May 2026 Staff Picks

May 28, 2026 | Book Lists, News, Staff Picks

May the Books Be With You: Stellar Reads Chosen by Library Staff

Michelle:

Just Mercy: a Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Part memoir, part social commentary on bias in the criminal justice system from the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative. Stevenson has devoted his life to freeing those wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. He has argued before and won cases at the Supreme Court level – including a case that bans sentencing children to death or life in prison without parole. His story was made into a movie starring Michael B. Jordan.

 

Danie:

Nero by S. J. Tilly

I’m not sure the book I read should be featured….

 

Barb:

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

So good!
Based on the real life story of socialite spy Nancy Wake, who worked with the French résistance and went on to become one of the most decorated women in WWII.

Devin:

The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen

A great middle-grade science fiction novel, with heavy fantasy elements. The tone and class elements remind me of Red Rising.

 

 

 

Terri:

She Didn’t See it Coming by Shari Lapena

A quick, twisty, topsy-turvy psychological thriller that got me out of a reading slump.  I think I read this in 2 sittings! 

 

 

 

Erin:

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

 

 

 

Lynn:

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

This brand new stand alone book by the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, takes you on a road trip with husbands Don and Rodney at the end of the world. They have a month to travel from Maine to Washington State to take care of some unfinished business before a rogue black hole consumes everything and everyone. While on the road, the people they encounter are facing The End with mixed reactions. Some are in denial, some want to speed up their demise, and some are making the best of the situation through weddings, bonfires, shared meals, and new friends. This is a heart-wrenching but well written book about looking back on your life and wondering if your best was good enough. I was completely invested in the story and along for the ride.