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Gothic Works for Fans of “Rebecca”

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”

Netflix’s new film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s gothic novel Rebecca is now streaming (and in select theaters)! Whether you are a fan of the new reimagining, loved the original 1940 Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name, or preferred the book the best, look no further for more gothic suspense!

Here you’ll find 5 classic gothic novels as well as 5 contemporary gothic works that are perfect for fans of Rebecca.

All of the titles featured below we have in our collection or within the SWAN consortium. To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image.

Gothic Classics

The vengeful ghost of Rebecca, Maxim's first wife, continues to cast its long shadow over him and his second wife. Back in England after an absence of over ten years, it seems as if happiness will at last be theirs. However, the de Winters still have to reckon with two hate-consumed figures they once knew - both of whom have very long memories...

Orphaned and subject to the cruelties of Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. How she becomes governess at Thornfield Hall, grows to love its brooding owner and discovers the tragic impediment to their marriage are elements in a story that portrays a woman's search for a wider and richer life.

The passionate attachment between headstrong Cathy and the wild, foundling boy Heathcliff, raised by her father, has tragic and disastrous consequences for the Earnshaw and Linton families and their descendants.

When Rachel, the beautiful widow of his cousin, arrives at his Cornwall estate, Philip Ashley is enchanted despite his doubts regarding his cousin's death, and must decide whether she's out to destroy him or is an innocent victim of malicious gossip and suspicion.

A young governess is employed to look after two orphaned siblings in a grand country house. Isolated and inexperienced, she is at first charmed by the children, but gradually suspects that they may not be as innocent as they seem. She begins to see sinister figures. Do they exist solely in her imagination, or are they ghosts intent on a devastating task?

Contemporary Gothics

Inside Elsie’s husband’s ancestral home lies a locked door, beyond which is a painted wooden figure--a silent companion--that bears a striking resemblance to Elsie herself. Some doors are locked for a reason…

Not long ago there were seven in the Blackwoods family, until a fatal dose of arsenic found its way into the sugar bowl one tragic night. Now there are only three... Acquitted of the murders, daughter Constance has returned home, where sister Merricat protects her from the curiosity and hostility of the locals.

After receiving a letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious fate, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. There are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. As Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

Old, ailing and wanting to chronicle her life, author Vida Winter summons biographer Margaret Lea. Struck by a curious parallel between Vida’s story and her own, Margaret takes the job. As Vida exhumes the life she meant to bury for good, Margaret is mesmerized for it is a tale of gothic strangeness.

Bosco: once a beautiful, stately home, now a tranquil artists' retreat. Ellis Brooks has come here for the peace and quiet - and for the opportunity to write a novel inspired by the scandalous events that took place in the mansion's early days, a scandal involving a medium of dubious repute, three dead children and a séance that ended in tragedy.

Penny’s Picks: Part 2 | A Booklist For Kids & Teens

By bcplweb Booklists, Booklists

Miss Penny from the Youth Services Department has hand-picked a selection of her current favorite books — and there’s something for a range of ages!

All of the books featured here are books that we have in our collection. To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image or button to the right of the description.

Penny Recommends...

When We Were Magic

by Sarah Gailey

A great story about group of friends entering their senior year in high school. The focus is on all the changes and stresses that their relationships go through. It is a sweet, funny, scary and tense story about the power of friendships.

AGES: Young adults

Hostile Territory

by Paul Greci

A devastating earthquake strands four teens in the Alaskan wilderness. The situation is complicated by the fact that there is no civilization to return to. Gripping story of adventure and survival. Paul Greci has lived in Alaska for 25 years and speaks from experience about the environment and wildlife of the region. A suspenseful, survival and self preservation story.

AGES: Young adults

Yes, No, Maybe So

by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

A young adult book about romance that includes political, ethical and cultural issues. The story is told in alternating chapters with references to national issues. The main characters are quirky but very relatable. The characters have different points of view, but are still connect through their common goal to change things that matter.

AGES: Young adults

Lovely War

by Julie Berry

A story of romance set in the days of World War l, where Greek Gods hold the fates of four mortals in their hands. The reader follows Hazel, James, Aubrey and Colette four every different people from different backgrounds as the find and lose love. Beautiful writing, thrilling battle scenes and the inclusion of Greek mythology. Unique premise , a fantastic read, more than just a romance an accurate historical fiction book that also deals with racial prejudice.

