Read any good books lately?

It’s a question librarians across Maine get asked a lot. Luckily, it’s a question they love to answer. In many Maine public libraries, you see sections of staff-recommended books. Some librarians write book reviews as well.

So when we asked Maine librarians to share their recommendations for the best book they read in 2025 — or at least a favorite book — we got some pretty quick responses. They came from all over, from Kennebunkport to Damariscotta, from Old Orchard Beach to Farmington and points in between.

Here then are the books librarians chose to recommend and some reasons why, in their own words. All the books were published in the last year or two.

“Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism” by Sarah Wynn-Williams

(The book) is an insider’s account of Facebook’s push to go global and the catastrophic consequences that came of this. Tonally, the book opens with the author’s near-death experience surviving a shark attack and only gets crazier from there. It plucked the same string for me as Patric Gagne’s 2024 “Sociopath: A Memoir,” with their potentially unreliable narrators who yet manage to keep me thinking about their books, and the big questions posed,  long after finishing.

— Meghan Fogg, adult services librarian, Freeport Community Library

“The Dead of Summer” by Ryan La Sala

This book had lovable characters, an exciting and well-written plot, and the story was absolutely thrilling. It takes place on an island off the coast of Portland and in my review (for GoodReads.com), I described it as “The YA LGBTQ+ ‘Island of Dr. Moreau’ meets ‘Outbreak’ but make it zombies.” This book will be in my top 5 this year for sure.

— Margo Jacques, senior librarian assistant, Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham

“Endling” by Maria Reva

The Ukrainian marriage industry, an endangered snail scientist, a kidnapping scheme gone wrong, the very real Ukrainian invasion by Russia and an author who writes herself into her own novel, all come together to form a fascinating and often deeply (and darkly) funny read that explores war, love, home, family, science, art, and, of course, snails. A timely but timeless tale that blew my mind in the best way possible. 

— Hannah Lackoff, programs and outreach manager, Patten Free Library in Bath.

“Everything Is Tuberculosis” by John Green

This book is the perfect entry level nonfiction book that can be read, enjoyed and learned from regardless of your initial level of knowledge on the subject, or really even your initial interest in it. Green always manages to make the information consumable by taking what in other hands could be incredibly technical and coldly scientific and making it something deeply personal without losing the educational value. At its heart, this book is about people, and you do not need to be an avid nonfiction lover to get value out of it.

— Heather MacNeill, juvenile services librarian, Libby Memorial Library in Old Orchard Beach

“The Islanders” by Lewis Robinson 

On a remote island off the coast of Maine, a group of troubled teens arrives for what’s supposed to be a leadership program — only to sense that the island’s wealthy residents are hiding something. As Walt and the others push to uncover the truth, tensions rise in this atmospheric, suspenseful coming-of-age story. Perfect for readers who loved “Burn” by Peter Heller. 

— Jocelyn Kelly, youth services manager, Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick

“Just Like Glass: A Family Memoir” by Amy Wight Chapman

This memoir reads like a love letter to family and friendship, a mother’s courage, a father’s legacy, and the state of Maine. It shows the way familial love, safety and security give the space and tools needed to grapple with life’s hurts and sadness with broken open hearts that keep on loving anyway.
I loved reading about the Wight siblings and the freedom and trust they were given to explore the outdoors, learn about the world and its wonders, and the sibling responsibility to bring each other home in one piece. One of my favorite aspects of reading is a strong sense of place, and in (the book) I felt like I was right there.

— Beth Kane, library director, Norway Memorial Library

 “Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and Costs of the Perfect Playlist” by Liz Pelly

Spotify, the music streaming behemoth, has become so ubiquitous so rapidly that it now can be difficult to imagine listening to music without it. Pelly, in this perceptive investigation, details Spotify’s rise (it was an ad-selling platform in search of content, a telling if disheartening revelation), its impact on artists and listeners, and how musicians are working for more equitable streaming models.  It’s great to see cultural criticism like this, which doesn’t assume superiority or conclude in pessimism, but rather asks us to examine how we consume what we love, and to imagine better alternatives. A must for any music afficionado.

— Chloe Deblois, adult services librarian at Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta

“Notes on Surviving the Fire” by Christine Murphy

A beautiful blend of murder mystery, thriller, satire, and literary fiction, (the book) is a gorgeous and harrowing debut novel about friendship, the pitfalls of academia, and the tough realities of self-discovery. I’m a slow reader, but I plowed through this enthralling book in two days. I can’t wait to see what else Christine Murphy has in store.

— Becca Starr, literature and language librarian, Portland Public Library

“There Is No Antimemetics Division” by qntm

This mind-bending little book unsettled me in the very best way. It’s cosmic horror with a sci-fi twist that gives your brain a workout. I wish there was more I could think to say but honestly the book is a little indescribable.

— Jessica Casey, director, Farmington Public Library

“Water Finds a Way” by Meghan Perry

This debut novel, set in a coastal Downeast Maine fishing village, is beautifully written and draws you into a story that is not always easy, but powerful. The characters are fully developed and perfect in their imperfections. You find yourself wanting the best for them — a page turner from start to finish. Blake Alvarez has recently returned to the one place she feels safe, a now derelict homestead left to her. In seeking her own redemption, she helps an ailing widow and a notorious local lobsterman. Blake’s secrets keep surfacing at the most inopportune times, repeatedly shocking and distancing the people she hopes will finally see her true self.

— Jennifer Gifford, assistant director, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library in Kennebunkport

“When the Tides Held the Moon” by Venessa Vida Kelley 

(The book) is a vibrant novel featuring found family and self-discovery in 1910s New York City. Benigno “Benny” Caldera, a Boricua immigrant, is asked to join the sideshow cast after building a tank for a merman captured from the East River, set to be featured as Luna Park’s newest attraction at Coney Island. As Benny takes care of the merman he calls Rio, Benny finds the love and acceptance he’s always longed for. As Rio’s health gets progressively worse from being in captivity, Benny must decide whether or not to return him to the river, knowing either decision leads to heartbreak.

— Sarah Hartje, children’s library technician at the Lewiston Public Library