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?
Tag: Fiction
For Fans of Gilmore Girls
Where autumn leads, fans know Gilmore Girls will follow. This year is the 25th anniversary of the show! While you begin your annual rewatch, check out these books set in small towns with similar vibes. If you're lucky, you might even smell snow. Curated by Samantha Matherne.
Friendship Stories
From laughs on the playground to unlikely animal pals, these friendship stories for kids celebrate the magic of having a best buddy. These books are great for bedtime or classroom reading. Curated by Bonita Bignar.
Nordic Noir
Step into the shadowy landscapes of the north, where long winters breed darker tales. Dive deep into the world of Nordic Noir -- the crime fiction genre that pairs bleak, atmospheric settings with complex characters and haunting mysteries. Curated by Jessica Schiefelbein.
Elevated Horror: Books & Movies
Elevated Horror, also known as Art House Horror, is described as "psychological films that prioritize complex, dramatic themes like trauma, grief, or social issues over conventional scares like jump scares or gore." Below are lists of both movies and books that fit this description. 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.
Plot Twist!
You'll never know what happens next with these twisty books from a variety of genres. These titles will keep you guessing until the very last page. The best tales are the ones that surprise you when you least expect it. If you love being kept on the edge of your seat, this list is made for you. Curated by Ashley Lee.
Timelines & Twists: A Journey Through Time Travel Fiction
Step into stories where clocks defy logic and the past and future collide in unexpected ways. These time travel tales bend reality, unravel paradoxes, and test the limits of fate. Curated by Willie Nettles.
Apocalyptic Novels
The end of the world. Doomsday. The apocalypse. Countless movies and books have been made capitalizing on our fear and curiosity about what the end times may look and feel like. This selection of novels contains an array of different scenarios, but also multiple messages of hope. Curated by Tabor Millien.
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.
