What’s Ashley Reading?: The Winter People

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

First line: The first time I saw a sleeper, I was nine years old.

Summary: The town of West Hall, Vermont, has had a history of strange disappearances and deaths. One the first and most confounding is Sara Harrison Shea in 1908. She was found in her backyard shortly after the death of her daughter.

Now in the present day, Ruthie along with her mother and sister live in Sara’s house. Nothing strange has ever happened until one day Ruthie’s mother, Alice disappears without a trace. While Ruthie is searching for clues about where her mother has gone she discovers a copy of Sara’s diary. As she looks into the mystery surrounding Sara she starts to see some parallels with others who have searched for lost love ones. Could they all be connected somehow? What is happening on this farm in small town Vermont?

My Thoughts: I picked this up at a used bookstore with the plan to use it as a vacation read. I know it doesn’t look like something you’d take on a trip to sunny Florida but it was also October. I have read several of McMahon’s books and always really enjoyed them. She does a perfect mix of mystery with a paranormal twist.

I enjoyed the jumping between the historical events of Sara and the present day with Ruthie. Multiple timelines and flashbacks are one of my favorite writing formats. The Sara storyline was really creepy and gave me chills. It was a perfect pick for spooky season but under all the scary bits it brings forth a really difficult question. What would we be willing to do for a little more time with a loved one who has died? It seems so tempting but as we see in this novel it may not be all we expected it to be. This book will make you think deeper thoughts and scare you at the same time. If you want a book for those cold dark nights then this is it!

FYI: Trigger warning : Death of a child, murder, scary scenes.

The Blog Wants to Know: Nov. 2025

We’re heading into the season that celebrates family, gratitude, and most importantly, food! 

What’s something that you’d like to cook or bake but have never tried? Perhaps this is a family recipe, something you’ve seen in a cookbook, or even something you’ve seen on a baking or cooking show.  What are some dream recipes that you’d like to try if you had the time/tools/ingredients, etc.? 

Hannah, Assistant Director: I’ve always wanted to try making croissants from scratch. I’ve seen videos of bakers making them and always marvel at how jiggly they are when they are fully proofed. But the skill and time it would take to laminate the dough intimidates me!

Ashley, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: I would love to make a really good Cornish pasty.  I have done steak and stout pies, Yorkshire puddings and shepherd’s pie but I have yet to try my hand at the pasty.  My dad made some several years ago that were excellent.  I had several pasties on my last trip to London and they are just the perfect on-the-go meal plus being very filling.

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services Coordinator: My boyfriend loves New York-style cheesecake so I really want to try making that for him some time, but I’m super intimidated by all of the steps and the delicacy of it. I’m also a big fan of Indian food so I’d love to try making my own vegetable curry!

Baya, Youth Services: I’ve always thought that one day I’ll try making macarons. They’re delicious gluten-free cookies made with almond flour. The fillings can come in so many different flavors between two airy cookies. My favorite so far has been peach. Macarons have to be made just right, but it’s really satisfying to watch the process.

Now it’s your turn! What’s something that you’ve always wanted to try making? Let us know in the blog comments below!

What’s Ashley Reading?: Good Spirits

Good Spirits by B. K. Borison

First line: On the first day of December, the universe gave to me –

Summary: Harriet York is being haunted. She has no idea why because she tries to be a good person. However, when the Ghost of Christmas Past arrives she begins to wonder what may have happened in her past to warrant this visit.

Nolan Callahan has spent nearly a century as the Ghost of Christmas Past. He has hoped that one day he will be able to move on but that day has not arrived. Each passing year becomes lonelier and then this year he is met with his most challenging assignment ever.

As Harriet and Nolan try to discover what is in Harriet’s past that brought them together, they find that their connection may go beyond what either of them ever imagined.

My Thoughts: I was very excited to get an early copy of this book! It has a pretty cover and such a cute summary. I had only started reading B.K. Borison this year with her book, First-Time Caller, and now I am hooked. The writing is fun and the romance a bit spicy.

From the beginning I loved the banter between the characters. Each one of them is sure that they know what is going on but soon discover that there is more at play here. Harriet is a people pleaser so she allows Nolan to try and fix the issue even though she is sure this is all a mistake. Nolan just wants to finish the job and move her along to the next ghost.

As the story progressed we learn more about each character. I loved to see the romance blossom but with it came parts where I felt so bad for each of them. They had parts of their lives that they had trouble acknowledging. It shows a lot when an author can make the reader feel for the fictional characters and I felt Borison did a fantastic job with this. By the end it all comes together with the warm holiday goodness you want.

If you are wanting a spicy holiday romance then I would highly recommend this! It hits all the Christmas-y vibes with candy canes, holiday pajamas and A Christmas Carol retelling.

The Lineup: Hannah

Book: Dungeon Crawler Carl

2025 is the year of the reading rut for me. I just can’t seem to read book after book like I have in previous years. Maybe I’ve become set in my ways and will only read favorite authors? Despite the reading rut, what I have read this year has been very enjoyable, including this recommendation from fellow staff member, Justin. Dungeon Crawler Carl is a hilarious science fiction, dystopian romp with an unlikely hero and his talking cat, Princess Donut. Upside…it’s a series. Downside…it’s popular, so I’m still stuck on the hold list for book two.

Music: Taylor Swift

It took me a while to admit it out loud, but I am a Swiftie. I’ve listened to her music since her country days and early pop transition, but she lost my interest with Reputation. I got back into her music during the pandemic when she released sister albums Folklore and Evermore in 2020. Her latest album Life of a Showgirl is a return to her pop roots, and I honestly cannot stop listening to it…especially Opalite.

Activity: Training Kyle Boofs

I am 100% a crazy dog lady. We have two aging chihuahua mixes, Willie and Merry, and recently added a new boy to our pack. King Kyle Boofs is my new best friend. He’s a 2.5 year old mini bernedoodle and is 46 pounds of love. He has a sweet, cool-cucumber personality. Last month, I embarked on the first steps toward training and certifying Kyle as a therapy dog.

Series: The Morning Show

If you log into my Apple TV, you will probably see Ted Lasso pop up first. I am known to watch random episodes of Ted Lasso when I need a pick-me-up. However, right behind that will be The Morning Show. Situational dramas about news stations will always be one of my favorite genres. My husband and I binged the entire The Newsroom series last winter. The Morning Show has the same energy as The Newsroom, but with two powerhouse actresses in Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Season four is out right now. I binged the first six episodes during the rainy weekend in October, and then I was sad to discover I had to wait for the next four episodes since they are released one a week like traditional TV. We are so spoiled by streaming with the ability to binge full seasons at once.

Hobby: Genealogy

Researching local and family history is easily my favorite hobby of all time. I’ve spent hours upon hours constructing my family tree and crediting sources. I feel like a detective connecting all the dots between my relatives and finding interesting stories and family dynamics on all branches of my family tree. Doing my own genealogy research has a fun benefit in that it usually tends to help with local Derby and Rose Hill history, since several members of my paternal side were founding members of both communities. Of course, I would be lying if uncovering a family secret or a skeleton in an ancestor’s closet isn’t one of my favorite activities.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Boleyn Traitor

Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

First line: In the hammered silver of the mirror, we look like two headless ghosts – our black hoods hiding our faces.

Summary: Jane Boleyn has spent her life at the Tudor court. She has learned through her years serving first Queen Katherine of Aragon and then her sister-in-law, Anne Boleyn that she must play her part to perfection in order to survive. This becomes even more apparent after the downfall of the Boleyn’s when she is left alone at a court that is being ruled by a tyrant. With the help of her spymaster and friend, Thomas Cromwell she navigates the coming years in the new queen’s household but she has learned that one whispered secret can lead to the executioner’s scaffold.

My Thoughts: I was very excited to see that Philippa Gregory was returning to the Tudor court in her newest book. I have been a big fan of her work since first reading The Other Boleyn Girl many years ago. I could not wait to see what she did with this woman who has been shunned to the shadows of the Boleyn story.

