Month: February 2025

What’s Ashley Reading?: I’ll Be Gone In The Dark

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

First line: After processing the house, the police said to Drew Witthuhn, “It’s yours.”

Summary: For a decade someone was terrorizing Northern California. The perpetrator was responsible for over fifty rapes and assaults before moving south where the incidents escalated to murder. But suddenly the crime spree stopped.

Thirty years later, true crime author Michelle McNamara started looking into the case for her website, TrueCrimeDiary.com. As she interviewed victims, poured over police records and talked with other true crime sleuths she started piecing together the story and the culprits that the police had yet to catch.

Through her work she was able to bring more exposure to the case than had been seen since the time of the actual crimes. McNamara was not able to finish her work due to her untimely death but her devotion to finding the killer paid off when an arrest was made in the case. One woman’s obsession lead to the capture of the person she called, “The Golden State Killer”.

My Thoughts: I remember the hype of this book when it originally came out. It was huge! But for some reason I never read it until recently. It could be because I’m going through my true crime era and I’m watching all the documentaries Hulu and Netflix have to offer. So it felt like a good time to listen to McNamara’s book.

I enjoyed how it featured her own obsession with the crime, how the research affected her life and the details of the case she uncovered. Years of her life were spent piecing together the events of the decade long rampage of the Golden State Killer. She looked at all the original suspects and tried to link them to the patterns that were emerging. It was truly fascinating to see how diligent she was in her research. It is unfortunate that she was not able to see the culmination of the case before her death.

This truly deserved the attention it was given. The content is very dark and definitely not for everyone. But I am happy that her friends and family made sure that her work was completed and presented to the world. If you love true crime and haven’t picked this one up yet, I’d highly recommend it!

The Blog Wants to Know: Feb. 2025

It’s February with Valentine’s Day approaching so whether you’ve got a special someone or just want to treat yourself, you might be heading about the town to a new spot. Our library staff have some excellent suggestions!

What are some of your favorite restaurants that you’d recommend in the surrounding areas of town? Do you have a favorite item that you order from this restaurant or a dish you’d suggest for a first-timer? 

Shane, Public Support Services: “I would recommend Wichita Brewing Company for a relaxing night out with delicious pizza and craft beer.

You absolutely have to try the Itis Pizza if you haven’t been before. It is decadent with cream cheese and other toppings sandwiched between two doughs. It’s definitely not for the gluten or dairy intolerant though! They also do a pizza of the month every month that is always worth a try.

Hannah, Assistant Director: I have to recommend Pizza John’s! It’s iconic to Derby. Their thin cracker crust is so good, and the seasoning blend that they sprinkle on top of every pizza is magic. But don’t miss out on trying their sandwiches!

Shelia, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: We recently discovered Shindigs Bar & Grill in Winfield. It’s a railroad freight station turned into a bar and grill. They have a fun food and drink menu and take reservations.

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services: “I’m a huge breakfast food person so I have two recommendations for you.

If you’re looking for a luxurious brunch spot, try HomeGrown in Wichita. They have a seasonal menu with well-executed, decadent options. It’s on the pricier side, but for a special treat, the “farm to table” vibes are unbeatable. If you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend the Pop’d Hearts. They’re homemade pop tarts made with flaky pastry, and it’s like something straight out of the Great British Baking Show!

For a down-home diner vibe, check out Jimmie’s Diner. The ever-flowing diner coffee is charming, the waitresses have on poodle skirts, and the prices are super reasonable. My favorite item (and one of my favorite meals in Wichita) is the Breakfast Sandwich on an Everything Bagel. It’s divine!

Eric, Library Director: We really enjoy Mediterranean Grill (by Town East) in Wichita.  We love the dolma, fattoush salad, honey biscuits and the lamb gyros.

The kids also like Wichita Brewing Company and are having fun trying all the different pizzas.

My wife, Kara, and I enjoy Sabor and would recommend the plantain chips as a starter. 

Justin, Technology Coordinator: You know what, I’m basic. I love the Totally Tuna sandwich at Jimmy Johns, the classic chicken sandwich at Buffalo Wild Wings and the Whiskey River BBQ chicken wrap at Red Robin.  If I’m feeling naughty, I’ll get the Royal Red Robin burger.

Dawn S., Youth Services Coordinator: “Ty’s Diner is delicious! I love the frings and the mushroom swiss burger.”

