Unicorns, Hibernation, and 26 Books A to Z
Published on September 23, 2025
By Kara V.
“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.”
- Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail
Back in my younger years, fall made me look forward to breaking out my unicorn multicolored Trapper Keeper and filling it with fresh paper, pencils, and folders. I would pick out my back-to-school outfit and stand for my first day-of-school photo, knowing that my year was going to be great! It was a fresh start, a time to learn new things and meet new friends.
Now fall has a different feeling for me. I no longer hunt for my Trapper Keeper in preparation for new friends; instead, I feel the need to scavenge and prepare to hibernate. With both scavenging and the new school year in mind, we reached out to the library staff and had them recommend one book for every letter of the alphabet. That’s 26 books to stash in your hidey-hole for a cold day. (But if you borrow them from the library, you have to return them in three weeks, sorry.)
You know, even if you’re not in school, you may meet a new friend this fall in the form of a new favorite book.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells: Science fiction, funny adventure, start of a series - Chelsea
Bug Hollow by Michelle Huneven: Multi-perspective, family saga, complicated people - Catherine
Chatter by Ethan Kross: Self-help, personal development, psychology - Leah
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr by Crystal Smith Paul: Historical, generational trauma, secrets, mystery - Samantha
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: Uplifting, out of the ordinary heroine - Neliesha
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley: Music, memoir, dual viewpoints - Hannah
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey: Unique memoir, entertaining stories - Kara
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler: Fantasy, sarcastic, snarky, dark and campy humor - Megan
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney: Moving story about grief, love, and family - Stephanie
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: Gothic romance - Kara
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Straadal: Relatable, Midwest setting, foodie vibes - Alice
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe: Modern take on ancient story, mythological, graphic novel - Brianna
Madhouse at the End of the Earth by Julian Sancton: History, adventure, exploration, survival - Allie
No Exit by Taylor Adams: Edgy, thrilling, strangers trapped together in a blizzard - Kara
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: Time travel, Scottish history, romance, adventures - Angie L.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez: Romance set in Minnesota - Jeri
Queenie: a novel by Candice Carty-Williams: Contemporary women, witty, Jamaican-British, adapted as a Hulu series - Jean
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: Heartwarming with a twist - Angie H.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury: Science fiction, dark fantasy, mystery, suspense - Russ
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: Classic, Southern Black woman’s life story - Carrie
Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert Macfarlane: Epic nonfiction, dark, underworlds, myth, nature - Allie
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas: Horror meets historical fiction meets long lost love - Kara
What Happens At Night by Peter Cameron: Eerie, dreamlike, keeps you guessing - Catherine
X by Sue Grafton: Detective story, dark, remorseless serial killer - Carrie
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck: Likeable characters, romantic comedy - Kara
Zita the Space Girl by Ben Hatke: Fun, intergalactic, written for children but great for adults - Carl