Have you ever waited to read a book for so long, you've built up the story in your head so much that it almost feels like you have read it? That's how I felt as I began "A Man Called Ove". I've been hearing about this book for years - the story of an old... Continue Reading →
Staff Review – Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
Have you ever started reading a book without really knowing what it will be about? I've done this a few times, mostly because I enjoyed the author's previous works and wanted to read more of their titles, but this was a different story. When you read the back cover of "Lily and the Octopus", or... Continue Reading →
Staff Review – Beach Read by Emily Henry
After reading Jennette McCurdy's fantastic but heartbreaking memoir, I knew I wanted my next read to be something fun, light and easy to get through. For this task, I decided to turn to one of my new favourite authors: Emily Henry. Her new book comes out soon, so I thought this was the perfect time... Continue Reading →
Staff Review – Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And... Continue Reading →
Staff Review – My 2022 Year in Books
Back in 2021, I gave myself a goal of reading 15 books. I ended up reading 21, so naturally, I raised the stakes for myself, and in 2022 gave myself a goal of reading 30 books. I typically read on my lunch at work, as well as in my spare time, so I figured this... Continue Reading →
The Book Club Hub – New Book Club Bags (Part 2)
Book clubs offer a great opportunity for friends and book lovers to gather (whether virtually or in person) to catch up and discuss a good book. There’s only two problems with this activity and they seem to come up at every meeting: what book should the group read next and how do you find enough... Continue Reading →
Staff Review – Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens was published in 2018 and was quickly chosen to join Reese Witherspoon's bookclub. Naturally, this helped launch the novel into even more fame, and it has been a top-pick for readers ever since. Here at TBPL, it was the 5th most circulated adult fiction book of 2021. "Where... Continue Reading →
Staff Review – One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
If you're looking for something quirky, queer, and takes place on the Q train, you've come to the right place. "One Last Stop' by Casey McQuiston is an exciting and entertaining ride from start to finish. Filled with a diverse cast of characters living in New York City, "One Last Stop" follows 23 year old... Continue Reading →
Staff Review: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
I read “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas a few months ago, and heard there would be a prequel coming out this year. “The Hate U Give” follows Starr, a Black teenager who witnesses her friend (who is also Black) be killed by a white police officer. The story is powerful and passionate, and... Continue Reading →
Dystopian Gender Roles
We weren't sure what to title this episode. It was clear that there was a collective theme to these books, but our original idea of feminist dystopia wasn't quite right. I ended up at Gender-Interrogating Speculative Fiction, but Nicole told me (correctly) that is way too long and complicated. You can see what we've settled... Continue Reading →