Here’s what our staff are reading!

Looking for something interesting to read? Here is what we’ve been reading! Each book is linked to our catalog. Every month we meet and share things we’ve read based on a specific theme.

February 2026 

Theme: LOVE – in all of its forms and iterations … a book or author you love, a place you love, romance, love of a pet or thing, loss of love, friendship … you see where we’re am going with this.

BETH

  • Lore Olympus (YA GN) by Rachel Smythe
    • Many say the story of Persephone is a tale of human trafficking and that Persephone was a helpless pawn – this tells a different narrative. Lore Olympus empowers Persephone and sheds light on the deep love between her and Hades. And for those of you who like an animated series, Netflix has picked up this story and it should be available soon.
  • Kaiju 8 – Relax by Kizuku Watanabe (Manga)
    • This series tells the story of what Kaiju hunters do on their “off” time. Highlighting the importance of relationships, rest, and work-life balance, these characters are funny, focused, and really love to relax.

AMANDA

KATHLEEN

NICK

  • The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (FN)
    • Oceans 11 meets Game of Thrones in this fantasy heist series about a band of “gentlemen bastards” led by Locke Lamora. As he and his band of thieves plot their shenanigans, Locke is grieving the loss of his love and their relationship. Recently ended.
  • Sandman Vol. 4 Seasons of Mist by Neil Gaiman (GN)
    • In this installment of the Sandman series, Dream is attempting to repair a past broken relationship.
  • Transmetropolitan (GN) by Warren Ellis
    • “In a future where consumerism, superficiality and corruption reign supreme, outlaw journalist Spider Jerusalem has decided to stop sitting by idly and watching the world crumble around him. Back in the saddle, no one in The City is safe. After years of self-imposed exile from a civilization rife with degradation and indecency, cynical journalist Spider Jerusalem is forced to return to a job that he hates and a city that he loathes. Working as an investigative reporter for the newspaper The Word, Spider attacks the injustices of his surreal 21st century surroundings. Combining black humor, life-threatening situations and moral ambiguity, Warren Ellis’ legendary series is the first look into the mind of an outlaw journalist and the world he seeks to destroy. This new trade paperback recut series features behind-the-scenes material, variant covers and scripts from the graphic novel series run.”– Provided by publisher.

MEGAN

  • What the River Knows by Isabelle Ibanez (YS Historical Fiction)
    • If you like historical fiction, Egytology, adventure, and a little romance then you will love this novel about an aristocratic woman who defies her family and travels to Egypt where she encounters mystery, mayhem, and love.
  • Tusk Love (FN) by Thea Guanzon
    • “As the daughter of an ambitious merchant, Guinevere has a predetermined path: marry into a noble house of the Dwendalian Empire, raise her family’s station, and live quietly as a lordling’s obedient wife. But Guinevere longs for a life unbounded by expectations–for freedom and passion and adventure. Those distant dreams become a sudden reality when her caravan is beset by bandits, leaving her guards slain and Guinevere stranded alone on the dangerous Amber Road. Her only chance of survival is to travel alongside Oskar, an aloof half-orc who saved her during the attack. Unlike Guinevere’s path, Oskar’s is not set in stone. With his mother dead and his apprenticeship abandoned, all that’s left for him is a long, lonely walk to a land he’s never seen to find family he’s never met. The last thing he needs is a spoiled waif like Guinevere slowing him down–even if the spark between them sizzles with promise. Despite his cold exterior, Oskar is brave, thoughtful, and unlike anyone Guinevere has ever met. And while Guinevere may be sheltered, she brings out a softness in Oskar that he has never dared to feel before. As the flames of their passion grow, they realize that soon they’ll need to choose between their expected destinations and their blossoming romance– Provided by publisher.
  • Mr. Villain’s Day Off (manga) by Yuu Morikawa
    • He’s high up in the demon army and set on destroying the Earth and all its inhabitants … except PANDAS. He will do anything to see pandas, be with pandas, and save pandas; including allowing the people of Earth to live.

JULIE

  • Seven percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O’Clover
    • This book was nominated for a Colorado Teen book award last year
    • Creating an app that can predict a person’s future with 93% accuracy, Ro Deveraux garners the attention of tech investors when it goes viral and is thrust into a fake dating scenario with her ex-best friend, who is her projected soul mate.
  • Action Park: fast times, wild rides, and the untold story of America’s most dangerous amusement park (NF) by Andy Mulvihill
    • Written by the friend of Julie’s sister, this nonfiction recalls the most dangerous theme park of all times. Known for lawsuits, injuries and mayhem, the park’s history is a walk down memory lane for people who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s on the east coast.
  • Shake the Devil Off (NF) by Ethan Brown
    • The true story of well-known New Orleans residents known for helping others, especially during and after Katrina, that ends in murder suicide. The people of New Orleans were shocked and horrified to learn that Zach had murdered girlfriend Adde and taken his own life. Even in death, Zach’s love for Adde drove him.

TIM

  • The Orc King (FN) by R.A. Salvatore
    • Imagine a world where a dark Elf finds his way to the world’s surface to find what is good and right – with Could You be Love by Bob Marley as the soundtrack. This is a story of hope, finding your people, and love of self and others.
  • Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins
    • Author Tom Robbins died last year leaving a hole in the literary world. This tale is a spiritual uniquely framed in hope and love. “Switters, an anarchist pacifist who works for the government and carries a gun, chases after his teenage stepsister, only to become madly enamored of a nun a decade older than he is.”

LESLIE

SARA

January 2026

Theme: NEW! (new release, new in the title, a new author for you, about a new experience, something new you want to learn )

LESLIE –

New books on my TBR pile:

JULIE –

  • The Uncool by Cameron Crowe – this memoir looks at his whole career and title such because that is how he has always looked at himself. He shares how the movie Almost Famous is based on his experiences as a teen. He narrates the book and it is truly a love letter to his mother.
  • Read Your Mind by Oz Pearlman – this reads like a self-help book, and is all about how to train your mind and get yourself to your greatest potential. This is narrated by the author, who is a mentalist.

KATHLEEN –

BETH –

MEGAN –

  • Everything is tuberculosis: the history and persistence of our deadliest infection by John Green – Megan shared that the city of Colorado Springs has a long and tangled history with this disease and she found the background interesting.
  • Megan also shared about a YouTube show she has been watching called LAST MEALS.
    •  “What would your last meal be? Join Mythical Chef Josh and celebrity guests as they dig into their ultimate last meal, sharing surprising tastes, personal memories, and culinary stories.”

SARA:   Most of the books she shared are the books the CO Blue Spruce Award Teen Judging Team (DejaVu Alchemy have been reading. For this award, eligible books must be PUBLISHED IN 2024 or 2025, But NOT: First made as a movie, not self published, not in the same series as a previous winner.)

Our team’s top three choices for the award are:

Two new books Sara has been reading are: