Book Picks from Your Local Library for Dec. 17

Are you or a little reader in your life need of a new favorite book?

These suggestions from the staff members at the might help readers of all ages. This week’s children’s book recommendation was written by public services assistant II, Karen Schmidt, of the children’s department. And the adult recommendations were written by public services assistant Rachel Vaughn.

For adults:

Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb
Christmastime and nostalgia go hand in hand, so cozy up by the fire and relax with this charming little holiday novel. Author Wally Lamb takes us back to Christmas 1964 where parochial school fifth-grader Felix Funicello—yes, a distant relative to Annette!—is finding it difficult to figure out this whole “growing up” thing. The 1960s setting is sure to take you down memory lane while Felix and his antics will warm your heart with a few laughs.

Clouds without Rain by P.L. Gaus
In this third installment of the Amish-country series, Professor Michael Branden finds himself teaming up with the Holmes County Sheriff’s department to uncover what really caused a fatal crash between a horse-and-buggy and an eighteen-wheeler. As the investigation develops the body count increases, important town officials go missing and Branden discovers suspicious property deals and the presence of Amish teen gangs. Ohio author P.L. Gaus brings an intriguing mix of mystery and insight to Amish-country.

For kids:

Heart of a Snowman by Mary Kuryla and Eugene Yelchin
This is a picture book that explores the mystery of where snowmen go on a warm day. On Christmas Eve, Owen gets abducted to an alien planet where he watches as snowmen are taken apart and cleaned up in order to be reassembled.  But Owen discovers that it really does take a child to give a snowman a heart. Recommended for ages 5 to 10.

Summaries may be based in part from information in the library's catalogue.