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BOOK BUZZ

Westwood Public Library | December 2022

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Recording of Book Buzz: Cozy Winter Reads Edition

Book Buzz: Cozy Winter Reads Edition

Wednesday, December 14

Library staff shared some romantic comedies, escapist thrillers, comfort re-reads, and more to keep you company during the chilly winter months. 

Watch our Book Buzz Recording

Staff Reviews

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune


Caitlyn says:

This fantasy novel is about Linus Baker, a case-worker who inspects orphanages that take care of magical youth, who is given a top-secret assignment to visit an orphanage full of children who are highly unusual, like the world's first female garden gnome, and the literal reincarnation of the Antichrist (but they don't use that word there – it has negative connotations), but who have found their own family within each other.


With the help of their caretaker, Arthur, Linus starts to realize that these children deserve more than the hand they've been dealt – and so does their caretaker. This novel of found family and growth will make you laugh out loud all the way through. It's fantastic on audio, and it's available right away through hoopla!


Request the book | playaway | Libby ebook | Libby audiobook | hoopla audiobook

Directed by James Burrows by James Burrows

Directed by James Burrows by James Burrows


Patti says:

Directed by James Burrows is a memoir written by one of the most legendary directors of all time. Burrows takes a nostalgic look back on more than fifty years of directing some of the most-beloved sit-coms of all time including Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Will & Grace, Friends and more. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at how he, writers Les and Glen Charles, and talented cast members have been making us laugh for decades.


Request the book | Libby ebook | Libby audiobook

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall


Corinne says: 

Rosaline Palmer lands a spot competing on a TV baking show called Bake Expectations. She finds herself dating one of her fellow contestants, but before you think it’s all baking and flirting, there’s an incredible amount of emotional growth – at the start, single mom Rosaline knows how to stand up for others, particularly her daughter, but she struggles with speaking up for herself and her dreams. Throughout the book, we see her figure out what she wants and learn to recognize some major red flags in other people’s behavior. By the end, Rosaline really comes into her own in the most satisfying way. 


Request the book | Libby ebook | Libby audiobook

We discussed more than a dozen books at our December Book Buzz! Full list >>

Still need gift ideas for a book lover in your life? Take a peek at our 2022 Gift Guide!

In the ReadNext Collection

Visit the second floor of the Main Library and discover our ReadNext collection! You'll be sure to find a book or two to add to your TBR list. Still stuck on what to read? Fill out our online ReadNext selection form to get a personalized list of recommendations.

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Joan is Okay by Weike Wang
The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream by Dean Jobb

Book Clubs for Adults | At the Islington Branch

The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim

Historical Fiction Book Group

Tuesday, January 3 at 10 am, Islington Branch, Wentworth Hall


Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at the Islington Branch Library to discuss a wide range of Historical novels. Our January title is The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim.

Register
The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

True Crime Book Club

Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30 pm, Islington Branch, Wentworth Hall


Do you always know the culprit before they are revealed? Have you already binged every true crime documentary or podcast? Join your fellow true crime buffs in January to discuss The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater.

Register
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Mystery Book Club

Tuesday, January 24 at 10 am, Islington Branch, Wentworth Hall


Join us at the Islington Branch to discuss mystery and thriller reads on the fourth Tuesday of each month! In January, the Mystery Book Club will be reading The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

Register
View Our Calendar of Events

Winter Reading Challenge for Adults

snow border

When: January 3 through February 28, 2023


Who: Adults ages 18 to 118+


Starting January 3:

  1. Pick up a Winter Reading Challenge bookmark at the Main Library or Islington Branch
  2. Read a book, write a review, or do a winter activity of your choice
  3. Drop off your completed bookmark at the library to earn a raffle ticket toward a cozy prize basket
  4. Then, pick up another bookmark and keep going – No limit to raffle entries!

Winter Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens

Winter Reading Challenge

Parents, sign up your kids and teens for our cozy Winter Reading Challenge!


When: January 1 through February 28, 2023


Who: Kids in grades Kindergarten through 12th


Starting January 1:

For every hour read and logged in Beanstack, kids will earn one raffle ticket toward a cozy prize basket (max. 25 tickets)! Kids can also earn tickets when they complete a winter activity (max. 5 tickets).


Remember! You or your family members may already have a Beanstack account from our past reading challenges. Need help logging in? Stop by the Children's Room.

Join the Winter Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens

Beyond the Library | Best of 2022

As 2022 comes to a close, "Best of" lists are everywhere you look! Here are four places for reading inspiration as we revisit what titles captured readers in the past year.


Westwood Public Library's Best of 2022 – Check out the top requested books across the Minuteman Library Network, the most borrowed items on our digital services, and more

NPR's Books We Love – Mix and match filters like "Eye-Opening Reads" and "Seriously Great Writing" to help you narrow down NPR's hundreds of recommendations

Time's 100 Must-Read Books of 2022 – Discover gripping novels, transporting poetry, and timely nonfiction that asked us to look deeper

Goodreads Choice Awards Winners – See what books won readers' votes across categories from fiction and fantasy to poetry and debut novel

New and Notable Titles

A stack of books

General Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Adventure


Nonfiction | Past & Present | Science & Nature | Lifestyles | Business


Children's Picture Books | Children's Chapter Books | Teens


Don't miss this week's bestsellers:

Hardcover Fiction | Paperback Fiction | Hardcover Nonfiction | Paperback Nonfiction

All library programs are free and open to the public thanks to generous support from the Friends of the Westwood Library.

About the Friends
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