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Discover something new! Check out the books, movies and more that LARL staff are recommending.

By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley

This novel is based on the true story of Ann Lowe, a black woman and…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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A Dreadful Splendor by B.R. Myers

A bride dies on the eve of her wedding and a fake spiritualist is summoned…

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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…

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The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Joy has been secretly in love with her best friend Malcolm for years. However, Malcolm…

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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…

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The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence

This book had me in its clutches from page one! Readers will be drawn in…

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You and Only You by Sharon Sala

This is a must read for fans of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. It is…

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Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat

This was one of my favorite books that I read last year! The story is…

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Memory Lane by Becky Wade

I always enjoy Becky Wade's romance books and this latest is no exception. Memory Lane…

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Chernobyl

A fantastic miniseries that captures the intensity and drama of the Chernobyl disaster, with a…

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Sinister Graves by Marcie R. Rendon

This is the third book in the Cash Blackbear series. Set in the Red River…

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Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks

“From New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks comes a love story about risking everything…

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Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter’s debut novel Better than the Movies follows high school senior Liz Buxbaum, a…

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Loveless by Alice Oseman

From the bestselling YA author of the Heartstopper graphic novels, now a popular Netflix drama…

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The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

The Seven Sisters is the first book in a series by international bestselling author Lucinda…

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Shattered by James Patterson and James O. Born

James Patterson and James O. Born team up again for the latest installment in the…

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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…

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The Passengers by John Marrs

A terrifying glimpse into the near future.  Eight passengers are in self-driving cars that have…

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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…

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Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev

A boy shows up with tiny elephant only to discover that elephants are not allowed…

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The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin

Welcome to Stillness, a land devastated by disaster and whose people are no strangers to…

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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…

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Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller

When Tanisha spills grape juice on her new dress and the other kids laugh, a…

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Plume by Isabelle Simler

This gorgeous picture book showcases a wide variety of birds with big bold illustrations. In…

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The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

A disillusioned millennial ghostwriter who, quite literally, has some ghosts of her own, has to…

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The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron

The Italian Ballerina tells the story of Julia, a prima ballerina, stranded in Italy during…

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The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci

A former soldier with a secretive past joins a prestigious investment firm as a low-level…

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The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda

Megan Miranda's books have fantastic settings and "The Last to Vanish" is no exception. Set…

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Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin

The clock is ticking as a unconventional heroine rushes to find a wealthy husband so…

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Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

Readers will enjoy this mystery set in New Zealand, which focuses on how a family and their neighborhood dealt with the discovery of the body of a person who was missing for 10 years.
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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,…

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Goldenrod by Maggie Smith

Maggie’s clear and cutting poetry grapples with motherhood, divorce, grief, nature, and healing. As an…

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Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan

A fun story in the Fence universe created by C.S. Pacat with great character development.…

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Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu

The artwork in this charming graphic novel will steal your heart. Eric "Bitty" Bittle is…

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The Dry by Jane Harper

This is a slow burning small town mystery that unravels piece by piece. Aaron Faulk…

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Fence by C.S. Pacat

The first volume of Fence covers issues 1-4 and is full of angst, drama, and…

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The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

"I lifted the blush-colored paper, illuminated by the dying flame of a single rush wick…

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All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Murderbot is my Sanctuary Moon. Guess you'll have to read the series to understand that…

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Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

Need a nice humorous mystery to lift your spirits?  Revisit (or discover for the first…

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Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

I love any romance set on an island or on worldly adventures, but I also…

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Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Oseman has crafted a charming and sweet story about friendship and growing up. Charlie is…

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Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

This book kept me guessing until the very last sentence. Definitely a must read for…

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Burden of Proof by Davis Bunn

I don't read a lot of fantasy, but to travel back in time and be…

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Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen

This graphic novel is full of comedy about the messy details of life. It's sure…

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The Library Book by Susan Orlean

In The Library Book, Susan Orlean tells the fascinating story of the fire at the…

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Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman

Piper is from a nice family, has a career and a boyfriend, but one bad…

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Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde

A freak incident has made various animals "human like". This includes rabbits which now do…

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Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius

After a mysterious illness Martin is left trapped in his body, mentally alert, but unable…

