Read it anonymously for 24 hours or create an account to have access for 72 hours. A digitized version (it’s like having a print copy in your hands) is also available here.
The beauty of Overdrive/Libby magazines is the wide variety of choices and topics. The free and always available part is pretty good too, allowing for frequent sampling of new media. TheGoodNewspaper is unique in its focus on good news and positive headlines. Published monthly with a unique monthly topic, the current issue is called the Dog Issue. A few headlines include, “Dogs Successfully Sniff Out Parkinson’s in a New Medical Trial,” and “Search and Rescue Dogs Get a Boost from Artificial Intelligence.” Try this issue and many others going back to 2022.
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Recommended by Angelo
Recommended by Alicia
Tasting History: Explore the Past Through 4,000 Years of Recipes by Max Miller
One of my all-time favorite YouTube channels is Tasting History. Taking a Food Network approach to teaching history, the channel’s host Max Miller combs through ancient texts and medieval cookbooks in search of interesting recipes and attempts to recreate them. Miller has made everything from Babylonian lamb stew to Aztec chocolate to 16th century samosas, and he has now compiled many of his creations in this brand new cookbook.
With the holiday season fast approaching, I figured a cookbook recommendation would be useful for all of the upcoming family gatherings. There are a lot of genuinely tasty entries in this book that fit the season, including 14th century gingerbread, egg nog from Gilded Age America, and pumpkin tourte from Renaissance Italy. If you’re a risk taker, there’s also a couple of oddball recipes that even the author warns against (perhaps most infamously of all, a questionable soup they ate in Ancient Sparta).
A contemporary romance featuring an enemies-to-lovers, workplace plot that focuses on two brilliant string musicians. Gwen Jackson grew up loving music, and was fortunate to have a mentor who taught her how to truly hone her talent as a violinist. She plays the violin in a Pops Orchestra, or an orchestra that plays popular music (typically traditional pop music) across from Xander Thorne, a gifted cellist, popular band member, and the guy who just pushes Gwen’s buttons. He is late to practice, distracted, and angry when Gwen is promoted to First Chair in the orchestra. But, the more the two work together, the more they bring out each other’s musical gifts. Will they have a somewhat happy ending?
I appreciated the music references, as it made me want to break out my own instrument to play along with the characters. There are portions of the book that would not happen in real life, but help move the plot along, which did not distract from the overall story. The audiobook is a fantastic listen, if you do not feel like reading the print book. The narrators did the characters justice and made me laugh out loud!
If you enjoy Julie Soto’s writing, you may also enjoy her new book, Rose in Chains, a book based on her popular fanfiction of Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, which is out now!
At the end of a long day, one of my favorite things to do is read something light and sweet. A Sign of Affection is absolutely adorable, from Yuki’s pink and girly character design to moments of bonding between Yuki’s father and her boyfriend, Itsuomi. When I first heard about this manga, I was thrilled to see a disabled main character in a love story! Yuki challenges the expectations of those around her as she pursues a job and an education while falling in love with the adventurous traveler Itsuomi. I loved how the author approached different perspectives about disability–while some characters thought Yuki needed to be protected from the world around her, others did their best to help make her world more accessible. Plus, the art style is utterly gorgeous! The author did research into different styles of Japanese sign language in order to portray a variety of communication styles. While not a perfect portrayal of a dream romance–such as Itsuomi once blocking Yuki from reading lips–the overarching storyline and character growth was sweet and enjoyable!
I love a good book and one such as this classic literature that has been loved by many all over the world since it was published in 1983. The author tells an amazing story of a little girl named Esperanza Cordero and her life as she grew up in Chicago in a Hispanic quarter of the city and her self-discovery through a series of short stories (vignettes). It delves into her short time on this street, what she sees, good and bad and her experiences and the women she came across and their struggles with societal expectations. I love a book that I can get lost in. Especially one that reminds me even of my own childhood and what I experienced to understand who I am. It kind of made me understand that although your life may be one way in the beginning you have a greater purpose despite your struggles. Esperanza's way of coping and expressing herself was to find an outlet which was to write poetry. The author I believe did an excellent job in bringing attention to that of trying to belong, searching for one's identity, self-discovery and finding a way through your environment and embracing your culture, yet pushing forward because there’s more out there despite your limitations and the desire to want better for your own community. A desire to carve your own path in life no matter the obstacles.
What a wonderful surprise of a book. I thought I would read a mother-son story about a young man learning more about his origin story and the identity of his biological father. We get this, and so much more as Evan is called home to care for his ailing mother, June. As the story unfolds, June shares previously unknown truths, including her long ago romance with Bob Dylan, to whom Evan is often compared. As Evan learns that his mother is dying and memories are shared, the time they spend together shows him what an extraordinary gift he’s received by knowing and being loved by her.
Fans of the webcomic Check Please! may recognize the art style of Flip, the most recent graphic novel by artist and writer Ngozi Ukazu. After a devastating promposal, high-school seniors Chi-Chi Ekeh and Flip Henderson suddenly begin to swap bodies, giving them both a taste of what life is like for the other – and for Flip, this change in perspective is particularly needed. The cute, somewhat simplistic nature of Ukazu’s art – likely the result of their history with webcomics – is a fantastic medium for storytelling, as it doesn’t distract from the story itself; the panels are simple, the colors are bright, and the designs for each character help set them apart – especially how Chi-Chi and Flip’s eye colors change during their body swaps, making it easier for readers to determine who is who at any point of the story.
