Staff-suggested materials ahead! RevisedJanuary 25, 2022 You can always count on library staff to recommend some of the year's best books, music and movies. Here's hoping you discover new favorites! Library staff loved these 144 titles published in 2021. Audience - Any -All agesFamilies-Babies-Toddlers-Preschoolers-Kids-TweensTeensAdults Format - Any -audiobookbook-board book-chapter book-graphic novel-picture book-readermusicvideo Genre - Any -award winnersbook club pickscomics and graphic novelsfamily lifefantasyfictionfood and cookinghistoryhorrorhumor and satireidentity and culturelove storiesmysterynonfictionpeoplereferencescience fictionseasonalsportsthriller and suspense Thad P says:Some were timeless and vital, others whimsical or quirky, but all are fading away now. A look back at how things not too long ago once were. Kelly B says:Hilarious new collection of diary entries from Sedaris. Outstanding on audio! Kelly B says:Croccy is adopted by a family of birds. A super cute and fun story of belonging. Jeff R says:In an examination of Black performance that mixes personal experiences with global celebrity, Abdurraqib has crafted a book that speaks to us all. Chaz C says:Do I love you because you're wonderful? Why yes, yes I do. Thad P says:Indiana Jones meets "Star Trek." A well-told tale of cutting edge science following the long-lost travels of our ancestors, as recorded in our genes. Heather H says:A gritty knockout of a book. Abundance propels readers into the cyclonic fallout of poverty in the land of plenty. Bryan A says:This book is Hunger Games with magic and no true heroes. Who do you root for when everyone is villainous? Stephanie B says:A romance with the only-one-bed trope, but the main character is aware of the trope. Plus, body positivity and mental-health representation. A+ Coleman M says:Imagine waking up to an evacuated city where you must fight to survive. Alone. Lucky for Maddie she has her wits, her dog and, of course, her library! Lori W says:One-part Harry Potter plus one-part "Men in Black," mixed with a determined yet unlikely heroine, equals a delightful and action-packed adventure! Heather H says:Oates' poetry is sharp and unrelenting. She cuts into the soul of the human condition and shows us exactly what we're made of. Tin C says:Let your creativity soar in this adorable picture book. Carmi D says:The smooth sounds and slick lyrics of dynamic duo Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are guaranteed to have you grooving along! Jess P says:A timely, time-traveling saga featuring Ohio's hometown heroine. Meredith R says:This brought back so many vivid memories of childhood hijinks that I bought it and mailed it to my favorite sneakiness cohort, my little sister. Susan A says:Enter the world of cosplay competitions, throw in a little romance and you've got me hooked! Jess P says:Simply the best resource for all Rose-related information. Annie C says:When grandad leaves to go to a Better Place, Dylan is determined to find him. Join Kid Cosmo on his journey full of imagination, grief and acceptance. Heather W says:Bodies come in all colors, shapes, sizes and abilities-- and all bodies are cool! Kate F says:This lyrical picture book brings the 1619 Project to young readers, chronicling the rich and complex history of Black America. Meredith S says:This humorous tale features a lovable protagonist and a fun assortment of buggy facts. Ellie K says:Are you a cat? Then you can sympathize with this kitty's many problems. Anyone who's ever known or loved a cat will love this one. Coleman M says:Do you like adventure? Do you like powerful magic and mythological creatures? Do you like Harry Potter or Avatar: The Last Airbender? Read this book! Jeff R says:Brimming with helpful insights and practical tips, Chatter will change the way you talk to yourself (and probably others, too). Check it out! Carmi D says:A powerful novel-in-verse for anyone wishing to step out from the shadows and refusing to play small. Meredith R says:"Stranger, whoever you are, open this to learn what will amaze you." This was a triumph of a story, especially on audio. I couldn't stop. Andrew C says:Like its protagonist, this prequel to The Hate U Give shines through its own merits and stellar supporting cast. Love radiates from every chapter. Annie C says:A heartfelt and genuine memoir about the complicated relationship between a daughter and her mother. You'll laugh and cry and crave Korean food. Libby V says:It would be diffi-cult not to love this book. Julie M says:This sweet story shows the value in what others perceive as worthless, and reminds us that all it takes is just one other friend to spread kindness. Kristin M says:This beautifully illustrated retelling is especially magical as a read-along e-book via hoopla. It's perfect for all fans of la familia Madrigal! Kate F says:As if dogs weren't amazing enough, they can also do