Recommended Reading: What local librarians are loving right now

“Here’s to Us” By Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

In the sequel to “What If It’s Us,” our two young heroes Ben and Arthur are now 19 years old with their freshman year of college wrapped — at different colleges.

This is why they decided to break up while trying to remain friends and explore their interests outside of each other. Now that it’s summer break, Arthur is back in NYC on a theater internship and Ben is still in town working at his father’s pharmacy while also developing further drafts of his novel, “The Wicked Wizard War.” Although both are seeing other people — and their new partners are both great guys — they can’t help but cross paths and reconnect now that they’re in the same city again.

While many might anticipate a happily ever after for Ben and Arthur, I was overjoyed with Ben’s best friend, Dylan, in this book. Dylan and his girlfriend, Samantha, have an amazing side plot that builds their characters beyond the main characters’ quirky friends in the best way.

Whether you’re looking for grand gestures, long term stability, corny jokes or an extended scene set at an arcade in Times Square playing MarioKart, this is a sweet YA romance that has a little bit of everything.

— Heather Guenther, volunteer, Valley Community Library

”The Secret Bridesmaid” by Katy Birchall

The Secret Bridesmaid was absolutely my favorite book that I’ve read in 2022. In the story, Sophie Breeze is so amazing at being a bridesmaid that she’s made it her full-time job. Sophie goes “undercover” as a bridesmaid to help any bride have their perfect day go off without a hitch. When she’s hired by Lady Victoria Swann, Sophie struggles to help this Bridezilla plan the society wedding of the year. This book was hilarious and so much fun to read!

— Kristen Wallo, director, Valley Community Library

”The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett

Cyril Conroy buys a house, which neighbors refer to as “the Dutch House,” in the lavish suburbs of Philadelphia in order to surprise his wife. The house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves. Upon Cyril’s death, his children, Maeve and Danny, are thrown into poverty and find the only thing they can count on is each other. They form an unshakable bond that saves them, but also thwarts their future. It is a story of small triumphs in the struggle to overcome one’s past.

— Lynda Gelik, volunteer, Valley Community Library

“The Lost Girls of Willowbrook” by Ellen Marie Wiseman

Sixteen-year-old Sage Winters takes a bus to Willowbrook School located on Staten Island, New York tin an effort to find her twin sister. She had been told by her stepfather that Rosemary Sage had died when they were 10.

While at the school Sage uncovers the deplorable, abusive conditions as she searches for her sister. Although historical fiction in nature, this story allows the reader a disturbing glimpse into the inhuman treatment afforded abandoned children “living” at Willowbrook School. In 1972 Geraldo Rivera filmed an expose on Willowbrook School titled “Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace” which was televised on national television. It was many years later before Willowbrook School was finally closed.

— Lynda Gelik, volunteer, Valley Community Library