Reading Is For All Ages
Middle Grade, New Adult, and Adult Recommendations from Librarians
Middle Grade
Middle Grade
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Ivan, a silver-back gorilla, tells his story of living in a cage in a mall. Living in captivity for 9,855 days (his count), he seems to be content with his life, having forgotten what life was like in the wild. He watches TV, he eats bananas, and he creates art. He has a few friends: a very opinionated dog and an old elephant who remembers what life was like before. His life is forever changed, though, when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant who comes to live with him. What I love about this novel is that it gives voices to animals who have lived in captivity for all of their lives. When you read this novel, Ivan’s voice will be one that may make you cry; it may be a voice that you will never forget. You may just end up hugging your furry friends a little tighter.
Ivan, a silver-back gorilla, tells his story of living in a cage in a mall. Living in captivity for 9,855 days (his count), he seems to be content with his life, having forgotten what life was like in the wild. He watches TV, he eats bananas, and he creates art. He has a few friends: a very opinionated dog and an old elephant who remembers what life was like before. His life is forever changed, though, when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant who comes to live with him. What I love about this novel is that it gives voices to animals who have lived in captivity for all of their lives. When you read this novel, Ivan’s voice will be one that may make you cry; it may be a voice that you will never forget. You may just end up hugging your furry friends a little tighter.
What We Found in the Sofa & How it Saved the World by Henry Clark
Great for fans of the Harry Potter series (particularly the friendship between the trio), this wacky sci-fi novel starts with an abandoned couch and a rare crayon. If you enjoy hilarious stories about friendship, and can suspend your disbelief about science fiction scenarios, you’ll love this delightful, unique novel.
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
Can you imagine having professional ghost-hunters for parents who are a bit skeptical of the supernatural but chase it anyway--while you yourself can see ghosts? Our main character Cassidy’s parents are the newest stars of a brand new TV show, and she--along with her best friend Jacob (who is a ghost) and her cat--gets to travel to some of the most haunted cities in the world. Each book brings you to a different place, where horror and creepiness abounds in each one. This is book 1 of an incomplete series; book 2 Tunnel of Bones is out now, and book 3 Bridge of Souls is projected to come out March 2021.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" This is the ad that orphan and very practical thinker Reynie Muldoon answers. He along with George "Sticky" Washington, Kate Wetherall, and Constance Contraire pass the odd tests that Mr. Benedict puts to them. The four soon head to LIVE, the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where some sinister mind control is afoot.Will the four be able to stop Dr. Curtain’s evil plan before it’s too late? Librarians love this book because it’s a clever and fast paced adventure, that you too can experience from the comfort of home.
Stargazing by Jen Wang
From the author of The Prince and the Dressmaker, Jen Wang’s Stargazing is a beautiful story about friendship and self-love that is suitable for all ages! Moon, Christine’s new neighbor in her Chinese American suburb, is weird and outgoing, while Christine is more reserved and awkward. As they become unlikely best friends, they discover the importance of friendship and what it truly means to be yourself.
More Middle Grade Recommendations
More Middle Grade Recommendations
New Adult
New Adult
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas is my absolute favorite author (I recommend every single one of her books) and this book buried itself within my soul and has refused to let go. This epic new adult urban fantasy combines a murder mystery with a journey of overcoming grief, understanding the limits of yourself, and learning to rely on the support of others. It’s jam packed with constant action, expert character development, really beautiful worldbuilding, and the most epic slow-burn romance. I have nothing but good things to say about this series starter. TW: drug and alcohol use, suicide, depression, explicit language, sex. This is the first book in a series; there are currently no release dates yet for the other books (though I’m positively dying for the next).
Sarah J. Maas is my absolute favorite author (I recommend every single one of her books) and this book buried itself within my soul and has refused to let go. This epic new adult urban fantasy combines a murder mystery with a journey of overcoming grief, understanding the limits of yourself, and learning to rely on the support of others. It’s jam packed with constant action, expert character development, really beautiful worldbuilding, and the most epic slow-burn romance. I have nothing but good things to say about this series starter. TW: drug and alcohol use, suicide, depression, explicit language, sex. This is the first book in a series; there are currently no release dates yet for the other books (though I’m positively dying for the next).
