Book Reviews

  • Cover of When Women Were Dragons. Lush jungle with green leaves, purple flowers, and the eye of a dragon. There also is a crescent moon in the top right hand corner.
    When Women Were Dragons
    When Women Were Dragons “When Women Were Dragons,” by Kelly Barnhill. Copyright 2022, Doubleday (340 pages, $28.00). Content Warning: Death of a parent, abandonment, sexism, cancer, misogyny, homophobia.   “I was four years old when I first saw a dragon. I was four years old when I first learned to… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Martha Stewart's Cookie Perfection. A large photo of a cookie sitting halfway in a glass of milk.
    ‘Tis The Season for Baking
    ‘Tis the Season for Baking As the joyous spirit of Christmas approaches, here is a curated list of books to inspire your baking creativity.   Martha Stewart’s Cookie Perfection If you’re looking to bring a little bit of Martha Stewart’s magic into your kitchen, baking a cookie from her book… Book Reviews
  • Cover of I Am Thankful. Cover has drawing of woman and child sharing a hug, with Thanksgiving food behind them.
    Give Thanks
    Give Thanks Explore these titles to honor Thanksgiving, a day dedicated to expressing gratitude for the things we cherish most. This year, I am especially thankful for my friends, family and my dog, along with the fantastic books in our library and the amazing programs available at ACPL. I Am… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Indigenous Continent. Brown canvas in the center with Native American cave drawings on it. Words are in white over the drawings.
    A New Look at History for Native American Heritage Month
    A New Look at History for Native American Heritage Month In the past 5 years, several books have been published showing a different side of the conquering and “civilizing” of the Americas. Native Americans had lived on the continent for several thousand years when Europeans arrived (Native Americans arrived somewhere… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Heir. Young person standing on a small hill, facing larger mountains and a sky full of clouds. The person seems very small in comparison.
    New Worlds in YA
    New Worlds in YA The best part of fantasy fiction? The incredible worlds the authors make up! These new(ish) YA books have compelling worlds for us to enjoy as readers, as well as rich characters to populate them. Heir by Sabaa Tahir – The world is the Martial Empire, and… Book Reviews
  • Cover of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Turquoise and blue cover, top is a woman sitting on a broom, hovering over a house with an overgrown yard and a yellow car, and a man looking up at her while holding an armful of books. The yard has flowers, and the sky has stars and a moon.
    The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
    The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches Mandanna, Sangu. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. New York : Berkley, 2022. Still craving a witchy read this fall? The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a cozy fantasy romance about an isolated witch and an unconventional found family in… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Gustavo the Shy Ghost. Pink background, orange guitars and skulls and designs are surrounding the middle graphic of Gustavo, who is floating in front of a record player, a skeleton, a skull, a guitar and other fall decor. Gustavo is smiling and looks very friendly.
    Celebrating the Day of the Dead
    Celebrating the Day of the Dead Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is a holiday that is celebrated in Mexico on November 1 and 2. It is a special occasion where friends and family honor passed loved ones. Some traditions include hanging hand-cut paper banners, making colorful paper flowers,… Book Reviews
  • Cover of The Lost Story. Blue background, with a large tree with a door in it, and the moon peeking out behind the top of the tree. The cover is very artistic and beautiful.
    The Lost Story
    The Lost Story Shaffer, Meg. The Lost Story. New York : Ballantine Books, 2024. “All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without even leaving your room? A story written by a stranger and yet it seems they wrote it just for you or to… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters. Two girls in a canoe, one with a cat around her neck, row across a lake with a giant full moon behind them, trees around them, and a spooky looking bird with a red eye in front of them.
    Spooky Chapter Books
    Spooky Chapter Books! It’s the perfect time of year to encourage your kids to read by giving them a spooky book. This list is perfect for those in elementary and middle school grades. Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters by Emi Pinto Bee is bummed to be spending her summer… Book Reviews
  • Cover of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating at Demon. Cover is yellow. Woman and man with arms crossed standing back to back. The cover also has vines, with a snake, potion bottle, tarot cards, butterfly, candle, key, lizard, crystals, crystal ball, stars and a moon going around the border.
    The Glimmer Falls Series
    The Glimmer Falls Series by Sarah Hawley “A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon” by Sarah Hawley. Copyright 2023, New York: Berkley Romance (390 pages, $17.00). “A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch” by Sarah Hawley. Copyright 2023, New York: Berkley Romance (415 pages, $17.00). “A Werewolf’s Guide to… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Papa and Me. Father and son, with father with his arm around his son. There are swirled colors behind the people.
