It’s the time of year when all the greatest movies from 2025 get buzzed about, nominated, and sometimes win! Unfortunately, not as many movies make it to DVD or Blu-ray, so you have to spend time hunting down the correct streaming services! Save yourself some time and check out hot titles, and some a little more under the radar, and expand your watching this season! 

Black Bag | Request DVD or Request Blu-ray

Another thriller from director Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag, is a gripping spy drama about legendary intelligence agents George Woodhouse and his beloved wife, Kathryn. When Kathryn is suspected of betraying the nation, George faces the ultimate test of loyalty to his marriage or his country. Starring Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, and Pierce Brosnan, this film is full of delicious twists and dramatic turns! 

Bugonia | Request DVD or Request Blu-ray  

Check the Express Shelf for DVD and Blu-ray copies not filled by holds.

Bugonia is a dark sci-fi comedy about two conspiracy-obsessed young men who kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth. This is the fourth film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring actress Emma Stone. If you haven't seen the first three films she made with Lanthimos, you can check them out now: The Favourite (DVD or Blu-ray), Poor Things (DVD or Blu-ray), and Kinds of Kindness (DVD or Blu-ray).

Eddington | Request Blu-ray

Check the Express Shelf for Blu-ray copies not filled by holds.

Eddington is Ari Aster’s darkly comedic, genre-bending movie set during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s about a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor that sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico. Eddington stars Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal, and Austin Butler.

F1 | Request DVD or Request Blu-ray

If you like cars, action, and lots of amazing effects and stunts, then F1 is for you! F1 has been nominated for Best Cinematography, Visual Effects, Box Achievement, and Outstanding Stunts! Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was the golden boy in the 1990s in Formula 1 until an accident on the track. Thirty years later, his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) convinces him to return and drive alongside ace rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) for one last shot at being the best in the world. Sonny’s past catches up with him, and he finds that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

One of Them Days | Request DVD

Nominated for several Independent Spirit Awards and NAACP Image Awards for Best Feature, Screenplay, Lead Performance, and Breakthrough Performance. One of Them Days is about best friends and roommates, Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA). When Alyssa realizes her boyfriend has blown their rent money, the friends find themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and prevent ruining their friendship! 

Sinners  | Request DVD or Request Blu-ray 

A historical horror movie with a stupendous soundtrack and a standout performance, both played by Michael B. Jordan. Sinners is about twin brothers wanting to leave their troubled lives behind. When they return to their hometown to start over, they discover that an even greater evil awaits them.

For fans of Mary Roach or Neil deGrasse Tyson’s endlessly interesting and eminently readable nonfiction books, these unusual “travel” guides will scratch that itch in surprising ways. Find a destination, or maybe the journey is the point, that makes you a tad uncomfortable, but oh so terribly engaged. Don’t worry, there’s a lot of fun to be had alongside all the bits that make you squirm!

The Passenger: How a Travel Writer Learned to Love Cruises & Other Lies from a Sinking Ship by Chaney Kwak | Request Now

Have you ever wondered how a colossal modern cruise ship might handle an engine failure and/or a nasty bit of weather at sea? What is it like to drift aimlessly aboard a vessel that big with hundreds, even thousands, of people when disaster strikes? NO? Well, my morbid curiosity sure did, and lo and behold, I found the perfect book in travel writer Chaney Kwak’s account of peril at sea aboard the Viking Sky! You'll be glad you weren't there, but just like you gobbled up all those books about the Titanic as a kid, you'll be absolutely delighted to read about it from the safety of your couch!

A Traveler’s Guide to the End of the World: Tales of Fire, Wind, and Water by David Gessner | Request Now

David Gessner asks numerous experts what they think it will be like living on this planet in about 40 years, when his daughter will be the age he is now. While the answers and the topic itself, climate change, can be a tough pill to swallow, Gessner’s approach here is riveting, and weirdly, easy to read. No stats-based wallopings, no best or worst-case scenarios, or splitting hairs over how many fractions of a degree of increased temperature will lead to which version. Instead, we get the everyday details that scientists actually think about when considering the realities of life in the U.S. in 2060-something. Is it bleak? Sure! Can we still have fun while exploring this future country? Might as well!

