Every episode of Quick Picks is essentially a list of stuff we recommend, but the list of our favorite books at the end of the year is the episode Tana and I look forward to the most. Below are the books we discussed and a list of the books others at the library thought were the best. Discussed: Calling for a Blanket Dance, by Oscar Hokeah Horse, by Geraldine Brooks All the Sinners Bleed, by S.A. Cosby The Queen of Dirt Island, by Donal Ryan Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano Small Mercies, by Dennis Lehane The Running Grave, by Robert Galbraith Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver The Fox ..read more

Not all holiday movies need to be squeaky clean kids' stuff. There's a lot out there for adults as well and Nick Rodriguez joins me to discuss some of our favorite off-beat holiday favorites. Discussed: Elf Nightmare Before Christmas Christmas Story Bad Santa Krampus Black Christmas The Ref Home Alone Bad Moms Christmas A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas Christmas With the Kranks Love Actually Stepmom The Holiday Muppets Christmas Carol Spirited Klaus Jingle Jangle Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Frosty the Snowman How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1965) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Char ..read more

Tana is back and together we discuss things for which we have a bit of a soft spot: book books. Whether it's a book about a bookstore or a library, the people who work in them are like cousins to us, and we love reading about our people. We're only scratching the surface with this list, but it's a good tasting if you're a booklover and looking to connect with characters who are also booklovers. Paris Library – Janet Skeslien Charles Library of Legends – Janie Chang Lost and Found Bookshop – Susan Wiggs Bookish Life of Nina Hill – Abbi Waxman How to Find Love in a Bookshop – Veronica Henry Book ..read more

Valentine's Day can be divisive for those who embrace all the romance and love, and those who can't stand it. Tana and I are here to talk about books that made us laugh, gave us warm and fuzzy feelings, and had a little bit of romance, to try to bridge the gap between those who love all things romantic on Valentine's Day and those who do not. The Flatshare, by Beth O'Leary Evvie Drake Starts Over, by Linda Holmes The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, by Abbi Waxman Talk Bookish To Me, by Kate Bromley Author: Mary Kay Andrews I've Got Your Number, by Sophie Kinsella The Hating Game, by Sally Thorne ..read more

Tana and Aleece discuss three recommendations each in their favorite genres: adult fiction and manga. The books discussed are as follows:  White Crysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo The King's Beast by Rei Toma Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/quick-picks/message ..read more

For most people, the holiday season means family time, which can be wonderful or it can be incredibly frustrating. Tana is back to discuss some of our favorite books that are about family, the good and the bad. Discussed: The Lost Man, by Jane Harper Tallgrass, by Sandra Dallas Razorblade Tears, S. A. Cosby The Survivors, by Jane Harper Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, by Heather Webber The Mountains Sing, by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai Dutch House, by Ann Patchett Mentioned: Persian Pickle Club, by Sandra Dallas Patchwork Bride, by Sandra Dallas Prayers for Sale, by Sandra Dallas Blacktop Wasteland ..read more

Happy Native American Heritage Day! Join Kelly and me for a great discussion about some of the fantastic books by or about Native Nations. We have books for young kids, tweens, teens, and adults, celebrating and teaching us about indigenous culture. We both are excited and hopeful for the doors that have opened to Native American authors, and we would like to shout from the rooftops that we also need audiobooks read by indigenous people. We hope you find something of interest to pick up and try out. Discussed: We are Still Here: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know, by Traci Sorell I ..read more

A lot of popular series have a new book that either just came out or is coming soon and Tana joins me to discuss our recent favorites. Discussed: The Mason Series: The Confession Club, by Elizabeth Berg The Jaipur Trilogy: The Perfumist of Paris, by Alka Joshi Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series: Before Your Memory Fades, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi Finlay Donovan Series: Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, by Elle Cosimano Beartown Series: The Winners, by Fredrik Backman Scholomance Series: The Golden Enclaves, by Naomi Novik Thursday Murder Club Series: The Bullet That Missed, by Richard Osman --- Send ..read more

The phrase "of a certain age" is so emblematic of the vague way we describe women in midlife and beyond because they seem to become more and more invisible as they age, and as I'm venturing through this precarious stage in life, I'm looking for more female characters I can relate to, who are not tied to hearth and home as their identity. I've had a few in my head for this episode for a while, but I found a few more with some research, and I'd like to share those with everyone so you also can enjoy spunky, sharp women who are not just someone's mom or someone's grandmom. Enjoy! Discussed: Brit ..read more

I love ghosts. I grew up loving ghosts like Casper and Gus and even when I found stories where they weren't so friendly, I still loved them. Ghost stories are my absolute favorite and I'm going to share with you some of the creepy, ghoulish ghost stories you may not know about, or maybe you do and just need a nudge to try them. There is no better time to hang out with an apparition or visit a haunted house than October, so grab a warm blanket and some hot cocoa and settle in with a spooky tale like these. Mentioned: Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens The Legen ..read more