August 2025 Staff PicksLike this list

16 items

• The September House

  Orlando, Carissa,

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  This debut horror is an interesting twist on the haunted house trope interspersed with family drama. If you're looking for a book that will deliver both the creep factor and an emotional punch, this is the one. -Kara S.

• The Lilac People

  Todd, Milo,

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  Focusing on the experience of trans individuals during WWII, this historical fiction novel paints a beautiful portrait of queer resilience and found families, while not shying away from the losses and traumas faced by queer people during and after…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Tales From the Loop

  Stålenhag, Simon

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  I've never read anything remotely like this. It was so surreal and yet completely real at the same time. The author grew up in Sweden where the government and private companies were doing all sorts of robotic experimentation, and when they lost…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Extinction

  a Novel

  Preston, Douglas J.,

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  What do Jurassic Park and Erebus Resort have in common? Both explore the possible and unintended dangers of resurrecting long-extinct animals. Erebus Resort is a hundred-thousand-acre valley deep in the Colorado Rockies, offering guests the chance…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Yuli

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  Yuli follows Carlos Acosta’s journey from a challenging childhood in Havana to becoming the first Black principal dancer at London’s Royal Ballet. It’s a deeply moving story of resilience, talent, and breaking barriers. Recommended for: Fans of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Malibu Rising

  Reid, Taylor Jenkins,

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  This summery novel tells the story of four close-knit siblings in the rugged, lush landscape of Malibu, CA and the epic rager they throw one fateful night in August. The siblings are all connected by their absent rockstar father, their fiercely…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Terrible Country

  A Novel

  Gessen, Keith

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  Keith Gessen, the brother of the infamous Masha Gessen (New York Times columnist and international journalist), takes the reader inside the Russian society of late 2000s in his novel, A Terrible Country. Andrei, a young literature adjunct from US…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Go as a River

  Read, Shelley,

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  Shelley Read's Go As A River is tender, raw, loving, and deeply rooted in Colorado. The novel follows a young woman raised on her family peach farm, set against the harsh and beautiful backdrop of the Western Slope. Part love story, part family…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Lies of Locke Lamora

  Lynch, Scott, 1978-

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  Follow Locke Lamora from his childhood of being in an orphan gang of thieves to his adulthood leading a ragtag gang of thieves on his ultimate heist through a fantastical Venice-like city controlled by the mob. Will the Gentlemen Bastards be able to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Welcome to Colorado

  Gilland, Asa,

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  Welcome to The Centennial State! Colorado offers mountains, rivers and clear blue skies; masterpiece of nature, perfect for adventure! -Carina O. Q.

• Problematic Summer Romance

  Hazelwood, Ali,

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  The name says it all. No notes, but this one is on the leaderboard for my favorite Ali Hazelwood. -Sarah S.

• The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls

  Rossell, Judith,

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  I couldn’t put this book down! It’s a captivating tale filled with magic, mystery, and inspiring strong female characters, brought to life by beautiful illustrations. -Tanya P.

• Bye Land, Bye Sea

  Spencer, Renè,

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  Two children, one who speaks English and another who speaks Spanish, overcome their language barriers to form a friendship and share an adventure. 2025 CLEL Bell winner in the TALK category. -Erin R.

• Symphony of Secrets

  Slocumb, Brendan,

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  Alternates between early 20th century music business featuring a white male composer and his black, female neurodivergent friend/musical colloborator/lover(?), and the present with a black music professor who specializes in the works of the early…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Last Sun

  Edwards, K. D., 1971-

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  Cannot recommend this kickoff enough to one of, if not my favorite fantasy series! It follows the last scion of a royal house with crazy magic powers and his best friend Normal Man With Gun as they solve mysteries in a fascinating urban fantasy…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• RoboCop. Rogue City

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  In an 80s fever dream of Detroit's dystopian future, the 2020s, play as Alex Murphy himself in ROBOCOP: Rogue City. The game's story is set in between the second and third films, but you can jump into this action game as a longtime fan or a…Read moreRead more of this annotation