Nov. 20, 2023 – In honor of Thanksgiving, library staff shared books they are thankful for. From a children's book with stories of Zen enlightenment to poetry to self-help, there are a variety of topics and genres. All are available in the library's catalog. Browse the list below and click on the book covers to put them on hold.
"Forever" by Judy Blume
"Judy gave me permission to not be afraid of sex and relationships with that book. She fought some of the toxic rhetoric I was hearing in other places."
- Kami, Event Specialist
"Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I've Loved" by Kate Bowler
"A poetic and humor-laced journey through the grief of losing hold of life as one knows it. A beautiful extrapolation of understanding how we live and for what."
- Meredith, Community Engagement Librarian
"Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frank
"This book was recommended to me by my therapist during a challenging time in college. It became the foundation of how I now look at myself and the world. It helped me find a sense of meaning and agency during a time when I felt neither. And it offered perspective on suffering from a person uniquely qualified to speak on it. It's short, and I recommend it to anyone who struggles with the sense they lack meaning or power."
- Tait, Patron Services Specialist
"The Book of (More) Delights" by Ross Gay
"This brief and very easy read can lift my flagging spirit. Gay reminds me to notice the smallest actions of light and love, and to find joy in those actions, be they my own or in any aspect of the natural environment."
- Andrea, Patron Services Specialist
"Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setback and Difficult People" by Bob Goff
"When I was going through an especially challenging time dealing with challenging people, this book, as well as its predecessor 'Love Does,' helped me mentally and emotionally weather the ups and downs for me and my family.
- Charity, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation Executive Director
"Zen Shorts" by Jon J. Muth
"This small children's book packs in three tales of Zen enlightenment which are sure to resonate with readers. With beautiful watercolor illustrations and timeless themes of compassion and acceptance, it's no wonder this book earned 41 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and received a Caldecott honor."
- Elysha, Patron Services Specialist
"Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle" by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
"Sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski share why burnout is experienced differently by women, complete with scientific evidence and advice. All along the way they share techniques for how to manage and complete the stress-cycle. Some techniques I have found fit better for me than others, but I've found all of them useful. My personal favorite? Befriending your inner critic!"
- Rebecca, Librarian
"Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver" by Mary Oliver
"I love Mary Oliver's poems, and this book includes my favorites: 'The Summer Day,' which includes the line 'Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?' and 'Don't Hesitate,' which includes the line 'Joy is not made to be a crumb.' I selected that poem for a reading at my upcoming wedding.
- Alison, Content Writer
"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
"This book opened my eyes to the racial bias in the medical world – we all survive because of stolen cells."
- Stephanie, Ladd Branch Manager
"Catalogue Baby: A Memoir of Infertility" by Myriam Steinberg
"This is a really important book to me. Anyone going through struggles with infertility has a story to tell, and this one explores many different facets of that journey. Faced with difficult choices and hardship, the author does not shy away from sharing her personal journey to motherhood."
- Abby, Patron Services Specialist
