Librarian's Nightstand - Spring 2025

I was drawn into Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See, a beautifully told story about Tan Yunxian, a woman who becomes a doctor in 15th-century China.

Raised in a privileged home and taught medicine by her grandmother, Yunxian quietly pushes back against the strict expectations placed on women. The novel doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the time—like foot binding and social confinement—but it also shines with hope, friendship, and quiet strength. The historical details are rich, and Yunxian’s journey is deeply moving as she finds purpose and connection through healing.

Fans of stories about women navigating inner struggles and quiet rebellion, like The Vegetarian or Autopsy of a Boring Wife, will find much to love. A heartfelt, thought-provoking read, perfect for book clubs. 

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.

I grew up in the 90s hockey world, and it was fun to hear about some favourite hockey players and some notable moments that I remember. Hockey Rants & Raves by Steve “Dangle” Glynn reaches into the past arenas of the start of the NHL, all the way to the record breakers of today.

As an intermittent hockey fan, this book really re-energized my interest in following the Toronto Maple Leafs, which is a tough thing to do sometimes for us Leafs Fans. This is a great read, and it tends to read like a conversation with lots of laughs along the way. This book will appeal to lifelong hockey lovers, as well as people new to the game and looking to find their team.

Heather dives into dramatic family sagas and historical fiction as her go-to audiobook picks and reaches for romantic beach novels and light mysteries for her leisure reading. Her favourite authors include John Green, Liane Moriarty, and Taylor Jenkins Reid.

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters is a Canadian novel that tells the story of two families over the course of many years.

In 1962, a Mi'kmaq family travels from Nova Scotia to Maine to pick blueberries. Weeks after arriving, their four-year-old daughter Ruthie vanishes. Her family, and especially her older brother Joe, are deeply affected by her disappearance for years to come. In Boston, Norma grows up as the only child of an emotionally distant father and an overbearing mother who had several miscarriages prior to her arrival. Plagued with troubling dreams and visions of strange people she has never met, Norma grows up feeling like there is something her parents are keeping from her.

This is a gripping tale that keeps you hooked until the very last page and may end in a few tears.

Sarah's favourite reading escapes are warm and fuzzy romances, contemporary fiction and mystery, Sci-Fi and any audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan. Her top picks from last year include The Women by Kristin Hannah and the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong.

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz is a clever, twisty mystery novel that features a story within a story. It follows editor Susan Ryeland, who is reviewing the latest manuscript by bestselling mystery writer Alan Conway.

The manuscript is a classic whodunnit set in a 1950s English village, starring detective Atticus Pünd. However, as the story progresses, Susan can’t help but notice that something isn’t right. Having to sift through what is fact and what is fiction, Magpie Murders will be sure to have you guessing up until the last page. This book had me gripping my seat and is great for fans of traditional detective fiction who also enjoy a little flare thrown in!

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 toward character-driven stories and series, but appreciates when a plot takes an unexpected turn. A few of her favourites include The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, and Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto.

Spring might have you thinking about your garden... but it's probably nothing like the one in The Garden by Nick Newman!

Two elderly sisters live alone in a crumbling estate. A wall surrounds their garden, which provides all they need. The world beyond has been dangerous as long as they can remember. They still follow their mother’s strict rules, though she died decades ago. For years, they’ve relied only on each other. Then, they discover a boy hiding in their home. His arrival unravels long-buried secrets and the truth about the outside world.

This novel reminded me of We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Piranesi, but it’s also completely original! For some family drama mixed with speculative fiction and psychological horror, try this book.

Kathleen loves historical and contemporary fiction that span time and place—especially a good family saga. She's drawn to stories that offer fresh perspectives and insights into different lives. Lately, she has 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.

The Wedding by Gurjinder Basran is an emotional story about a South Asian family coming together for a wedding. Over the course of the story, secrets come out, old wounds resurface, and each character is forced to face their past and their choices. It offers an astute portrayal of the struggles between tradition and personal freedom. The characters feel real and relatable, and the story talks about family, identity, and love.

I picked this up as I was just recently at a wedding in India, and this book took me back there. I could relate to a lot of characters in the book. It is beautifully written.

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