Discover something new! Check out the books, movies and more that LARL staff are recommending.
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Amish Pies : traditional fruit, nut, cream, chocolate, and custard pies
If you are looking for delicious pie recipes for this holiday season then this is…
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
Thanksgiving Day is quickly approaching and Turkey is worried because he knows he's the main…
Maria by Michelle Moran
How much of the movie The Sound of Music is actually fact? As it turns…
Start Here: Draw : 50 Ways to be an Artist without Trying by Moira Clinch
This is the perfect guide for anyone who is interested in learning how to draw.…
Lasagna Means I Love You by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Eleven year old Mo’s life is upended when her Nan passes away and she enters…
Good Dog Series by Cam Higgins
The children in my community love these books! This is an easy to read chapter…
The Secret Elephant by Ellan Rankin
The Secret Elephant is inspired by the true story of a woman known as the…
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Women is the latest novel by New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah. Set…
By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley
This novel is based on the true story of Ann Lowe, a black woman and…
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
If you love cozy mysteries then this book is a must read! Vera Wong leads…
The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: the discovery that revolutionizes home baking by Jeff Hertzberg & Zoë François
This is the updated version of bestselling book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.…
Free-Form Embroidery with Judith Baker Montano: Transforming Traditional Stitches into Fiber Art
Judith Baker Montano is an award winning needlework artist and author of several books. In…
A Dreadful Splendor by B.R. Myers
A bride dies on the eve of her wedding and a fake spiritualist is summoned…
The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson
This book is a full ride! A man wakes up in medieval England with no…
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
Joy has been secretly in love with her best friend Malcolm for years. However, Malcolm…
100 Things to Do in Minnesota Northwoods Before You Die by Julie Jo Larson
This is a wonderful guidebook for anyone who is interested in exploring Minnesota’s Northwoods, specifically…
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence
This book had me in its clutches from page one! Readers will be drawn in…
You and Only You by Sharon Sala
This is a must read for fans of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. It is…
Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat
This was one of my favorite books that I read last year! The story is…
Memory Lane by Becky Wade
I always enjoy Becky Wade's romance books and this latest is no exception. Memory Lane…
Sinister Graves by Marcie R. Rendon
This is the third book in the Cash Blackbear series. Set in the Red River…
Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks
“From New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks comes a love story about risking everything…
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
Lynn Painter’s debut novel Better than the Movies follows high school senior Liz Buxbaum, a…
Loveless by Alice Oseman
From the bestselling YA author of the Heartstopper graphic novels, now a popular Netflix drama…
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
The Seven Sisters is the first book in a series by international bestselling author Lucinda…
Shattered by James Patterson and James O. Born
James Patterson and James O. Born team up again for the latest installment in the…
A Quilt for Christmas : A Christmas Novella by Melody Carlson
Recently widowed Vera Swanson is not planning to celebrate Christmas. That all changes with a…
The Passengers by John Marrs
A terrifying glimpse into the near future. Eight passengers are in self-driving cars that have…
Bittersweet : How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain
Absolutely one of my favorite reads this year. This is a beautiful, poignant exploration of…
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
A boy shows up with tiny elephant only to discover that elephants are not allowed…
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
Welcome to Stillness, a land devastated by disaster and whose people are no strangers to…
Sweety Pies : An Uncommon Collection of Womanish Observations, with Pie by Patty Pinner
Sweety Pies is a delightfully delicious collection of pie recipes gathered from the women in…
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
When Tanisha spills grape juice on her new dress and the other kids laugh, a…
Plume by Isabelle Simler
This gorgeous picture book showcases a wide variety of birds with big bold illustrations. In…
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
A disillusioned millennial ghostwriter who, quite literally, has some ghosts of her own, has to…
The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron
The Italian Ballerina tells the story of Julia, a prima ballerina, stranded in Italy during…
The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci
A former soldier with a secretive past joins a prestigious investment firm as a low-level…
The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda
Megan Miranda's books have fantastic settings and "The Last to Vanish" is no exception. Set…
Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin
The clock is ticking as a unconventional heroine rushes to find a wealthy husband so…
Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
I enjoyed the intimacy and intelligence of this inside picture of a woman living somehow,…
Goldenrod by Maggie Smith
Maggie’s clear and cutting poetry grapples with motherhood, divorce, grief, nature, and healing. As an…
Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan
A fun story in the Fence universe created by C.S. Pacat with great character development.…
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu
The artwork in this charming graphic novel will steal your heart. Eric "Bitty" Bittle is…
The Dry by Jane Harper
This is a slow burning small town mystery that unravels piece by piece. Aaron Faulk…
Fence by C.S. Pacat
The first volume of Fence covers issues 1-4 and is full of angst, drama, and…
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
"I lifted the blush-colored paper, illuminated by the dying flame of a single rush wick…
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Murderbot is my Sanctuary Moon. Guess you'll have to read the series to understand that…
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
Need a nice humorous mystery to lift your spirits? Revisit (or discover for the first…
Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher
I love any romance set on an island or on worldly adventures, but I also…
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Oseman has crafted a charming and sweet story about friendship and growing up. Charlie is…
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
This book kept me guessing until the very last sentence. Definitely a must read for…
