Bookworm Buffet: A Feast for your Reading Senses

Bookworm Buffet: July 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.

July’s Spread –

Genre: Historical, Humor, Fiction

Version 1.0.0

Summary:
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.
But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.
Publication: March 29, 2022

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

Summary:
– Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.
– Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.
It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life. But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

Publication: May 27, 2025

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery
Narrated by: Christine Lakin

Summary:
Rabbits is a mysterious alternate reality game so vast it uses our global reality as its canvas. Since the game first started in 1959, ten iterations have appeared and nine winners have been declared. Their identities are unknown. So is their reward, which is whispered to be NSA or CIA recruitment, vast wealth, immortality, or perhaps even the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe itself. But the deeper you get, the more deadly the game becomes. Players have died in the past—and the body count is rising.
And now the eleventh round is about to begin. Enter K—a Rabbits obsessive who has been trying to find a way into the game for years. That path opens when K is approached by billionaire Alan Scarpio, the alleged winner of the sixth iteration. Scarpio says that something has gone wrong with the game and that K needs to fix it before Eleven starts or the whole world will pay the price.
Five days later, Scarpio is declared missing. Two weeks after that, K blows the deadline and Eleven begins. And suddenly, the fate of the entire universe is at stake.
Publication: June 08, 2021

My Rating:

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Island Villa

The Island Villa by Sarah Morgan

First line: For the first time in her life she was planning to kill someone.

Summary: Catherine Swift has spent her career on the top of the romance charts. Her books have sold millions of copies and earned high praise from her fans. If only her love life was as perfect as the ones in her books. But she is hopeful that this fourth marriage will be the perfect one and bring her family back together again.

Adeline has had a troubled relationship with her mother since she was young. After the affair, divorce and the birth of her younger sister, it has been hard for Adeline to forgive her mother for abandoning her for a new family. Now she has been guilted into attending her mother’s fourth wedding. How is she going to get through this week and the memories it stirs in her?

Cassie has dreamed of getting to know her older sister and she is hoping that this family wedding will help bring them closer. She is excited for her mother and her future husband but she has been hiding something from everyone about her own career. Maybe this trip will be the perfect time to reveal her secret.

As all three women prepare for several weeks together they each have their own expectations. However, as the days progress and secrets are revealed it seems that no one expected how this vacation was going to actually go.

My Thoughts: This was my first book by Sarah Morgan. I picked it up at a used bookstore several months ago with the plan to read it during the summer. As June rolled around it felt like the perfect time.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from her. Was it going to be a romance? Was there going to be drama? And the answer to both was yes. There are several romances throughout the book but nothing is explicit. It had a sweet romcom feel to it. However, there was definitely drama and secrets that gave some shocks to the story. Each woman learns something about their past and themselves through their journey in the book. This is a story where people are given second chances and the past is made clearer for all involved.

I liked the story even though much of it was rather predictable. If you want something set in a beautiful location, a little family drama and a sweet ending with it all coming together perfectly then this is it. So in summary this is a perfect example of a beach read!

FYI: Abuse, death, abandonment.

The Lineup: Emily B.

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

Emily’s Lineup

TV Show: The Clone Wars

I used to love watching the original Star Wars movies with my dad growing up, and over time that love for Star Wars never dissipated. A few years back, a good friend of mine introduced me to The Clone Wars series and after a LOT of convincing, I finally watched it. It is now my favorite series, and I find myself re-watching it every so often. It gives an amazing insight into the storyline before Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. If you’re looking for a good series to binge- that should be your starting place. 

Availabe to check out here or it is currently streaming on Disney+.

Music 

Music is a very big part of my life; for every song, I have a story attached to it. Right now, my current favorites are
Zach Bryan and Morgan Wallen– more specifically, the song 28 by Zach Bryan and I Got Better by Morgan Wallen. Their two songs that touch on growing up and moving on, and being in my early 20’s, really resonate with me. With that being said, my music tastes vary dramatically. I’m very big on the 80’s, country, alternative, and musicals! Radiohead and Artemas are also two of my current favorites. 

Personal Interests 

I love to travel, I always have. Whether it’s out of the state, out of the country, or simply just out of town- I love to travel. There is always something new to see and something new to experience. The craziest place I’ve been was Dubai with my mom and my most recent trip was to Branson. To say I fell in love with the scenery is an understatement; the nature there is beautiful. However, my favorite part of traveling is the drive and the stops at random gas stations in the middle of nowhere. 

