For Historical Fiction Fans: The Personal Librarian, a remarkable novel by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray about J. P. Morgan's personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation.

For History Buffs: The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story edited by Nikole Hannah Jones expands on The New York Times Magazine's award-winning "1619 Project," which reframed our understanding of American history by placing slavery and its continuing legacy at the center of our national narrative. This new book substantially expands on that work, weaving together eighteen essays that explore the legacy of slavery in present-day America with thirty-six poems and works of fiction that illuminate key moments of oppression, struggle, and resistance.

For Exploring Black History and Culture:

W.E.B. Dubois’s Data Portraits: Visualizing Black America, this visually stunning book, by the DuBois Institute at University of Massachusetts, is the first complete publication of groundbreaking charts, graphs, and maps presented at the 1900 Paris Exposition by famed sociologist, writer, and Black rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois.

Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora, a beautiful, groundbreaking cookbook by food activist and author, Bryant Terry, which explores Black foodways within America and around the world.

All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Massachusetts-based historian, Tiya Miles, is a National Book Award winner. Miles traces the life of a single object handed down through three generations of Black women to craft an extraordinary testament to people who are left out of the archives.

For Young Activists: From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement by Paula Yoo. Extensively researched from court transcripts, contemporary news accounts, and in-person interviews with key participants, Yoo presents a suspenseful and nuanced portrait of a pivotal, but lesser known aspect of the movement for racial justice in America.

For Fans of Love Stories: Blackout is the collaborative effort of six critically acclaimed authors — Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon — who bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teens in love in a charming, hilarious, and heartwarming new novel.

For SF Fans: Daughter of the Deep by best-selling author Rick Riordan pays homage to Jules Verne in this exciting modern take on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

For Empowerment: Star Fish by Lisa Flipps. Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this poignant debut novel-in-verse by a former journalist, author, and marketing director at a public library in Indiana.

For Inspiration: How to Become a Planet by rising star, Nicole Melleby, is a Publisher’s Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2021. Pluto, who loves space as much as her mom, is dealing with a black hole in her life: depression and anxiety. A great book for kids struggling emotionally during these challenging times.

For Fantasy Fans: The Beatryce Prophecy by two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall, a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world.

For Fans of Survival Stories: Gone to the Woods, is a memoir by Gary Paulsen, the award-winning author of Hatchet who passed away in October.

Chapter Book Series

Here are some beloved “firsts in a series”:

Sophie Mouse #1: A New Friend by Poppy Green and beautifully illustrated by Jennifer Bell; Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows; Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry; The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (also available in Spanish); Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary; Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth by Jane O’Connor; Judy Moody was in a Mood by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Dedham based Peter Reynolds.

Religious Christmas: Hallelujah!: A Christmas Celebration by W. Nikola-Lisa

For Dreamers: Dream Snow by Eric Carle, the legendary, Massachusetts-based illustrator who passed away earlier this year.)

Gratitude: Keeping the City Going by Caldecott Award winner Brian Fioca is a heartfelt thank you to the essential workers who have kept their cities going during COVID-19 in this tenderly illustrated picture book.

The Natural World: Wonder Walkers by another Massachusetts-based author illustrator Micha Archer.

You may also want to check out some of our themed shelves such as:

• The Poetry Pharmacy

• The Music Department

• Art Museum Gift Shop

• Icons of Photography (New Shelf!)

• Form Follows Function: Architecture + Design

• Green Building

• Green Living

We also have tons of 500 and 1000 piece Jigsaw puzzles, which are a fun relaxing pastime for the winter season and also make for great gifts for the puzzlers in your life.