So, to start off with, The Other Boleyn Girl is probably my favorite book. I have a signed copy of it and it has been read numerous times. I love the story and it sparked my interest in the period. I hated the movie and really wish that someone would do it justice, maybe in a miniseries like some of Gregory’s other works. And now coming from this point, I was really excited to see what Gregory did with this woman who was not portrayed in the best light before.

When I first started this I was very confused by the choices that were made concerning the relationships between Jane, Anne and George. This made them seem more like a cohesive team than adversaries. As the story moved on this would bother me less as I got used to the Jane that was being portrayed. She is shown to be highly intelligent woman who has learned how to navigate the world of the Tudor court.

I found it interesting to see her as part of the entourage around Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves. Everyone who knows Jane’s story is aware of her involvements with Katherine Howard but I forget that she most likely worked for the queens between Anne and Katherine. She was at the forefront of major changes and events of the time but much of her story is centered on Henry’s executed queens.

While this was not my favorite of Gregory’s work, I did find it really enjoyable. I got a new perspective on this woman who has been misaligned in the past. In recent scholarship she has been shown to be much more than a vindictive wife and hopefully this fiction will give her the attention she may actually deserve.

If you love historical fiction of the Tudor era then this is a must read! And now that I have finished this, I am going to go back and re-read The Other Boleyn Girl for the millionth time.

The Blog Wants to Know: Oct. 2025

It’s spooky season and time for costumes, creepy creations, and themed cosplays. Whether you’re a current Halloween fan or partied it up in your youth, this question is all about being the best (or worst) dressed! 

What have been some of your favorite or least favorite Halloween costumes? This could be a costume that you wore as a kid, a teen, with a family or group or even something you’ve done in recent years. Is there a costume you’ve always wanted to try?

Dawn S., Youth Services Coordinator: My worst costume ever was one of those plastic masks for Mickey Mouse as a kid. I’m so glad costumes have evolved over time because those masks were creepy and very hot. My most worn costumes were a witch or a bride when I was a child. My favorite costume as an adult was probably a nerd or a sleep-deprived mom with a bath robe, curlers, and random household items pinned to the robe. 

Tabbitha, Youth Services: I’ve had some memorable Halloween costumes! When I was three, my heart was set on being Baby Bop. My grandma finally found the perfect costume—five hours away!

But my best costume came at age four: I had a deep obsession with Star Wars and decided to be Darth Maul.I thought my face paint and light saber were awesome—until I realized I kept scaring the other trick-or-treaters!

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services: When I was first hired as a part-time children’s librarian nearly 13 years ago, I took advantage of the role during Halloween and made a life-long dream come true to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast! I got to wear Belle’s gown during Preschool Storytime and it was so magical watching the kids’ eyes light up when they saw the costume!

Now it’s your turn! What are some of your favorite Halloween costumes?

What’s Ashley Reading?: Boudicca’s Daughter

Boudicca’s Daughter by Elodie Harper

First line: The twisted branches flash past, swift as shadows, yet solid as spears.

Summary: Few women strike fear in the hearts of Rome like the Iceni queen, Boudicca. She challenged Rome’s takeover of Britannia with a revolt that destroyed several key towns across the southern lands. But the revolt was doomed to collapse and the mighty queen is conquered leaving her daughter a captive of the Roman general, Paulinus.

Solina, the daughter of Boudicca and a druid king, has spent her life in her mother’s shadow but is now forced to carve out her own path in a world she never imagined she would inhabit. As a prisoner she is taken to Nero’s Rome where she finds that survival in the capital can be just as dangerous as war. With her life now in Rome she must come to terms with her past, the enemy all around her and what it truly means to be Boudicca’s daughter.

My Thoughts: Ever since I heard that Elodie Harper was going to write a book about Boudicca I could not wait for its release! I even went out and bought a copy of the beautiful book so I can add it to my collection. And it did not disappoint. I loved everything about this book!