Hobbies 

I’m a very girly girl, so my hobbies usually center around shopping, tanning, lashes and doing my nails. A few years back I graduated from cosmetology school with my esthetician license, so all things beauty are right up my alley. I’ve also been getting more into coloring, making jewelry, and hopefully scrapbooking soon! I do love karaoke as well- nothing beats getting to sing your heart out! 

Video Games

“We fight not so that the world will remember us, but so that there will be a world to remember.”
– Capt. Price (Call of Duty)

I don’t do a lot of gaming, but if I do, it’s usually Call of Duty. I love the storyline and the depth of it; it also helps that the main characters are easy on the eyes. I love all of the COD games, but Modern Warfare III is my favorite. It’s gripping, intense, and fast-paced, all the things needed to keep me entertained. I also really enjoy Halo, Animal Crossing, and Mouthwashing! 

Take a Listen: June 2025

Welcome to our monthly series, where we explore the music tastes of our staff.

Prince has been my go-to lately. You can’t go wrong with Prince, no matter your mood.

~Shelia

I’ve been listening to the ‘90s Rock Essentials playlist on Apple Music. It’s also a great hype song to get ready for a busy summer reading day at the library.

Did you know that thunder is said 34 times in the 4:52 song runtime?

~Hannah

This song is so healing. No matter what you believe spiritually, you can find some kind of peace and connection in this song. The lyrics are poetic and the soft melody is like a gentle lullaby from the universe. The gospel choir in the end just gives me chills. 

~Alyssa

This song has always been very moving and this version really amps up the emotion of the song. I also saw this version performed live before the recording came out, so the song has a special place in my memory.

~Shane

I’ve been really attached to this song recently. It touches on growing up and the passage of time, something bittersweet to listen to as I get older and discover myself. 

~Emily B.

I’m working through some stuff so that is why I like it.

~Dawn S.

I’ve been vibing with 90s/early 2000s country recently, and this song really hit.

~Megan

I’ve been on a Les Mis kick lately. It’s a musical that never gets old for me, it’s so beautiful and powerful and… it’s just a masterpiece if we’re being honest.

~Maycie

Happy listening!

Last, Current, Next: Jessie’s June Reading Shelf

“Last, Current, Next” is where Jessie shares what she’s been reading and what’s next on her reading list. If you’re looking for something different to read or if you’re just curious, check out this month’s three selections.

Last: The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir 

Format: Audiobook via Libby 

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Thriller, Novella 

In three hours, you follow the main character as she seeks medical treatment for her symptoms only to be told there’s nothing wrong with her because her blood work has come back fine. But now there’s strange things being noticed when she wakes up, like injuries she didn’t have the day before. Each day brings something a little bit stranger than the last. I normally don’t like thrillers as audiobooks, I prefer them in a physical or digital format, but the narration kept me on my toes the entire time. The ending left me wanting more, and I would have loved having this as a full novel. 

Current: Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Márquez 

 Format: Physical via Interlibrary Loan 

Genre: Classics, Spanish Literature, Fiction, Magical Realism 

I first read Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s “Of Love and Other Demons” in a college history class and it’s been one of my favorite books since. I decided I wanted to try working through all Márquez’s backlist of books and landed on this one first. In this work, a man returns to town to find the truth about a murder that happened nearly three decades ago. Everyone knew it was going to happen, but no one stopped it. The whole town is being questioned. I’m about halfway through and I’m enjoying piecing together the truth from various rumors from past and present time. 

Did you know? A book like “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” that is not in our library consortium can still be checked out from Derby Public Library by utilizing our Interlibrary Loan service. Check out our website page for more information! 

Next: M is for Monster by Talia Dutton 

Format: Physical 

Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, LGBTQ 

A quick glance through looking at the artwork of this graphic novel is what initially caught my attention. But also, I really love a Frankenstein-esque moment! A scientist sister brings her sister back to life, or at least she thought she did. When M starts pushing back on expectations of not only the scientist but themself, a challenge arises – whose expectations are we trying to meet? I’m looking forward to reading this as I think it hits on some great conversation and reflection points such as self-discovery, individuality and grief.   

What’s Ashley Reading?: With a Vengeance

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager

First line: The train isn’t empty, although it certainly feels that way.

Summary: Anna Matheson’s life was destroyed by a train disaster in 1942. For years she has ruminated on the people who ruined her life and now she has uncovered the truth behind their deeds from over a decade before. In a master plan to take down all of them she lures them onto a train from Philadelphia to Chicago which will end in their arrest for their crimes. However, someone on board the train has another plan for the conspirators. Anna must hunt a killer amongst them in order to get the justice she has been waiting years for which means protecting the people she hates the most.

