January and the dark winter months are associated with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). One of the treatments available to people with SAD is light therapy. Recently the library has added several light therapy lamps as items that can be checked out with your library card.
The lamps and other assistive technologies were acquired by a grant awarded to the Des Plaines Public Library.
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Recommended by Andrew
Recommended by Christa
Bowie's Bookshelf: The Hundred Books That Changed David Bowie's Life by John O'Connell
For any David Bowie fan, this month is filled with mixed emotions with simultaneous celebration of the Starman’s birth in 1947 and commemorating his death all in the span of two days, having now been 10 whole years since his passing back in 2016. With that, this book is perfect for anyone who wants to know more about the glam rock star and what may have inspired him and his music. For me, it’s always fascinating to know what inspired particular songs or what artists enjoy outside of music, which Bowie’s Bookshelf does perfectly, as it works as both a reading guide and biography. Be it literary classics or niche titles, this list—and book as a whole—is a great way to add books to a “to-be-read” list for this coming year!
If you grew up with elementary school storytime, Louis Sachar is almost guaranteed to be a familiar name to you. He’s famous for his wacky stories about Wayside School and the novel Holes. The Magician of Tiger Castle is his first adult book. Even though he focuses on an adult audience, he carries the same sense of whimsy and humor that appeals to our inner child. The novel is simple and straightforward, much like a fairytale–perfect for adult readers looking to get back into reading.
I’ve been reading manga for years, but nothing has immediately struck me the way Sakamoto Days did. The premise is simple – the titular character, Taro Sakamoto, is a legendary hitman who has since retired and is trying to live a quiet life with his wife and daughter – but its simplicity allows for a lot of experimentation regarding what happens chapter-by-chapter. What really caught my attention, though, was the art style; Suzuki manages to capture so much detail and motion in his linework, particularly when it comes to combat scenes. The amount of visual interest in each panel is truly unlike anything I’ve seen, and it’s the first thing I bring up when discussing the series with other people.
To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
If you enjoy a mix of fantasy and social commentary, then this book might be your next read! To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is a story about an indigenous girl who bonds with a dragon, and is forced to attend colonizer dragon school in order to protect her dragon and her people. I found it hard to read this book as an empath because of the way Anequs’ and her indigenous way of life is disrespected in this English-adjacent society. However, I was extremely moved and impressed by To Shape a Dragon’s Breath and still highly recommend it even though it was not an easy read for me. Other readers of this book suggest that it is more similar to Babel by R.F. Kuang, a historical fantasy epic that deals with revolution and colonialism, than Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, a romantasy with dragons, which I would agree with.
Elin Hilderbrand is the author of 28 novels, many set in Nantucket, where she lives. For her most recent book, she has gotten help from her daughter Shelby. The Academy takes place over the course of one year at a New England boarding school.
As the school year begins, Tiffin Academy has gotten a new ranking of # 2. How did this happen? Tiffin has always been known for being more social than academic. The large cast of characters includes Charley Hicks, the new girl on campus; and East, the wayward son of the school’s top donor. Plus, the head mistress, a celebrity chef, an influencer, a beautiful young history teacher with a past, and many more! I’ve always been drawn to books with school settings. This fun read did not disappoint.
This book didn’t shy away from the ups and downs of what a marriage can look like. You’re introduced to Abe and Ruth Winter who are in their 70s. The novel jumps between their present day life and flashbacks covering the important events that happened to them to create their love story and show how their decisions (and consequences) have shaped their lives. There were moments that were incredibly heart wrenching, and moments that took my breath away. It was a slower steady read, but I still enjoyed it because it was timely as I spent more time with my grandparents. It was a helpful reminder that a lot is out of your control, but what’s in your control is your decision of how you choose to react in adversity.
Recommended by Ariana
Recommended by Dana
There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstone
This book was on the Atlantic’s list of top 10 books of 2025. Told in the fashion of an ongoing short story collection, this book reads much more like a piece of fiction than non fiction. It follows the story of 5 families who are trying to survive as part of the “working homeless” population. People who are part of this population are often overlooked since homelessness looks slightly different for them than what you would typically classify as homeless. This story examines how they got there and the steps they take to try to stay a float. A must read, in my opinion!
Do you like cats? Do you also like video games? Then this manga series is for you! This is a story of a twenty-nine year old, video game obsessed office worker that has no experience with pets and what happens when a cat stumbles into her life. The cute antics of the cat are reason alone to read. Also, if you are intimidated by the thought of having to read the manga from left to right, fear not! Hoopla makes it a breeze to scroll through each page and fall in love with the story!
There are 8 books in the series that are all available on Hoopla!
