The Librarian's Nightstand, Fall 2025

I found Pick a Colour quietly fascinating and surprisingly moving. Set over a single day in a small nail salon where every worker is called “Susan” and dressed alike, it follows Ning, a former boxer turned salon owner, as she navigates her tough past and cares for her staff, all immigrants who speak in their own language and remain largely invisible to the clients who chat and overshare without really connecting. Ning, always unseen, longs for acknowledgment.

Souvankham Thammavongsa, a Giller Prize-winning author, writes with striking simplicity. There’s no sweeping drama—just real life, quiet resilience, and moments that make you pause and reflect. Sometimes funny, often sad, and always profoundly human, this story lingered in my mind long after the last page.

Kumkum often reads two to three books at a time, selecting from various genres, including mysteries and thrillers, relationship fiction, contemporary and historical fiction, memoirs, and non-fiction.

After devouring Lyla Sage's Rebel Blue Ranch series, I was excited to learn she released a new book with supernatural elements, just in time for spooky season! Soul Searching is set in Sweetwater Peak, Wyoming, the quiet little town where Collins grew up. The town is filled with her charming family, memories of her past, Brady Cooper (the town's handsome new upholsterer and outsider) and... ghosts! This paranormal romance is entertaining, heartwarming, quirky and checks all of the boxes for the perfect fall romance, especially if you like a little spook with a side of spice!

Sarah's favourite genres are romance, contemporary fiction and the niche realm of space horror. Her top picks from this year are Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young and the Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage.

When the fall season starts, I find myself wanting a fast-paced thriller, and First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston did not disappoint! Evie Porter seems to have it all—a doting boyfriend, Ryan, a beautiful home, and a comfortable life. There is only one catch—Evie Porter doesn’t exist. On assignment from her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, Evie’s job is to infiltrate Ryan’s life and learn everything she can about him, his work, his family, and his friends. But when real feelings start to develop, Evie has to decide on her next move. Can she escape Mr. Smith’s employment, or will this job be her last?

This book is perfect for fans of the show Imposters, or anyone looking for a thriller where the twists are unpredictable, and you can’t wait to see what the main character does next.

Sarah enjoys switching up her reading genres to keep things fresh, though fantasy, romance, and action books hold a special place in her heart. She leans towards character-driven stories and series, but likes it when a plot takes an unexpected turn. Favourites include The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, and Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto.

My pick is The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis. Set in the English village of Little Nettlebed and told through the shifting perspectives of five villagers, this novel explores how fear and superstition can take hold of a community. There are five Mansfield sisters, and the townsfolk have always found the family a little odd. One day, strange creatures begin washing up on the riverbed, and villagers hear mysterious barking in the night. Then, someone claims to have seen the Mansfield sisters transform before his eyes.

Purvis’s writing is haunting and elegant, blending folklore, gothic atmosphere, and social commentary. She captures both the claustrophobia of village life and the timeless human impulse to fear what we don’t understand.

Kathleen loves historical and contemporary fiction that spans time and place—especially a good family saga. She's drawn to stories that offer fresh perspectives and insights into different lives. Lately, she’s also been hooked on dystopian and speculative fiction, with favourites like Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard.

My pick this time is A Queer Case by Robert Holtom. I really enjoyed this book. It’s a gripping historical murder mystery featuring a strong queer main character, Selby Bigge, who must hide who he is while solving a crime. I picked it because I love mysteries and historical fiction. The story feels real and personal, with sharp dialogue and a vivid London setting. It’s more than just a mystery; it’s about identity and courage.

Teacher-turned-librarian, Deepti, loves a good suspense mystery—especially books by master storyteller, Jeffrey Archer—or young adult fiction adventures.