March Staff Picks at CDPL

The staff at Crawfordsville Public Library have some wonderful recommendations of books for you to enjoy, from epic series to standalone titles. If you are ready to spring into a madcap adventure series, Susanna recommends the beloved “Discworld” by Terry Pratchett, which she describes as an “increasing complexity to a fantastical parody of our world. It’s hilarious, insightful, and among my all-time favorites.” Intrigued? This series spans over forty titles, but Susanna said that the series doesn’t have to be read in order. The title “Moving Pictures” (FIC Pra) is “one of a few good starting points, riffing on early Hollywood as the Industrial Revolution slowly changes everything.” You can find this one and some of the other series titles in our physical collection, and the full series is available digitally on our library’s Libby and hoopla apps.

Dellie recommends another big, tall series, “Long Tall Texans” by the prolific Diana Palmer, which includes two of her favorites, “Courageous” and “Fearless” (LP FIC PAL), and spans over fifty titles. If you love romance and cowboys, this series is for you!

While some readers love jumping into a massive series, it is of course not for everyone! Mary recommends a standalone title “Perfectly Nice Neighbors” by Kia Abdullah (FIC Abdullah), which is a twisty thriller where racial misconceptions, racial bias, and mean gossip cause problems when assumptions are made about the new neighbors. This title has shown up on many must-read lists, and Mary found it to be very thought-provoking. Another standalone mystery with a great twist is my personal pick this month: “Just Another Missing Person” by Gillian McAllister (FIC McAllister). In this book, a missing persons case leads a detective to face an impossible moral choice. McAllister also wrote the Reese’s Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller “Wrong Place Wrong Time.” I highly recommend both titles. 

For nonfiction, Brenda’s pick is the historical thriller “A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them” by Timothy Egan (322.4 Ega). This book was selected as the best book of the year by several publications last year and explores the true story of how the Ku Klux Klan grew in Indiana in the 1920s. Brenda said, “I had no idea there were over 300,000 Klans men, women, and even children who were focused not only on Black people, but also Catholics, Jews, and any immigrants. Sadly the parallels between the 1920s and current times are scary and show how hatred and fear can be so destructive. Highly recommend this fact-filled book.” 

Finally, Stephanie recommends “How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying” by Frank Hyman (579.6 Hym). This absolute beginner’s guide to identifying wild, edible mushrooms contains Hyman’s expert advice and easy-to-follow guidelines, just in time for mushroom season! 

Find all these titles and more on display on the first floor of the library near the circulation desk, ready to check out with your library card. You can also find even more featured displays on the second floor of the library. Or stop by our service desk and ask us for a recommendation! Our regular hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 1-5pm. Megan Taylor is Assistant Manager in the Adult Services Department