From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find Good Death by Caitlin Doughty | Request Now

If you enjoyed super cool, gross, but still super cool reads like Stiff or Packing for Mars by Mary Roach, then From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty is right up your alley! Doughty already revealed, with warmth and humor, the business of crematories in her 2014 memoir Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Perhaps even more interesting, though, are Doughty’s global travels, which give a post-mortem on death rituals around the world. What she shares is full of heart, surprise, and even hilarity. Some of the rituals described will shock American sensibilities—a trigger list abounds—but the journey is both intimate and epic. The moments of tenderness and existential release are well worth the bumpy stretches of road. If only more books pulled back the curtain to expose different approaches to death, mourning, and the great send-off that everyone gets one way or another. It’s surprisingly comforting to dispel mystery and taboo.

100 Places to See After You Die: A Travel Guide to the Afterlife by Ken Jennings | Request Now

Let’s wrap things up with a killer spin on travel guides that actually serves as an interesting, easy foray into mythology, religion, history, and culture. Ken Jennings’ tongue-in-cheek tour of the afterlife and its variations around the world is ultimately a light-hearted philosophical and historic romp ‘round the globe with beautiful destinations such as Tian (China), Qudlivun (Inuit Alaska, Canada, and Greenland), and Aaru (Ancient Egypt). His thorough research points out hellish pitfalls to avoid, if possible, and tips on traversing them if you must. If you like Jennings’ fun, quirky style, you should also check out Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks.

Countless amazing and meaningful books come out every year, and it is impossible to read them all. Maybe you missed hearing about a title. Maybe you peeped at the hold-list and thought, “Another time.” That time is now: here are four great books that came out in 2025 that are worth circling back for!

Maya & Natasha by Elyse Durham | Request Now

There’s no question that twins Maya and Natasha were born to dance. Abandoned by their mother, a prima ballerina at the Kirov Ballet, the girls were essentially raised at the Vaganova Ballet Academy. Until their senior year, the two were seen as two halves of one whole. But as the year unfolds, and the two find themselves competing for their future, a rift forms and widens, and they start to build lives of their own. While I’m not typically a reader of historical fiction, I was fascinated by immersing myself in Russia during the Cold War. Though a novel, Maya & Natasha is well-researched, containing many “real-life” people and events. Seeing it all through the lens of dance helped keep me engaged. Tense sibling dynamics also mean the plot had personal stakes, as well as political ones.

Back After This by Linda Holmes | Request Now

Podcast producer Cecily knows it’s hard for a person to find success in her industry. So when she’s allowed to help further secure both her and her best work friend’s jobs, she reluctantly agrees to work on the other side of the microphone. Cecily partners with Eliza, an influencer matchmaker, as the single guinea pig whom Eliza will set up on countless dates. That means when she has an extraordinary meet-cute with Will, she has to set their chemistry aside. After all, she has a job to do. And that job is to date. And record her thoughts on said dates for the world to hear. Holmes’ romances, Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo, are also great fits for people on the Emily Henry, or EmHen, train looking for similar stories with well-developed leads that value friendship, identity, and romance.

The Unveiling by Quan Barry | Request Now

Striker doesn’t fit the type—rich, white—that fills her Antarctic cruise, but when she has the opportunity to take one for her job as a film location scout, she takes it. When the unexpected happens on a kayak excursion off the ship, Striker and a small group of her shipmates find themselves fending for themselves in the vast Antarctic waters. The situation is further complicated because Striker did not take the medication that prevents her from having delusions that day. This is a “go-along-for-the-ride” book; I don’t think you’ll be able to determine what is really happening. After all, Striker’s not really sure what’s happening either. I was surprised to see this fresh take on an unreliable narrator filed under horror, as it doesn’t fit the typical horror beats. But the more I thought about it, the tag is fitting. The situation is horrifying, and it’s an otherwise hard-to-categorize book. But its genre-defying eeriness is what keeps me thinking about it, even though it’s been a few months since I read it.

The Float Test by Lynn Steger Strong | Request Now

Following the death of their mother, the four Kenner siblings—Jenn, Fred, Jude, and George—find themselves forced into each other’s lives in a way they haven’t been since childhood. It turns out they each have their own struggles: Jenn is not feeling fulfilled as a mother of six. Fred, a novelist, finds herself unable to write and make a living. George, the “baby” of the family, has separated from his wife and is hampered by his immaturity as he moves back in with his widowed father. Despite her role as narrator, we know less about the second-youngest, Jude, though there is driving tension in her estrangement from Fred. This book is more about who the Kenners are and their relationships with one another. It’s less about any driving plot, despite the gun found early in the book that threatens to serve a Chekhovian role. Read it for the dynamics and the writing, not to find out “what happens next.”

