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I’m the Adult Services Librarian here at the Waukee Public Library. When I’m not ordering all the library’s books for adults, planning the adult events, curating the library’s art gallery, and plotting world domination—I’m also the Lit+Fix editor. Outside of the library, I spend a lot of my time doing coursework for my graduate classes and working on home improvement projects. So, it’s very important to me to carve out a few hours at the end of each day to indulge in reading. Fantasy in all its forms is my jam. YA, magical realism, historical retellings, mystery, romance, horror, graphic novels—I like it all. Anti-heroes & anti-heroines are my weakness. The villain who deep, deep down has a good heart, the hero who’s moral compass doesn’t point to true north after all. These lovable jerks are my absolute favorite—because white knights and damsels in distress are overrated and downright boring. Outside of fantasy, I also enjoy reading lifestyle books (they’re the book equivalent of those silly Buzzfeed quizzes I find irresistible), culture-focused nonfiction (I’m really into death culture & Japanese traditions/folklore right now), WTH/sucker-punch books (Chuck Palahniuk is the king of these), and a variety of graphic novels & manga. Overall, I’m not really a linear reader—I read in accordance with my curiosity and whims. To quote Stranger Things, “I am on a curiosity voyage, and I need my paddles to travel. These books are my paddles. I need my paddles!” |
Alex's Picks
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Hi! I’m Judy and I have been a life-long reader! I was even the goof-ball girl that kept a list of “books read” in middle school. And yes….I still keep lists. I have my personal list of “books read” AND I’m the keeper of my book club’s list. The best list contains the books I still want to read—and it is very long! I’m a lover of anything on the best seller lists, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and mystery/suspense. I like getting to know the characters—especially strong and resilient women. When I find an author I enjoy I usually go back for more. Some of my favorites are John Shors, Jodi Picoult, Elin Hilderbrand, Adriana Trigiani, and Kristin Hannah. I would be happy to share ideas for your Book Club, the beach, or for a relaxing hot bath—just please don’t drop the library book in the water! True confession: I’m not very good at sitting down for very long which is why reading is a true relaxation for me. My husband and I like to travel, explore new things and music events, walk our Beagle mix (Bailey) and cook. He may be a better cook, but I’m a better baker….I’m just sayin’. Stop in the library and I’ll share my lists (and a big smile) Happy Reading! |
Judy's Favorites
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As a mom of two young kiddos, I judge books by their cover. Too many books, too little time. However, once I’m into a book, I ignore all people and responsibilities to finish it. I am also a firm believer that you don’t have to finish a book you don’t like. #RuleBreaker I love my fiction reads to be light, fluffy, and contemporary with at least a little bit of a romance. Bonus points for quirky, strong female characters. Occasionally, I’ll read outside of my preferred genres of Cozy Mystery and Romance. I like a variety of non-fiction, including anything about pirates and archeology. |
Laura's Picks
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I am a bit of a literary omnivore—I love jumping from genre to genre and from author to author but tend to really latch on to books that both whisk me away to somewhere else and let me see my own world in a new way. I adore a character-driven story, an audacious literary experiment, or a distinctive voice and will always pick up the zeitgeist-y book of the moment (even if I finally get to it a few years late.) And as a proto-cinephile (if I do say so myself) I also gravitate towards books adapted for the screen—watching the process of seeing a novel translated to a new medium is always fascinating. I love cooking and traveling, so I always cycle back to new cookbooks, food writing, and travel writing. And as a resident of #BookTok, I love talking about books almost as much as the books themselves, so please stop me for a book, movie, or pop culture chat at the library any time! |
Alexus' Favorites
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At the risk of sounding like an English department admissions essay, I have to admit I’m a hopeless idealist when it comes to books. I think books have the power to make the world a better place by making readers better people. (I know. But it’s true.) Books can give you a new perspective, make you more compassionate, entertain you, teach you a new skill, and make you happy. My favorite books do at least a few of these at once. I like to read books that show me what it’s like to be someone else, fiction and nonfiction alike, and hopefully become a kinder and more understanding person in the process. I also like to check out bestsellers of all kinds, from middle grade to literary fiction, to see why they’re so popular. Sometimes I read classics for the sake of being well-read, and sometimes I read young adult fiction for the sheer fun of it. I love books that can make me laugh out loud. My selections may seem random, but if you consider the above, a pattern may emerge. |
Jeni's Picks
