Patch Picks: Librarians’ Picks for Best Books

National Read Across America Day was Wednesday and in honor of this special day of reading, we asked local librarians to share their picks for top books.

We chatted with librarians at and the staff recommended some of their favorites for both kids and adults. 

1. "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen

In this adult fiction, the idyllic lives of civic-minded environmentalists Patty and Walter Berglund come into question when their son moves in with aggressive conservative neighbors, green lawyer Walter takes a job in the coal industry, and go-getter Patty becomes increasingly unstable and enraged.

2. "The Art of Eating In:  How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove" by Cathy Erway

Live in New York City and not eat out?  Unthinkable!  But Erway, who is frustrated by her mentally unstimulating job, writes in this adult non-fiction book about her decision to start a food blog.  And how to attract followers?  By asserting that she will not eat out in any of the five burroughs for two years. The only exceptions would be work-related if invited by her superiors. Erway becomes intimately familiar with her tiny apartment kitchen (what other kind is there in New York?), as well as alternatives to restaurant and takeout food, such as supper clubs and dumpster diving. By going against the grain, Erway discovers her true passion, and invites us to a seat at the dinner table.

3. "Big Fat Hen" by Keith Baker

In this children’s picture book, Big Fat Hen counts to ten with her friends and all their chicks.

4. "Zora and Me" by Victoria Bond

A fictionalized account of Zora Neale Hurston's childhood with her best friend Carrie, in Eatonville, Florida, as they learn about life, death, and the differences between truth, lies, and pretending. This juvenile fiction includes an annotated bibliography of the works of Zora Neale Hurston, a short biography of the author, and information about Eatonville, Florida.

5. "Poles Apart: Why Penguins and Polar Bears Will Never Be Neighbors" by Elaine Scott

This juvenile non-fiction includes lively photos and engaging narrative describing the North and South Poles: explorers, flora and fauna. 

Readers can find other recommendations as well as book reviews and book discussion guides on the Montgomery County Public Library's "Readers' Cafe" section of its website.