The lineup of what the DPL staff have been up to lately.
Hayden’s Lineup
TV Show: Friends
Last month I watched all 10 seasons of Friends. After it being recommended to me for years, I finally decided to watch it. The earliest seasons were my favorite, but I enjoyed having the show playing in the background while completing schoolwork.
Availabe to check out hereor it is currently streaming on Max.
Pet: Harley
Harley is my two-year-old cat. We found him when he was very little stuck under our grandfather’s truck, and we took him in. He loves sleeping in front of the heater and playing with dog food on the tile floor. During the summer, he will chase wasps and other bugs that get into our house. Harley is one of my first pets and I absolutely adore him.
Hobby: Board Games
One of my all-time favorite hobbies is playing many different board games. Currently my favorite game is Settlers of Catan. While playing we all get pretty competitive, but I find that has made the games much more fun. For many games, we have come up with house rules after playing for a while and that has been making each game feel fresh and new.
School: Accounting
I have been studying accounting for a few years now. I started taking classes for accounting in high school here in Derby. I liked doing accounting and math and I was pretty good at it, so I decided to start studying accounting in college.
Books:Caraval Trilogy by Stephanie Garber
I recently reread the Caraval series. I first read the books in high school, and I really loved the world that Garber built. The books are a little different than what I normally read, but I really enjoyed the magic and mystery throughout the whole of the trilogy. You can check out Caraval and other Stephanie Garber novels here on Libby!
Welcome to Bookworm Buffet! Get ready to feast on three literary delights, each served up in a different format: physical, digital ebook, and audiobook.
March’s Spread –
Physical: Love & Friendship by Jane Austen
Genre: Satire, British Literature, Humor
Summary: From the much-loved Jane Austen comes the satirical short novel, Love and Friendship. Written as a series of letters, Love and Friendship is a satire of the upper-class 18th century society that Austen loved to parody.
Isabel’s daughter, Marianne, is naive, flighty and unaware of the first thing about love. Through apprising letters, her mother’s friend, Laura, warns her of the dangers of sensibility and romance. But when Laura receives an unexpected proposal, it seems as though love might have its advantages after all. That is until the family learn about their hasty marriage and each member begins to reject Laura.
The plot is an amusing combination of unlikely coincidences, dramatic fainting fits and confusing twists and turns. Complete with the young writer’s original spelling quirks, this short novel demonstrates Austen’s natural talent and biting wit. Publication: 1790
My Rating:
eBook:The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction
Summary: It’s a thin line between love and love-hating.
Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can. Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!
But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two. Publication: May 20, 2025
My Rating:
Audio:The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
Summary: Practical, unassuming Jane Shoringfield has done the calculations, and decided that the most secure path forward is this: a husband, in a marriage of convenience, who will allow her to remain independent and occupied with meaningful work. Her first choice, the dashing but reclusive doctor Augustine Lawrence, agrees to her proposal with only one condition: that she must never visit Lindridge Hall, his crumbling family manor outside of town. Yet on their wedding night, an accident strands her at his door in a pitch-black rainstorm, and she finds him changed. Gone is the bold, courageous surgeon, and in his place is a terrified, paranoid man—one who cannot tell reality from nightmare, and fears Jane is an apparition, come to haunt him. By morning, Augustine is himself again, but Jane knows something is deeply wrong at Lindridge Hall, and with the man she has so hastily bound her safety to. Set in a dark-mirror version of post-war England, Starling crafts a new kind of gothic horror from the bones of the beloved canon. This Crimson Peak-inspired story assembles, then upends, every expectation set in place by Shirley Jackson and Rebecca, and will leave readers shaken, desperate to begin again as soon as they are finished.
Narrated by: Mandy Weston Publication: October 5, 2021
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 hereor 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!
Welcome to Bookworm Buffet! Get ready to feast on three literary delights, each served up in a different format: physical, digital ebook, and audiobook.
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
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
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
Welcome to our new monthly series, where we explore the music tastes of our staff.
A song I’m currently jamming out to a lot is “Steal the Show” by Lauv from the Elemental Soundtrack.
–Alyssa
I am a big music person typically and I have A LOT of favorites. After seeing them in concert earlier this year my current favorite song would be “Down Below” by Creeper.
-Shane
My current bop is Diva by Beyonce. I’m also always listening to “All Things End” by Hozier – it’s such a beautiful song!
–Maycie
I’ve been listening to Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album!
-Jessie
I’m currently enjoying the new “Wicked” soundtrack.
-Shelia
Everything (acoustic version) by Stereo Fuse. I like the acoustic version because it gets rid of the unnecessary stuff in the background.
–Justin
Before Christmas music became the go to in December, I consistently would have Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour playlist on Amazon playing.
–Ashley
I’ve been listening to Tamino, Hozier and “Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys. –Trinity
I came across MUNA as I was listening to YouTube music on shuffle, and I liked the vibe.
Welcome to Bookworm Buffet! Get ready to feast on three literary delights, each served up in a different format: physical, digital ebook, and audiobook.
