April 2026 – Derby Public Library's Blog

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Caretaker

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

First line: The trail of muddy footprints led off the front stoop, tracked across the gravel driveway, and disappeared into the darkened woods.

Summary: Macy Mullins has bills to pay, groceries to buy and a younger sister to take care of. Unfortunately, the job market is not promising. Then one day she stumbles upon a job listing on Craigslist. Three days of house-sitting for several thousand dollars pay. What could be easier? All she has to do is follow the instructions and she will get a few weeks of relief. It all seems too easy until her first night. While trying to follow the rites she discovers that whatever inhabits the house is trickier than she believed. With each passing hour, the nightmare becomes more and more sinister. Will Macy make it through this weekend? Will the world survive if she cannot follow the rites?

My Thoughts: This book. Dang. I had to remind myself to relax while reading it. I was so tense. Clenching my jaw and muscles tight. I loved every minute of it.

I have been waiting two years for this book to come out. Ever since reading Kliewer’s debut, We Used To Live Here, I could not wait to see what he produced next. This one was just as good as the first. While I struggled with the main character Macy, I completely believed that this is how someone would react in these situations. As a reader, I wanted her to do certain things differently but who can say if we all would follow the rites precisely either. With each new threat, the tension ramped up. Nevertheless, I felt I could never fully trust what we were told. Is this all real? By the end, I was exhausted. It was so much fun and a thrilling ride!

I wish I could say more but I really do not want to give too much away. I could not recommend this one enough to horror fans. I wish I could re-read it again for the first time. Now I have to wait again for Kliewer’s next books.

FYI: Depression, self harm.

The Blog Wants to Know: April 2026

This month’s question is getting nostalgic by diving into the world of animation and cartoons!

What were some of your favorite cartoons to watch as a kid? Whether movies, TV shows, or even anime, what were some of your favorite childhood cartoons? And because it’s totally okay to watch cartoons even as an adult, do you have any current cartoon faves that you’re in to?

Tabbitha, Youth Services: Growing up, I was definitely a fan of Arthur, Magic School Bus, and Rugrats. I loved anything with a bit of adventure! As for now, being in the library world, I have a huge appreciation for the art and heart in shows like Bluey—it’s honestly as much for the parents as it is for the kids. I also still have a soft spot for Studio Ghibli films like My Neighbor Totoro; the animation is just timeless.

Shane, Public Support Services: My favorite cartoon as a kid was Spongebob Squarepants, so much so that my first pair of glasses when I was 8 or 9 had a Spongebob frame. The episode “Have You Seen this Snail?” was very emotional for child me.

Dawn, Youth Services Coordinator: Inspector Gadget, Eureka’s Castle, Snorks, The Jetsons, The Flintstones, Noozles, Rugrats, Fraggle Rock, The Smurfs, and Doug. The movies I watched over and over again were The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

Kathy, Public Support Services: We always had Looney Toons on Saturday mornings.

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services Coordinator: Cartoons have shaped who I am as a person and basically raised me when I was a kid. I learned probably everything I need to know about life from Tommy Pickles and Rugrats. I was a 90s kid and a Disney kid so I loved Doug, Hey Arnold, Lilo and Stitch (both the movie and TV show), The Powerpuff Girls, Blues Clues, Little Bear, Franklin, Dragon Tales, Spongebob Squarepants, and I loved the HBO Family shows like Crashbox, Happily Ever After, and A Little Curious.

Honestly I watch just about as many cartoons as an adult. My favorite show of all time is Summer Camp Island. I also love Craig of the Creek, Moominvale, Doc McStuffins, and this new show I found while researching my Oz-themed murder mystery called Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. It’s a preschool show featuring many characters from the Oz books!

Shelia, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: One of my favorite memories involving cartoons was the Saturday morning cartoons. Some of my favorite cartoons were Scooby Doo, Captain Caveman, and The Jetsons.

Justin, Technology Coordinator: I have some thoughts. Specifically on TV.

