybrid recipes. This book by film documentary maker Cheuk Kwan explores not only…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Cinder House

  Marske, Freya

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  Ella was murdered at 16 and is forced to haunt the home now inhabited by her stepmother and stepsisters until a bargain with a fae creature grants her substance for 3 nights. A classic fairy tale retold in a gothic novella.

• Empire of the Dawn

  Kristoff, Jay

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  Empire of the Vampire has been one of my favourite books ever for quite some time now, and this conclusion to the series was SO. GOOD. Kristoff’s writing is so evocative that it feels like you’re watching a movie, and there were so many parts of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Good Spirits

  a Novel

  Borison, B. K.

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  What a sweet holiday read! BK Borison is so good at creating characters that you can’t help but adore. Such a loveable, cozy take on the classic “Christmas Carol.”

• Bonds of Hercules

  Mas, Jasmine

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  This is such an intriguing take on classic Greek mythology, and I am enjoying this series so much. The characters are just so loveable, even if they’re a little bit evil, and it’s just such a blast to read!

• Hekate

  the Witch

  Gill, Nikita

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  A beautiful re-telling of the Greek myth, this book takes a page from its epic poetry roots and is formatted as a series of poems. An interesting choice that, while jarring at first, I soon came to love, and added a whole new layer to the story. A…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Horse

  a Novel

  Brooks, Geraldine

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  A thought provoking and moving novel based on the true story of record-breaking racehorse, Lexington. An expertly crafted work that is not just a story about a horse.

• Yours for the Season

  a Novel

  Stone, Emily, 1989-

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  If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas romance, Emily Stone always delivers. In her latest release you’ll get an excellent second chance romance set in the Scottish Highlands, with an amazing mix of wit, Christmas chaos, and all the wintry vibes.

• The Secret of Secrets

  a Novel

  Brown, Dan, 1964-

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  The famous symbologist Robert Langdon teams up with his girlfriend, Katherine Solomon, a renowned scientist in her field, to search for the answers to why their own government seemingly wants them dead. A journey through Prague takes them to the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Culpability

  a Novel

  Holsinger, Bruce W.

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  The Cassidy-Shaw family must deal with the trauma of a car accident, as well as each of their own responsibilities in this tragedy. An interesting commentary on ownership in the age of AI.

• Atomic Habits

  Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results : An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

  Clear, James

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  A great book to read as you welcome in the new year. Do you have a bad habit and want to change it? Do you want to introduce a new habit to your life? This bestselling author will explain habits, how habits form, how they change and so much more.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Best Offer Wins

  a Novel

  Kashino, Marisa

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  This twisty thriller was such a fun page-turner. Main character Margo is wildly unhinged and goes to extreme, highly questionable lengths to try and buy her dream home, but somehow you still end up rooting for her. This book is a great read if you…Read moreRead more of this annotation