AGES: Young adults

Do I Have to Wear a Coat?

by Rachel Isadora

A sweet story that highlights all the adventures that kids enjoy as the seasons cycle through the year. The illustrations are beautifully done with watercolors. Highlights each season not just through outerwear, but through all the fun kids have in each particular season. A joyful story that would be a great tool to help teach the seasons.

AGES: Preschool – Kindergarten

No More Naps!

by Chris Grabenstein

A funny story centered around the age old question, “Will my child EVER take a nap?” Readers will love the amusing idea that naps are really just opportunities to be seized! Adults try to encourage sleepiness but Annalise will have nothing to do with their ideas. This book captures the toddlers emotional highs and lows of nap taking as well as how the parents feel.

AGES: Preschool

Fritzy Finds a Hat

by Scott Hamilton

A heart warming book that uses a gentle touch to talk about cancer. Fritzy’s mom is diagnosed with cancer and he begins a search to find her the perfect hat to wear to her treatments. The book teaches children a powerful message that love and support can sometimes be the best message. The illustrations are done by singer Brad Paisley who depicts Fritzy’s mom perfectly.

AGES: 8 to 12 years old

New Contemporary Romance for 2020

By bcplweb Booklists, Booklists, What's New

Contemporary romance is broadly described as the time period for romance set after World War II, and is sometimes referred to as “modern romance” — whisking readers from small-town settings to bustling cities, and featuring a variety of delightful storylines. Below are our picks for the best new contemporary romance reads of 2020, hand-picked by our Adult Services Department staff.

All of the titles featured here we have in our collection. To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image or button to the right of the description.

Love Her or Lose Her

by Tessa Bailey

Rosie and Dominic Vega are the perfect couple: high school sweethearts, best friends, madly in love. Well, they used to be anyway. Now Rosie’s lucky to get a caveman grunt from the ex-soldier every time she walks in the door. Dom is faithful and a great provider, but the man she fell in love with ten years ago is nowhere to be found. When her girlfriends encourage Rosie to demand more out of life and pursue her dream of opening a restaurant, she decides to demand more out of love, too. Three words: marriage boot camp.

The Happy Ever After Playlist

by Abby Jimenez

Sloan Monroe can’t catch a break. Two years after losing her fiance, her life consists of cemetery visits, unorthodox art projects, and drinking sessions with her best friend, Kristen. So when a dog dashes in front of her car and gets her a ticket for obstructing traffic, Sloan is at her wits’ end. But after meeting the ridiculously attractive and charming owner of the trouble-making retriever, she begins to think that maybe her luck has finally started to turn around… When Jason Larsen — a.k.a. Jaxon Waters, rock n’ roll’s newest prodigy — turns on his phone after a two-week hiking trip in Australia, he’s shocked to find out that his beloved dog Tucker escaped his babysitter and is being held hostage by a beautiful woman. As Jason and Sloan begin to fall for each other, past traumas and rising tensions prove that their seemingly perfect match may just go to the dogs.

Girl Gone Viral

by Alisha Rai

In Alisha Rai’s second novel in her Modern Love series, a live-tweet event goes viral for a camera-shy ex-model, shoving her into the spotlight—and into the arms of the bodyguard she’d been pining for.

The Honey-Don’t List

by Christina Lauren

From the New York Times bestselling author behind the “joyful, warm, touching” The Unhoneymooners comes a delightfully charming love story about what happens when two assistants tasked with keeping a rocky relationship from explosion start to feel sparks of their own.

Marriage on Madison Avenue

by Lauren Layne

Can guys and girls ever be just friends? According to Audrey Tate and Clarke West, absolutely. After all, they’ve been best friends since childhood without a single romantic entanglement. Clarke is the charming playboy Audrey can always count on, and he knows that the ever-loyal Audrey will never not play along with his strategy for dodging his matchmaking mother-announcing he’s already engaged…to Audrey. But what starts out as a playful game between two best friends turns into something infinitely more complicated, as just-for-show kisses begin to stir up forbidden feelings. As the faux wedding date looms closer, Audrey and Clarke realize that they can never go back to the way things were, but deep down, do they really want to?