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Religion TW: Off-Page Death, Grief
Day 1- Gotta get up. Gotta keep moving. This map – it says I have to cross over here. Wait, what’s that…? And so begins a graphic novel story unlike any 49 Days. In Buddhist tradition, a person must travel for forty-nine days after they die, before they can fully cross over. Here in this book, readers travel with one Korean American girl, Kit, on her journey, while also spending time with her family and friends left behind.
Viola Reyes is annoyed. Her painstakingly crafted tabletop game campaign was shot down, her best friend is suggesting she try being more “likable,” and school running back Jack Orsino is the most lackadaisical Student Body President she’s ever seen, which makes her job as VP that much harder. Vi’s favorite escape from the world is the MMORPG Twelfth Knight, but online spaces aren’t exactly kind to girls like her―girls who are extremely competent and have the swagger to prove it. So Vi creates a masculine alter ego, choosing to play as a knight named Cesario to create a safe haven for herself. But when a football injury leads Jack Orsino to the world of Twelfth Knight, Vi is alarmed to discover their online alter egos―Cesario and Duke Orsino―are surprisingly well-matched. As the long nights of game-play turn into discussions about life and love, Vi and Jack soon realise they’ve become more than just weapon-wielding characters in an online game. But Vi has been concealing her true identity from Jack, and Jack might just be falling for her offline…
A folk horror epic about a ragtag posse that must track down a witch through a wild west beset by demons and ghosts―and where death is always just around the bend.
Sadie Grace is wanted for witchcraft, dead (or alive). And every hired gun in Kansas is out to collect the bounty on her head, including bona fide witch hunter Old Tom and his mysterious, mute ward, Rabbit. On the road to Burden County, they’re joined by two vagabond cowboys with a strong sense of adventure – but no sense of purpose – and a recently widowed school teacher with nothing left to lose. As their posse grows, so too does the danger. Racing along the drought-stricken plains in a stolen red stagecoach, they encounter monsters more wicked than witches lurking along the dusty trail. But the crew is determined to get that bounty, or die trying.
Narrated by: John Pirhalla Publication Date: September 19, 2023
Welcome to Bookworm Buffet! Get ready to feast on three literary delights, each served up in a different format: physical, digital ebook, and audiobook.
“How have you gotten out of your comfort zone?” That’s the Stanford admissions prompt that valedictorian shoo-in Aisha Agarwal can’t answer. Comfort zone? Her life’s been homework and junk food for as long as she can remember. Not exactly the thing college essays are written about. So, when her crush, Brian, asks her to winter formal, Aisha thinks her fate is changing . . . until Brian stands her up. As if on cue, a banged-up Volkswagen arrives outside the dance; the driver—a guy her age—profusely apologizing for being late to pick her up. Does Aisha know him or what he’s talking about? No. Does the Stanford essay convince her to take him up on the ride? Absolutely. To Aisha’s relief, seventeen-year-old Quentin Santos isn’t a kidnapper, but he is failing math. So, they strike a If Aisha helps Quentin pass math, he’ll help push her out of her comfort zone, using a series of sticky note to-do’s—dares—that will not only give Aisha content for her essay but will turn her into the confident person she’s always wanted to be. From New Year’s Eve kisses to high school parties, Aisha’s sticky note manifesto is taking off. But when she falls for the wrong guy, hurts her best friend, and still can’t finish her essay, victory feels far from reach. Is winning worth it if you end up losing yourself in the process?
Grace, Isa, and Everett used to be an inseparable trio before their love lives became a tangled mess. For starters, Grace is secretly in love with Everett, who used to go out with Isa before breaking her heart in the infamous Freshman Year Fracture. And, oh yeah, no one knows that Isa has been hanging out with James, Grace’s brother—and if Grace finds out, it could ruin their friendship. With graduation fast approaching, Grace decides an unsanctioned senior skip day in Philadelphia might be just what they need to fix things. All she has to do is convince Isa to help her kidnap Everett and outmaneuver James, who’s certain his sister is up to something. In an epic day that includes racing up the famous Rocky steps, taste-testing Philly’s finest cheesesteaks, and even crashing a wedding, their secrets are bound to collide. But can their hearts withstand the wreckage?
A convict with a thirst for revenge A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager A runaway with a privileged past A spy known as the Wraith A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.
Narrated by: Jay Snyder, Brandon Rubin, Fred Berman, Lauren Fortgang, Roger Clark, Elizabeth Evans, and Tristan Morris Publication Date: September 29, 2015
The Derby Public Library has changed a lot over the past 35 years. In 1989, the library was located in a small building at 621 N. Derby. Patrons searched for items the old-fashioned way with a physical card catalog. Library staff sent interlibrary loan requests via mail and were limited to the items indexed on six compact discs. E-mail and Wi-Fi were things of the future. In 1989, something wonderful happened that changed the future of Derby Public Library for the better.
What was that momentous event? June 5, 1989, Debbie Thomas started working at the Library. She was hired as a summer page, filling out her application with a blue magic marker when a pen couldn’t be found. This job was intended as a temporary position as her full time job was director of Rose Hill’s latchkey program. However, at the end of the summer, she was asked to stay on as a parttime circulation and technical services clerk and she never looked back from there!
