staff
PICKS

Looking for something new? Find your next read with the library's specially curated Staff Picks collection! Staff members from all departments of the library share their favorite books, movies, and music online and in the library for patrons to pick up.

Look for Staff Picks on a shelf in the lobby near the elevator, or in the stacks marked by a special "Staff Picks" sign.
Check this page each Wednesday for weekly recommendations
Visit the library's social media accounts:
Facebook, Instagram (@DownersGroveLibrary), or Twitter (@DGlibrary)

Follow and use the hashtag #DGPLreads to keep up with the freshest picks by DGPL staff.

Monthly Picks: Celebrating diversity

Weekly Recommendations

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

February 19, 2020Book, LGBTQ+, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Staff Picks, w

“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 wa...

Second Sight by Aoife Clifford

February 12, 2020Adult, Book, Mystery & Thriller, Staff Picks, s

“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 Si...

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

February 5, 2020Book, Fantasy, Kids (Grades 5-6), Kids (Grades 7-8), Staff Picks, t

“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...

Akin by Emma Donoghue

January 29, 2020Adult, Arts/Culture, Book, Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Staff Picks, a

“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 ...

The Story of Owen by E.K. Johnston

January 22, 2020Book, Fantasy, Kids (Grades 7-8), Staff Picks, t

“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.” – DGP...

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

January 15, 2020Adult, Book, Romance, Staff Picks, t

“Before I picked up The Unhoneymooners, I had read several more serious books, and I was looking for a change. The Unhoneymooners was just what I was looking for…a cute, fun, lively, romantic escape from everyday life. I loved the charac...

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig by Chris Kurtz

January 8, 2020Adventure/Survival, Book, Kids (Grades 3-4), Staff Picks, t

“Flora is an adorable character, who is brave and kind. There are many funny situations, and themes of loyalty and friendship are explored.” – DGPL Staff Flora is a plucky pig who dreams of becoming a sled-pig....

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

January 1, 2020Adult, Book, Horror, Staff Picks, t

“This book is downright creepy and has a likable main character in Mouse.” – Misty, Adult & Teen Services Mouse has been asked by her dad to clean out her dead grandmother’s house. The problem is that...

Little Santa by Jon Agee

December 25, 2019Book, Holiday, Holiday, Picture Book, Staff Picks, l

“A charming but not too cutesy story about Santa’s childhood origins. A fun addition to a holiday storytime out loud read for ages 3-5.” – Joy, Adult & Teen Services What was Santa like as a kid? Author Jon Agee tells a marvelous tale of...

Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane

December 18, 2019Adult, Book, Romance, Staff Picks, d

“I loved Georgina’s voice. The last twelve years of her life have been a series of bad dates, miserable jobs, and disappointment. She doesn’t give up. In fact, she sticks up for herself and doesn’t take prisoners doing it.” – Sharon, Kid...

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

December 11, 2019Adult, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Staff Picks, d

“Daisy Jones & the Six is one of the best and most memorable audiobooks I have ever listened to! Written as a transcribed oral history, this book lends itself perfectly to the audio format. Narrated by a star-studded full cast of 21 narr...

A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin

December 4, 2019Book, Fantasy, Picture Book, Staff Picks, a

“This book became a fast favorite and bedtime staple in our house! My 2-year old loves pretending to eat and make mooncakes with Little Star, and I can relate all-too-well to my own Little Star sneaking out of bed. This book is equal par...

Recursion by Blake Crouch

November 27, 2019Book, Science Fiction, Staff Picks, Teens (Grades 9-12), r

“Crouch creates very well-defined characters, with a modern twist on time travel and how it impacts the nature of reality.” – Karen B., Adult & Teen Services In modern-day, people are able to go back in time to a specific memory and make...

Michigan vs. The Boys by Carrie S. Allen

November 20, 2019Book, Realistic Fiction, Staff Picks, Teens (Grades 9-12), m

“Michigan is a strong young woman who will do anything to keep playing the game she loves. This book is full of relationships that feel authentic and shows the power of asking for help from your support system.” – Amanda, Adult & Teen Se...

Please Don’t Be Dead by Fantastic Negrito

November 13, 2019Adult, CD, Staff Picks, p

“It’s soul, it’s funk, it’s blues, it’s Fantastic!” – Kelly, Kids Room This two time Grammy winner connects with the audience and contemporary issues like none other that I’ve heard. The title comes from a near fatal car accident that ...

Learning to See by Elise Hooper

November 6, 2019Adult, Book, Historical Fiction, Staff Picks, l

“I loved the fact that the book touched on the major events in Lange’s life and that it was an overview of her whole life rather than just a period. I was also so glad to see some of her photographs included. An engaging read that made m...

Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans

November 1, 2019Book, Fantasy, Humor, Kids (Grades 3-4), Staff Picks, w

“The accident notwithstanding, this is unexpected and fun. It’s filled with riddles and is laugh out loud funny. Wed Wabbit is seriously evil and the Wembly Woos are drippingly sweet. Lissa Evans does not disappoint and I rooted for Grah...

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

November 1, 2019Adult, Arts/Culture, Book, Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Staff Picks, t

“Clever and immersive, learned and witty, I was drawn into Eco’s ingenious story and warmly drawn characters.” – Fred, Adult & Teen Services In 1327, scholar-monk Brother William of Baskerville is sent to an isolated Italian abbey to inv...

I Thought My Father Was God by Paul Auster

November 1, 2019Adult, Arts/Culture, Book, Humor, Memoir/Biography, Nonfiction, Staff Picks, i

“I am obsessed with people’s stories and backgrounds and the inner workings of America, especially from years ago.” – Brian, Public Relations I Thought My Father Was God gathers 180 personal, true-life accounts in a single, powerful volu...