It’s December! Enjoy the holidays with one of our Staff Picks!
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Michelle – Administration
Christmas at the Shelter Inn, by RaeAnne Thayne, New Fiction Thayne
For my first Christmas book I chose Christmas at the Shelter Inn and was put right in the holiday spirit with this cozy, heartfelt novel. The story centers around Natalie, who is returning home for the holidays for the first time in years, since she tried to leave her sad past behind. Before she can even get into town, she runs into her childhood crush. Between reconnecting with the people from her past and forming bonds with her newest family members, she begins to wonder where she truly belongs. Add in giant inflatable decorations, a blinding snowstorm, and a festive Christmas market, and you have all the makings for a feel-good holiday read!
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Leslie – Circulation
Cookies for Christmas, by Jennifer Darling, Nonfiction 641.86 DAR
This cookbook has an amazing selection of unique recipes that are sure to be yummy! Lots of beautiful pictures that will get you off to the kitchen to bake for the holidays.
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Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays, by David Sedaris, Fiction Sedaris
If you have never heard David Sedaris read his famous story about being a Christmas elf at Macy’s during the holidays, do yourself a favor and pick this up. It is witty and laugh out loud entertainment. This is also available on audio, which is well worth it to hear the author read his own works. If you ever worked retail during the holiday you will be able to relate!
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The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett, Fiction Patchett
Ann Patchett’s writing will grab you and pull you into the story that is beautifully written and filled with great characters. The Dutch House is not an exception. When Cyril Conroy reaches financial success, his first large investment is a lavish estate in the Philadelphia suburbs. The Dutch House is meant as a surprise for his wife, but only brings bad fortune to those in the family. Danny and Maeve soon find themselves exiled from the home and the family fortune by the stepmother. The siblings are bonded over their loss and often drive by and watch their beloved home. Together they are bound and determined to set things right and during the process they find their relationship tested. The descriptions of home make it feel like it is its own character in the book.
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The Sweetness of Water, by Nathan Harris, Fiction Harris
Set during the Civil War, two brothers Prentice and Landry are freed by the Emancipation Proclamation and find themselves seeking refuge on the farm of George Walker. George and his wife Isabelle have just lost a son in the war and are grieving deeply when the brothers arrive on their homestead. The brothers stay on to help work the farm and save money to go north in search of their mother. Meanwhile a forbidden romance between two confederate soldiers is discovered and the response from the community leads to further turmoil during this already difficult time. I loved the beautiful relationship between the brothers and the Walkers in this dark and troubling story.
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Paula – Circulation
Warmer in the Winter, by Lindsey Stirling, CD 781.72 Stirling
For those who don’t know, Lindsey Stirling is a phenomenal electric violinist and dancer. This is her first Christmas album, Warmer in the Winter. It is filled with wonderful Christmas classics as well as a few originals by Lindsey. Each song has a unique spin on it that only Lindsey can pull off. Every time I listen to her play, I am truly captivated. The sound of her violin is like a heavenly choir, but sung on strings. This album has become one of my favorites to listen to during the holiday season.
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Almost Christmas, starring Danny Glover, Mo’Nique, and Gabrielle Union, DVD Almost Christmas
If your holidays are usually filled with some kind of dysfunctional family shenanigans, this movie is for you. It’s the first Christmas since the family matriarch has died, and all widower Walter wants is for his adult children and their families to get along for the holidays. They all gather at the family home they grew up in, and it all goes downhill from there. Chaos ensues, arguments are had, and dinners are ruined. Walter can only hope that recreating his late wife’s infamous sweet potato pie can bring the family together. My family and I love watching this movie because it’s real. It’s hilarious and relatable, because not all holidays are shiny and perfect. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments that’ll reassure you that it’s ok if your holiday doesn’t go exactly as planned.
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Melissa – Technical Services
Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery, by Jenny Colgan, Fiction Colgan
The story takes place in a Cornish coastal village, which is the perfect small-town, chilly setting. Polly and her beau bought the historic lighthouse, and live there despite the many inconveniences. That lighthouse is the pinnacle of cozy winter. Polly’s BFF is expecting her first child. Except, roughly nine months ago, she had a one-night-stand during a rough patch. So she’s fretting if the baby will come out as a “six foot Brazilian stripper” instead of a short and chubby red-head. Polly herself is engaged, but hesitant to make the final leap, worrying that she will disappoint as both a wife and mother. But of course, it all ends well and from now on, our troubles are out of sight.
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Dominique – Youth Services
I Am Still Alive, by Kate Alice Marshall, Young Adult Fiction YA Marshall
A girl fighting for her life while fighting the elements. Winter is coming fast, and Jess is all alone in the middle of nowhere with no way to contact anyone for help. Already injured and going into the wilderness with little to no knowledge of survival, this book will have readers rooting for Jess and her dog Bo as they face challenges and defeat them over and over again, just hoping they’ll make it through winter.
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Nancy – Reference
Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan, Fiction Keegan
This slim book is perfect reading for a snowy December day. Claire Keegan expertly depicts the daily life of a coal merchant, Bill Furlong, in a small town in Ireland. Bill makes his deliveries, attends church, and settles in with his family in the evenings. He struggles to find moments for reflection as he questions what “the work and the constant worry” is all for. When he stumbles upon a long held town secret, he is faced with a life changing decision.
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I Must Be Dreaming, by Roz Chast, New Graphic Novel Chast
Roz Chast brings her wacky dreams to the page in her unique style. The graphics add to the hilarity of her dreams and may just inspire you to keep your own dream journal!
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Katie – Circulation
A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories, by Terry Pratchett, New Fiction Pratchett
It is always sad when a great writer is taken from us too soon, and rarely has that been more true than with Terry Pratchett. Thus my delight at this latest book, a collections of stories he published under a different name, in old newspapers in England. With his customary charm and wit, he weaves tales of fantasy with aspects of such commonality that one easily could believe other worlds lay around any corner, or through any little crack in a cliff, if only we have to good luck to stumble upon them! Enjoy!
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Black Sun, by Rebecca Roanhorse, Fiction Roanhorse
An epic fantasy that twines mystery, history, and adventure! Inspired by Native American mythologies, the book follows various rich and interestingly complex characters as they plot, scheme, fight, and aspire to greatness. All of their lives and plans are inexorably drawn together for the final show down at Winter Solstice. Who will be triumphant? Cliff hanger alert, have the second book (Fevered Star) ready and waiting when you finish. Lucky for you, you won’t have to wait a few years like I did!
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Chris – Technical Services
If you are of fan of the many seasons of the Canadian series Murdoch Mysteries, set in turn of the century Toronto, you will enjoy the three feature length Christmas mysteries taken from the past seasons. Who doesn’t like to solve a crime at Christmas time?
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Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Juvenile Fiction J Wilder #1
During the holiday season I enjoy revisiting my favorite childhood stories like Little House In The Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Can you imagine living in a cabin and enjoying nature so close, especially when the woods are white with snow?
Oak Brook Library Staff Picks 