February 2026
The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray | Chateau Lafayette was the home of the famous Marquis de Lafayette. Author Stephanie Dray writes a historical fiction novel full of very detailed accounts of the lives of the women that lived there throughout critical historical points; the French Revolution, American Revolution and World Wars I and II. The author skillfully weaves the three main characters together bringing the pages to life as the women fight for themselves, their countries and their families. I admire Stephanie Dray’s commitment to research and accurately portraying events. The added narrative that comes with historical fiction spurned me to google information and seek more details of the characters lives. Admittedly, I cared about all the women despite the fact that I didn’t always like them. ~Kathie Mitich~
The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys | The vast and exciting history of London never ceases to amaze. Did you know the mighty Thames River froze over in central London a number of times between 1142 and 1895? In this small but decidedly rich novel, each short chapter is devoted to a story from the year the river froze. It could be labeled as historical fiction as some stories did contain elements of historical fact (such as Queen Elizabeth I in 1565 shooting her bow and arrow out on the frozen water), but most stories were simply about real people living out their lives during that time period and how the frozen river impacted them. A highly original gem of a book. ~Mary Hartwig~
The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel | Delve into the story of a bracelet stolen in the time of World War II which reappears during the present day. Colette is raised to believe she is descended from Robin Hood and ingrained in her is the code of thieves, take from the rich and give to the poor, or in her case, take from the Nazis and give to a Holocaust fund. A special bracelet missing from her youth entangled with the loss of Colette’s sister is seen on display at a museum and eventually leads to answers Colette has been seeking for over 7 decades. This historical novel promises a gripping tale of family, loss, survival, and love. ~Lori Kreis~
Persuasion by Jane Austen | For anyone who has yet to read Jane Austen but curious to get into her works, I highly recommend her last completed novel Persuasion. While there is an initial adjustment to the older language style, readers will quickly find Austen's writing to be some of the most entertaining, clever, and profound pieces of fiction that still pertain to today. Filled with biting social commentary and vivid characters, Persuasion, in my opinion, is Austen's most refined work, indicative of her own wisdom, charm, and keen perception of the world cultivated in her later stage of life. It also depicts one of her most understated but beautiful romances crafted across her novels, perfect for a Valentine's Day read! ~Katarina Vandlik~
January 2026
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi | Octogenarian, Theo, moves to the charming town of Golden, Colorado, a picturesque town with tree-lined streets with a river running through it. When Theo arrives in town, he happens across a coffee shop where the walls are filled with portraits created by a local artist. When he discovers that the subjects in these portraits are mostly Golden residents, Theo purchases some of the artwork and then attempts to gift them to each subject. In doing so, Theo meets an assortment of characters enriching both his and their lives. This beautiful story about connections is written by former attorney, traveling musician and novelist, Allen Levi. ~Lori Kreis~
Nordic Islands by Stefan Forster | This is an older book but worth taking a look at. It is what is referred to as a coffee table book; large and full of photographs. The author is a renowned photographer who spent many years taking over 600,000 images. Forster took more than 80 trips through Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands to capture these most impressive photographs. His purpose was to record the most beautiful moments in nature, of which he has a great appreciation for. The book has parallel text of German and English and the author explains the territory from which the images were taken. Exotic icebergs, serene landscape, and northern lights are all included in this book. Take a close look as you enjoy over 150 images of some of the most spectacular places on earth. You can find this book in our oversize collection. ~Maria Pupak~
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King | The beloved TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood probably needs no introduction: most of us recall the inviting theme song and the little red trolley that transported us to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. More than anything, though, we remember the kindhearted host in the cardigan sweater, Fred Rogers. Published in 2018, The Good Neighbor takes readers through Fred's life in great detail, from his childhood and college days to his later years as a composer, ordained Presbyterian minister, early childhood education advocate, and of course, television show host. Although the book has its repetitive moments, I found myself so drawn to the story of Fred's life and work that I didn't mind it. Demonstrating that true leadership is gentle and kind, Fred's philosophy of love, compassion, mindfulness, and inclusion is just as inspiring and important today as it was decades ago. ~Anna Sorenson~
Vanishing Places by Amy Hopkins | In Western Poland, a grove of crooked pine trees is slowly dying. In the mountains of Central Asia, a falconer calls his eagle home, the last of a dying breed. In London, an architectural masterpiece is slated to be demolished to make way for redevelopment. In the Pacific Ocean, an island nation attempts to document its land and people under threat of rising waters. In Vanishing Places, all these places and more are carefully documented, allowing the reader to learn about these important places that may not be around for much longer. Filled with stunning photographs, Vanishing Places transports you to places you wish you could see before they are gone forever. ~John Bogdal~