The Worst Best Man

by Mia Sosa

A wedding planner left at the altar? Yeah, the irony isn’t lost on Carolina Santos, either. But despite that embarrassing blip from her past, Lina’s offered an opportunity that could change her life. There’s just one hitch… she has to collaborate with the best (make that worst) man from her own failed nuptials. Marketing expert Max Hartley is determined to make his mark with a coveted hotel client looking to expand its brand. Then he learns he’ll be working with his brother’s whip-smart, stunning–absolutely off-limits–ex-fiancée. And she loathes him. If they can nail their presentation without killing each other, they’ll both come out ahead. Except Max has been public enemy number one ever since he encouraged his brother to jilt the bride, and Lina’s ready to dish out a little payback of her own. Soon Lina and Max discover animosity may not be the only emotion creating sparks between them. Still, this star-crossed couple can never be more than temporary playmates because Lina isn’t interested in falling in love and Max refuses to play runner-up to his brother ever again.

Been There, Married That

by Gigi Levangie Grazer

In a world where therapist look like the Real Housewives of Equinox, where friends dispense Xanax like Pez, and where a woman’s status is directly linked to the how few carbs she eats…can one Hollywood wife take back her life?

The Worst Best Man

by Mia Sosa

Perfect for fans of Me Before You and One Day—a striking, powerful, and moving love story following an ambitious lawyer who experiences an astonishing vision that could change her life forever.

Want more recommendations?

You can check out all of our online booklists (for kids and for adults), or reach out to us! Our staff is ready and willing to make reading, listening, or viewing recommendations to you! Email us at reference@benlib.org or contact us via our online form!

Oktoberfest 2020: German cooking at home

By bcplweb Booklists, Booklists

Don your lederhosen and dirndls! Strike up the accordions and clarinets and DIY your own Oktoberfest celebration this fall with good German food and gemütlichkeit! Prosit!

All of the titles featured here we have in our collection. Hover over each book to read a brief description. To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image.

Takes you into Oma's German kitchen, sharing traditional comfort food to warm your heart. Authentic recipes, including meatloaf, rouladen, sauerkraut, bring the diverse tastes of Germany to your table. Complete with clear instructions as well as full-color food and location photography, this is more than just a fantastic German recipe book.

Create your own Oktoberfest-inspired feasts with 50 recipes straight from Germany's most famous beer halls. The Oktoberfest Cookbook features all the favorite recipes from Munich's beer tents: sauerkraut, sausages, sauerbraten and beyond, with 50 recipes for both traditional Bavarian dishes and modern takes on food stall favorites.

German baking is legendary and shapes baking traditions the world over- Christmas cookies, coffee cakes, delicate tortes, soft seeded rolls, and hearty dumplings all have their origins in Germany (and Austria). In Classic German Baking, Luisa Weiss has collected and mastered the recipes most essential to every good baker's repertoire.

The eighty recipes plus variations in The Berghoff Cafe Cookbook represent the full range of Berghoff German Cafe food. Many recipes from Great-grandfather Herman's cafe updated for today's cook.

A glossary of Oktoberfest terms

Dirndls | A traditional feminine dress which originated in German-speaking areas of the Alps. Developed during the 18th century, based on the traditional clothing of Alpine peasants, dirndls today are generally considered the traditional dress for women and girls in the Alps. Dirndls often have particular designs associated with different regions.
Gemütlichkeit | This word doesn’t have a direct English translation. It is a heady mix of coziness, cheerfulness, friendliness, and social acceptance. This feeling encompasses the atmosphere of a successful Oktoberfest.
Lederhosen | Short or knee-length leather breeches that are worn as traditional garments in some regions of German-speaking countries. The longer ones are generally called Bundhosen or Kniebundhosen. Once common workwear across Central Europe, these clothes—or Tracht—are particularly associated with Bavaria and the Tyrol region.
München | The German name for Munich. The city is the capital of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany behind Berlin and Hamburg.
Bayern | Known as “Bavaria” to English speakers, Bayern is the largest of the 16 German Bundesländer (states) with its capital in Munich (München).
Lebkuchen | A honey-sweetened German cake or molded cookie that has become part of Germany’s Christmas traditions and regional fairs. It is similar to gingerbread. The lebkuchenherzen — the more specific name for heart-shaped lebkuchen — are popular at Oktoberfest.
Prosit/Prost | At Oktoberfest it is polite have a toast before drinking. Your neighbor at the table will often say “Prost” or “Prosit” (meaning “cheers”) or “Zum Wohl” (meaning “to your wellbeing”) while clinking glasses with everyone in reach.