Growing up, I was a cartoon kid, every Saturday morning, no exceptions. I won’t mention every cartoon I watched. But I’ll give a special shout out to Dino Riders (dinosaurs with laser guns, honestly ahead of its time) and Muppet Babies. The adventure combined with the cultural references just nailed the vibe. But the one that always stands out, the one that reminds me most of being a kid, is DuckTales. I can’t tell you why, but that show defined my childhood. When they did the reboot some years back I was pretty hyped for it…. it was ok. Not terrible.

As an adult, I will say cartoons aren’t really part of my regular rotation anymore. But my daughter is a huge fan of Star vs. the Forces of Evil, and despite my best efforts to just let it play in the background, it won me over. It’s a genuinely good show and I’m not even a little embarrassed about it..

Going over to movies, I’ll drop this one: Oliver and Company. I’m not sure why, but I remember being obsessed with it. Favorite quote: Tito (Cheech Marin): “Hey, man, if this is torture, chain me to the wall.”

Hannah, Assistant Director: I watched Rugrats, Pinky & the Brain, and Bobby’s World. But my favorite cartoon was probably DuckTales, including the full-length movie Treasure of the Lost Lamp. My love of DuckTales extended to video games. I played through the NES games too many times to count.

Ashley, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: My sister and I loved watching cartoons as kids. We watched DuckTales, TailSpin and Chip n’ Dale Rescue Rangers on Disney all the time. Cartoon Network had the old cartoons like Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, Flintstones and The Jetsons. We loved them all! It was exciting when Disney+ started because many of the old cartoons were on there. It is nostalgic to watch them again and be able to introduce them to my niece and nephew.

Annalise, Public Support Services: My favorite cartoon TV shows and movies to watch as a kid were Strawberry Shortcake, Chowder, Scooby-Doo, SpongeBob, The Land Before Time, and Barbie movies. When my mom got me a portable DVD player, I was unstoppable. As an adult, I still love watching the media I enjoyed as a kid, particularly when I’m sick or need a pick-me-up. I didn’t get into anime until middle school, and even then, I found that I enjoy watching it with my brother more than watching it alone. It’s fun to have someone to watch and react with! These days, we hang out weekly for TV & gaming sessions and watch Frieren, Odd Taxi, Steins;Gate, Castlevania, and more, with Frieren being my all-time favorite!

Baya, Youth Services: I watched a lot of cartoons growing up, still do actually. Some that I still re-watch to this day include Scooby-Doo, Kim Possible, Phineas & Ferb, and Looney Tunes. As a kid, I also enjoyed Blue’s Clues, Dora the Explorer, The Backyardigans, and Max & Ruby.

Now it’s your turn! What were some of your favorite cartoons as a kid and do you watch any cartoons now as a grown-up?

What’s Ashley Reading?: How To Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay

How To Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson

First line: I have spent a lifetime learning to operate a brain that vacillates between overthinking and total shutdown.

Summary: Jenny Lawson is a best-selling author who struggles with depression, anxiety and imposter syndrome. She fights with her inner demons as she uses her unique sense of humor to show that life can be hard yet beautiful. In her newest book, she shares tips and tricks to help readers find their way through the fog that we call life.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love Jenny Lawson. I have read/listened to all her books, seen her at a Watermark event and follow her on social media. She is real and not scared to tell the world about her struggles. The way she is able to explain her mental health issues gives many people who deal with similar concerns hope and insight. It feels so refreshing.

I usually listen to her audiobooks because she reads them, which I feel enhances every chapter. It does not feel like listening to an audiobook but more a conversation with a friend. She goes off on tangents, emphasizes certain words or points a reader may not and her voice is one I can hear in my head whenever I read her blog posts. Like David Sedaris, her books are better consumed in audio format.

The new book she dives into tips and tricks she uses or has attempted in her journey with mental health. While not every tip speaks to me, some do and I loved hearing her advice. I laughed aloud at multiple points listening to her stories and anecdotes. I love her wit. If you are looking for a funny self-help book then Jenny is your person. She can talk about such serious problems but with a humor that makes it feel less oppressive. Give her a listen!

FYI: Lots of bad language.