While this book is historical fiction much of Solina’s life is fiction including her name. Boudicca’s daughters and their violation by Roman soldiers were cited as important reasons behind the revolt. Little is actually known about what happened to them afterwards and the records are all from Roman historians giving them a very one sided point of view. But I think Harper did a fantastic job imagining what life may have been like for a high profile prisoner being taken to Rome during a turbulent time in its own history.

Told through several viewpoints including Boudicca, Solina and Paulinius we travel from the Iceni homeland, to fierce battles, then captivity and finally to Rome. Solina is portrayed as a woman who is constantly in conflict with herself on surviving and the urge to continue the resistance to Roman control. As I’m sure the author intended, I could feel this struggle throughout Solina’s journey. Added to this Harper shows how cutthroat life in Rome was at the time of Nero. No one was safe from incriminations and threats. I could feel the anxiety of it through the narrative while also finding it fascinating.

I would highly recommend this and Elodie Harper’s trilogy set in Pompeii. She writes fascinating characters who inhabited the ancient world. We are shown the darker sides of what this gilded society was like through the eyes of strong female characters.

FYI: Currently this book is only available through Libby/Overdrive.

Bookworm Buffet: A Feast for your Reading Senses

Bookworm Buffet: September 2025

Welcome to Bookworm Buffet! Get ready to feast on three literary delights, each served up in a different format: physical, digital ebook, and audiobook.

September’s Spread –

Physical: The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Maggie Stiefvater & Illustrated by Sas Milledge

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Young Adult

Summary:
Join Blue and her Raven Boys on their unforgettable quest to find a long-forgotten Welsh king rumored to be sleeping beneath the mountains of their quiet Virginia town.
This beloved first book of a young adult series is now reimagined as a stunning full-color graphic novel adapted by Stephanie Williams and illustrated by Sas Milledge. The Raven Boys unravels a thrilling plot around a cast of characters impossible to forget.
Publication: July 29, 2025

My Rating:

eBook: The Favorites by Layne Fargo

Genre: Contemporary, Sports Fiction, Literary Retelling

Summary:
A modern day loose reimagining of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, set in the world of competitive ice dancing.
Katarina “Kat” Shaw and Heath Rocha, both disadvantaged by broken homes and humble beginnings, form a fierce and magnetic partnership in the cutthroat world of ice dance. As they rise from underdog prospects to international stars, their bond is tested by ambition, betrayal, and the glare of media scrutiny, when a shocking incident at the Olympic Games forces their partnership to end.
Ten years later an unauthorized documentary threatens to rewrite their legacy. Kat, tired of rumors and distortions, finally steps forward to tell the real story—one woven from childhood loss, obsessive love, rivalries, and the cost of chasing perfection.
Publication: January 14, 2025

My Rating:

Audio: 14 Ways to Die by Vincent Ralph

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult
Narrated by: Tina Wolstencroft

Summary:
Jess Crane enters an online reality show to hunt down the person who murdered her mother years ago — a killer known only as the Magpie Man. Each week, Jess livestreams her life to thousands of viewers, using the platform to lure the killer out of hiding while simultaneously risking her own safety. As the show progresses, the boundaries between her public persona and private grief blur, and Jess becomes both the hunter and the hunted in a tense race to expose the truth before she becomes the Magpie Man’s next victim.
Publication: December 19, 2019

My Rating:

The Lineup: Shane

The lineup of what the DPL staff have been up to lately.

Shane’s Lineup

Books: H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos

If you have seen and recognized my upper arm tattoos, you won’t be shocked to learn that I am a huge H. P. Lovecraft fan. I’ve been reading through his short stories when I can, starting with the Cthulhu Mythos. I really like how the Cthulhu Mythos stories are all individual stories, but relate to each other in some way.  I love the dark, gritty atmosphere and twist endings that really make you think. It’s also really fun to read the original stories that so many books, movies, and shows are inspired by even now.

Vacation: Redwoods, California

I recently returned from a family vacation to Northwest California. My older sister and I road tripped there and back, which was a fun bonding experience by itself. The trip was awesome, I saw (and touched) the ocean for the very first time, we did a lot of hiking, and saw so many big, beautiful, ancient trees. I was most excited by seeing the banana slugs though. We rented a remote house with a killer view of the ocean. We also spent half a day in Crescent City and ate a delicious meal at SeaQuake Brewing.