More about Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest: Definition, History, Facts — Britannica | Oktoberfest is an annual festival in Munich, Germany, held over a two-week period and ending on the first Sunday in October. The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Read more…

10 Oktoberfest Traditions: Frommer’s | Believe it or not, there’s much more to Oktoberfest than beer. From chicken dances and sing-alongs to giant pretzels and gingerbread necklaces, these traditions at Munich’s favorite fall festival go beyond the brew—though there’s plenty of that, too. Read more…

Favorite Oktoberfest Recipes: Taste of Home | Looking for more Oktoberfest food recipes? Celebrate with these German recipes, including sauerbraten and spaetzle, that will fill out your Oktoberfest menu. Read more…

Zoom Help

By bcplweb Adult Services, Youth Services

Are you or your child having difficulty understanding how to login and use Zoom during remote learning or for other virtual programs? The library is here to help. You can call or come in to schedule a one-on-one appointment, and a staff member will sit down and walk through Zoom and answer any questions. We can also provide appointments in Spanish. Call us today at (630) 766-4642.

Usted o su hijo/a a tenido problemas para entrar a las juntas virtuales por Zoom durante estos tiempos de aprendizaje en casa o otros programas virtuales? Pues la biblioteca está aquí para ayudar. Puedes llamar o apuntarte para una cita personal con un empleado de la biblioteca donde tomaran el tiempo de enseñarte cómo usar Zoom y responder a cualquier pregunta que tenas. Tendremos citas en español. Llámenos hoy al (630) 766-4642

Read It, Then Watch It! | YA Edition

By bcplweb Booklists, Booklists

Did you know that these YA reads are based on books? We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite YA books with movie adaptations. Then the ultimate question… Which was better: the book or the movie?

All of the books and movies featured here we have in our collection! To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image or the “Find it!” button under each book or movie.

Book: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Movie: "The Hate U Give"

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

Book: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Movie: "Love, Simon"

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

Book: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Movie: "Beastly"

A modern retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” from the point of view of the Beast, a vain Manhattan private school student who is turned into a monster and must find true love before he can return to his human form.

Book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Movie: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"

A haunting coming of age novel told in a series of letters to an unknown correspondent reveals the life of Charlie, a freshman in high school who is a wallflower, shy and introspective, and very intelligent, it’s a story of what it’s like to grow up in high school, tracing a course through uncharted territory in the world of first dates, family dramas and new friends.

Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Movie: "The Book Thief"

Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel–a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.

Book: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

Movie: "Five Feet Apart"

Seventeen-year-olds Stella and Will, both suffering from cystic fibrosis, realize the only way to stay alive is to stay apart, but their love for each other is slowly pushing the boundaries of physical and emotional safety.

Book: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Movie: "Everything, Everything"

The story of a teenage girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known.

Book: Every Day by David Levithan

Movie: "Every Day"

Every morning “A” wakes in a different person’s body, in a different person’s life, learning over the years to never get too attached, until he wakes up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon.

Parish’s Staff Picks!

By bcplweb Booklists, Booklists, Booklists

Hey hey… You know Parish from the Youth Services Department! He’s put together a list of some of his favorite books — picture books for little ones, fiction reads for kids and teens, and graphic novels!

All of the books featured here are books that we have in our collection. To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image or button to the right of the description.

Parish's Picture Book Picks

Douglas, You Need Glasses!

by Ged Adamson

Meet Douglas, a dog with a big problem: he needs eyeglasses but doesn’t know it, and his bad eyesight tends to land him in some pretty hairy situations.

From Parish: This is one of my favorite picture books. It follows Douglas, a dog, who doesn’t know that he needs glasses! It takes his friend to convince him that he needs them when Douglas confused her for a fire hydrant. This story is full of laughs and beautiful illustration.

