Fam, it's colder than a polar bear's toenails out there. You know what that means? Time to escape the frigid temps with a hot read and a warm beverage. Unsure what material to choose? Feel like you've already picked up everything by your favorite creator? Never fear, shivering confused person: NPL IS HERE. Following are a few book / audio recommendations to get you started.
If you prefer your books fast-paced with lots of gritty 'good guy, bad guy' action like Lee Child's 'Jack Reacher' series, snag:
- Down Range by Taylor Moore
- Deadlock by James Byrne
- Cartel by Don Winslow
- The Drifter by Nicholas Petrie
If you want a twisty mystery with a smart investigator a la Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, grab:
- Glory Be by Danielle Arceneaux
- The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
- Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan
- Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson
If you can't get enough historical fiction like Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom or Kristin Hannah's The Women, check out:
- Horse by Geraldine Brooks
- Essex Dogs by Dan Jones
- Lonesome Dove (and did you know there are three more in the series?) by Larry McMurtry
- The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
If Valentine's Day put you in the mood for historical or contemporary love stories, pick up:
- The Proposal by Mary Balogh
- An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
- Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
- The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
If you want nonfiction that reads like fiction, similar to Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City, try:
- Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
- Agent Sonya: Moscow's Most Daring Wartime Spy by Ben Macintyre
- Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Death of a President by Candice Millard
- The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
If you're in the mood for escapist fun, lunge for:
- The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
- The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
- Starter Villain by John Scalzi
- Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
Don't see your favorite author or type of book on the list? We've STILL got you. Just submit a request for a browser pack for you and yours, fill out the form describing what you like, and we'll grab up to 7 items per person (30 total) that fit your specific preferences. Once your items are ready, you'll be notified via email, and you can pick up your stuff from our NPL Annex drive-through WITHOUT EVEN GETTING OUT OF YOUR CAR.
Can't leave home at all because of weather, etc.? Check into home delivery by calling 309-452-1757 or fill out this form: https://www.normalpl.org/form/home-delivery-request. And if that still feels like a lot, remember that you can call us at 309-452-1757 to get item recommendations from a REAL LIVE HUMAN BEAN. (Feel free to email me at kgarman@normalpl.org if you'd rather do that).
We also subscribe to the Novelist database, which can provide you with lists of award winners or even ways to select materials by plot, character, or vibe. Find the database here: https://www.normalpl.org/learning-resources?page=1. NPL patrons can borrow things from our digital collections 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the Libby and Hoopla apps. Once you identify some interests, you can search by author names or titles to find something new. Don't see what you're seeking? Suggest what you want here: https://www.normalpl.org/form/request-an-item-for-loan-or-purc
So find your comfiest blanket, snag a hot beverage, and cozy up to an NPL read, listen, or watch this winter. It'll warm your heart and ours, too.