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2025 January: new releases, staff picks, and more!: Library Book Club Selections

The Stationery Shop

The Stationery Shop

A poignant, heartfelt new novel by the award-nominated author of Together Tea--extolled by the Wall Street Journal as a "moving tale of lost love" and by Shelf Awareness as "a powerful, heartbreaking story"--explores loss, reconciliation, and the quirks of fate. Roya, a dreamy, idealistic teenager living amid the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr. Fakhri's neighborhood stationery shop, stocked with books and pens and bottles of jewel-colored ink. Then Mr. Fakhri, with a keen instinct for a budding romance, introduces Roya to his other favorite customer--handsome Bahman, who has a burning passion for justice and a love for Rumi's poetry--and she loses her heart at once. Their romance blossoms, and the little stationery shop remains their favorite place in all of Tehran. A few short months later, on the eve of their marriage, Roya agrees to meet Bahman at the town square when violence erupts--a result of the coup d'etat that forever changes their country's future. In the chaos, Bahman never shows. For weeks, Roya tries desperately to contact him, but her efforts are fruitless. With a sorrowful heart, she moves on--to college in California, to another man, to a life in New England--until, more than sixty years later, an accident of fate leads her back to Bahman and offers her a chance to ask him the questions that have haunted her for more than half a century: Why did you leave? Where did you go? How is it that you were able to forget me?

Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits--someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom. When big, brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it's an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and former rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact to him, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Suddenly, half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae--and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse?

Preppy Kitchen Super Easy

Preppy Kitchen Super Easy

"A go-to for busy home cooks looking to spice up their repertoire." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) The New York Times bestselling author and beloved social media star @PreppyKitchen delivers simple, everyday recipes that anyone can cook regardless of cooking level or busy schedule that is sure to delight the whole family. John Kanell is beloved for his aspirational lifestyle and food recipes that feed the eye first. As his kids get older and life gets busier, John recognizes the need that all busy families have for food that is at once practical to prepare and delicious. Preppy Kitchen Super Easy was born of that need. He's created a cookbook of simple dishes that feel special. With particular attention to variations for nearly every recipe, John makes it easy to prepare any dish at any time. Ran out of mayo? Use sour cream in the Ranch and Feta Dip. Need to use up those tomatoes and peppers before they go to waste? Swap 'em for the cukes in the Wild Rice Salad. In each recipe, John breaks down instructions with simple steps, streamlines ingredient lists, and gives dozens of ideas for riffs and make-aheads. John explains how easy it is to vary vessels with a single recipe: a quick bread or cake can bake in a muffin tin, a baking dish, or a cake pan; pancake batter is good for a waffle maker or a griddle. He leans into a small cache of hands-off appliances such as the Instant Pot(tm) and air fryer. And, best of all, he's developed recipes you can make once and eat all week, along with dressings and spreads that morph from snack-time dip to salad accompaniment to just-add-a-protein main dish. Recipes include: -Breakfast: Breakfast in a Cup, Breakfast Burritos, "Ice Cream" Overnight Oats -Main dishes with hands-off cook time: Skillet Steak with Garlic-Herb Butter, Cream Cheese and Caraway-Stuffed Salmon, and Crispy Orange-Glazed Chicken Strips -Easy sides to elevate the simplest of main dishes: Browned Butter and Garlic Mashed Potatoes -Favorite snacks and small bites for grazing throughout the day: Bruschetta Dip, Grape and Tarragon Chicken Salad, Mango and Radish Shrimp Ceviche -Quick and easy delicious desserts: Brian's Favorite Chocolate Cake, Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies, and Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie Bars Regardless of your skill level or busy schedule, you will find these recipes quick and easy to make any time of day.