As 2025 was the 250th Anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday, it was a perfect time for the release of a new rom-com influenced by both the woman herself and her estate. This movie is in both English and in French, and a love letter to Austen herself. The plot centers around Agathe, who dreams of becoming a successful writer, but has encountered a horrible writer’s block. Through a friend, she is invited to the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency on the Austen estate, where she meets other aspiring and successful writers, as well as the current owners of the estate. Of course, what would the plot be without drama and love, and so Agathe is forced to look at what she wants for herself, her future, and what her heart truly wants. This was a guilty pleasure to watch, and if you are fan of any and all Austen novels, you will enjoy it, too!
Do you need a new—or not so new—show to binge in 2026? Mad Men might be exactly what you’re looking for. The acclaimed series, which originally aired from 2007 to 2015, marked the 10-year anniversary of its finale in 2025, and has been made available on HBO Max, all restored into 4K, making now an ideal time to revisit this television classic, or experience it for the first time. Set in the world of 1960s advertising, Mad Men follows a richly developed cast of characters, navigating work, ambition, identity, and rapidly changing social norms throughout the entire decade. For a history nerd like me, there’s something especially satisfying about how these characters move through real historical moments–with hindsight giving me the ability to know what’s going to happen before any of the characters would. It all feels so lived in. While there are a few historical blips to spot along the way, the immersive atmosphere will keep you glued to the screen. Best of all, no streaming subscription is required, as the library has all seven seasons available to check out on DVD and Blu-ray!
One of the frontrunners for the Best Feature Film award at this year’s Oscars is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, a genre-busting thrill ride of a movie. Loosely based on the 1990 novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon, this adaptation is likewise set in a highly politicized United States and follows an ex-revolutionary whose past comes back to haunt him. With its kinetic pacing, epic scope, and straddling the line between comedy and thriller, this movie fits right into Anderson’s filmography alongside Boogie Nights and Magnolia, but I was also reminded of the Coen Brothers while watching it (specifically The Big Lebowski and Fargo). If you’re a fan of any of those movies, definitely check this one. One Battle After Another will be receiving a physical release this month, so jump on the waitlist now!
Action packed and highly stylized, Fallout has been a pleasant exemption to the low bar set by other adaptations of video game source material. Set in a post apocalyptic atom-punk future, you follow the naive, but well-intentioned neophyte Lucy, the internally conflicted soldier Maximus, and the morally corrupt lone ranger known as The Ghoul as they traverse the irradiated wastelands of what was once North America. Equal parts shocking, funny, and visually interesting, Fallout does an amazing job of capturing what made the video games feel so special. Season 2 is currently coming out on Amazon Prime so be sure to catch up on season 1 now!
Every album of Twenty One Pilots that I have listened to has always been an experience. I’ve been a fan of them for about half of my life, so there has never been a year that I wasn’t listening to something they put out. I would say that Breach is an album that is very much for the fans, but you don’t have to be a fan to appreciate it. Breach is the conclusion to the story arc created from their first top album–Blurryface, and continued through the rest of the albums they’ve released since. I highly recommend watching their music videos as it explains the world they’ve created and the storylines that go along with it. Since Breach is the end, I would say that it’s probably one of their most emotional albums to date. It has a variety of sounds throughout the album, ranging from alternative rock to electropop to even bits of hip-hop. If you’re looking to listen to something new this winter, I definitely recommend starting with this album.
Superbowl LX is around the corner. Get ready with a Bad Bunny playlist. Log into Freegal with your Des Plaines library card and look for the ready-made playlist of Bad Bunny popular hits. While you are there, browse the complete collection of music. You can stream 24/7 and download five mp3 tracks a week to keep on your computer, or within the Freegal app.
If one of your goals has been to explore RPGs outside of Dungeons & Dragons, might I suggest Blades in the Dark? This easy to learn RPG system uses 3 six-sided dice for everything, and making a character takes minutes. One of the unique things about this system is that everything is done collaboratively - the players and the Game Master work together to make the characters, build the world, and create the story. Each session is episodic as well, which makes it perfect for adults with busy schedules who just want to drop in and play. If you’re looking for a gritty world full of scum and villainy that’s easy to pick up and play, this RPG is for you.
Shelter magazines, like House & Garden and HGTV are plentiful on Libby. You can whip through current and back issues without spending a penny. Load up on your Libby app and avoid the impulse to buy in the checkout line. There are over 700 titles available in this category. This means there are editions from other countries, and some single special issues. Magazines do not count against your total available checkouts, and they are always available. If you want to read in a non-wifi environment, make sure to download the magazine first.
*Tip – double check your download by putting your device in airplane mode.
Join our virtual film discussion. Watch the movie beforehand on Kanopy or Hoopla and then join us on Zoom to talk about it. If you need help using Zoom, see our guide here
Happy Reading From Your
DPPL Readers Advisory Team
Alicia, Aliyyah, Amy, Andrew, Angelo, Ariana, Beca, Camryn, Cathy, Chris, Colleen, Christa, Dana, Jessica, Joanne, Lynne, Nina, Quinn, Sarah
