Staff Reviews: Books, Films, Music, and More

Reference Librarian Buffy McDonald recommends The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. If you are looking for a guide to help you smooth the path to financial independence, you will want to read JL Collins’ The Simple Path to Wealth. Collins wrote this book for his daughter. He defines financial independence as having 25 times your yearly expenses. Once you reach this point, you have bought yourself the freedom to choose what you do with your time. You can continue to work and grow your … [Read more...] about Review: The Simple Path to Wealth

Processing Manager Kelly Noble recommends The School of Night by Karl Ove Knausgaard.  The School of Night is a captivating novel by Norwegian writer Karl Ove Knausgaard. The story is entertaining and, like much of Knausgaard’s writing, is deeply human and philosophical.  The story follows Kristian Hadeland, a young art student in London, as he winds his way through life and success. The novel is full of metaphors for self-doubt and uncertainty. There is also a thread of darkness running … [Read more...] about Review: The School of Night

Children’s Librarian Helen Morgus recommends AI Literacy Fundamentals by Ben Jones. Are you afraid of AI? You are not alone. And maybe like me, you’re tired of being afraid. To help cast out my fear, I checked out this book.  The book is for nontechnical human beings. Where his straight-forward syntax needs support, Ben Jones uses easily grasped analogies and examples.  And he uses illustrations where too many words would otherwise pile up.   After reading AI Literacy … [Read more...] about Review: AI Literacy Fundamentals

Philanthropy Associate and and Programs Assistant, Ann Sandefur, recommends And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman. This is a tiny book packed with joy, love and bittersweet heartache. It is the story of  a man and his grandson, Noah. As the days pass, Noah keeps growing and Grandpa’s mind is shrinking. Grandpa attempts to help Noah understand, and to be there to see him laugh and to spend time with him, that he should have spent with his own son, Ted. … [Read more...] about Review: And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer

DeAnn Campbell recommends Goldfinches by Mary Oliver with art by Melissa Sweet. April is Poetry Month. There is something about poetry that makes me slow down. Breathe. Notice. Savor. Reflect. Be human. I love poetry. I love the way every word must be so precise and hold a world of meaning. Poets are master wordsmiths. It is hard to choose a favorite poet, a favorite poem. I certainly cannot. But there are poets I love. This month, there is a poet I love and an artist I love and … [Read more...] about Poetry Review: Goldfinches

Consign Retail Manager recommends The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene The 48 Laws of Power explores how power works in everyday life, using real examples from history to explain different strategies people have used to gain and keep control. The book breaks down 48 “laws,” some focused on being careful and strategic, like keeping your plans private, and others more direct, like taking bold action when needed. Through these lessons, Greene shows how power isn’t always about strength, … [Read more...] about Review: The 48 Laws of Power