News & Updates

Each year, the Marion Public Library gathers favorite reads from staff to share with our community. This year’s lineup is full of variety, from new releases to memoirs and all kinds of books in between.

Here are a few of the books chosen by staff as their favorite pick of the year, and why they picked their selection.

“‘Gods of Jade and Shadow’ was a fun and engaging read. The story itself has a dynamic cast of characters and draws from Mayan mythology. I love mythologies, folklore, and fairy tales, so stylistically, this novel hit the right notes for me. The protagonist, Cassiopeia, is also just dynamite.” – Laura, Patron Services

“’All Systems Red’ was one of the first books I read this year and I fell in love instantly. The main character has a unique perspective and enough sass that the book remained highly entertaining even during the slow parts. The supporting cast and world-building also helped flesh out the rest of the story. It was a short novella and I finished it in a snap, but I instantly started devouring the rest of the series.” – Lauren, Collection Development

“John Irving is an Iowa Writers’ Workshop grad and ‘A Prayer for  Owen Meany’ is my favorite novel of his. It’s even better, I’d argue, than ‘The World According to Garp.’ Deeply moving, plus the Christmas pageant scene is laugh-out-loud funny!” – Hilery, Foundation Director