While COVID-19 put a stop to many people’s personal enjoyments over the past year, reading, already a popular hobby, became a standard go-to for amusement, entertainment, and diversion as we spent months locked within our homes.
The same was true for the staff members at the Okotoks Public Library as a majority were temporarily laid-off during the first round of pandemic.
This allowed them, like many of our patrons, the opportunity to tackle their ever-increasing Goodreads “My Book” lists and actually finish reading titles chosen for private pleasure rather than occupational responsibility.
Here is a listing of some of the staff’s most enjoyed books from the past year along with book profiles or summaries as found in our online catalogue at tracpac.ab.ca.
Emma Feltham, Children services co-ordinator
“I finally got around to a title that has been on my to-read list for years; The Martian by Andy Weir. It was such an incredible read. Another one I really enjoyed that introduced me to a new author was the Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren.”
Genre: Fiction; Adventure; Space; Survival; Suspense; Science fiction
Topics: Astronauts; Mars; Survival; Space exploration; Space travel
Location: Planet
Genre: Fiction; Domestic; Family; Humorous
Topics: Twins; Sisters; Weddings; Honeymoons; Travel
Location Hawaii; Island
Time Period: 2000s; 21st century
Erin Kerik, Exam proctor & periodicals co-ordinator
“It was actually released in 2019, but my favourite book that I read this year was Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by K.J. Parker. It was an unusual fantasy novel that had my attention very quickly, although I was little disappointed with the ending!”
Summary: A siege is approaching, and the city has little time to prepare. The people have no food and no weapons, and the enemy has sworn to slaughter them all.
To save the city will take a miracle, but what it has is Orhan. A colonel of engineers, Orhan has far more experience with bridge-building than battles, is a cheat and a liar, and has a serious problem with authority. He is, in other words, perfect for the job.
Jeff Blumer, Juvenile services co-ordinator
“My favourite from my section is Big Nate: The Gerbil Ate my Homework. This graphic novel is great for all ages. Kids will enjoy the stories and excellent artwork, and easy to read comic panels, but all ages, including adults will enjoy the sharp and sarcastic humour of big Nate. Plenty of jokes to make grown ups laugh too.”
Genre: Fiction; Juvenile; Humour; Book tie-in; Comics; Collection
Topics: Students; Bullies; Rebellion; Teachers and students; Popularity; Juvenile delinquency
Time Period: 2000s; 21st century
