June 3, 2025 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is made possible by our incredible staff. And we are staffed by book lovers. To celebrate the people who keep our library running, we're highlighting different staff members and books they love.
Jessica is the Development Associate at the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, where she started working in July 2022. Her job entails managing the Foundation's annual funding efforts.
"What I love most about my job is observing all the ways library staff build a strong sense of community in the work they do and having the opportunity to share those stories with donors," she said.
Browse Jessica's book recommendations below, and put books on hold in our catalog by clicking on their covers.
"The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead
"The Nickel Boys" tells the fictional story of boys who were sentenced to the Nickel Academy during the 1960s. It follows the experiences of Elwood, an intelligent, kind, and optimistic Black teenager who was wrongfully sentenced. This is based on the historic Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida that operated for 111 years and severely impacted the lives of thousands of Black and white youth. It reveals the racism, abuse, and power imbalance that existed without oversight. Winning the the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for "The Nickel Boys," Whitehead has a body of work that skillfully reconstructs stories of Black America in powerful ways. I am eager to see the film adaptation by the same name, which was nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay in 2025.
"The Eyes and the Impossible" by Dave Eggers
My husband and I read this book to our fourth grade son at bedtime, and we were all enthralled from the very first page. A Newberry Medal honoree, the story is narrated by a keenly intelligent, confident, and fast-as-light canine named Johannes. Through his charming stream of consciousness, we learn his role is to be the eyes of the park. Johannes teams up with his friends – a seagull, raccoon, pelican, and squirrel, who all live in and manage this urban habitat. Their voices, language, and relationships are all so pure and sincere. There is also a deeper story too of being yourself and finding freedom. I laughed, cried, and thoroughly enjoyed falling in love with this story and its characters.
"Becoming" by Michelle Obama
"Becoming" is Michelle Obama’s personal and compelling memoir, which follows her journey from a working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side to the White House. As an attorney, First Lady, Black woman, mother, and wife, she shares with honesty and grace the pivotal moments that shaped her life. Alongside her husband Barack Obama’s political ascent – from law school and community organizing to his presidency – Michelle offers a candid look at the challenges, triumphs, and growth she experienced. I so admire her efforts in managing her work, family, and professional life through these milestones. Her voice is powerful, and her storytelling and reflections are inspiring.
"Daisy Jones and the Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This was a really fun ride. I highly suggest experiencing this story by listening to the audio book. Why? It’s more like a stage reading with a full cast (featuring Jennifer Beals and Benjamin Bratt) than your typical audio book with one narrator covering multiple characters. This is a fictional oral history set in the 1970s about an aspiring rock n’ roll band (The Six) and a mesmerizing, complicated lead singer (Daisy Jones). Reid admits that the romance between Stevie Nicks and fellow bandmate Lindsey Buckingham inspired her novel, which gives an added dose of allure.
"When Franny Stands Up" by Eden Robins
Set in 1940s Chicago, "When Franny Stands Up" is a vibrant story about finding your voice. With the men off at war, Franny stumbles into the world of underground comedy clubs, where women are lighting up the stage, and a mysterious phenomenon known as the “Showstopper” leaves audiences transformed. (Hint: it only works on women.) I picked up my signed copy at the 2023 American Library Association conference after watching Robins and other comedic authors perform stand-up-style previews of their novels – it was unforgettable. Through Franny’s journey, themes of self-discovery, gender identity, and empowerment unfold with warmth and wit. Imagine "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" meets "A League of Their Own," with a dash of magic.