My Thoughts: Once again Riley Sager has changed course from his usual format, not that it’s a bad thing but different than what he has written before. He has returned to a female main character but rather than only one narrator we get the perspective of all the passengers of the train. Early on you get the feel of Murder on the Orient Express and I was in for it.

I did really enjoy this book. I love closed door because it makes you pay attention to every little detail because these are the parts that may give you a clue to the killer’s identity. Everyone is a suspect and there are only so many places to hide. I think the addition of giving us other perspectives helped enhance the mystery but we still cannot trust anyone.

I had a lot of fun reading this but my one critique is near the end where there was cliché scene that felt silly. When you read it you will understand. It seems to be added because it is almost expected but I could have done without it. Even with this scene I found the mystery intriguing and entertaining. If you love Agatha Christie and a good closed door mystery, then I’d highly recommend Sager’s newest novel.

The Blog Wants to Know: June 2025

Despite the current deluge of rain and the humid temperatures, we are technically in the middle of summertime and maybe some warmer weather so this month’s blog question is all about summer activities! 

What are some of your favorite summer activities? Do you like to go somewhere special in town during the summer months or do you get to enjoy certain hobbies now that it’s a little warmer?

Shane, Public Support Services: I grew up camping in the summer months and I still do when I can. El Dorado Lake is a fun one close by to go to for one night or just a day to go swimming. My favorite summertime activity is evening bonfires with plentiful s’mores with friends and family.

Dawn S., Youth Services Coordinator: My boys and I enjoy going to the Y for swimming and the movie theater for air conditioning. 

Eric, Director: Just in case you didn’t know, my primary favorite summer activity is cycling!  I definitely ride a lot more in the summer months!

Shelia, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: One of our favorite summer activities is going to Starlite Drive-In in Wichita. We love the atmosphere and of course, the concessions. Oh and if your car battery dies, they have jumper cables for you to borrow! “Starlite Drive-In gives you more, call 524-2424

Maycie, Public Support Services: I am not by any means a hot weather kind of gal so my favorite summer activity is hanging out the air conditioning and waiting for winter to return! 

Emily B., Public Support Services: Some of my favorite summer activities are driving with my windows down and the music up! If you happen to catch me driving around, there’s a strong possibility that you’ll be able to hear my music- even if the windows are rolled up. I also love going on evening walks and getting to watch the sunset, since it’s warm enough to be out, and having small bonfires with friends.

I try to spend as much time as I can down at a small lake just across the border of Kansas into Oklahoma. My family has been going there as long as I can remember, so it has a very special place in my heart. 

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services Coordinator: I love sitting on my porch outside in the summer mornings or evenings just reading a book either with a cup of coffee or a glass of white wine. I’m also a big fan of evening summer walks. I adore the ocean so summertime means visiting family in North Carolina and hitting the waves in our favorite coastal town, Wrightsville Beach. My godchildren and I love to board surf, and we’re hoping to take pro surf lessons this summer!

Hannah, Assistant Director: Early morning summer walks and runs are the best. I can watch the sun come up, and I’m not running in the pitch black like the rest of the year.

Kristy H., Public Support Services: My favorite summer activity was always going to  Worlds of Fun In Kansas City. It was the best of times, all the walking and the old fashioned cars that were on rails that we got to drive at 6 years old , And the big paper flowers. Those are the best memories!


Bookworm Buffet: A Feast for your Reading Senses

Bookworm Buffet: June 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.

June’s Spread –

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction

Summary:
When Margot gets fired from her job on the same day she meets Oliver again, her life becomes a veritable mess. Her dream career is dying right before her eyes, and Oliver thinks she’s interested in only one thing: a repeat of the hot make out session they had three years ago so she can get him out of her system. And maybe that is all she wants from him, because she and Oliver are definitely not compatible—he doesn’t hit the snooze button, he runs five miles every morning, he reads nonfiction, and worst of all, she didn’t meet him in cute way!
But in her scramble to keep her dream career alive, by opening her own agency, Oliver is there with his golden retriever energy, more steady and helpful than any man she’s ever dated. Just when she thinks she’s overcome her app bias, she realizes that maybe it’s not her who’s holding back, but him. And his reasons are more than she bargained for.

Publication: September 16, 2025

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Time Travel

Summary:
Tess Bright just scored her dream role starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It’s not just the role of a lifetime, but it’s also her last chance to prove herself as a serious actress (no easy feat after being fired from her last TV gig) and more importantly, it’s her opportunity to honor her mom, who was the biggest fan of Jane Austen ever.
Hugh is a type-A, no-nonsense, Royal Academy prodigy, whereas Tess is big-hearted, a little reckless, and admittedly, kind of a mess. But the film needs chemistry—and Tess’s career depends on it.

