#FDL: Staff Favorites from 2023

FDL staff members read a wide variety of books last year! These are just a few of their favorites from 2023. Click on a title below to find it in our catalog.

Breaking Cat News series by Georgia Dunn “These are comic anthologies on the Libby app. They were a fun way to pack in just a few minutes of reading at a time as I was navigating becoming a parent this year. The comics are absolutely hilarious, whether you are a cat owner or not! Tip: don’t read these while rocking your newborn baby to sleep because you WILL laugh out loud and wake them.” – Chelsea, Youth Services

The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner “She also wrote The Lost Apothecary (another book I loved). What I liked: A skeptical assistant to a renowned psychic tries to solve her sister’s murder, only to find out things are not what they seem. This is a great book for those who love gothic tales of the paranormal with strong women characters. – Christy Schurter, Youth Services

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson “Tress is a fun adventure story on a planet with compelling worldbuilding.” – Nick, Circulation

The Housemaid, by Frieda McFadden. “It has twisty, exciting plot. I found myself rooting for people halfway through the book that I really disliked when the book started. It kept me on my toes!” -Sylvia, Circulation

Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel “It was an amazing story. I love reading about World War II and strong women of that time period” – Nancy Scott, Adult Services

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway “This novel is about a detective who investigates crime involving pseudo-immortal plutocrats known as “Titans,” and a Titan has been murdered. This is a great book that blends genres reminiscent of Raymond Chandler and William Gibson: a hard boiled cyberpunk whodunit.” – Jeremy, Adult Services

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson “I really liked this book for the twists and turns – there were multiple times the plot took an abrupt left turn away from my expectations of how fantasy books about dictators and the rebellions they spawn are supposed to go. All of the characters are really thought out and have a lot of depth to them, which helps make the world that much more immersive.” – Alice, Youth Services

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi “Mysterious, gothic and lyrical, this novel is beautiful and the story kept me wondering just how dark Indigo’s past really was.” – Susie, Adult Services

Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts “This is a beautifully written, but imagined, story of how the movie “The Wizard of Oz” was made with the involvement of L. Frank Baum’s wife, Maude Gage Baum, after his death. While parts of the story are true to fact, some embellishment keeps it from being a true biography. But it is still a great read!” – Becky, Adult Services