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I picked this book up, Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi after seeing on social media and really loved the heartwarming tales in this book. This book features a time traveling seat in a café in Tokyo, Japan and contains four different stories of people who want to go back in time. All stories have the same café staff who explain the different rules for time traveling. The explanations of why the people want to go back in time are really special and emotional. I definitely recommend checking it out as well as the sequel Tales From the Cafe.

If you have never read any of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, this is as good a place to start as any. Vimes is an inspector on the Anhk-Morpork city watch, content to while away his time in a drunken stupor. But when a dragon appears on the scene along with a rookie cop determined to do everything by the book, it turns his world on end. With a cast of absurd characters placed in ludicrous situations, Guards! Guards! is sure to lighten your spirits. 

Can't afford to travel this summer? Then pick up The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah and feel like you're traveling into the mystical deserts of "1001 Nights"! The setting of this retelling is definitely the highlight, the descriptions so lush you'll swear you can feel the burning sand on your feet! Packed with magic and tricky jinn, The Stardust Thief is the first book to a new trilogy that will leave you saying, "I wish I had book two!".

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black is amazing. This book is labeled under teen, but I think that the story is for everyone. A fantasy adventure that has you gripping the book to find out how the characters will survive. 

Jacob is nearly sixteen and virtually friendless with little direction in his life when a sudden traumatic event changes everything. He embarks on an adventure to a mysterious island to try to find answers to his family's past. This young adult novel, which includes unusual period photos, sets an eerie tone that will give you goosebumps.

If you've read Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series, Trials of Apollo will be right up your alley – it's another fun, fast-paced five-book series filled with Greek and Roman mythology. The Hidden Oracle picks up six months after the end of the last Heroes of Olympus book, with the god Apollo turned into a sixteen-year-old human. He learns that all prophecy has been blocked, and as the former god of prophecy, he's been tasked with restoring all the ancient oracles to regain his immortal status. Apollo gets help from twelve-year-old Meg, a demigod from New York, and some other favorite characters that Rick Riordan fans will know and love. This series is an excellent addition to the world Rick Riordan has created, with his signature witty humor and ability to make ancient mythology easy to understand and fun for all ages.

The Extraordinaries by T.J Klune focuses on Nick, an average everyday teenager who is openly queer and happens to have ADHD. In a world where there are normal people and Extraordinaries (people with superpowers) Nick struggles with feeling of inadequacy, a feeling that he tries to solve by becoming an Extraordinary himself. The story was full of relatable situations as Nick navigates through all his emotions and deals with the people in his life. Nick himself is just a really relatable character and I can see a lot of myself in him, which made the story all the more fun. This story has all the cringe involved with being a teenager, a lot of humor, a couple sad bits, and a good sprinkling of a cute romance. My absolute favorite thing about the book was the plot twist! It took the story in completely different direction in the best way possible. There's also a sequel!!! 

Locke and Key is a Netflix show based on a comic book series. Following a family tragedy, the Locke's move across the country to their father's family home, Key House. Strange things begin to happen, and the house starts to reveal its mysteries to the family. The Locke children start to learn more and more about their father's past and possibly why he ran far away from his Ancestral home. A little bit of adventure, a little bit of mystery, and a dash of fun.

What a great show! It was one of those shows we started and then couldn't stop watching- binge worthy for sure!  The library also has the graphic novels the show is based on. I haven't read them myself, but if they are half as good as the show, you won't be disappointed! 

Check out a Roku with Netflix to get caught up. The new season released October 22nd.

For anyone out there who is a Beatles fan, is it even possible to not enjoy watching the movie, Yesterday (2019, rated PG-13)? It's jam packed with one great tune after another, with some of the best pop music ever written. In fact, there's even a deleted scene with George Harrison's "Something" that should have been included in the movie. The scenes that could have been created around all the fabulous music from The Beatles is probably endless and the movie would be five hours long.

And for the younger generation of music listeners, I hope they will also enjoy this romance/comedy and appreciate some of the music these four guys from Liverpool, England, brought to the world.

Listen to the soundtrack on Hoopla and check out the movie.

Jennifer is also a fan. Read her review.

The Age of Miracles (2012) is beautifully told from the point of view of eleven-year-old Julia. As the Earth's rotation slows, it has unintended and dire consequences for all life on the planet. Meanwhile, Julia is already grappling with all the complexities of being a pre-teen girl, including a crush on a boy, falling out with close friends, and strained relations with her father.

Karen Thompson Walker does an excellent job of putting you in the frame of mind of this young girl, which makes the calamity seem that much more real and heartfelt. Read the ebook or listen to the audiobook on Overdrive. 

When I heard Finding Neverland (2004, rated PG) was nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, I hoped it would win--but it did not. Nevertheless, it is a terrific movie. Johnny Depp who portrays James M. Barrie and Kate Winslet are equally great together. All of the fantasy is typical Johnny Depp and had me wondering if there was any truth to this story about how James Barrie created Peter Pan.

As the movie progresses, a more serious tone emerges with a climactic ending befitting Academy Award worthiness. Heaven is a real place don't you know, and I for one can only imagine just how beautiful it will be.

Watch Finding Neverland on Hoopla today or on DVD. While it didn't win Best Picture, the film did nab an Oscar for Best Original Score. Listen to it on Hoopla. For more of the true story behind the film, read this New York Times article.

The Bad Beginning (1999) is the start of the downright dreadful, disastrous, and dangerous turn of events that Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire must endure after the passing of their parents in a tragic fire. They are sent to live with the dreadful Count Olaf, who cares more about the inheritance the children have than their wellbeing. The Baudelaire siblings must work together to thwart the evil doings of Count Olaf and figure out what really happened with the fire that killed their parents.

Lemony Snicket's writing gives the story character and makes the reader long for more with his unique style and prose.The Bad Beginning kicks off A Series of Unfortunate Events. Read the ebook on Overdrive or listen to the audiobook on Hoopla.

I just saw Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997) on Overdrive's ebook list. Well if you are looking for one great book to read, go no further. You found it. The best page-turning adventure that you can't put down, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first in this epic story of the eleven-year-old wizard who becomes every reader's favorite hero.

Even if you saw the movie, you'll want to read Harry's entire story. It has no boring parts and will grip your attention from page one. You will feel you've been transported into the story itself. And it does not matter how old you are. Even as I'm writing this, I can feel myself aboard the Hogwarts Express on my way to live Harry's journey with him and his pals Hermione and Ron. This is a ride you will not want to miss.

Check out J. K. Rowling's debut novel (and the one that started it all). Visit Overdrive to read or listen to the first book... then check out the rest of the series.