Hobby: Music & Concerts

I’ve been a rock music fan my whole life (thanks mom and dad) and love going to concerts to see a live performance when I can. Some favorites are Creeper, Twin Temple, Avatar, Hollywood Undead, Judas Priest, Plain White T’s, and Ghost (seeing them again soon!). Usually I go with my twin sister and her husband, but I’ve also gone with my parents to some. Seeing live music is always a special memory no matter how small or big the band is.

Games: Carcassone

I am a huge board game nerd and I own over 60 games. I love a game that is different every time you play, and Carcassone has that endless replayability to me. To me, it is simple to learn but still challenging and competitive (if you it to be). Thanks to my loved ones and their gifts, I own 9 out of 12 of the main expansion packs. This makes it even more customizable because we can pick and choose which packs to include when we play.

Hobby: Fiber Arts

I have always been someone who loved to “make things” but I never felt creative enough to do art. I taught myself knitting around 10 years ago and crochet about 2 years ago (still definitely learning that one). I love knitting and crochet because I enjoy following a pattern and watching it come together, it is very satisfying. It also totally opens up the real of gift-giving. If someone devotes the time to knit/crochet/sew you something, you should feel very special. I have made scarfs, hats, a bag, figures, and other small things. I am currently working on a duster robe for myself and have about half dozen other projects on my mind. The picture is of a spider scarf I made in 2022 while I was recovering from surgery. Very fun project!

What’s Ashley Reading?: What Fury Brings

What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller

First line: Given the extreme size of the king’s sword, Olerra felt certain the man was compensating for something.

Summary: In the kingdom of Amarra women rule the land and men are subservient. The potential future queen, Olerra, is trying to secure her ascension to the throne and the one way she believes will help is by stealing a husband from the neighboring kingdom of Brutus. This will show her strength and cunning to her people. Her intended target is the second son of the king of Brutus. He is known for his beauty and docile nature which will help with breaking him to her will.

Sanos, the crown prince of Brutus, has been raised for the throne but it hasn’t been easy. His father is abusive and controlling leading Sanos to do what he can to protect the rest of the family from his wrath. But one night in a drunken prank he takes the place of his brother and gets captured by an Amarran princess. Sanos is determined to escape and return to his kingdom but as he spends more time with the princess in her kingdom he finds the need for escape is slowly going away.

My Thoughts: I had no idea what I was getting into with this book. I have read most of Levenseller’s young adult works and really enjoyed them so I was definitely going to pick up her first adult book. While her YA books could be spicy this took it to a whole other level. She does preface the book with trigger warnings and reasoning behind the writing of this book which I found very insightful. So for this review I also want to let you know that the author’s note is a must read for anyone before starting What Fury Brings.

Now on to the actually review. I did enjoy this and how the world that is built here is something completely different. She turns most fantasy books on their head. This is a female led society and the women have an extra magical strength over men. But they are not the norm in the world they inhabit. It is only the kingdom of Amarra which has these rules. Everywhere else fits into the patriarchal mindset.

Olerra is a strong woman who is trying to do better for her people by winning the throne away from her greedy masochistic cousin. There were times I did not like her but as we learn more about her motives that lessens. The choices she makes are in the hopes of helping her people in the future but to get there she has to fit into some of her societies norms which are rather off putting.

The biggest issue was how quickly the relationship seems to change. I know that several weeks or months have gone by but to the reader it seems like less. When you consider what Olerra has done to Sanos I felt like things came to a conclusion rather fast. But with this being said I felt like the pacing was well done. It did not drag on and the conclusion was swift. This appears to be a standalone but I can see that the author does have a way that they could expand it beyond the first book if she so decides.

I will definitely continue to read Levenseller’s books but now I will be a little more prepared for what she will bring to her adult romantasy in the future.

FYI : Only available at the moment on Libby.