Recreational Reading Collection: Staff Picks

Staff Picks

The Good Body by Eve Ensler
Call Number: BOREC FIC ENS
ISBN: 0812974735
Publication Date: 2005-11-08
This book is written by the playwright of “The Vagina Monologues”. It is an anecdotal collection of stories about many women’s tortured relationships with their bodies and why it is important to love your “good body”. Recommended by Abby
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
Call Number: BOREC NF KAL
ISBN: 0307886263
Publication Date: 2011-11-01
I want Mindy Kaling to be my best friend! In this book Kaling shares her hilarious and (not so) surprisingly insightful observations on everything from karaoke etiquette to movie franchises she would like to reboot to best friend rights and responsibilities. This is a fun, light read that is sure to make you laugh out loud! Recommended by Ana.
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout; Sara Corbett
Call Number: BOREC NF LIN
ISBN: 9781451645613
Publication Date: 2014-06-17
A book for the travel enthusiast, the humanitarian, the dreamer, the thinker...the Homo Sapien! I laughed, I cried, and marveled at the resiliency of the human spirit. Lindhout's personal story reminded me of the fact that beautiful things can come from ugly circumstances. Her story also reminded me that I have a travel fund that needs attending to. Recommended by Kayla
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Call Number: BOREC NF DIL
ISBN: 0061233323
Publication Date: 2013-09-10
I first read A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek in my second year of college. It opened my eyes to the crazy adventures going on in the natural world, right under our noses. A giant water beetle liquefies the innards of a small frog, then slurps them up like a smoothie, causing the frog to deflate like a balloon before the author's eyes. Annie Dillard writes with wonder and a lovely sense of humor. Recommended by Dani.

Staff Picks

Wicked by Gregory Maguire; Douglas Smith (Illustrator)
ISBN: 0060987103
Publication Date: 2000-11-28
Since seeing “The Wizard of Oz” a long time ago, I always wondered how wicked witches came about. Gregory Maguire gives us the fascinating story behind how the Wicked Witch of the West was born and developed. Can witches be human? You’ll have to read to find out, but I’ll say this much: I became so attached to the characters, I didn’t want to leave “Wicked”. Recommended by Doreen
World War Z by Max Brooks
Call Number: BOREC FIC BRO
ISBN: 0307346609
Publication Date: 2006-09-12
An entertaining jump into how modern Earth would deal with a pandemic zombie virus. Told in a series of short stories from survivors looking back, the author gives the reader political, economic, and social perspective on a zombie-apocalyptic world. Recommended by Kali
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
Call Number: BOREC FIC BRI
ISBN: 9780441020010
Publication Date: 2013-03-05
This is #7 in the engaging and well written Mercy Thompson urban fantasy/sci-fi series. Mercy is a great central character, a "walker" who can turn into a coyote. In 'Frost Burned' Mercy is challenged to rescue her werewolf husband, and in doing so must further explore her own history and powers. A fun read! Recommended by Sarah
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Call Number: BOREC FIC MCE
ISBN: 038572179X
Publication Date: 2003-02-25
I have to admit, I read Atonement after seeing the movie. While the movie does do the book justice, the book has an added layer that the movie can't capture. The books starts out as a simple story of boy loves girl, but a misunderstanding changes everyone's lives forever. While there isn't a perfect happy ending, it is an ending that will stay with you a long time.
Recommended by Hillary