STAFF PICKS

Check out The Valley Community Library Staff Picks below to find out what we're reading!

Mary Barna, Director: THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer--"A delightful and thought provoking story of life in the Channel Islands during and just after World War II. Occupied Guernsey and the results of the occupation come alive through a series of letters."

Karen Slachta, Head of Children and Youth Services: THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho--"Part fable and part parable, THE ALCHEMIST is one of those books that give you an 'aha' moment. It left me with a burst of optimistic motivation. The message has stayed with me over many years and it has made me look at many of life's coincidences with a closer eye."

Laura Fonash, Adult Services Librarian/Public Relations: THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger--"THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE is an inspirational and heartbreaking love story that centers on Henry, a time-traveling Librarian, and his artist wife, Clare. It's one of those books that you can't bear to put down because you become so attached to the characters and their triumph over obstacles in their seemingly doomed relationship. Sticks with you long after you finish reading it."

Kim Scritchfield, Head of Circulation: SHOPAHOLIC AND BABY by Sophie Kinsella--"All of the 'SHOPAHOLIC' books are fun, but this one is exceptional. Becky Bloomwood-Brandon, shopaholic extraordinaire, is house-hunting and expecting her first child...two perfect opportunities for her favorite pastimes--spending money and getting herself into sticky situations."

Sarah Crotti, Assistant to the Director of Youth Services: PREP by Curtis Sittenfeld--"Sittenfeld is one of the few authors who can write about high school believably. You will see many of your former classmates in the characters in this book, whether you went to a ritzy boarding school in New England or the public school down the block. Definitely my favorite book of all time!"