The Ann Arbor Folk Festival has long been a winter gathering place for music rooted in storytelling, tradition, and quiet revelation. Each year, it brings together artists who stretch the definition of folk, blending blues, soul, global influences, and experimental sounds into something deeply human. This year’s lineup continues that tradition, highlighting voices that honor where folk music has been while pushing it somewhere new.

Jon Muq, Flying Away | Request Now

Jon Muq’s Flying Away is a quietly stunning debut, the kind of record that feels both feather-light and deeply rooted, carried by his unmistakable voice—soft, elastic, and full of luminous vulnerability. The album drifts between folk, soul, and dream-pop warmth, but never feels like it’s trying on genres; instead, every song moves with the ease of someone following their own internal compass. Muq writes with a gentle wisdom, letting simple phrases land with emotional weight, and the arrangements give his melodies room to glow—acoustic guitars, airy percussion, and subtle harmonies rising and falling like breath. Flying Away is less about big gestures and more about atmosphere, connection, and the quiet beauty of perspective, marking Muq as an artist capable of turning small moments into something tender and unforgettable.

Greensky Bluegrass, XXV | Request Now

Greensky Bluegrass’ XXV is a warm, lived-in celebration of the band’s 25 years together. It’s a collection of reimagined songs that feel less like retreads and more like cherished stories retold with deeper color and confidence. Instead of trying to overhaul their past, the band leans into the richness time has given their catalog: harmonies settling in like old friends, instrumental interplay that moves with unspoken ease, and guest appearances that blend naturally into the band’s communal spirit. Each track carries the weight of years on the road, from the jubilance of revisited favorites to the quieter, more reflective moments that reveal how much Greensky has grown as storytellers. XXV plays like a musical scrapbook—warm, textured, and full of heart—proof that the band isn’t just looking back, but showing how beautifully their music continues to evolve.

The Crane Wives, Foxlore | Request Now

The Crane Wives’ Foxlore is a darkly vibrant, harmony-rich folk-rock album that marries mythic storytelling with raw emotional urgency, weaving tales of desire, danger, and transformation into a sound that feels both intimate and explosive. The band’s trademark vocal blend—full-throated, haunting, and perfectly interlocked—drives the record forward like a force of nature. The arrangements also strike a powerful balance between delicate acoustic textures and pulsing, percussive intensity. Lyrically, Foxlore walks the line between fable and confession, allowing each song to feel like its own miniature legend, steeped in imagery of beasts, longing, and self-reckoning. It’s an album that grows teeth as it goes, delivering emotional clarity one moment and wildfire energy the next, all while showcasing The Crane Wives’ rare ability to make folk music feel fiercely alive and emotionally cinematic.

Ryan Montbleau, Woodstock Sessions | Request Now

This year’s Ann Arbor Folk Fest MC is singer-songwriter Ryan Montbleau, an artist whose warmth and musical intelligence make him a natural guide for the weekend. His 2018 release Woodstock Sessions, recorded in December 2017 at Applehead Recording in Saugerties, New York, captures Montbleau performing in front of a live audience alongside folk duo Tall Heights. The album showcases the raw strength of his songwriting, presenting his catalog in clear, intimate acoustic form that highlights melody, lyric, and emotional nuance. Applause, banter, and room noise remain intact, lending the recordings an inviting, communal feel without ever distracting from the songs themselves. It’s a document of an artist deeply at ease with his craft—and one that reflects the same generosity and connection he brings to the stage as an MC.

These relatively recent and always fresh fiction titles from some seriously talented African-American authors are the perfect antidote to a stale reading list. It’s a brand new year, so put your resolution to read a “classic” work of literature back on the shelf and try one of these modern marvels instead! It just so happens that three out of these four recs feature main characters who are writers, where their work plays a major role in the story. That wasn’t planned, but the result is a pick list perfect for those who love the self-aware novel, where authors play with their craft, and we readers are in on the fun.

