With 2025 coming to a close soon we asked around for our staff member's favorite books they read this year. Here's a few of their picks, what's yours?
Category: Nonfiction
Masters of Literature
From the beginning, literature has been a way for humanity to reflect on itself. Reading a beautifully written book with relatable characters can teach you things you didn't know about yourself and life in general. These biographies give you a closer look at the masters of literature who shaped the way we write and interpret novels. Curated by Tabor Millien.
Read This: PebbleGo/Capstone Interactive eBooks
PebbleGo/Capstone Interactive eBooks provide audio, accessibility, and other resources to support each child's learning style. With vibrant illustrations, read-aloud audio, and a wide range of topics -- from animals and science to sports and graphic novels -- these eBooks are perfect for young readers at all levels. These eBooks bring the story to life and support literacy in an interactive, kid-friendly format. Curated by Katie Rivers.
Saying Farewell to Downton Abbey
Grab your tissues and dress in your best gown, Downton Abbey: Grand Finale (in theaters September 12th) will take viewers back to the infamous Downton Abbey one last time. Say goodbye to the Crawley Family, their domestic staff, and all the drama. Don't want to wave goodbye just yet? Then check out these books and DVDs. Curated by Ashley Lee.
Gone Too Soon
When cultural icons leave us before their time, the loss resonates deeply. Whether we connected with their work or admired their brilliance from afar, their absence is felt across generations. This curated list of biographies honors those we lost too soon—offering a glimpse into their lives, legacies, and the lasting impact they made on the world. Curated by Tabor Millien.
Level Up This Summer
Video games aren't the only thing you can level up. Are you ready to take your reading journey to the next level? Power up your experiences, knowledge, and learning with these awesome reads. Join Ascension Parish Library's summer reading program "Level Up at Your Library" and win prizes! Curated by Katie Rivers.
The Nature of Consciousness
What is a mind, and how do we measure intelligence? Do humans have a monopoly on consciousness? These books take us beyond the human mind to explore the intelligence that arises throughout the natural world: in oaks and in octopuses, in mockingbirds and mushrooms, often hiding in plain sight. Curated by Ashley Lewis.
You’re More Creative Than You Think
Creativebug.com has thousands of award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists all free with your Ascension Parish Library card. Whether you're picking up a paintbrush, working with clay, or experimenting with fabric, these creative activities offer an opportunity to improve your crafting skills or to learn new ones. Curated by Katie Rivers.
The Things We Leave Behind
We all leave traces of ourselves in the world: the clothes we wear, our automobiles and house fixtures, the books we read and pass along, the materials we create and transform. Material culture explores how everyday items -clothes, tools, furniture, technology - reflect the social and cultural frameworks we live in. These books reveal the hidden stories of objects and invite us to think about our material world in a new light. Curated by Ashley Lewis.
Life Is Scary
The spooky season has arrived. Let's celebrate with pumpkins, warm treats, and dressing up in your favorite eerie costumes but remember real life can be scarier than the holidays. These gripping reads confront the unsettling truth that reality can be far more terrifying than fiction. From the shadows of our past to the anxieties of modern life, each tale unearths the horrors that hide just beneath the surface of normalcy. Read about devastating disasters, catastrophes, and spine-chilling real life experiences. Curated by Katie Rivers.
Shelf Analysis 