Tabbitha, Youth Services: “One of my favorite restaurants is located here in Derby. Las Vaquitas is a family-owned business that serves the most delicious Mexican food and great hospitality! They recently expanded their storefront to accommodate their customers. They have a lunch and dinner menu, along with kids meals too! My family enjoys going to this establishment for a nice meal close to home. They are located at 128 E Madison, on the other side of Kansasland Tire.

      Another favorite of mine that is close to home, is Good Fortune Chinese Restaurant. This is a convenient take-out meal for my family usually on busy evenings or for a special movie night treat. They are right on Baltimore in one of the shopping centers. Usually, we order sweet and sour chicken (for the kids), egg rolls, and dumplings.  I enjoy their seafood and grilled chicken options for my food sensitivities. They also have a small lunch buffet that many people have told me they enjoy.”

Now it’s your turn! Tell us what some of your favorite restaurants are in town!

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Blonde Identity

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

First line: Here’s the thing about waking up with no memory in the middle of the night, in the middle of the street, in the middle of Paris: at least you’re waking up in Paris.

Summary: Waking up in the middle of Paris with a splitting headache and no memory of how she got there or who she even is, a young woman is being told to run because people are trying to kill her. As she and the handsome stranger race across Europe to escape the assassins they realize that she is the identical sister of the spy who is the actual target. In hopes of discovering why she is being chased and finding her sister the two pose as newlyweds. But as they learn more about the reason she is being hunted, the woman cannot decide who to trust, the man who rescued her or the sister she cannot remember.

My Thoughts: Having recently read Ally Carter’s newest book, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, and really enjoying it I decided to try another of her adult rom-com mysteries. This one I listened to rather than read which I feel like sometimes affects my reception to a story. I did enjoy this and plan to read book two this fall but it didn’t hit with me as much as the other one.

This is a fast paced romantic spy comedy. When I started I got The Spy Who Dumped Me vibes. I liked the banter between the characters but I struggled a little with the instalove. It all happened really quickly. But this could be because the plot had to move fast. It was a quick spy novel where they are running for their lives. There are several twists which may be a little predictable but all in all it was a fun read and kept my attention throughout. I hope to see the characters developed more in upcoming stories.

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

Last :: “Fourth Wing” – Rebecca Yarros 

Format :: Physical 

Genre :: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult 

I’ve said it before on this blog, I don’t typically read fantasy let alone seek one out. I finally did it though! I read the ever talked about and loved “Fourth Wing” and I have to say, the hype is 100% real! I read this 500+ book within a few days because I literally could not stop thinking about it. Dragons, magic, found family and a romance, all in one book! I have to say, my favorite part is how the dragons are written as characters themselves, each of them is quite distinct. I felt a lot of “Divergent” vibes throughout this book, which happens to be one of my favorite books! I think “Fourth Wing” goes on the “Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time” list. 

Current:: “All the Water in the World” – Eiren Caffal 

Format :: Physical 

Genre :: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Fiction, Thriller 

When the glaciers melt, the water rises, the world isn’t the same as it was – Nonie and her family escape from the museum they were living in when the floods first began. Currently, I’m about halfway through with this read. I like the way the author has written shorter chapters but bounces between telling the past and the current points of view without it being a sharp back and forth. Caffal writes in such a way that the action of the story pulls me in, and it feels like I’m right there beside the characters on the water.  Already, at the halfway point, I have thought a lot about survival skills versus the need and responsibility to preserve history – it has been a great conversation point with my husband.

Next :: “Out of the Woods” – Hannah Bonam-Young 

Format :: Physical 

Genre :: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction 

My first experience with Hannah Bonam-Young was reading “Out on a Limb” last year. I enjoyed the author’s writing great realistic characters with honest flaws that I’ve been waiting for “Out of the Woods” to be released. Sarah and Caleb are high school sweethearts, Sarah begins to wonder what life would be like without Caleb as her other half. I’m interested in reading this because I haven’t read a high school sweetheart romance like this, it’s usually the “once upon a time, broke up and now finding each other again” high school sweetheart story line.

What have you been reading? What are you looking forward to reading next?

The Lineup: Jessie

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

Jessie’s Lineup

TV Show: Young Sheldon 

Last year I watched all twelve seasons of ‘The Big Bang Theory’. I normally don’t like shows or movies that pre-date the original, but I gave ‘Young Sheldon’ a chance and it became my favorite. I recently rewatched it with my husband so we could watch the final season together. My favorite character to see grow throughout the series is Missy – she constantly had me laughing. 