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor | Request Now

I wish you could request this book from the library and then remove the dust jacket to see how thoroughly the story-within-a-story concept is baked into this beautiful book. You can crack it open to find slick readability, style, and sharp wit. Okorafor’s latest afro-futuristic tale weaves, nay blurs, layers of storytelling while somehow juggling AI, robots, and the occasional Maine Coon cat. How does Okorafor do it? Enjoy this meta treat from one of the best literary talents of our time!

Colored Television by Danzy Senna | Request Now

We actually had Danzy Senna at the Downtown library for an author talk when this came out! In Colored Television, Jane, a biracial writer, is struggling to produce a successful next book, parent the kids, pay the bills, and save her marriage. Frustrated on all counts, she turns to a potential Hollywood deal writing a new TV show to turn things around. Relying on Hollywood is always a gamble, though, right? This darkly funny poke at the diversity industrial complex (and society at large) throws its weight in all the right places to deliver alternating gut punches and belly laughs about art, love, making it, and making ends meet. 

Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell | Request Now

Suspend your disbelief, your need to tie up plot holes, to have everything make tidy sense, and you just might make it through one of the most interesting dystopian treks of the last few years. The premise? On the same day, every white person in America inexplicably drowns themselves. Yep. With that, Campbell’s tumultuous stage is set, and if the set piece is white people erasing themselves, the soundtrack is a big what-if? Fair warning: the main character has spent years in prison for a rape he did not commit. Now free, after the collapse of the old social/power structures, he agrees to help his biracial daughter travel south to the Kingdom of Alabama in search of her “missing” white family. It’s an explosive fiction debut à la fascinating thought experiment.

Love is an Open Book by Chandra Blumberg | Request Now

In the mood for something light, joyful, and just a tad spicy, but mostly sweet? Give Chandra Blumberg’s buoyant romance a try! It’s a lovely counter to some of the tougher—but still great!—picks on this list. It’s a fast little page-turner with perfectly tuned will-they-won’t-they tension. It follows Mia, stymied by writer’s block, and her bestie, Gavin, as they embark on a delightful “experiment” with romance novel tropes. But Mia’s writing fodder isn’t the only thing blossoming between them. To sweeten the deal, Blumberg is a Michigander! 

Do you need a reset after New Year’s? Are you participating in Dry or Damp January? From the perfect cup of coffee to boba tea recipes to non-alcoholic cocktails, these zero-proof titles will give you more than enough recipes to make your next delicious drink. You can also find a whole range of books about drinks, alcoholic and non, here.

Mocktail Party: 75 Plant-Based, Non-Alcoholic Mocktail Recipes for Every Occasion by Kerry Benson & Diana Licalzi Request Now

First, I have an annoyance with this book: why specify plant-based? A White Russian or the occasional bacon-fat-washed cocktail aside, most drinks—and almost all spirits—are plant-based. However, if you can ignore this marketing scheme, you will be rewarded with a great list of mocktails. With a large frozen section, I think Mocktail Party is useful during the summer, but it also boasts a fun holiday section with some tasty fall and winter selections. This book is completely free of alcoholic options, and any dairy options use coconut or nut milk. Maybe that’s why they are plant-based? Okay, okay, I’m letting it go!

 
Boba: Classic, Fun, and Refreshing Bubble Teas to Make at Home by Stacey Kwong & Beyah del Mundo | Request Now

Are you burning through your money at too many of Ann Arbor’s excellent boba tea shops? Learn how to make your own at home! I admit that I personally am not a big fan of boba and always get my tea without it. However, if you want to take on the task of making it yourself, this book offers two recipes: one made from pre-purchased boba and one from tapioca flour. Even if you don’t like boba, this book’s many fruit syrups and jams would be useful for any drink! About half of Boba's recipes call for tea, and about half don’t. I’m most excited to try the adorable pink drink, “The Piglet,” which uses strawberry coconut milk.

How To Drink Coffee: Recipes for Java Brews and Café Treats by Sarah Ford | Request Now

Perhaps you're thinking to yourself, “But I already know how to drink coffee!” Okay, sure, but do you know how to make a great coffee drink? When I first picked up this book, I thought it would be more about the history of coffee or would be packed with specific brewing instructions. It does have short sections on both, but the bulk of the book is recipes. A few are alcoholic, but most are not. In addition to tasty recipes like gingerbread latte and cold-brew soda, this book also has several food options. If you’d like to learn how to bake with coffee or an easy way to make coffee ice cream, How to Drink Coffee is for you! 