Ira Crumb Feels the Feelings

by Naseem Hrab

Ira and Malcolm are best friends: they always make each other laugh, always eat lunch together, and always play together. But one day, a disagreement about whether to play tag or hide-and-seek sees the suddenly über-popular Malcolm run off with a crowd of tag-loving kids―and Ira all alone.

From Parish: I LOVE THIS BOOK! It’s a great book for teaching kids that it’s normal to be in our feelings when we have a disagreement with our friends or family, but we shouldn’t let that bring us down. Expressing ourselves and sharing a good fart joke makes everything better!

Lost and Found

by Oliver Jeffers

What is a boy to do when a lost penguin shows up at his door? Find out where it comes from, of course, and return it. But the journey to the South Pole is long and difficult in the boy’s rowboat. To pass the time, the boy tells the penguin stories. Finally, they arrive. Yet instead of being happy, both are sad. That’s when the boy realizes: The penguin hadn’t been lost, it had merely been lonely.

From Parish: Oliver Jeffers is one of my favorite picture book authors! The adventure that the boy embarks on to return the penguin is adorable, but also a challenging adventure. Once you read the book, check out the short movie which shares the same name.

Parish's Fiction Book Picks — Y and YA

Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire

by John August

When Arlo Finch moves to Pine Mountain, Colorado, he has no idea what’s in store for him in this tiny town full of mystery and magic. When he joins the Rangers, Pine Mountain’s version of the Boy Scouts, it leads him into adventures he never thought possible. Wilderness and magical pow ers collide throughout the beautiful, dense forest surrounding his new home, and as Arlo begins to learn the way of the Rangers, he also discovers courage, strength, and a destiny he never knew he possessed.

From Parish: This is a book I highly recommend. I love the fantasy genre, so I was instantly hooked on the Arlo Finch series. If you love Percy Jackson, you’ll love this! It is filled with magic, mystical creatures, and mystery.

Rebel Genius

by Michael Dante DiMartino

In twelve-year-old Giacomo’s Renaissance-inspired world, art is powerful, dangerous, and outlawed. Every artist possesses a Genius, a birdlike creature that is the living embodiment of an artist’s creative spirit. Those caught with one face severe punishment, so when Giacomo discovers he has a Genius, he knows he’s in big trouble.

They Both Die at the End

by Adam Silvera

On September 5, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure — to live a lifetime in a single day.

From Parish: This is a must read if you, like me, are wondering if they really do die at the end! Honestly, this book is one of my favorites; it reminds us all that we don’t know how much of our lives are guaranteed — why not take chances!

Parish's Picks: Youth Graphic Novels

Arthur and the Golden Rope

by Joe Todd-Stanton

Imagine a vault so cavernous that it could contain all the world’s greatest treasures and relics, from mummified remains of ancient monarchs to glistening swords brandished by legendary warriors. Who could be in charge of such a vault and how did he come into possession of such a unique collection? Who is Professor Brownstone?

From Parish: Joe Todd-Stanton is another one of my favorite authors! I love his storytelling, but also his beautiful illustrations. Arthur and the Golden Rope is the first book in its series that explores the life of Arthur and, the life of each Brownstone.

Tiger vs. Nightmare

by Emily Tetri

Tiger has a monster living under her bed. Every night, Tiger and Monster play games until it’s time for lights out. Of course, Monster would never try to scare Tiger — that’s not what best friends do. But Monster needs to scare someone … it’s a monster, after all. So while Tiger sleeps, Monster scares all of her nightmares away. But waiting in the darkness is a nightmare so big and mean that Monster can’t fight it alone. Only teamwork and a lot of bravery can chase this nightmare away.

From Parish: This is a fast read, but an adorable graphic novel about a tiger and her monster friend who needs to fight the nightmare that’s scaring them both!

Where's Halmoni?

by Julie Kim

Searching for their missing grandmother, two Korean children follow tracks into a fantastic world filled with beings from folklore who speak in Korean. Includes translations and information about the folkloric characters.

From Parish: I like this book because at the end you can see the translations of the words that were said in Korean!

Parish's Picks: Young Adult Graphic Novels

Become You (Series)

by Ichigo Takano

Taiyou is a high-school musician with dreams of stardom, but when his bandmates quit in order to focus on school, it feels like Taiyou’s dreams are slipping away. In an act of desperation, Taiyou strong-arms his sullen classmate Hikari into forming a band with him. The two boys are total opposites, but together they might just be able to create something amazing.