the most amazing jobs. Warms my little heart! Tin C says:Break down gender norms and expectations because toys are for everyone! Tin C says:This rhyming picture book will QUACK you up! Sarah L says:If you loved Princess Diaries, this one's for you! A slow-burn, friends-to-lovers holiday romance set in the small, fictional country of Eldovia. Marisa W says:Baos and tamales and pierogi, oh my! Upon reading this delightful tale, my stomach may have been grumbling but my heart was plenty full. Chaz C says:Philosophers and dreamers of all ages be warned. You will be charmed. Morgan H says:At long last, a weeknight-wonder cookbook worthy of a permanent spot in my kitchen (where has sheet pan gnocchi been all my life?!). Jeff R says:Here's the rare book that's anxiety-inducing and fun! If you appreciate the opportunity to laugh at inappropriate times, this one's for you. Jeff D says:This is an entertaining mystery and a fun introduction to the world of comics for any reader who might never have picked one up before. Dierric R says:Three generations of eyes reflecting happiness, understanding, concern and a vibrant history. Desi T says:I learned a lot about the internment camps and why some Japanese men in these camps enlisted in the army of a country that didn't value them. Marisa W says:Fascinating to read and a beautiful treat for the eyes, I recommend this to anyone who wants to learn about a rich and vibrant mythology. Stephanie B says:Best debut title from an author I've ever read. A looking glass into the Ojibwe culture and what it means to be Native American in the modern world. Cora S says:No one can deliver weird, random facts quite like Mary Roach! Thad P says:A stew simmering for 45 years, ghost crab sauce or cinnamon-flavored bugs? Take a tour of the food world for things you may (or may not) wish to try. Amanda K says:More than basketball, behind the Greek Freak's zero-to-hero journey is simply Giannis: humble, sincere, determined and devoted to family. April O says:Magpie steals junk and hearts in this story about friendship and creative thinking. Quirky, punny humor and fun collage illustrations! Kristin D says:I hope reading these stories will leave you inspired to share some of your own with the women in your life. We need to know we are not alone. Kara R says:With shades of Marvin Gaye and D'Angelo, "Steam" is a whole vibe. I've had this album on repeat for weeks. Annie C says:A slice-of-life story about belonging and finding a place where you really are at home. Beautiful art, beautiful story. One of my top picks for 2021! Bryan A says:Have you had a friend say, "You've got to check this book out!"? I'm that friend, saying read this awesome memoir about identity and belonging. Heather W says:When your parent just won't behave the way a parent should, perhaps a little puppy training will do the trick. Morgan H says:Dogs (and people!) come in all shapes, sizes and colors-- and that's just how Lucy-the-Longest-Dog likes it! Morgan H says:My deepest thanks to all the internet trolls out there for inspiring this insightful and empowering collection of blackout poetry. Amanda K says:One of the best Cinderella retellings I've ever encountered! Fun, fast read with lots of references to the original Disney classic. Hannah E says:Alternating timelines and character points-of-view will keep you guessing what's really going on until the very end! Thad P says:A flower grows through concrete if given enough time, but that's nothing compared to what nature can get up to when we just leave it alone for a bit. Carol V says:Classic Jewish recipes are given a modern twist, and this baker has caramel apple sticky buns for the coming cold months. Ellie K says:Time travel, sweet tunes and an epic search? Yes, please! Meredith R says:I didn't realize my life was missing a heist story featuring an all-cat squad, but it was. This one has cat capers galore. Sarah L says:I don't read true crime often, but I couldn't put this down. A haunting history of the Last Call Killer, NYC's queer community and the AIDS epidemic. Heather H says:Jamie Conklin has a gift that would give the kid from "The Sixth Sense" some real nightmares. Heather H says:Evison beautifully weaves together the story of human struggle with the precious need for community-- our failures and our blessings. Jeff D says:This is a huge book full of huge concepts: family, the military, genetic experimentation and destiny. The art is incredible and the story intense. Stephanie B says:Jade does her best to train perfect-girl Letha to be the "final girl" as their town turns into the slasher movie Jade has always revered. Marisa W says:Heartwarming, without being overly sentimental, this had me craving a fried bologna sandwich with a hearty side of some Dolly Parton tunes. Dierric R says:From a gifted young girl to an awe-inspiring woman who enraptured many with her voice, Nina was a necessary voice