Zero Proof Drinks & More: 100 Recipes for Mocktails & Low-Alcohol Cocktails by Maureen Petrosky | Request Now

With a beautiful full-color photograph of every drink, this book will inspire you to bust out your ingredients and start mixing! First, learn how to make an array of syrups and shrubs, which feature vinegar-based flavors. Then, you can mix those with other easy-to-find ingredients to get your perfect drink! More than three-quarters of Zero Proof Drinks feature drinks that are non-alcoholic, but there are a few low-alcohol-by-volume options at the end. I like that the book also has a whole punch and pitcher section for inviting friends over! And although it might be hard to improve on a Shirley Temple, I’m excited to try the less sugary, more adult Shirley T., made with ginger and lime rather than Sprite. 

Why go out when the library can provide everything needed for a cozy night in? Full disclosure: This entire list reflects my own bias of what cozy is—so you do you! That said, pajamas are mandatory. The more you look like the Sleepytime Tea bear, the better. 

Soup & Comfort: A Cookbook of Homemade Recipes to Warm the Soul by Pamela Ellgen | Request Now

We’re starting our cozy evening with some dinner, and what is cozier than soup? Ellgen includes 135 recipes, using fresh and affordable ingredients that cater to a variety of dietary preferences and tastes, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Along with the recipes are tips to make soup faster and easier with stock-making instructions, slow-cooker wisdom, and ways to liven up leftovers. The world of soup is here for you to enjoy one spoonful at a time. You can also enjoy other comfort food cookbook options in our catalog!

PHO by Victo Ngai | Request Now

You may be thinking, “Another soup-related idea?” Well, yes. WE'RE FOCUSING ON COZY. With that being said, this will be the last soup-themed item on this list, so enjoy it while it lasts! This 500-piece puzzle by Victo Ngai is perfect for an evening in. PHO? YES, PLEASE. Sit back, work on a cozy puzzle, and listen to some tunes. If 500 pieces are too many or too few for you, then you can browse our puzzle collection here! 

The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean | Request Now

Speaking of tunes, Olivia Dean is taking the world of music by storm with her jazzy soul sound. This album is perfect for easy listening or solving puzzles. The song, “Man I Need,” has been blowing up lately as one of the poppier songs on the album, but I highly encourage you to listen to the whole album! The final song, “I've Seen It,” is especially lovely. Some alternate cozy listening includes Yazmin Lacey or Amber Mark.

When Harry Met Sally | Request Now

This is a classic friends-to-lovers rom-com that has stood the test of time! The film follows two best friends over the years as they fight their attraction to each other. It’s an absolute delight from start to finish. You may have seen When Harry Met Sally before, but hear me out. A cozy movie isn’t gonna throw twists at you. And no jump scares either! A rewatch of a classic movie is perfectly cozy, and a movie with twists can be cozy if you have already seen it. Plus, you have the added benefit of falling asleep during the movie and not having to worry about what you missed! Honorable mention cozy movies include Knives Out, My Neighbor Totoro, Little Women, and Fantastic Mr. Fox.
 

We all approach the new year with different interpretations of goals, resolutions, or the lack thereof! There’s certainly no one right way to enter a new year, but if you’re looking for something new to do in 2026, why not try picking up a new hobby? AADL is full of how-to books on crafts, activities, skills, and DIY projects. You might be surprised at what interests you or what you are good at! Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Crafting a Better World: Inspiration and DIY Projects for Craftivists by Diana Weymar | Request Now

Diana Weymar is a well-known “craftivist”—that is, a crafter who uses their work for activism. She knows that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the world these days, and sometimes difficult to find an outlet for worries and fears. This was her inspiration for Crafting a Better World—a book that encourages its readers to combat fatigue and frustration with the handmade. The book is chock-full of craft ideas related to activism that one can do alone or with their community. It also has essays, profiles of famous creatives, and contributions from other artists and activists, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Rosanne Cash, Roz Chast, and many more.

Block Prints: How to Make Them by William S. Rice | Request Now

Originally published in 1941, this updated edition of the classic block printing book includes a new introduction. Readers will be delighted to see the illustrations included amongst the pages that walk beginning block printers through the technique. An avid block printer, William S. Rice includes step-by-step directions for the process. This book is also helpful for those already familiar with and skilled at block printing. However, Rice discusses using more advanced techniques and designs, explores printing with more than one block, and highlights matting and framing block prints.