From Parish: When I first read this book, I wanted something that wasn’t the normal fantasy that I normally read. After reading it, it became one of my favorite slice of life Graphic Novels with hint of drama. Now I’m not going to lie… I love drama!

The Way of the House Husband (Series)

by Kousuke Oono

He was the fiercest member of the yakuza, a man who left countless underworld legends in his wake. They called him ‘the Immortal Dragon’. But one day he walked away from it all to walk another path — the path of the househusband!

From Parish: I love this laugh-out-loud comedy! It follow the life of an ex-yakuza, mob member, who marries the love of his life and becomes a househusband! I definitely recommend its one of my favorites and full of laughs!

This Was Our Pact

by Ryan Andrews

Ben and his friends are determined to find out where the paper lanterns of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival go, so they follow the river as far as they can until the only followers left are Ben and Nathaniel.

From Parish: MUST READ! This is one of my favorite graphic novels that I read last year! Beautiful visuals, great storytelling, and a talking bear! I highly recommend this book to anyone!

My Hero Academia Vigilantes (Series)

by Hideyuki Furuhashi

Koichi Haimawari couldn’t make the cut to be an official hero, so he uses his modest powers to do good deeds in his spare time. Teamed with two other unlikely and unofficial vigilantes, he’s about to find out that being a hero takes more than just courage…

From Parish: A spin off of the popular “My Hero Academia”. Full of action and tons of superheroes with awesome quirks! It’s one of my favorites to read when the main series is checked out!

If You Liked… “Normal People”

By bcplweb Booklists, Booklists, If You Liked...

Did you love Normal People by Sally Rooney? Now an nominated Hulu original series, Normal People is a stunning novel about the transformative power of relationships. Sally Rooney brings her brilliant psychological acuity and perfectly spare prose to a story that explores the subtleties of class, the electricity of first love, and the complex entanglements of family and friendship. If you’re looking for more reads like this one, check out this list of read-alikes.

A Little Life

by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life follows four college classmates—broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition—as they move to New York in search of fame and fortune. While their relationships, which are tinged by addiction, success, and pride, deepen over the decades, the men are held together by their devotion to the brilliant, enigmatic Jude, a man scarred by an unspeakable childhood trauma. A hymn to brotherly bonds and a masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century, Hanya Yanagihara’s stunning novel is about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves.

One Day

by David Nicholls

Over twenty years, snapshots of an unlikely relationship are revealed on the same day — July 15th — of each year. Dex Mayhew and Em Morley face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself.

Trust Exercise

by Susan Choi

In 1982 in a southern city, David and Sarah, two freshmen at a highly competitive performing arts high school, thrive alongside their school peers in a rarified bubble, ambitiously devoting themselves to their studies–to music, to movement, to Shakespeare and, particularly, to classes taught by the magnetic acting teacher Mr. Kingsley. It is here in these halls that David and Sarah fall innocently and powerfully into first love. And also where, as this class of students rises through the ranks of high school, the outside world of family life and economic status, of academic pressure and the future, does not affect them–until it does–in a sudden spiral of events that brings a startling close to the first part of this novel.

Call Me By Your Name

by Andre Aciman

The story of a sudden and powerful romance that blossoms between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents’ house, a cliff-side mansion on the Italian Riviera. Unprepared for the consequences of their attraction, at first each feigns indifference to the other. But during the warm, languorous summer weeks that follow, unrelenting buried currents of obsession and fear, fascination and desire, intensify their passion as they test the charged ground between them. What grows from the depths of their spirits is a romance of scarcely six weeks duration and an experience that marks them for a lifetime. For what the two discover on the Riviera and on a sultry evening in Rome is the one thing both already fear they may never truly find again: total intimacy.

