Kids’ books

“Can’t Get Enough Dog Stuff: Fun Facts, Awesome Info, Cool Games, Silly Jokes, and More!” by Moira Rose Donohue

If you know National Geographic Kids and the books they publish, then you know how amazing their books are. This new Can’t Get Enough series does not disappoint. The information about dogs is extensive yet easy enough for young children to follow and learn along. The Information branches out from the history of dogs, famous dogs, dog enemy’s, behavior, service and so much more. The pictures are incredible, relatable and clear. The book includes games, puzzles, jokes about dogs and even DIY crafts to make for your pooch. I have been thoroughly entertained and so will dog lovers of all ages. There is also one for horse enthusiasts! For ages 5 and up.

“Search for a Giant Squid: Pick Your Path,” by Amy Seto Forrester

Fans of choose your own adventure stories and different ways of finding information will enjoy the new nonfiction series Science Explorers. The first book in the series is called Search for a Giant Squid: Pick your Path. Do you know what a Teuthologist is? I did not have a clue however I learned that a Teuthologist is a person who studies cephalopods or octopus, squid and cuttlefish. We begin our underwater journey learning about the team we will follow, what we will need for this expedition and of course about squid. Now we are all set for our journey to find the giant squid in the path that we decide to look for it in. This book was an adventure and I enjoyed every step I chose. For ages 7 and up.

Teen books

“Those Pink Mountain Nights,” by Jen FergusonThe lives of three teens working at Pink Mountain Pizza intersect over painful pasts and uncertain futures. High-achieving Berlin is distracted by the recent distance her best friend has put between them. Jessie views the world through a different lens than her privileged father. Cam is just trying to keep everything together after the disappearance of his cousin Kiki, whom everyone else seems to have written off as just one more missing or murdered Indigenous woman. When Berlin thinks she spots the missing Kiki across the street one blustery winter night as she’s closing, the sighting creates a ripple effect of action against the corruption, greed and violence that too often goes unaddressed in their community. A story forged from hurt, courage and identity, this book will inspire empathy in teen and adult readers alike.

“Forever is Now,”

by Mariama J. Lockington

Sadie, a Black, bisexual teen living with chronic anxiety, feels fear just living in her body. When her girlfriend, the one person who makes her feel safe, breaks up with her right before the two witness an act of police brutality against an innocent Black woman in the park, Sadie’s world implodes. The summer before junior year goes nothing like she’d planned as she is haunted by the need to do something about the unjust attack and learns to live with her recent agoraphobia diagnosis. With her family’s attempts to help her heal and her best friend Evan informing her of the protests happening in their city, each step she takes forward feels like a marathon in the wrong direction. Lyrical and moving, “Forever is Now” is an achingly beautiful story that illustrates that support and action can take many forms.

Adult books

“Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story,” by Bono

Read by the author, “Surrender” is an intimate and immersive listening experience. This is Bono’s story of his early days in Dublin, joining U2 and playing sold out stadiums around the world, and his more than 20 years of activism. While it is also available in print, the audio version is enhanced with music and sound effects, which adds to the narrative. Reflective and personal, this audiobook was on nearly every top 10 list from 2022.

“VenCo,” by Cherie Dimaline

Lucky St. James lives with her cantankerous, yet loving grandmother Stella in Toronto. One night she discovers a spoon etched with the word “SALEM.” Soon she discovers she is connected to a network of witches across North America. They have been waiting for her discovery — one of seven spoons that when brought together will return women to their rightful power. With VenCo’s guidance, Lucky and her grandmother head off on a dangerous adventure that takes them to New Orleans in search of the seventh spoon. Will they arrive in time?