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston
Sort an an alternate-history-romance, this novel asks you to imagine a world where the son of the first female president, and the future king of England fall in love. Of course...they have to get over their seething hatred of each other first.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Potential CW - Domestic Abuse Tiffy Moore needs to get away from her obsessive ex-boyfriend and into a flat she can afford on her miniscule salary and fast. Leon Twomey works nights as a nurse and needs cash to help pay for his wrongfully incarcerated brothers’ legal feeds. Maybe it’s crazy, but both are desperate for a change. Leon gets the one bedroom flat during the day while Tiffy’s at work and Tiffy gets run of the place the rest of the time. Communicating primarily through post it notes, and passive aggressively placed decor, Leon and Tiffy will figure out that to have the perfect home, you have to throw normal rules out the window. Librarians love this book because it is a uniquely told dual perspective story and a cute romance to boot.
Potential CW - Domestic Abuse Tiffy Moore needs to get away from her obsessive ex-boyfriend and into a flat she can afford on her miniscule salary and fast. Leon Twomey works nights as a nurse and needs cash to help pay for his wrongfully incarcerated brothers’ legal feeds. Maybe it’s crazy, but both are desperate for a change. Leon gets the one bedroom flat during the day while Tiffy’s at work and Tiffy gets run of the place the rest of the time. Communicating primarily through post it notes, and passive aggressively placed decor, Leon and Tiffy will figure out that to have the perfect home, you have to throw normal rules out the window. Librarians love this book because it is a uniquely told dual perspective story and a cute romance to boot.
Seconds by Bryan Lee O’Malley
Katie is a promising young chef whose life is turned upside down as a series of unfortunate events befall her. When a girl appears in the night and gives her a chance to repeat the past and right her wrongs, she discovers that some consequences cannot be avoided. Colorful and earnest, Seconds is a story about growing up and facing the inevitable hardships of adulthood.
More New Adult Recommendations
More New Adult Recommendations
Adult
Adult
The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski
Bonaventure is somewhat different from other children--he doesn’t make a sound. He didn’t even make a sound when he was born. However, as a result he has an incredible sense of hearing. He hears things that no one else can hear; sometimes he even hears the stories of our souls. Though his father was murdered before Bonaventure was born, his spirit hangs around in order to help his son adapt to the world around him. Many people in his life carry wells of sorrow, and it is through Bonaventure’s gift that they are finally able to let go and move forward. What I love about this story is that it is one filled with magic, hope, and beauty. When you read it, some of Bonaventure’s magic will find its way to you, alleviating your spirit of whatever heavy burdens it may be carrying at the moment.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Shaker Heights is a quiet suburban town located just outside of Cleveland, and it is where wandering artist Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl have recently moved to. They soon become embroiled with their landlord—Elana Richardson—and her four children. But as Pearl falls in love with the idyllic nature of Shaker Heights, a rift forms between Mia and Elena, who disagree over the custody battle of a Chinese American baby. This is a story about motherhood and family and growing up, asking, what makes a mother, and what does it mean to go against the status quo? Although this contemporary novel is geared toward adults, I find it's teenage characters vastly real and relatable!
Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
This is the story of five adults who are famous for working together to save the world when they were teenagers. The chosen one trope that’s pretty common in fantasy is turned on its head with this one, following the aftermath of saving the world--the challenges, the changes, the overwhelming PTSD. It’s a captivating story, with twists and turns filled with plenty of action and intrigue and expert character studies on what happens to those chosen one teenagers after they’ve saved the world and grown up. This is the first book in a duology; there is currently no release for the sequel.
The Blinds by Adam Sternbergh
This speculative fiction western mystery is set in a town in Texas populated by people who have had their memories wiped. They may have committed a crime, they may have simply witnessed a crime, but either way they’re all here together for a new life. But when a suicide and a murder happen in close succession, the sleepy little town’s secrets begin to come to light.
The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
If Aiden doesn’t act fast, Evelyn Hardcast will be murdered, again. What was meant to be a celebration ends in murder and it’s up to Aiden to find the killer before the clock runs out. But, Aiden wakes up every day in a different guests’ body and the only way to break the cycle is to find the killer before the 8th day is up. And one of the other guests at Blackheath is determined to stop him. Librarians love this title because of the unique take on a “Groundhogs Day” style story. A murder mystery with more twists and turns than a mountain road, you won’t be able to put this one down.
If Aiden doesn’t act fast, Evelyn Hardcast will be murdered, again. What was meant to be a celebration ends in murder and it’s up to Aiden to find the killer before the clock runs out. But, Aiden wakes up every day in a different guests’ body and the only way to break the cycle is to find the killer before the 8th day is up. And one of the other guests at Blackheath is determined to stop him. Librarians love this title because of the unique take on a “Groundhogs Day” style story. A murder mystery with more twists and turns than a mountain road, you won’t be able to put this one down.
More Adult Recommendations
More Adult Recommendations
Cover Image from Read to Them