Last August, several local librarians shared their favorite reads with us. This month, two more experts pin down some picks for the young and the not-so-young. Here are the latest librarians’ hits:
Broken for You by Stephanie Kallos
An old lady with a brain tumor and a young woman with a broken heart are the pivotal characters in this witty, layered story of friendship and redemption. As the circle of friends around Margaret and Wanda grows, old secrets come to light and connections are revealed in a memorable story that recalls John Irving and Anne Tyler at their best.
Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier
Raimund Gregorius, a Swiss professor of ancient languages, abandons his quiet life and travels to Lisbon to search for Amadeu de Prado, the author of a slim volume of essays that form a book within the book. Mesmerizing and lyrical, de Prado’s words and the people Gregorius meets will entrance the reader.
Recommended by librarian Kay Drache
Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie dePaola
My favorite book to give as a gift, this wordless picture book allows every family to create their own special telling of the quintessential tale of Minnesota nice.
Name That Style: All About Isms in Art by Bob Raczka
This is my favorite book to use for an art scavenger hunt at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Clearly defining 14 different art styles, ask your budding Picasso to look for paintings at the MIA with characteristics of each artistic style and take a photo.
Recommended by youth services librarian Stella Riker