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Being Heumann by Judith Heumann

Absolutely fascinating memoir. I couldn't put it down. I hadn't heard of Judith Heumann and…

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The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

Simon is a research librarian who is frantically searching for the reason all the women…

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The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The desire to find the perfect mate has driven Don, a genetics professor and all…

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Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

Discussing topics such as how the Sweet Valley Confidential book would have been better written…

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Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

This middle-grade graphic novel is a treat for adults too! Witches, family ties, old secrets,…

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Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande

Being Mortal really gets you thinking about the process of dying and how it is currently…

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Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes is a whimsical and beautiful time split novel.…

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The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

There is something for everyone in The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. This…

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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…

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A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

A Street Cat Named Bob is the true story of a recovering drug addict and…

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The Girl Before by JP Delaney

For lovers of The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl, this psychological thriller will…

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A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman

We've all known a curmudgeon or two in our lives, and Ove is a character…

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Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

This is a great historical fiction novel that addresses a real crime that happened to…

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The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold

The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold is a wonderfully complex book and…

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My Brilliant Life by Ae-Ran Kim

This novel explores what life is like to be a 16 year old with an…

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Float Plan by Trish Doller

A warning to potential readers: this deals with death by suicide, method, being the person…

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Redemption Road by John Hart

This suspense in this book just continued building all the way to the end and…

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Somewhere in the Unknown World by Kao Kalia Yang

This book helps us understand what motivates people to immigrate to the United States and…

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Cozy Winter Book Recommendations

As winter begins, we're gearing up for a season of staying in, reading and enjoying the art of time spent indoors.
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The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Perfect for folks who loved Jane Austen books and the characters she has written about.…

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He Started it by Samantha Downing

Warning: this is a page turner full of unlikable characters. A dysfunctional group of siblings…

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Hubble Telescope 30th Anniversary Celebration & Reading List

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Telescope, the Moorhead Public Library has…

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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…

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Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

A great fall read that made me want to go to a pumpkin patch, like…

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The Marriage Game by Sara Desai

Follow Layla Patel, in this comedy of errors,  as she goes on a string of…

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The Gown by Jennifer Robson

A fascinating historical fiction book that describes the famous wedding gown of Princess Elizabeth and…

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The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

As a lover of WWII themed books, this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed the…

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Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

For readers fascinated by true crime, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, or the case of Dee…

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The City of Brass by S. A Chakraborty

With well developed characters and amazing world building, this book comes alive as you read…

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Stain by A.G. Howard

This is one of my favorite fairy tale retellings of the Princess and the Pea,…

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The Switch by Beth O’Leary

This book is fresh, funny, heartfelt, and so sweet. O'Leary has crafted a character driven…

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Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Looking for an interesting historical mystery to read? Maisie Dobbs is perfect for a cozy…

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Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment!

This week we're celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment,…

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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.…

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The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

Lydia is torn between two words. In one, she is grieving the untimely death of…

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The Guest List by Lucy Foley

If you're looking for an atmospheric and slow burning mystery, then look no further. Be…

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Sorcery ofThorns by Margaret Rogerson

Rogerson crafted a fabulous story full of magic, libraries, and grimoires. This is a standalone…

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Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

This was sweet and charming with a lovely slow-burn romance. With such a heavy focus…

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Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

This book completely had my attention from the opening! I never wanted to put it…

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The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

This was a fascinating book. I appreciated find out more about the 1950's in India.…

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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.…

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Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

For anyone who has ever wanted to push themselves out of their comfort zone and…

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Beach Read by Emily Henry

Two authors with wildly different world views have nothing in common, right? January Andrews is…

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Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan

For fans of television shows like Nikita or Alias, I highly recommend "Every Last Breath"…

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Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner

A coming of age story about two best friends as they navigate graduating from high…

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Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

The Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson is a fascinating combination of a murder and…

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The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne

For those who loved the Selection series by Kiera Cass and the Starbound series by…

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The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

While not a traditional romance, this book will steal your heart. Tiffy and Leon share…

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Hotel Dare by Terry Blas

This book has everything you could want: Spanish language and culture, beautiful artwork, family bones,…

