The Librarian's Nightstand - Winter 2025

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is a trending 'Romantasy' that mashes up Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games at a brutal dragon-riding war academy in Navarre, where dragon riders are elite warriors. Violet, a sharp-witted heroine, is forced into this death-defying life by her overbearing mother and must survive deadly rivals, intense training, and fiery dragons. With nonstop action, sizzling romance, and razor-sharp twists, it’s the dragon tale you never knew you needed.

The audiobook is a fun listen, thanks to a narrator who perfectly captures Violet’s wit and grit. Fans of epic adventure, hot romances, and high-stakes challenges will love Fourth Wing, the first book in The Empyrean fantasy series that has created quite a buzz.

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.

As a reader with roots in Nova Scotia, I felt a strong connection to When the World Fell Silent, a gripping work of fiction that explores the lives of two women in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion in 1917. Author Donna Jones Alward beautifully weaves the emotional aftermath of the tragedy with the resilience of the characters, creating a deeply moving story of survival, healing, and friendship. This book is perfect for fans of historical fiction, those interested in the Halifax Explosion, and anyone who enjoys character-driven narratives. I highly recommend it to readers looking for an inspiring and poignant tale of strength in the face of unimaginable loss.

Heather dives into dramatic family sagas and historical fiction as her go-to audiobook picks and reaches for romantic beach novels and light mysteries for her leisure reading. Her favourite authors include John Green, Liane Moriarty, and Taylor Jenkins Reid.

I recently and very excitedly discovered the Sci-Fi Horror genre through Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes. While on a beacon repair mission in space, a crew discovers a strange distress signal that leads them to the Aurora, a famous luxury space-liner that disappeared over 20 years ago. At first, the idea of salvaging parts from the ship brings unexpected hope for their futures, but once onboard, they realize that something went very wrong. What follows is an intriguing and terrifying tale of courage and survival.

This is a great read for sci-fi fans open to horror—but enter at your own risk. This book is filled with jump scares—you may be unable to put it down or calm your racing pulse!

Sarah's favourite reading escapes are warm and fuzzy romances, contemporary fiction and mystery, Sci-Fi and any audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan. Her top picks from last year include The Women by Kristin Hannah and the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong.

As someone who has read quite a few mysteries, I long for ones that shock me, and The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson was a welcome surprise! The story starts with two strangers meeting on a plane, and after striking up a seemingly casual conversation, it takes a dark turn. Ted Severson is convinced his wife Miranda is cheating on him and claims he is so mad he could kill her. But what happens when his new acquaintance Lily is all but willing to help him out? A modern twist on Strangers on a Train, this book is perfect for anyone looking for a story that will hook them from start to finish, leaving their jaw on the floor.

Sarah enjoys switching up her reading genres frequently to keep things fresh, though fantasy, romance, and action books hold a special place in her heart. She leans toward character-driven stories and series but appreciates it greatly when a plot takes an unexpected turn. A few of her favourites include The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, and Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto.

All the World Beside by Garrard Conley is set in an 18th-century Puritan community called Cana. Reverend Nathaniel Whitfield and physician Arthur Lyman form a forbidden bond, risking their families' reputations in a strict religious society. As the Great Awakening spreads, they must face the dangers of their desires.

This novel has rich, complex characters. Nathaniel’s daughter, Sarah, offers a fascinating look at women’s roles in Puritan life. Conley’s portrayal of queer love in this era is moving and powerful. The emotions and struggles feel so real that I couldn’t put the book down. If you love historical fiction that fully immerses you in another time, don’t miss this one!

Kathleen enjoys historical and contemporary fiction, widely spanning time and place and will especially dive headfirst into a family saga story (think Greenwood by Michael Christie or Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim). She loves reading to learn about different people, places, and perspectives!

I Left You Behind by Nazneen Sheikh is a beautifully crafted collection of heartfelt short stories that span decades and countries and draw from the author's personal experiences. The stories explore themes of relocation, dislocation, isolation, and longing, with a rich cultural lens.

For readers with packed schedules, this collection is a treasure. When life doesn't leave room for a full novel, these short stories are the perfect way to fill your need to read. As a fan of Canadian authors, I found this book to be especially rewarding—offering a literary escape that fit perfectly into even my busiest of days.

Teacher-turned-librarian, Deepti, loves a good suspense mystery—especially books by master storyteller, Jeffrey Archer—or young adult fiction adventures.