Burden of Proof by Davis Bunn
I don't read a lot of fantasy, but to travel back in time and be…
Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen
This graphic novel is full of comedy about the messy details of life. It's sure…
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
In The Library Book, Susan Orlean tells the fascinating story of the fire at the…
Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman
Piper is from a nice family, has a career and a boyfriend, but one bad…
Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde
A freak incident has made various animals "human like". This includes rabbits which now do…
Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius
After a mysterious illness Martin is left trapped in his body, mentally alert, but unable…
Being Heumann by Judith Heumann
Absolutely fascinating memoir. I couldn't put it down. I hadn't heard of Judith Heumann and…
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
Simon is a research librarian who is frantically searching for the reason all the women…
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
The desire to find the perfect mate has driven Don, a genetics professor and all…
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Discussing topics such as how the Sweet Valley Confidential book would have been better written…
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
This middle-grade graphic novel is a treat for adults too! Witches, family ties, old secrets,…
Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande
Being Mortal really gets you thinking about the process of dying and how it is currently…
Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes
Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes is a whimsical and beautiful time split novel.…
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
There is something for everyone in The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. This…
If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t) by Betty White
Betty White is always entertaining. In If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) she…
A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen
A Street Cat Named Bob is the true story of a recovering drug addict and…
The Girl Before by JP Delaney
For lovers of The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl, this psychological thriller will…
A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman
We've all known a curmudgeon or two in our lives, and Ove is a character…
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
This is a great historical fiction novel that addresses a real crime that happened to…
The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold
The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold is a wonderfully complex book and…
My Brilliant Life by Ae-Ran Kim
This novel explores what life is like to be a 16 year old with an…
Float Plan by Trish Doller
A warning to potential readers: this deals with death by suicide, method, being the person…
Redemption Road by John Hart
This suspense in this book just continued building all the way to the end and…
Somewhere in the Unknown World by Kao Kalia Yang
This book helps us understand what motivates people to immigrate to the United States and…
Cozy Winter Book Recommendations
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
Perfect for folks who loved Jane Austen books and the characters she has written about.…
He Started it by Samantha Downing
Warning: this is a page turner full of unlikable characters. A dysfunctional group of siblings…
Hubble Telescope 30th Anniversary Celebration & Reading List
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Telescope, the Moorhead Public Library has…
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Schwab's writing is lush and descriptive. The detail never felt unnecessary but heightens the emotions…
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
A great fall read that made me want to go to a pumpkin patch, like…
The Marriage Game by Sara Desai
Follow Layla Patel, in this comedy of errors, as she goes on a string of…
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
A fascinating historical fiction book that describes the famous wedding gown of Princess Elizabeth and…
The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin
As a lover of WWII themed books, this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed the…
Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
For readers fascinated by true crime, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, or the case of Dee…
The City of Brass by S. A Chakraborty
With well developed characters and amazing world building, this book comes alive as you read…
Stain by A.G. Howard
This is one of my favorite fairy tale retellings of the Princess and the Pea,…
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
This book is fresh, funny, heartfelt, and so sweet. O'Leary has crafted a character driven…
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Looking for an interesting historical mystery to read? Maisie Dobbs is perfect for a cozy…
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment!
This week we're celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment,…
Wine Girl: The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America’s Youngest Sommelier by Victoria James
Victoria is the youngest sommelier in the country and now runs her own Michelin-starred restaurant.…
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
Lydia is torn between two words. In one, she is grieving the untimely death of…
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
If you're looking for an atmospheric and slow burning mystery, then look no further. Be…
Sorcery ofThorns by Margaret Rogerson
Rogerson crafted a fabulous story full of magic, libraries, and grimoires. This is a standalone…
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
This was sweet and charming with a lovely slow-burn romance. With such a heavy focus…
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
This book completely had my attention from the opening! I never wanted to put it…
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
This was a fascinating book. I appreciated find out more about the 1950's in India.…
From Scratch- a Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke
This book really draws you in. A well-written story of love, heartbreak, and finding family.…
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
For anyone who has ever wanted to push themselves out of their comfort zone and…
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Two authors with wildly different world views have nothing in common, right? January Andrews is…
Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan
For fans of television shows like Nikita or Alias, I highly recommend "Every Last Breath"…
Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner
A coming of age story about two best friends as they navigate graduating from high…
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
The Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson is a fascinating combination of a murder and…
The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne
For those who loved the Selection series by Kiera Cass and the Starbound series by…