A book that isn’t for the faint of heart, this book is long but enthralling from the start. Set in Chicago and weaving together the exploration of a marriage over time, relationships, and real scientific studies, the author does a fantastic job flawlessly bringing it together. Not only do you get to enjoy an intriguing story, but what makes it more fascinating is the fact that true statistics and facts were used to enhance what was happening and really brought this story to the next level. Skillfully woven together, you start questioning if you really know the characters as well as you think you do as the book reveals more and more secrets. Can you guess what’s really happening before the end? I personally enjoyed experiencing this book as an audiobook more than reading the physical book.
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
Little did I know that when I picked this book up, I wouldn't want to put it down. Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead is a charmingly bleak, darkly funny novel centered on Gilda, a severely anxious, directionally challenged atheist who, in a moment of panic, accepts a job as a Catholic church receptionist. Austin masterfully captures Gilda’s chaotic internal monologue, blending morbid existential dread with moments of unexpected, deadpan humor. The narrative unfolds as Gilda navigates a burgeoning murder mystery and an escalating series of lies, all while grappling with her intense fear of death and the meaning of connection. While Gilda’s profound aimlessness might be difficult for some readers, her underlying kindness and relatable struggles with mental health make her an endearing and empathetic protagonist. The novel is a poignant, witty exploration of human vulnerability, highlighting that even in a world defined by mortality, small acts of kindness, and love make existence worthwhile. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates character-driven fiction, dark humor, and an honest portrayal of living with anxiety.
Chicago-based horror films are rare, so when one pops up, you know I have to watch it! What makes the first Candyman movie from 1992 and this one so special is that both were primarily shot in the city. The 2021 movie is a continuation of the storyline from the first and fourth installments of the series, and utilizes local artists, musicians, and locations to tell the urban legend of Cabrini-Green’s Candyman.
This film, for me, is an absolute classic for the fall with its Wes Anderson-esc coming of age quirkiness and charm, the kind that really speaks to anyone who's felt out of place. The New England-y private school setting, cast and characters (with Jason Schwartzman in his acting debut absolutely nailing the awkwardness of being a teenager) and soundtrack filled with classic rock hits, all perfectly come together in this film early in Anderson's career. Its endlessly ambitious but awkward main character, Max Fischer (with Jason Schwartzman in his acting debut absolutely nailing the awkwardness of teenagerhood), throws himself into everything he can at Rushmore Academy, the movie's namesake, doing anything to prove he belongs and carve out a place for himself. No matter how hard he tries though, Max always seems a little out of step with everyone around him, not quite fitting in, which hits a bit too close to home, reminding me of myself when I was in high school, and even college not too long ago...For me, Rushmore captures that bittersweet fall feeling: the beauty of change, for better or for worse, and the quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, we’ll figure ourselves out by the time the leaves are all gone.
Fun fact: in 2016, the Library of Congress selected Rushmore to be preserved by the National Film Registry!
New York based rock quartet Geese is taking the indie world by storm with their third album, Getting Killed, released on September 26th of this year. Combining elements of post-punk, indie rock, seventies rock, and classic rock ballads, Geese have forged a unique and modern sound that cuts through the sometimes monotonous landscape of modern rock music. Lead singer Cameron Winter’s haunting and powerful vocal performances are complemented perfectly by the bands’ bombastic instrumentals which underscore lyrics dealing with themes of growth, change, loneliness, uncertainty, and loss. I highly recommend looking into Geese’s entire discography, as well as Cameron Winter’s solo project, Heavy Metal, if you’re looking for something new in rock music.
Bad Bunny was recently announced to be the headliner for the 2026 Superbowl. If you haven’t heard of him, he is a Puerto Rican artist that’s been on the scene for the last seven years. His latest album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos came out earlier this year, hitting number one on the charts, and has recently been climbing back up the charts with the announcement of him performing at next year's Superbowl. With the Grammy nominations coming out in a few weeks, I do predict this album to be nominated in at least one category, it is just that good! I recommend this album to everyone, even if you don’t speak Spanish, the production alone is very beautiful and catchy.
This playlist, created by DPPL staff, has an eerie but energetic vibe, perfect to prepare your nervous system for your next horror or thriller read. At 19 songs and 1 hour, 11 minutes, it’s short enough to get through while enjoying an early sunset. From Skyfall by Adele to Eat Your Young by Hozier, with a few menacing movie and TV themes thrown in for good measure, it’s a listen made for enjoying the dark evenings of November.
A second playlist created by DPPL staff for Native American Heritage Month, featuring songs and artists that honor Indigenous culture and identity. You will hear familiar artists, such as Redbone and Jimi Hendrix, to newer talent, such as Raye Zaragoza and Mato Qayuhi. There is a mix of music genres, suitable for every music taste. You are able to stream the playlist for free using your DPPL library card. You can also download up to 5 songs each week, if you want to add them to your own music library! Besides streaming on your computer, you can also stream through your phone by downloading the free Freegal app, available for both Android and Apple.
I was talking with a friend recently about some of the simulator games we used to play in the past such as SimCity or Lemonade Tycoon. This got me wondering if there was an update to these kinds of games now that gaming has gotten more advanced. Naturally, as any librarian would do, I dug deep into a rabbit hole of research. This research led me to discover Two Point Hospital for the Nintendo Switch. This game revitalizes the business management genre of games but with a sense of humor. You manage a system of 15 hospitals by building renovations, managing staff and money, and diagnosing diseases. These diseases include people with animal magnetism that have an assortment of furry creatures attached to them or “lightheadedness” where the patient literally has a lightbulb for a head. It’s a fun game that’s relatively stress free.
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
