KCPL's Staff Favorites 2025 pt. 2Like this list

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• KCPL's Favorites of 2025 pt. 2

  View on bibliocommons.com

  Here at Kansas City Public Library, we love asking each other, "What are you reading, watching, or listening to?". We love talking about more than just books! Check out part one of our list below to discover the media that has distracted, calmed,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees

  Horvath, Patrick,

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  "Part Dexter, part Leave It To Beaver, this book delves into the dark and seething rot of a small cozy town. Oh and there's a serial killing bear who means to bring it to light." - Ruby J, Central Library

• The Bones Beneath My Skin

  Klune, TJ,

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  "This book is more science fiction over Klune’s usual (recent) releases of fantasy, and there is a small spice scene, but I wouldn’t classify this as a sole romance. There’s more focus on the found family portion as well as Nate coming to terms with…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Regeneration

  Barker, Pat

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  "The best book I read in 2025 was Pat Barker's brutal and moving account of British soldiers being treated for PTSD in Craiglockhart War Hospital during World War I. Barker mixes real and fictional characters, including the poets Siegfried Sassoon…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Court of Wings and Ruin

  Maas, Sarah J.

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  "The world building is beautiful, and the characters are very likeable. This is the third book in a series. I loved watching the character development and story unfold." - Juli L, Annex

• Typewriter Beach

  a Novel

  Clayton, Meg Waite,

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  "When I listened to this book, it had me hooked! I could not put this audiobook down once I started listening to it. Initially I thought this would be yet another WWII story but was pleasantly surprised that it centered a story from the 1950s at the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Eyes of Gaza

  a Diary of Resistance

  Alaqad, Plestia,

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  "This book gave such an honest and devastating view of the tragedy/genocide currently going on in Gaza. While reading, I also listened to the audiobook, and to hear Plestia narrate her own diary entries gave an even more intimate look at the terrors…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Shark Heart

  a Love Story

  Habeck, Emily,

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  "This book draws you in on a whimsy plotline (man turns into a shark) and cover, only to absolutely devastate you as the characters navigate grief, the bittersweet poison of "what if's", and what it means to love." - Erika C, Central Library

• Feast While You Can

  Clements, Mikaella,

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  "Oh no you’re a lesbian living in an atmospheric small town and the local ancient creature has possessed you and the only thing that fends it off is the touch of your hot childhood crush who is back in town again after leaving you for the big city…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sunrise on the Reaping

  Collins, Suzanne,

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  "Even though we all know what the outcome of Haymitch’s story is, it still didn’t stop this from being agonizing. You meet both new and old characters and no matter how much you try to shield your heart, that wall gets detonated. Overall, Haymitch’s…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Girl With the Louding Voice

  a Novel

  Daré, Abi,

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  "Heartbreaking and beautiful, I was rooting for the main character the whole time." - Jessie C, Central Library

• The Library of Unruly Treasures

  Birdsall, Jeanne,

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  "Wild adventure, a girl with terrible parents and a terrific great-uncle, and small winged creatures invisible to adults who's home (in the library) is in danger. Fully satisfying storytelling." - Crystal F, Central Library

• Normal Women

  900 Years of Making History

  Gregory, Philippa,

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  "British history but through what written records there are of women. While the farthest back records do center women of the aristocracy, you quickly understand that their experience was not much different. Women have been critical to the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Our Dining Table

  Ori, Mita,

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  - Abigail C, Central Library

• The Names

  A Novel

  Knapp, Florence

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  "It sounded like an interesting premise and it really was. It was a hard read at times, but has a very raw and real portrayal of domestic abuse." - Emilee SO, Trails West Library

• Fireworks

  Burgess, Matthew,

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  "I love fireworks. I could almost feel the heat of summer and smell the gunpowder reading this sensory-filled immersive children's book about fireworks on the Fourth of July in a city with all the sounds, sights, feelings and tastes that go with it.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Death of the Author

  Okorafor, Nnedi,

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  - Kaite S, Annex

• Every Monday Mabel

  Awan, Jashar,

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  "The perfect picture book for anyone who has ever felt alone in their interests! Every Monday, Mabel eagerly prepares for the BEST THING IN THE WORLD, even though her family dismisses it as "boring" or "cute." I won't spoil the surprise, but there's…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Even in Arcadia

  View on worldcat.org

  "This is the newest CD from the band Sleep Token. I enjoy the dark and dramatic music that mixes melodic aspects as well as some grittier metal aspects and poetic verse. Notable favorite songs from this album: "Emergence", "Caramel", and …Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Wedding People

  a Novel

  Espach, Alison, 1984-

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  "This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I loved the author's voice in this. It was raw, funny, and relatable. This book will dig its way into your heart." - Noemi I, Central Library