Staff Picks
What should you read, watch or listen to next? We're so glad you asked!
Love stumbling on a fun book display at the library? Welcome to the online version! Dive into our Library staff’s top picks—books, movies, music, and more—by theme, age, awards, read-alikes, and all kinds of cool topics we just can’t stop talking about.
2025 Favorites
2025 Top JoCoLibrary Adult Checkouts
Curious what the most checked-out items of the year are? See the JoCoLibrary winners for Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic novels & DVDs.
2025 Top JoCoLibrary Adult Checkouts
Curious what the most checked-out items of the year are? See the JoCoLibrary winners for Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic novels & DVDs.
If You Liked: Heartstopper
You'll enjoy these titles because they have feel-good vibes, queer characters, and themes of figuring out who you are.
Become Detective Benoit Blanc from "Knives Out"
Are you just *dying* for more Knives Out content? Check out these whodunnit books & films to help you become just like like Benoit Blanc!
Public Domain 2026
Have you been dying to film your own version of The Maltese Falcon, or create a webcomic featuring a modern Betty Boop? You're in luck.
Movies that Inspired Stranger Things
A selection of movies that inspired the Duffer Brothers in the making Stranger Things.
If You Liked: Heartstopper
You'll enjoy these titles because they have feel-good vibes, queer characters, and themes of figuring out who you are.
Movies that Inspired Stranger Things
A selection of movies that inspired the Duffer Brothers in the making Stranger Things.
ALSC Notable Reads for Older Readers
This list highlights the notable books for 2025 for older readers (6th-8th grade).
elementia issue xxiii - our theme is Legacy
Books we love that connect to the elementia teen literary magazine theme of Legacy.
Elementary reads - May cause tears
These touching books may cause a few tears but are great to read in upper elementary school.
Quirky, Lovable Girl Characters: Early Chapter Books
It's ok to be different! Let's celebrate girls who march to their own drum with a confident, self-accepting mindset.
Kids Books for Gamers
If your mom is making you read a book and put down your controller, why not read a book about video games?
Take me to Your Reader: Aliens in J Fiction
These out-of-this-world books will take young readers on adventures battling alien invaders or befriending visitors from other planets.
6 by 6 Ready to Read: Nurture a Reader
Books about neuroplasticity, early literacy skills, and techniques to help you foster a lifelong love of books and reading in your baby.
Fun Read-Aloud Toddler Picture Books from 2025
Kids benefit in many ways from hearing books read aloud. These fun 2025 picture books are great picks to read aloud to your little ones.
Mary Lee’s (& her toddler’s!) Favorite Board Books from 2025
Here are our favorite board books we read this past year - when we could sit still long enough for one!
Staff Pick Spotlight: Music
Couch Concert 🤘
Avoid the crowds and expense! Stay home, curl up on the couch, and enjoy these live performances and music documentaries.
Musical Malpractice
When musicals go wrong, sometimes they're so bad they have some charm to them....just don't let the songs get stuck in your head.
Just the Jukebox Musicals
If you want a pick-me-up, some sing-along therapy, or just need a bop or two, these jukebox musicals are just the ticket.
Naxos Music Library
Music from the world's most extensive online classical music library. Unlimited streaming.
Quirky, Lovable Girl Characters: Early Chapter Books
It's ok to be different! Let's celebrate girls who march to their own drum with a confident, self-accepting mindset.
If You Liked: Heartstopper
You'll enjoy these titles because they have feel-good vibes, queer characters, and themes of figuring out who you are.
Become Detective Benoit Blanc from "Knives Out"
Are you just *dying* for more Knives Out content? Check out these whodunnit books & films to help you become just like like Benoit Blanc!
6 by 6 Ready to Read: Nurture a Reader
Books about neuroplasticity, early literacy skills, and techniques to help you foster a lifelong love of books and reading in your baby.
Public Domain 2026
Have you been dying to film your own version of The Maltese Falcon, or create a webcomic featuring a modern Betty Boop? You're in luck.
Movies that Inspired Stranger Things
A selection of movies that inspired the Duffer Brothers in the making Stranger Things.
There's No Place Like Home
Chidrens' books about homes and houses.
America 250 Reading List
To celebrate the America's 250th anniversary, PBS Books made this booklist to celebrate the people, events, and ideals that made America.
Kansas: The Road to Statehood
America 250: Learn about the State of Kansas from the early native Kanza tribe, to the early pioneer days, to Bloody Kansas.
Fun Read-Aloud Toddler Picture Books from 2025
Kids benefit in many ways from hearing books read aloud. These fun 2025 picture books are great picks to read aloud to your little ones.
Binge a Miniseries
A miniseries might be that just-right fit for when you want something longer than a movie but not multiple seasons of a TV show.
Kids Books for Gamers
If your mom is making you read a book and put down your controller, why not read a book about video games?
If You Liked: Hamnet
These books are also by O'Farrell or they're a novel written with a similar eloquence and tone (mostly historical).
Thank You, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
This list showcases just some of the shows that were made available in part thanks to funding from the CPB over the years.
Books with Eviscerating Reviews
A selection of books published in 2025 that were met with some scathing reviews.
Station Eleven: Just the Vibes
Explore titles that evoke the best-selling, post-apocalyptic Emily St. John Mandel novel and HBO series Station Eleven.