    Picture Books for Hispanic Heritage Month
    Picture Books for Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month is about halfway over. But there’s still plenty of time to get some great books about Hispanic heritage and culture to read to your young children! Papá and me by Arthur Dorros This wonderful picture book celebrates the love between fathers… Book Reviews
  • Cover of The Dallergut Dream Department Store. There is a building with many floors in the center, with a woman entering the front door. Behind the windows, you can see silhouettes of people, animals, space, and more. There are clouds surrounding the store in pinks, greens and purples, and an orange crescent moon behind the building.
    The Dallergut Dream Department Store
    The Dallergut Dream Department Store Yi, Mi-ye, translated by Sandy Joosun Lee. The Dallergut Dream Department Store. Toronto, Ontario : Hanover Square Press, 2024. Dreaming of the perfect book to escape into next?  The Dallergut Dream Department Store is a cozy, introspective novel about our relationship with dreams and what… Book Reviews
  • Cover of The Secret Book of Flora Lea. Photo of a green countryside with a river running through it.
    The Secret Book Of Flora Lea
    The Secret Book of Flora Lea Henry, Patti Callahan. The Secret Book of Flora Lea. New York : Atria Books, 2023. “Not so long ago and not so far away, there was once, and still is, an invisible place that is right here beside us. And if you are born… Book Reviews
  • Cover of The World-Famous Nine. The cover has the cross-section of the building, with yellow and orange floors and walls, and people walking by on each floor. There are two staircases at the bottom, with a woman on one and a man on the other, and the two main characters, Zander and Natasha, in the center of the bottom.
    The World-Famous Nine
    The World-Famous Nine Guterson, Ben. The World-Famous Nine. New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2024. Middle grade mystery/fantasy books are always popular, because they are so much fun to read! The World-Famous Nine is no exception. Zander and his parents live in Pittsburgh, where his parents are professors. But… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Missing White Woman. Black woman somewhat facing the reader, looking over her shoulder toward the right side of the book. The photo is overprocessed and in the hues of orange, pink and gray. The title is in thin white letters superimposed on the photo.
    Missing White Woman
    Missing White Woman Garrett, Kellye. Missing White Woman. New York : Mulholland Books / Little, Brown and Company, 2024. Thriller lovers (especially those who loved When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole) will love Missing White Woman. Breanna is ready for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend Ty in… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Becoming a Queen. Young man with blond hair, wearing khaki shorts, is facing the other direction, and is holding a purple ball gown in front of him. He has his feet arched up as if he was wearing high heels.
    2024 Best Fiction for Young Adults, Winners and Nominees
    2024 Best Fiction for Young Adults, Winners and Nominees YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) puts out a list every year of the best fiction titles of the year before. Anyone can recommend a title, and the blogging team chooses the top ten titles. Alamance County Public Libraries owns most… Book Reviews
  • Cover of The Spellshop. Fantastical forest with a cozy cottage with flowers and vines and a winged cat on the steps in front of the cottage.
    The Spellshop
    The Spellshop “The Spellshop,” by Sarah Beth Durst. Copyright 2024, New York: Bramble, Tor Publishing Group (376 pages, $29.99). Content Warning: Fire/Fire Injury, death, grief. Looking for a cozy fantasy read that is less autumnal forward than most others? Durst’s The Spellshop is just the ticket. With its summer storms… Book Reviews
  • Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building.
    Back to School
    Back to School If you have kids heading back to school this month, you know it can be a time of anxiety and excitement. This collection of books will help your student get through those back-to-school jitters! Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter – Brunstetter is a popular Amish… Book Reviews
  • Cover of The Librarian of Crooked Lane. Back of woman with long blond hair and a black dress, standing in the lobby of a library with bookshelves on either side of her and a clock in front of her on a wall.
    Summer Listening – The Glass Library
    Sometimes in the summer, you need a great book to listen to on the way to a great vacation spot, or while you’re working. I’ve been enjoying one bookish, magical series that is available through Hoopla! The Glass Library Series by C.J. Archer The Glass Library series is the textbook… Book Reviews
  • Cover of The Four Agreements. Four panels with plants in them, background is orange in each, with a green cross in between the four panels.
    The Four Agreements
    Ruiz, Miguel. The Four Agreements. San Rafael, Calif.: Amber-Allen Pub., 2012. [Carlsbad, Calif.] : Hay House ©1997. Miguel Ángel Ruiz Macías, better known as don Miguel Ruiz, is a Mexican author. The most popular of his works “The Four Agreements, has been translated in 52 languages. A phenomenally written book,… Book Reviews

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