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
While not a traditional romance, this book will steal your heart. Tiffy and Leon share…
Hotel Dare by Terry Blas
This book has everything you could want: Spanish language and culture, beautiful artwork, family bones,…
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Red Rising by Pierce Brown is a gripping science-fiction space opera that takes you to the…
Milk Street: Tuesday Nights by Christopher Kimball
Without question, Christopher Kimball's Milk Street: Tuesday Nights is the best cookbook I've ever had…
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
This is the book for the readers who fell in love with Harry Potter's wizarding…
Cozy Winter Reads From the Heart
We Met in December by Rosie Curtis : A slow-burn romance following Jess and her meeting…
In Time for Halloween: Witchy Reads at Your Library
Are you ready for Halloween? Check out this list of new-release related reads from our…
Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction
Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction is a stylish, hilarious, and highly…
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
With one of our favorite romance books covers in quite some time, The Bromance Book…
Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
Do you ever read a book that immediately gives you a beautiful sense of time…
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
What a delightful doozy of a novel! If you're in the mood for an Agatha Christie-esque…
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
Written by Linda Holmes, host of the NPR podcast "Pop Culture Happy Hour," Evvie Drake Starts…
Our Favorite Audiobooks: “Mrs. Everything”, “Fantastic Beasts” and More
This summer, we're celebrating audiobooks by compiling a few of our favorites. Check out titles…
Our Favorite Audiobooks: “Code Name Verity”, “The Wife Between Us” and More
This summer, we're celebrating audiobooks by compiling a few of our favorites. Check out titles…
LARL Staff Recommend…Our Favorite Audiobooks
This summer, we're celebrating audiobooks by compiling a few of our favorites. Check out titles…
The 2019 Minnesota Book Award Winners Have Been Announced
The 2019 Minnesota Book Awards winners have been announced! The Minnesota Book Awards is a…
Celebrate Pride
Celebrate Pride with an LGBTQ+ book! Check out a selection of the titles in LARL's…
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
The publisher description of "Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith" is perfect for this fantastic…
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
Ari is tired of working for his family's bakery and dreams of being a musician.…
Hey Roadtrippers, Don’t Forget a Book!
Are you planning on hitting the road this summer? Don't forget to check out an…
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Imagine Fleetwood Mac in a highly entertaining Rolling Stone exposé, and you have the premise…
The End of Loneliness by Benedict Wells
On Germany's bestseller list for nearly two years, The End of Loneliness is finally available in English…
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
As the standalone sequel to The Kiss Quotient, one of the most-talked-about romances from 2018, The Bride…
The Royal Secret by Lucinda Riley
Set in mid-90s England, Riley's The Royal Secret is the perfect romantic thriller to kick off…
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
A new adult book where the First Son of the United States falls in love…
Planning a Trip? Let Us Help!
Are you thinking about hitting the open road this summer? If you're thinking about planning…
Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
Hands down, Foundryside is one of the most unique fantasy books I've read in recent years. …
Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal
Pride and Prejudice + Pakistan? Sign me up! Jane Austen retellings are my bread and butter,…
American Princess: A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt by Stephanie Marie Thornton
Alice Roosevelt was an absolute icon, and this historical fiction account of her life was…
Sounds Like Titanic by Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman
If its cover alone doesn't draw you in, then pick up Sounds Like Titanic to learn more…
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Sotto
If there were one fantasy book I'd choose over all the others out there, it…
Iditarod Reading Recommendations
Here at LARL, we have the Iditarod on our minds. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race…
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography by Eric Idle
Eric Idle charms the audience in the audiobook version of his biography, Always Look on…
My Heart by Corinna Luyken
My Heart by Corinna Luyken is a heartfelt, beautifully illustrated children's book. Read this if you…
Full Wolf Moon by Lincoln Child
An atmospheric thriller in the vein of Michael Crichton, Full Wolf Moon is a quick, fun…
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Knock me over with a hockey stick, this book was stellar and unbelievably addicting! Beartown benefits most…
Circe by Madeline Miller
Circe by Madeline Miller is a retold myth with all the action and betrayals you love…
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
For fans of The Wedding Date movie and meet-cute, feel-good romances, read Helen Hoang's The Kiss Quotient! This book…
Staff Picks: Cozy Winter Reads
Are you looking for a cozy winter read as we head into the holidays? Look…
Sadie by Courtney Summers
Fans of true crime podcasts and mysteries prepare to be sucked into Sadie's world. Sadie's…
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
A twisty thriller partially set in Minnesota! Mia goes home with Colin expecting a romantic…
Providence by Caroline Kepnes
Jon and Chloe are forever at a crossroads of poor timing. Their near meetings left…
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
I Capture the Castle is quintessentially English and ever so delightful. So cuddle up in…
The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton
Who could say “neigh” to a book about a tubby pony and his warrior princess? …
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
Don't let the cover fool you, this is one of the most serious and heart-wrenching…
Unbury Carol by Josh Malerman
All you need are two words to describe this book -- Gothic Western. It's such…
Vox by Christina Dalcher
Set in a modern dystopia, Vox by Christina Dalcher draws out the question: What if women were…
101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up
"This book is a great guide for what to read with your kids or recommend…
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
"This space opera is the most positive and hopeful book I've read in a long…
Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
"Lethal White" is now my favorite title of the Cormoran Strike mystery series, written by…
The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce
"I enjoyed this tribute to the healing power of music. It's a quirky love story…
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
"Think you're not a fan of romance or chick-lit? Let this fizzy book change your…