Sparks fly, but not in the way Tess hoped, when an electrical accident sends the two feuding co-stars back in time to Jane Austen’s era. 200 years in the past with only each other to rely on, Tess and Hugh need to ad-lib their way through the Regency period in order to make it back home, and hopefully not screw up history along the way.

Publication: September 16, 2025

Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult, Romance
Narrated by: Jason June

Summary:
Nigel Barrett has spent his whole life preparing for the Culling, a spell-casting competition that determines which of the world’s teenage magicians will be stripped of their powers to preserve magical balance. But nothing could have prepared him to face Ori Olson, a broody rival whose caustic wit cloaks a painful past. From the moment Nigel and Ori meet, sparks fly. Their powers are stronger, more thrilling, the closer they get—not that they can risk getting attached. Because as the field narrows and the Culling grows more dangerous, Nigel and Ori realize there’s more at stake than just their powers. The greatest threat to magic, their future, and all of humanity might be the connection growing between them. . . .

Publication: October 03, 2023

The Lineup : Ashley

Ashley’s Lineup

TV show/streaming: Community

On my recent trip to Seattle my cousin had Community playing and I became immediately obsessed with it. It is a group of misfits who form a study group at a community college and it centers around their antics and interactions with each other. It first aired back in 2009 so I am way behind the times on this one but it also means I can binge all the seasons right now! It is quirky and laugh out loud funny with a stellar cast.

Shopping: Old Town Farmers Market

It’s farmers market season! I love wandering around the Old Town Farmers Market in Wichita. There are all sorts of things available including baked goods, arts & crafts, dog treats and a few vegetables (it is a bit early for much). I have been taking my dog, Dudley, who gets very excited to try all the treats on offer. He gets all the admiring oohs and aahs. I have loved trying some of the foods on offer such as Polka Pierogi who has a weekly offering and usually sells out quickly. I am hoping to try one of the other food vendors this weekend and continue exploring all the market has to offer. If you get a chance visit the market in Old Town and find some goodies to take home with you!

Podcast: After Dark : Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

I absolutely love this podcast! The two hosts, Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney, are both historians of the eighteenth century but the expand their research for the show to all time periods. Their chemistry and banter on the show is perfect. They do such a great job of telling the stories or talking with experts about the topic of the episode. They have covered everything from hauntings, UFOs, the last days of historic figures and serial killers. I have learned so much from them which has led me to read or learn more. I currently have Maddy’s book from interlibrary loan and cannot wait to start it this weekend!

Genre: True crime

In the last several months I have been in my true crime era. I watch all the new documentaries on Netflix. I place holds on the upcoming historical true crime books. I don’t know what it is about the genre that has recently pulled me in and completely engrosses my attention. My most recent read was The Peepshow : The Murders at Rillington Place by Kate Summerscale. It details the crimes, trial and aftermath of the serial killings of Reg Christie in 1950s London. The book was a fascinating look into a sensational case of a serial killer who had possibly slipped under the radar for years. If you love true crime then I’d highly recommend this one. I am now anxiously awaiting my ILL of the mini-series based on the Rillington murders to arrive.

Hobby: Cross stitching

For years I have been working on a cross stitch of Beauty and the Beast in the style of Thomas Kinkade. I am getting near the end of it and excited to see it completed and framed. This is the most intricate project I have worked on and it will be very rewarding to finally finish it. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie and this will be a perfect addition to my home library decor. I have several other kits or projects lined up after this one which I cannot wait to get started on.

Resource of the Month: NoveList Plus

Most bibliophiles have long TBR (to-be-read) lists. Stacks of books on the bedside table and over-full bookshelves. And yet, we still often ask the age-old question: what should I read next?

At the library, we call the service that answers this question “readers advisory.” Our staff is ready to help you find your next read. Most of the library staff are prolific readers and can make recommendations from our personal reading history, but we are also knowledge in searching the KanShare catalog and utilizes other resources to help patrons find the right book to fit their reading preferences.

One of those resources in called NoveList Plus, and patrons can access it through our website and use it on their own!

On NoveList, patrons can browse curated lists of trending titles, popular genres, and award winners. A favorite feature is the read-alike search for both individual titles and series. If you liked Hunger Games, NoveList will give you a list of other dystopian series you might enjoy.

If you find a book you are interested in, read reviews from Library Journal and click the “Check the Library Catalog” link to put the book on hold with your library card.

NoveList Plus will receive an update on June 16th with even more features and ways to search for titles. Check out NoveList Plus today and find your next read!