By the early 1990s, she was working fulltime at the library. She has held so many positions at the library that it is hard to keep them all straight. She’s been supervisor of the circulation and tech services departments. She’s been interim director twice. She was never formally assigned to the youth services department, but she filled in for story times when needed. For the past 14 years, she has served as the assistant director.
The list of library innovations and advancements Debbie is responsible for is long. Debbie was instrumental in the first outreach program that delivered books to homebound patrons. She assisted with starting the first summer reading program. Debbie brought the library into the 21st century by running cable for internet and automating the library’s catalog. Debbie also made the push to add programs for adults to compliment the library’s multitude of youth programming. “My goal was to make Derby Public Library the best public library in the state,” Debbie said.
Debbie has been a source of knowledge for current director Eric Gustafson. “Since the day I started, Debbie has been the first person who I consult when I have an idea for a new program or service. Her wealth of knowledge and experience with the community and the library continue to benefit us every day. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her these past 13 years; she will definitely be missed!”
Debbie is a caring, devoted member of the staff whose door is always open and whose candy dish is always full. Debbie retires at the end of December and a reception in her honor will take place on Sunday, December 8 from 2-4 p.m. in the library’s Community Room.
Welcome to Bookworm Buffet! Get ready to feast on three literary delights, each served up in a different format: physical, digital ebook, and audiobook.
Nick Sorensen had once been one of the fastest men in hockey—until the devastating plane crash that took the lives of his best friends, leaving him the only survivor. Now he’s physically ready to get back on the ice, but his coach is concerned Nick isn’t doing as well, mentally, as he says he is. Case in Nick’s apartment is completely empty, apart from a single chair and a mattress on the floor. To prove he’s fine, really, Nick hires Alyssa Compton, an up-and-coming interior designer, to decorate his space. Alyssa’s thrilled at the chance to prove herself to her demanding boss—with job security at last, maybe she can finally put down roots and create a home for herself too. But Nick turns out to be infuriatingly stubborn and impossible to work with, and just when Alyssa decides to throw in the towel on the whole thing, Nick shows up for her in a way she never could have expected. The icy path ahead of these two lost souls may be slippery and cracking, but when it comes to love, sometimes all you need is someone on your team.
Aiden Valentine has a secret: he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight. Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending… even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.
Come for the Gilmore Girls anecdotes, stay for the revealing truths about what it takes to build a lifelong career in and out of Hollywood” (The A.V. Club) in this candid and captivating memoir from award-winning and beloved actress Kelly Bishop, spanning her six decades in show business from A Chorus Line, Dirty Dancing, Gilmore Girls, and much more. Full of witty insights, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down.
This blog post was written by Miranda Lanier, our new Youth Services Assistant.
Meet Miranda Lanier!
Hi there! My name is Miranda and I’m the new Youth Services Library Assistant here at Derby Public Library. I will be helping out behind the desk in the Youth Services Department and with the Adventures in the Library program for K – 2nd Graders on Thursdays at 4 p.m.
I’m currently working on my Masters of Library Science at Emporia State and am thrilled to be learning so much through their program. I grew up in Douglass, KS and live in Rose Hill with my husband and two boys who are eight and three. When I’m not doing all the mom things or studying, I enjoy reading, going on walks, or making the occasional wreath.
Right now, audio books are my go-to because they are hands free! I can listen as I drive or do housework, and it’s the only way I can read a good novel. If you haven’t looked into the Libby app I highly recommend it! Currently, I’m listening to Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle.
Some of my favorite classic children’s books to read aloud include:
Some of my favorite children’s books written in more recent years include:
What Do You Do With An Idea?by Kobi Yamada. This delightfully animated story encourages young children to not give up on their ideas, but to let them grow. A wonderful book for nurturing the ideas of the young and young at heart.
The Moonlight Zoo by Maudie Powell-Tuck. This magical story will tug at heartstrings with the message of love for lost animal friends. But don’t worry, this tale has a happy ending! Every page has beautiful illustrations and fun cut- outs.
Beaky Barnes: Egg on the Loose by David Ezra Stein. This graphic novel is a favorite of my eight year old. A wonderfully weird story about humanized and human sized animals on a chaotic chicken run and is filled with age-appropriate slapstick comedy. It will have your child reading and laughing from cover to cover!
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. This book is only recommended for young adults. Written entirely in free verse, it tells the story of a teenage boy who seeks revenge for his older brother’s murder. He has a critical decision to make all within an elevator ride to the first floor. This is a great pick for the reluctant reader.
I’ll wrap up my introduction with a quote I came across recently that meant something to me, and I hope it does to you too.
“Whenever you read a book or tell a story to your kids, read it with enthusiasm and all the voices. It’s a gift that they will grow up and pass on to their own children. And in your own little way, you will have made the world a better place.” -Unknown
I am so excited to be at Derby Public Library, and I can’t wait to meet you and your child!