DIY: Repair, Renovate, and Decorate With Over 400 Step-by-Step Projects by Julian Cassell | Request Now

This hefty book covers a lot of ground for DIY home projects and home repairs. It’s a great one to pick up if you’re considering different projects or looking for some ideas of what to do around the home. While broad, there are step-by-step guides to a wide variety of projects, from fitting a shower cubicle to choosing the painting technique that best suits the room you are painting. Photographs are helpful in this book, too, allowing readers to visualize what Julian Cassell is talking about when describing parts, tools, equipment, and materials. There’s a large section on making your home more eco-conscious, too.

The Art of Whittling: A Woodcarver’s Guide to Making Things by Hand by Niklas Karlsson | Request Now

As the jacket of the book says, “Whittling is more than just a way of busying idle hands – it is a pastime for those who love the texture of wood and a way of life for those who feel a special connection between people and trees.” Whittling is also a fabulous way to quiet the mind. It takes focus and precision, but also allows for creativity and individual interpretation on each project. In this lovely book by Niklas Karlsson, you’ll learn about the history of whittling, including the ways that different people have used it as artistic expression. You’ll also learn about different woods and how they affect your project, various whittling techniques—from the simple to the more challenging—and all about the tools you’ll need to get started. Karlsson also emphasizes woodworking as a practice of the Danish art of hygge. It translates loosely into finding coziness and comfort in a warm atmosphere. Beginners may appreciate how this book offers a slightly more contemplative view of woodworking than other, more straightforward how-to guides.

When life feels a bit too stressful, cozy fantasy books can be the perfect escape. Who couldn’t get behind being whisked away to enchanting worlds where quirky characters navigate delightful adventures? So grab a hot cup of cocoa, a tea, or your favorite beverage, and plan out your cozy fantasy reading list from these titles. 

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst | Request Now
Kiela is a librarian working at the Great Library of Alyssium with her assistant Caz, who happens to be a sentient spider plant. Each are dedicated to safeguarding the empire’s extensive knowledge of magic and spells. But when a revolution breaks out and rebels set the library on fire, they have no choice but to escape with a few crates of books. Keila seeks shelter in the only place she knows will be secure: her childhood home in Caltrey, a distant island removed from the empire’s reach and the chaos of the rebellion. Unfortunately, the island is struggling since the empire stopped sending sorcerers whose magic helped this once flourishing region. Kiela has the power to restore it with the spellbooks she possesses but it is illegal, and if the empire survives and she is caught, it could mean death. With such memorable characters as the nosy, handsome neighbor Larren who runs a merhorse farm and Bryn the antlered woman who loves to bake, Kiela knows she must do something so she opens up a secret spellshop. Get ready to wrap yourself in a comfy sweater, and enjoy a cuppa while reading this magical story. 

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy | Request Now
Leo Loveage is learning to be a scriver of minor spells at the Fount, a well-respected magical school. He really doesn’t want to be here, but his dad insisted. Leo is o.k. with being average, since bad things happen when he tries anything like grandmagic. But even an average spell can cause trouble, as he finds out when he accidentally gets tied to Sebastian Grimm, a rival and top student. Now, Leo has to follow Grimm’s every order and stick close to him. Neither are happy about this since they can’t stand each other. Teaming up to find a counterspell is their only option and they must do this in secret since control spells are a no-go on campus, even those that are accidental. So, they head to the Unquiet Wood, where a powerful witch is said to live. They just need to get past all the weird creatures and not end up killing each other along the way. An utterly delightful read with a perfect blend of sarcastic humor, dry wit, and sweetness (mostly from Leo’s character). The classic enemies to lovers’ arc is a big part of this story but with the occasional irreverence and emotional depth this rises above the rest. Now if Doocy will just finish the sequel!

Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher | Request Now
Mona is a wizard, but let’s be real, her magic isn’t exactly impressive or even very powerful. Her special ability is all about bread! Still, she loves spending her days baking in her aunt and uncle’s bakery. Or at least she did. Because out of nowhere, a body shows up on the kitchen floor, and she gets arrested and brought before the Duchess, plunging her into a mess that involves a serial killer, the discrimination against magical people, and an urgent need for the city to have twelve-foot-tall gingerbread guards. Now all she wants is to make it to her fifteenth birthday in one piece. A great read for teens and adults about growing up and becoming the magical girl that saves a kingdom! Kingfisher imbues the story with humor and heart with such lovable and memorable characters, including animal and inanimate objects. A fast-paced, entertaining read. 

