The Librarian's Nightstand, Spring 2026
There’s nothing our branch librarians love more than sharing a great read—and this post brings together one standout pick from each of them. Here are the books that recently caught their attention and earned a spot on their must-read lists.
You might notice one voice missing this time around—we’re excited to welcome our newest branch librarian, Astrid, who just joined us this week at Tansley Woods Branch! She’ll be joining the lineup for our summer round. Stay tuned—there’s more great reading ahead.
The Picks
Books our branch librarians have recently read and recommend.
Aldershot Branch Librarian Kumkum
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman begins when Earth is suddenly turned into a massive alien-run dungeon game show broadcast across the universe. Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s pampered cat, Princess Donut, must battle monsters, dodge traps, and survive increasingly ridiculous levels. Princess Donut steals every scene with her sassy attitude and unexpectedly heroic antics.
Blending video-game mechanics with sharp satire about media spectacle, the story is fast, funny, chaotic, and clever. Even newcomers to LitRPG will find the clear “level-by-level” structure easy to follow. Expect memorable characters, strange creatures, and absurd moments. A fast-growing cult favourite, this offbeat adventure will appeal to fans of the satirical fantasy of Terry Pratchett. This first book in a series is currently being adapted for the screen and contains crude humour and wild action.
Kumkum often reads two to three books at a time, selecting from various genres, including mysteries and thrillers, relationship fiction, contemporary and historical fiction, memoirs, and non-fiction.
Alton Branch Librarian Deepti
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins is a simple but powerful read about learning to let go of what you cannot control. The ideas are easy to understand and feel very real for everyday life. I appreciated how approachable it is: it doesn't feel overly technical while still offering meaningful insight.
What I loved most was how it gently reminds us that we don’t have to carry other people’s choices, which reduces our stress a lot. It left me feeling calmer and lighter. A great pick for anyone looking to stress less, build healthier relationships, and focus on their own peace of mind.
Teacher-turned-librarian Deepti loves a good suspense mystery—especially books by master storyteller, Jeffrey Archer—or young adult fiction adventures.
Brant Hills Branch Sarah
Finding Flora by Elinor Florence is a wonderfully written and captivating historical fiction set in 1905 turn-of-the-century Alberta, when homesteading was a way to secure land and a place in life. Scottish newcomer Flora Craigie jumps from a moving train headed west to escape her newlywed, abusive husband. With nowhere to go, she stumbles across an opportunity to purchase a homestead with her maiden name and hopes her husband never finds her. Despite the odds being stacked against her and her closest neighbour, a widow with three young children, this novel explores the immense barriers they face, the treacherous landscape and true grit Flora emboldens to build and maintain her homestead.
This book is reminiscent of The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes and The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, two novels I also greatly enjoyed.
Sarah's favourite genres include romance, cozy Christmas fiction, and the niche realm of space horror. Her top picks from last year were Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young, and the Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage.
Central Branch Librarian Sarah-Ann
Vampires have been a staple of fiction for centuries, so it takes something special to make the genre feel new again, and this novel delivers in every way! Told across three timelines, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab follows Maria in 1532, Charlotte in 1827, and Alice in 2019. Each woman’s narrative is compelling on its own, but as the novel unfolds, subtle connections begin to emerge, weaving their lives together in surprising and satisfying ways.
What makes this book stand out is not just its reimagining of vampire lore, but its emotional depth. At its core, it’s a story about identity, desire, and the cost of immortality. This gripping, atmospheric read will appeal to fans of vampire fiction and anyone who enjoys character-driven stories and strong emotional stakes.
Sarah enjoys switching up her reading genres to keep things fresh, though fantasy, romance, and action books hold a special place in her heart. Favourites include The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, and Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto.
New Appleby Branch Librarian Kathleen
Recently, I read Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura, a quietly magical novel that begins with a simple request: a young woman hoping to reconnect with a deceased TV star who once changed her life. She meets Ayumi Shibuya, a mysterious teenage boy who offers an unusual service: reuniting the living with the dead, just once, under the light of a full moon. As Ayumi moves between clients in a luxury hotel, the novel unfolds through a series of poignant encounters, from a grieving girl burdened by guilt to a man searching for answers about his vanished fiancée.
The storytelling is thoughtful and quietly emotional. It’s the kind of book that invites reflection, leaving you with a sense of both ache and comfort.
Kathleen loves historical and contemporary fiction that spans time and place—especially a good family saga. She's drawn to stories that offer fresh perspectives and insights into different lives. Lately, she’s also been hooked on dystopian and speculative fiction, with favourites like Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard.