during a difficult time. Jeff D says:Frequent "New Yorker" magazine cover artist Johnson has created a family drama that avoids all the cliches and is hypnotically beautiful. Memorable. Sarah C says:A short, but oh-so-intense, speculative sci-fi set in the eye of a deadly windstorm, swirling with commentary on humanity, technology and capitalism. Stephanie B says:An introduction of historic and modern Indigenous peoples. An absolute must read. Right now. Jess P says:A freewheeling anthology from women who have collectively worked on all your favorite comedies. Coleman M says:Atmospheric and eerie, this ghost story scared me enough to check my floorboards AND use dental floss after brushing. Stephanie B says:Part literary fiction and part mystery, this novel will catapult you to the forests of Scotland, and change the way you look at wolves forever. Sarah L says:I will read anything Casey McQuiston writes, even their grocery list. Tin C says:Get ready for a chomping good time with this colorful counting picture book. April O says:Move over "Ghostbusters," Ophie's got this one! This book is so sweetly haunting, and the humans just might be the scariest part! Morgan H says:A wildly clever and quirky adventure that tells its story through 200 unique palindromes and will leave you saying, "Huh? Wow! LOL." Sarah L says:Have you ever wondered what happens after the dust settles on a disaster site? Jeff D says:Sala passed away in 2020, but not before finishing this book, a perfect example of his wildly inventive and entertaining comics. Susan A says:All the makings of a great quest! Horses, outlaws, ghosts and friendship. Hannah E says:If you liked the book or movie The Martian, you will love this! If you haven't read or seen The Martian, you will also love this! Jess P says:My jaw dropped, and then stayed on the floor for several days. Meredith S says:Long after you've finished reading this stunning memoir, you'll find that it isn't finished with you. Julie M says:This heartwarming, holiday-season book is based on a true story and shows a community choosing to love and support each other, despite differences. Annie C says:This Africanfuturism novella feels like a sci-fi classic from the start. Sankofa's story is about death, culture, family, technology and life. Thad P says:Does one life matter in a world war? Cop-turned-soldier Billy Boyle must decide. High suspense, shady dames and enough twists and turns for anyone. Dierric R says:Like reliving some of my favorite childhood memories in the kitchen with family. A perfect way to celebrate tradition. Jeff D says:This book is full of weird phenomena and a cult led by a sinister guru. It all comes together in a horror story that is one of Ito's best! Carmi D says:I devoured this funny, sexy, second-chance love story, and loved the smart dialogue, complex relationships and flawed, yet lovable, characters. Ann P says:I miss giving high fives for a job well done. This is the story of the man who invented the move and his struggles to play the sport he loved. Desi T says:Both Xander and Pen are seeking different ways to make themselves whole and complete. I love the way Xander and Pen become safe spaces for each other. Dierric R says:It's like reliving those childhood memories of Sundays with food and family. It's familiar and comforting. Heather W says:"Wouldn't you feel better if ...?" "You'd be so pretty if ..." What's wrong with being who you are? You deserve to take up space. Tin C says:This colorful and vibrant picture book shows the wonders of the solar system, but also the beauty within ourselves. Marisa W says:Travel down millennial memory lane and revisit the cultural touchstones that shaped the author's experience growing up queer in the early aughts. Coleman M says:A shocking and sobering testament of incompetence at the highest level that sets the record straight on nearly two decades of war in Afghanistan. Cora S says:Five stars! Julie M says:A riveting fairy tale complete with an attack goat, a mysterious girl, a protective monk and, of course, a villain. Desi T says:An African American couple uses magic on the Underground Railroad to get enslaved people to freedom and solve mysteries. Thad P says:Think the classics are old or stodgy? Learn the story behind the stories and the people who wrote them. Some fun, many strange and all interesting. Stephanie B says:Ever wonder what happens to the girls who survive at the end of a horror movie? A humorous look at horror stereotypes and the girls left behind. Lori W says:Sign me up for the reunion tour! I've never heard any of their songs, but I can't get enough of Opal and Nev. They put the groove in groovy! Hannah M says:A fresh take on typical WWII historical fiction. A great storyline filled with bravery, romance and a little bit of magic! Hannah M says:A must read for 2021. Hannah delivers a storyline that will tug at your heartstrings and not let go. Jeff R says:Greeley offers lucky readers a Pride and Prejudice spin-off with some refreshingly forward-thinking twists; possession of a good fortune be damned! Sarah C says:A fierce feminist fantasy about two women destined to seek vengeance against the patriarchal powers that exiled them. An intense, slow burn. Sarah C says:A gripping story about race, class and what it means to be a mother that will leave a lasting and hopeful Impression on your heart. Amy B says:This mystery had me so hooked, I cleaned my house longer just so I could keep listening! Brian C says:"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits." --Mark Twain Meredith R says:It turns out that disappearing for a week into a magical Narnia-like land hidden inside your dresser comes with real-world consequences. Dierric R says:Most charms come with good luck, this charm comes with more than Moth bargained for. Is she willing to pay the price to get what she wants most? Amy B says:Need something to do while waiting for the next season of Only Murders in the Building? Check out this book! Amy B says:After two pandemic years that have been decidedly difficult and not that much fun, I needed this book. Morgan H says:Magic and mystery collide in this intricate and atmospheric tale of a group of strangers and their secrets-- just in time for chilly weather! Morgan H says:This timeless little gem is a sweet reminder that there's a bit of ramble shamble in us all, if we're brave enough to embrace it. Meredith S says:This charming and colorful story shows that even the smallest of creatures need a friend. Sarah C says:Flexing his storytelling chops, Grohl delivers a grounded, humble and completely engaging memoir. Check out the audio; Grohl rocks as narrator! Morgan H says:The perfect kind of book to get lost in for hours on a snowy afternoon. Julie M says:I love everything about this series, and the latest book continues to deliver the humor, warmth and charm that make it so delightful. Kelly B says:A beautiful picture book about encouragement and resilience, with an inspiring message for all ages. Amanda K says:Nuanced, surreal, thought-provoking. And, at times, unsettling. A tale of burnout and the threads that start to unravel. Kelly B says:A personal collection of essays reflecting on family, friendships and books. Tin C says:Fine feathers make fine birds, but they also make a delightful book where readers will learn about the names for groups of birds. Annie C says:Mixing drinks and spells has Tooth, Pearl and Eezy swapping their fins for legs. These mermaids go out on the town and have a whole lotta fun! Ellie K says:A perfect pick for fall, this book felt like a cozy therapy session. Beautifully atmospheric, heartfelt, sad and funny, I couldn't put this one down. Susan A says:Imagine: one minute you're an ordinary teenager, the next a princess! I loved this quirky, funny, coming-of-age adventure with a love story thrown in. Chaz C says:This book is a warm hug, and I wish I could have read it before I started middle school. Dierric R says:Explore the history of a once thriving Black community and the destruction that followed in this page-turning picture book. Brian C says:Physician, heal thyself! Carol V says:Chronicling an overlooked legacy, this book outlines the history and politics of Native humor, striking a perfect balance of humor and heartbreak. Kelly B says:An extraordinary story of adventure, hope and two amazing giraffes. Leah B says:Buckle up for a riveting saga set in Bangkok, Thailand and Washington, D.C. Carol V says:This might not be the most glamorous book recommendation, but everyone needs pragmatic money advice for when the unexpected happens. Carmi D says:Need an escape from the cold winter? Look forward to summer with bright illustrations and sensory imagery that celebrates family, food and tradition. Heather H says:A must-read for Shirley Jackson fans! Modern horror masters pay tribute to the wicked genius of one of the most influential writers of all time. Carol V says:Meander along with these stories and enjoy their scenery, which is part humorous musing, part conservation and all recreational bliss. Jess P says:A book like a dense forest, full with ethereal beauty and brutal realities. Hannah M says:I prepared myself ahead of time for this storyline and was still blown away! An emotional page turner that I couldn't put down! Julie M says:A powerful and moving story on the impact of family, immigration and home as told through the eyes of a child. Julie M says:With simple text and beautiful collage illustrations, this book provides all the inspiration you need to take a "wonder walk" of your own! Brian C says:The fascinating and tragic life of Nico, the most influential 1960s icon you've never heard of. Amanda K says:Just like real ice cream and cookies, this delightfully adorable and informative book of sweets left me drooling for more!