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang | Request Now
Serin is a teen who lives with her mother after her father dies and sister runs away from home. With the family facing financial difficulties, Serin fears that her future appears bleak. She feels as though there is no place in the world where she fits in. Having abandoned her hopes to attend the university, her affordable and state-sponsored taekwondo class is her most cherished pastime. But not all hope is lost as there are whispers that during the monsoon season, the dokkaebi (Korean goblins) summon the unfortunate to the Rainfall Market. If she is selected and can make it there, the dokkaebi will fulfill her lifelong dreams. When she receives the ticket to the market, she begins to ponder: what does she truly desire? And will achieving that bring her genuine happiness? It is a simple fable following Serin’s quest to discover her perfect life while meeting a cast of characters that teach lessons along the way, including a magical cat companion Issha. A book for the old and young that reminds us that there is no such thing as a magical solution to our problems but we can create our own happiness by fostering hope and courage alongside those most dear to us.

Jane Austen, born December 16, 1775, celebrates her semiquincentennial birthday this year - happy 250th, Jane! Her novels have more than stood the test of time, inspiring mashups, parodies, homages, gender-swapped reinterpretations, alternative (sometimes intergalactic) settings, and of course, screen adaptations. Here are some highlights of Austen adaptations available from AADL's circulating and streaming video collection!

Sense & Sensibility (2008)
This 2008 miniseries invests time in character backstory in this Austen favorite, helping to round out and give more grounding to characters like Edward Ferrars and John Willoughby. This iteration of Dashwood girls, especially Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield, are just as easy to root for as the 1995 sibling duo. Which brings us to...Sense & Sensibility (1995)! This cast is incredible, but I think the real star of the production is the Emma Thompson's Oscar-winning screenplay adaptation. Add Ang Lee's direction, Kate Winslet glowing against Alan Rickman's glowering, and Hugh Laurie, whose minor character couldn't look more annoyed than if he were playing Dr. House for yet another season. Put it all together and you have a perfect storm of Jane Austen movie magic! 

Emma (2009)
The BBC's 4-part miniseries features Romola Garai as Emma and includes Jonny Lee Miller as the steadfast Mr. Knightley and Michael Gambon as the fusspot Mr. Woodhouse. As a very faithful adaptation, it makes a great starting place for those whose may have only experienced this Austen work through Amy Heckerling's much looser 1995 adaptation, Clueless. For a newer adaptation, try Emma (2020), which stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Josh O'Connor, Mia Goth, and Bill Nighy, hypochondriacally sniffling his way through the entire production. Jane Austen famously said Emma Woodhouse was an unlikeable heroine but nowhere have I seen it depicted more heart-stoppingly than through Miranda Hart's performance in the picnic scene.

Persuasion (2007)
Sally Hawkins' portrayal of the admirable and steadfast Anne Elliot stands out among the fickle and faithless family around her. Persuasion is a slower-paced Austen story, where the drama is in the past and the story is unfolding around living with a decision made in one's youth. Sally Hawkins's delicate expressions are a perfect fit for this exceptional grown-up of an Austen heroine. This is a subtler and quieter Austen adaptation experience, but no less captivating.

Pride & Prejudice (1995) 
Available to bewitch you, body and soul, via AADL's streaming video collection forever! This 6-part miniseries features the delightful Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett and Colin Firth as the aloof but sometimes also dripping wet Fitzwilliam Darcy. The casting is off the charts here, with Lydia and Mrs. Bennett chewing up all the scenery a parlor could possibly provide, but my hands-down favorite role here is David Bamber's Mr. Collins, who hits all the right ingratiating, pathetic notes as the least welcome cousin anywhere from Kent to Hertfordshire. But if a mini-series is just too long, and the 2005 Keira Knightley/Matthew MacFadyen adaptation is too traditional, then give Bride & Prejudice a spin! It's the familiar story of a fussing parent seeking good matches for her children, set in Amritsar, and featuring impossibly catchy Bollywood musical numbers, and only adding to the magic of the source material.