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

Hobby: Fishing 

Some of my earliest and greatest childhood memories are fishing trips I took with my dad and uncle. Summer 2023 I started fishing again after a decade hiatus. I have been looking forward to filling my spring and summer with fishing trips with my husband and our friends to Kansas State Parks and maybe a few in bordering states. While I grew up primarily fishing for catfish, I have found that I enjoy bass fishing more. While it’s more about having fun and getting outdoors, my husband and I have made fishing into a small (read: maybe not small, because it’s all we’ll talk about when we’re in the height of our fishing season) competition on who will catch the most by the end of the summer. 

Books: Wilderness Ridge Series 

I found on Libby, by accident, the Wilderness Ridge series. There are six standalone books in the series written by two different authors. I first read “Pheasant Hunting Firsts” because my first hunting experiences with my uncles were during pheasant season. What I really enjoy most about these middle grade books are the representations of female outdoorsmen. Other than seeing a few women in my family fishing while growing up, I hadn’t seen other women outside of social media who hunted and fished. I think that having this representation in middle grade books is invaluable, because the outdoors is for everyone! 

You can check out Pheasant Hunting Firsts here on Libby!

Restaurant: Old Chicago 

For some reason Old Chicago has become my comfort food spot if we’re treating ourselves and going out to lunch or dinner. I love the atmosphere and the games you can watch from your table, especially if it’s a Texas A&M University game! If we’re at Old Chicago, we have to have appetizers – our go to is the Sicilian Pepperoni Rolls. Pepperoni and melty mozzarella, YUM. I’ve tried several items on the menu at Old Chicago, but my all-time favorite item is thin crust pizza called The Farmer’s Daughter. Fresh mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, pesto sauce and topped with fresh arugula & a balsamic drizzle. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! 

Music: Cody Johnson – Leather Deluxe Edition 

There’s nothing more that I love than live music. I’ve seen Cody Johnson in concert three times and each time it’s better than the last. When “Leather” was released in November 2023 it quickly became my favorite album to put on repeat. Typically, I don’t like extended or deluxe editions of music albums because there’s only a few additional songs added. The deluxe edition of “Leather” came with an additional thirteen tracks added – doubled the original track list! 

You can check out Leather here or on Hoopla!

Bookworm Buffet: A Feast for your Reading Senses

Bookworm Buffet: February 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.

February’s Spread –

Physical: Better Than Revenge by Kasie West

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Finley has only ever had one to become a famous podcaster. This includes coming up with the perfect pitch to land her on her school’s podcast team. But when her football-obsessed boyfriend, Jensen, decides to also try out—and uses her idea—she’s left confused and betrayed. 
Determined to get back at him, Finley and her friends try to find the perfect revenge scheme, but quickly discover that Jensen is almost-impossible to best. Keyword, almost. 
By chance, Finley discovers a knack for kicking and decides to take Jensen’s spot on the football team. To help her train, she recruits Jensen’s cute but conceited nemeses, Theo. Soon the two discover that their connection runs deeper than football. But Finley can’t let herself get distracted, and Theo has secrets of his own. Is true love really better than the perfect revenge?

Publication: December 31, 2024

My Rating:

eBook: Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

Summary:
Last week, Nina Hunnicutt was a professor about to move into a gorgeous new apartment with her long-term boyfriend. Now, she’s single, unemployed, and living with her parents. Even more surprising is the fact that Quentin Bell, her childhood neighbor (and okay, fine, crush), is also back in town—and wants to resume the treasure hunt that ended their friendship almost two decades ago.
As they resume their hunt, Nina and Quentin begin to rediscover all the things they once loved best about each other. But unlike the treasure, the secrets that left them empty-handed the first time refuse to stay buried. If there’s any hope of finding what they’re looking for—and for a future together—Nina and Quentin will have to be brave enough to excavate their past as well.

Publication: June 24, 2025

My Rating:

Audio: A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Read for: Wine & YA Book Club

Summary:
Niamh Ó Conchobhair has never let herself long for more. The magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric is the same magic that will eventually kill her. Determined to spend the little time she has left guaranteeing a better life for her family, Niamh jumps at the chance to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland.
But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While young nobles attend candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class. The groom himself, Kit Carmine, is prickly, abrasive, and begrudgingly being dragged to the altar as a political pawn. But when Niamh and Kit grow closer, an unlikely friendship blossoms into something more

Narrated by: Fran Burgoyne
Publication: January 2, 2024

My Rating: