May Staff Picks

From sweeping sagas to fast-paced thrillers, the staff at Crawfordsville District Public Library have some fabulous book recommendations for you this month. You can check out all of these staff picks and more from our first floor display through the end of May. 

Emily recommends reading Kristin Hannah’s latest book, “The Women” (FIC Hannah). This must-read novel about a young nursing student who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in the Vietnam War has gathered a lot of attention and several awards. If you love epic and emotional historical fiction, this one is for you. 

Another emotional read is “When Crickets Cry” by Charles Martin (FIC Martin). Brenda says this one is “heartbreaking and touching! Tells the story of a former heart surgeon who is hiding and his relationship with Anne– a sick little girl who sells lemonade to raise money for a heart transplant. I learned a lot about how the heart works. Makes you think about life!” Steph also recommends a powerful and ambitious novel, “The Poisonwood Bible” by bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver (FIC Kin). If you missed reading this one when it came out in the late 1990s, you should definitely circle back. This saga follows an evangelical Baptist minister’s family to the Congo in the late 1950s, slowly unfolding tragedies and redemption.  

If you want something more fast-paced, Brenda loved “Not Our Daughter” by Cad Zunker (FIC Zunker): “The story is action-packed from start to finish. An innocent family is on the run from the FBI and from a mysterious man who wants to kill them.” Mary recommends another thriller, “The Last Trip” by Kiersten Modglin (FIC Modglin): “A ‘baby moon’ to a remote cabin with strange behaving homeowners changes everything for Calvin and Sadie. This trip before the baby comes could be their last.” 

If you like science fiction, another action-packed title to explore is “All Systems Red” by Martha Wells (FIC Wel), recommended by Susanna. “Sec Unit, or as it privately thinks of itself, Murderbot, just wants some time along with its soaps, but its pesky human clients keep endangering themselves and worse, trying to befriend it. This book is the first in Martha Well’s Murderbot Diaries series. Read them all–they’re quick, fun, and action-packed!”

Of course, we have nonfiction suggestions, too. For our gardeners, Mary found some great information specific to our state in the “Indiana Gardener’s Guide” by Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp (635.097772 Sha): “A welcome to gardening in Indiana. Provides information on annuals, ground covers, herbs, ornamental grass, perennials, roses, shrubs, and trees.” Dennis is ready for the races with “Indianapolis 500: A Century of Excitement” by Ralph Kramer (796.7209), and Montica is ready to bring dessert after finding some great recipes in “Sweet Tooth: 100 Desserts to Save Room For” (641.865 Fennel). Don’t miss the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Bars on page 141 or the S’more Tart on page 180.   

Come check out one or more of these titles with your library card. Many are also available to check out digitally on our free Libby app, which is available 24/7. Our library’s regular open hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 1-5pm.