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Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Red Rising by Pierce Brown is a gripping science-fiction space opera that takes you to the…

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Milk Street: Tuesday Nights by Christopher Kimball

Without question, Christopher Kimball's Milk Street: Tuesday Nights is the best cookbook I've ever had…

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The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

This is the book for the readers who fell in love with Harry Potter's wizarding…

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Cozy Winter Reads From the Heart

We Met in December by Rosie Curtis : A slow-burn romance following Jess and her meeting…

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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…

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Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction

Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction is a stylish, hilarious, and highly…

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The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

With one of our favorite romance books covers in quite some time, The Bromance Book…

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Virgil Wander by Leif Enger

Do you ever read a book that immediately gives you a beautiful sense of time…

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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…

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Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Written by Linda Holmes, host of the NPR podcast "Pop Culture Happy Hour," Evvie Drake Starts…

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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…

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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…

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LARL Staff Recommend…Our Favorite Audiobooks

This summer, we're celebrating audiobooks by compiling a few of our favorites. Check out titles…

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The 2019 Minnesota Book Award Winners Have Been Announced

The 2019 Minnesota Book Awards winners have been announced! The Minnesota Book Awards is a…

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Celebrate Pride

Celebrate Pride with an LGBTQ+ book! Check out a selection of the titles in LARL's…

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My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

The publisher description of  "Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith" is perfect for this fantastic…

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Bloom by Kevin Panetta

Ari is tired of working for his family's bakery and dreams of being a musician.…

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Hey Roadtrippers, Don’t Forget a Book!

Are you planning on hitting the road this summer? Don't forget to check out an…

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Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Imagine Fleetwood Mac in a highly entertaining Rolling Stone exposé, and you have the premise…

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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…

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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…

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The Royal Secret by Lucinda Riley

Set in mid-90s England, Riley's The Royal Secret  is the perfect romantic thriller to kick off…

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Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

A new adult book where the First Son of the United States falls in love…

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Planning a Trip? Let Us Help!

Are you thinking about hitting the open road this summer? If you're thinking about planning…

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Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

Hands down, Foundryside is one of the most unique fantasy books I've read in recent years. …

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Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal

Pride and Prejudice + Pakistan?  Sign me up!  Jane Austen retellings are my bread and butter,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Iditarod Reading Recommendations

Here at LARL, we have the Iditarod on our minds. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race…

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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…

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My Heart by Corinna Luyken

My Heart by Corinna Luyken is a heartfelt, beautifully illustrated children's book.  Read this if you…

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Full Wolf Moon by Lincoln Child

An atmospheric thriller in the vein of Michael Crichton, Full Wolf Moon is a quick, fun…

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Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Knock me over with a hockey stick, this book was stellar and unbelievably addicting!  Beartown benefits most…

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Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe by Madeline Miller is a retold myth with all the action and betrayals you love…

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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…

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Staff Picks: Cozy Winter Reads

Are you looking for a cozy winter read as we head into the holidays? Look…

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Sadie by Courtney Summers

Fans of true crime podcasts and mysteries prepare to be sucked into Sadie's world. Sadie's…

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The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

A twisty thriller partially set in Minnesota! Mia goes home with Colin expecting a romantic…

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Providence by Caroline Kepnes

Jon and Chloe are forever at a crossroads of poor timing. Their near meetings left…

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I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

I Capture the Castle is quintessentially English and ever so delightful. So cuddle up in…

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The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

Who could say “neigh” to a book about a tubby pony and his warrior princess? …

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My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

Don't let the cover fool you, this is one of the most serious and heart-wrenching…

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Unbury Carol by Josh Malerman

All you need are two words to describe this book -- Gothic Western.  It's such…

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Vox by Christina Dalcher

Set in a modern dystopia, Vox by Christina Dalcher draws out the question: What if women were…

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101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up

"This book is a great guide for what to read with your kids or recommend…

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The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

"This space opera is the most positive and hopeful book I've read in a long…

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Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

"Lethal White" is now my favorite title of the Cormoran Strike mystery series, written by…

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The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce

"I enjoyed this tribute to the healing power of music. It's a quirky love story…

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The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

"Think you're not a fan of romance or chick-lit? Let this fizzy book change your…

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