Ordinary People

by Diana Evans

In a crooked house in South London, Melissa feels increasingly that she’s defined solely by motherhood, while Michael mourns the former thrill of their romance. In the suburbs, Stephanie’s aspirations for bliss on the commuter belt, coupled with her white middle-class upbringing, compound Damian’s itch for a bigger life catalyzed by the death of his activist father. Longtime friends from the years when passion seemed permanent, the couples have stayed in touch, gathering for births and anniversaries, bonding over discussions of politics, race, and art. But as bonds fray, the lines once clearly marked by wedding bands aren’t so simply defined. Ordinary People is a moving examination of identity and parenthood, sex and grief, and the fragile architecture of love.

Fates and Furies

by Lauren Groff

Every story has two sides. Every relationship has two perspectives. And sometimes, it turns out, the key to a great marriage is not its truths but its secrets. At the core of this rich, expansive, layered novel, Lauren Groff presents the story of one such marriage over the course of twenty-four years.

With stunning revelations and multiple threads, and in prose that is vibrantly alive and original, Groff delivers a deeply satisfying novel about love, art, creativity, and power that is unlike anything that has come before it. Profound, surprising, propulsive, and emotionally riveting, it stirs both the mind and the heart.

The Marriage Plot

by Jeffrey Eugenides

It’s the early 1980s. In American colleges, the wised-up kids are inhaling Derrida and listening to Talking Heads. But Madeleine Hanna, dutiful English major, is writing her senior thesis on Jane Austen and George Eliot, purveyors of the marriage plot that lies at the heart of the greatest English novels. As Madeleine studies the age-old motivations of the human heart, real life, in the form of two very different guys, intervenes—the charismatic and intense Leonard Bankhead, and her old friend the mystically inclined Mitchell Grammaticus. As all three of them face life in the real world they will have to reevaluate everything they have learned.

An American Marriage

by Tayari Jones

Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.

The Interestings

by Meg Wolitzer

The summer that Nixon resigns, six teenagers at a summer camp for the arts become inseparable. Decades later the bond remains powerful, but so much else has changed. In The Interestings, Wolitzer follows these characters from the height of youth through middle age, as their talents, fortunes, and degrees of satisfaction diverge.

The Idiot

by Elif Batuman

With superlative emotional and intellectual sensitivity, mordant wit, and pitch-perfect style, Batuman dramatizes the uncertainty of life on the cusp of adulthood. Her prose is a rare and inimitable combination of tenderness and wisdom; its logic as natural and inscrutable as that of memory itself. The Idiot is a heroic yet self-effacing reckoning with the terror and joy of becoming a person in a world that is as intoxicating as it is disquieting. Batuman’s fiction is unguarded against both life’s affronts and its beauty–and has at its command the complete range of thinking and feeling which they entail.

Want more recommendations?

Kat’s Staff Picks!

By bcplweb Booklists, Booklists, Booklists

You might know Kat from Polish Storytime in the Youth Services Department, or at the Circulation Desk! We’ve put together a list of some of her favorite youth and adult books — juvenile picture books, DVDs, non-fiction, and more!

All of the books featured here are books that we have in our collection. To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image or button to the right of the description.

Kat's Picks: Juvenile Picture Books

Chester

by Melanie Watt

Melanie Watt begins to share a story when Chester, an arrogant cat, interrupts her to make it all about him! Who gets the last word?

Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat

by Deborah Underwood

When Cat loses a tooth, the Tooth Fairy delivers a wholly unwanted sidekick: a mouse.

Brick: Who Found Herself in Architecture

by Joshua David Stein

A young brick goes on a journey to find her place in the world by visiting ten celebrated brick structures around the globe. Brick’s observations begin at home and then extend globally as she travels to a diverse list of brick structures all while pondering where she will end up.

Press Here

by Herve Tullet

Press the yellow dot on the cover of this interactive children’s book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey. Each page of this surprising touch book instructs the reader to push the button, shake it up, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next!

Orange Pear Apple Bear

by Emily Gravett

This book has spare text and sweet illustrations but contains only five words: apple, pear, orange, bear–and there. Emily Gravett creates clever variations on this theme by rearranging the words. Simple and compelling, children will enjoy reading this book over and over again as they learn many different concepts.

This is Not My Hat

by Jon Klassen

When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened…

Abominable (DVD)

When teenage Yi encounters a young Yeti on the roof of her apartment building in Shanghai, she and her mischievous friends, Jin and Peng, name him “Everest” and embark on an epic quest to reunite the magical creature with his family at the highest point on Earth.

