“It was a fascinating read, but also extremely practical and uplifting, even for those of us who are terrible listeners!” – Joy, Adult & Teen Services

Kate Murphy has done an excellent job explaining how the lack of good listeners in our society is taking a real toll on our ability to form communities of understanding one another. This book had some very practical advice on how to be a better listener and how to form bonds with others by active listening to understand the other rather than to be understood. Example: curiosity. How often do we ask questions because we’re curious about the other person–truly curious? Or ask someone to stop and clarify in a business meeting or department meeting because you didn’t fully understand what they said? Murphy cites several incredible contemporary listeners, crediting their outstanding ability to hear not just what the other person is saying, but also what they are not saying, as indelible to their career success. A must-read!

“News clippings, pictures, and music lyrics of the times bolster this heartfelt narrative.” – DGPL Staff

The Trilogy includes Countdown, Revolution, and Anthem. Each book takes the reader through the not-too-distant past, told in the voice of a young person facing the perilous decade head-on.

“I was looking for something light and funny during these stressful times. All three of these movies, which are available to stream on Hoopla, fit the bill. They made me smile and laugh and provided a nice escape from the events of the outside world.” – Nancy, Adult & Teen Services

A California sorority girl and fashionista heads to Harvard Law (Legally Blonde), an Australian wallflower shines at a ballroom dance competition (Strictly Ballroom), and a high profile New York businesswoman moves to Vermont after inheriting a baby and losing her edge in the New York business world (Baby Boom).

“Count Rostov, the beating heart of this book, is universally appealing in his humane-ness, his loyalty, his quiet erudition, and his self-effacing charm. Great characters, a surprisingly twisty story, and beautiful language combine to make this a classic!” – Fred, Adult & Teen Services

Talk about your champs of social distancing! In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to house arrest (as an unrepentant aristocrat) by a Bolshevik tribunal. The novel is the story of how he spends the next fifty odd years isolated in a simple attic room in a Moscow hotel. Full of history, character, wit and tenderness – a lot happens in that circumscribed world of his!

“I’ve followed Handler’s career for years now, and her very in your face, no holds barred, no filter comedy has always been funny. This book, however, is brutally honest, insightful, sensitive, and hilarious. One minute I was laughing, the next minute I was in tears.” – Erin, Kids Room

Comedian Chelsea Handler decides to make some changes in her life and in the world around her. She wants to become more self-sufficient, she wants to work through her anger, and she wants to finally confront the death of her brother.

“This adorable picture book was barely in my hands before my not-yet-reading preschooler daughter grabbed it from me and announced “I can read this one by myself, Mama”. The bright gorgeous illustrations of trains, houses, and where the mouse is hiding on each page was a joy to read together.” – Joy, Adult & Teen Services

A short lovely rhyming book that is perfect for the 2-5 set. A little mouse is hiding on each page, exploring the different colored trains, houses, and other little items that are a delight for little ones to explore together with a caregiver or in a teaching setting.

“Peter Swanson is a great writer of Hitchcockian suspense and his newest book, Before She Knew Him, doesn’t disappoint.” – Lora, Adult & Teen Services

Artist Henrietta “Hen” Mazur is convinced her next-door neighbor Matthew Dolamore is a killer. While at Matthew’s home for dinner one night, Hen sees a fencing trophy that she believes belonged to murder victim Dustin Miller, who lived down the street from Hen when she lived in Cambridge. Hen isn’t sure what to do because she has bipolar disorder and is doing well now, but while in college she had an episode and was arrested for attacking another student because Hen believed the student was a murderer. Hen feels the police won’t believe her now, but when Hen begins to follow Matthew, she becomes a witness to his violence and her and Matthew’s lives become forever intertwined.

“Morgenstern’s poetic prose is what shines through in this multilayered story that weaves between Zachary’s story and the folkloric stories within the book he’s found. This is a novel that will completely sweep you off your feet.” – Amanda, Adult & Teen Services

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues–a bee, a key, and a sword–that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library, hidden far below the surface of the earth. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly-soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose–in both the mysterious book and in his own life.

“I loved this witty take on what can be an embarrassing situation for little ones. Reuben the bear has such great friends that help him come to terms with who really wet his pants. No need to be ashamed because accidents happen!” – DGPL Staff

Reuben the bear has a mystery to solve… WHO WET MY PANTS? After getting donuts for his scout troop, he discovers a wet spot on his pants and starts to blame his buddies. His friends try to tell him there is no crime, it was just an accident and it’s OK. After all, accidents happen to everyone. However, Reuben doesn’t give up on finding the culprit that wet his pants – even when all the clues start pointing in his direction.

“As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride is… an audiobook, of a book, about a movie, based on another book. A quote from the original work, The Princess Bride by William Goldman, might put it best: “This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it”. This book combines two great things: warm nostalgia for the classic 80s movie The Princess Bride, and cool behind-the-scenes information. Add to that the audiobook’s narrator – Westley himself (Cary Elwes), as well as all the personal memories read by other members of the cast and crew – and you get something really wonderful!” – DGPL Staff

Written and narrated by Cary Elwes (the actor who played Westley), As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride is a sweet memoir about the making of this classic 80s movie.

“I loved the complex, flawed, yet lovable characters! The two writing styles of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera complimented each other so well. They struck a wonderful balance between romantic and awkwardly adorable, and the ending was beautifully done.” – Van, Adult & Teen Services

This endearing meet-cute story of Arthur, who is only in New York for the summer, and Ben, who just broke up with his boyfriend, asks what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

“I love mysteries with a great sense of place, especially when they are set in Australia. Second Sight doesn’t disappoint on that count. It’s also a great read-alike for the novels of Jane Harper.” – Lora, Adult & Teen Services

Second Sight explores Eliza’s search for the truth about a tragic bushfire and the disappearance of her best friend when they were teenagers. With a great sense of place in the small Australian town of Kinsale, it’s a perfect read-alike for Jane Harper and Julia Keller.

“The Unwanteds was a page-turner. Each adventure was exciting and how they used their powers was unique.” – DGPL Staff

In a society that purges thirteen-year-olds who are creative, identical twins Aaron and Alex are separated, one to attend University while the other, supposedly eliminated, finds himself in a wondrous place where youths hone their abilities and learn magic.

“Donoghue’s writing is delightful, unexpected, and a joy to read. If you’ve never picked up a Donoghue novel (author of Room), this is a great one to start!” – Joy, Adult & Teen Services

80-year-old Noah discovers that he’s last next of kin to a surly 12-year-old boy he’s never met, right before he’s supposed to take a trip of a lifetime to Nice, France, to re-discover his parents’ mysterious work in World War II. A wondrously immersive novel filled with complex family relationships and WWII drama.

“This dragon story, set in contemporary Canada, delivers an alternate history offering both fantasy and modern-day social commentary. Heroes are not limited to one gender as proud men and women work side by side to change history.” – DGPL Staff

In modern-day Canada dragons and humans share a thirst for fossil fuels. There have always been dragons, and protecting hometowns has produced a lineage of proud dragon slayers. Armed with only a sword, his legacy, and his bard, Owen, proud dragon slayer of Trondheim, faces the fight of his young life.