Kat's Picks: Adult Books & DVDs

The Handmaid's Tale (DVD)

Not for the faint of heart, this show is based on Margaret Atwood’s award-winning, best-selling novel. Offred, among hundreds of other women, is a maid who was taken away from her family by a new reigning country that has a very different idea about how men and women must live their lives.

Swimming in the Dark

by Tomasz Jedrowski

A love story between two young men, one more invested in the relationship than the other, and why they drifted apart in the tumultuous politics of 1980s Poland. Ludwik, the student narrator, comes out at a time when gays had no role models to follow.

Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions

by Tiffany Jana

Our workplaces and society are growing more diverse, but are we supporting inclusive cultures? While overt racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination are relatively easy to spot, we cannot neglect the subtler everyday actions that normalize exclusion.

Real Men Knit

by K.M. Jackson

When their foster mother suddenly dies, four brothers struggle to keep the doors of her beloved Harlem knitting shop open. He and his brothers have different plans on what to do with Strong Knits. Jesse wants to keep the store open, but his brothers want to tie off loose ends and close shop…

Unorthodox: the Scandalous Rejection of my Hasidic Roots

by Deborah Feldman

Traces the author’s upbringing in the Satmar Hasidic community in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, New York, describing the strict rules that governed her life, her arranged marriage at the age of seventeen, and the birth of her son, which led to her plan to leave and forge her own path in life.

The Authenticity Project

by Clare Pooley

Everybody lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth?” This is the question that Julian Jessop, an eccentric, seventy-nine-year-old artist, poses within a pale green exercise book that he labels The Authenticity Project, before leaving it behind in Monica’s Café. When Monica discovers Julian’s abandoned notebook, not only does she add her own story to the book, she is determined to find a way to help Julian feel less lonely.

You Deserve Each Other

by Sarah Hogle

For fans of The Hating Game, a debut lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about two unhappily engaged people each trying to force the other to end the relationship–and falling back in love in the process.

Escape/Renew/Refresh in the Great Outdoors!

By bcplweb Booklists, Booklists

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” ― John Muir

As the end of summer nears, take advantage of good weather, scenic parks, and the great outdoors — right here in Illinois!

All of the titles featured here we have in our collection. To see if an item is available to check out or place on hold, click the cover image.

Whether you seek a quiet campground near a fish-filled stream or a family campground with all the amenities, Best Tent Camping: Illinois provides an escape for all who wish to find those special places that recharge the mind, body, and spirit.

Covers 41 forest preserves, parks and pathways with more than 240 miles of trails & bike paths.

Whether you're a local looking for new places to explore or a visitor to the area, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Chicago provides plenty of options for a couple hours or a full day of adventure, all within about an hour from Chicago and the surrounding communities.

Features hiking trails in Kane and McHenry Counties, forest preserves, parks and bike trails.

A complete Illinois outdoor recreation guide for campers, boaters, anglers, skiers, hikers and outdoor lovers.

Features the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Trails in Cook, DuPage, Will, Grundy and LaSalle Counties and provides a complete guide to all the pathways in Will County.

DuPage & Kane County Forest Preserves

DuPage County Forest Preserves | Each year more than 4 million visitors enjoy the Forest Preserve District’s nearly 26,000 acres, 145 miles of trails and 60 forest preserves. That’s why we work hard to ensure these areas continue to offer great ways for you to “Take 5” to improve your mood, reduce stress and lead a healthier life! See the visitors guide for more information.

State Parks and Outdoor Recreation | Appreciate the geographical diversity of Illinois by enjoying the recreational opportunities offered at Illinois’ state parks, fish and wildlife areas, and conservation areas, on our lakes and rivers, and in our forests. Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, wildlife watching, fishing, hunting or boating, Illinois has an ideal destination for you to explore, or to visit and just relax.

Forest Preserve District of Kane County | Since 1925, the Forest Preserve District has worked to preserve and restore Kane County’s natural areas, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance the quality of life for all Kane County residents. We invite you to visit the forest preserves and enjoy a quiet walk, embark on a camping weekend, picnic with friends and family, learn about nature, bird watch, fish, golf, ride, volunteer, or simply experience the wonder of our more than 20,000 of acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies.