The great thing about working in a library is that you get to see so many books cross the service desk. After these books caught my eye I just had to check them out.

The first two that got my attention were picture books. And yes, adults can check out and read picture books for their own enjoyment. The artwork catches me first, then a charming story.

The aunts are visiting! They’ve arrived with their snapping purses, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and passion for quilting. They’re ready to see the sights, pinch your cheeks, and protect you from the monsters in your bedroom. “Oh No, the Aunts are Here” by Adam Rex is a whimsical yet down-to-earth picture book. It made me laugh, and wonder if my nieces and nephews would identify me with the same universal, yet oh-so-specific characteristics as these fictional aunts.

The second picture book I recently enjoyed was “In the Night Garden.” In the night garden a cat tiptoes across a roof, bats swoop over you, and a harvest moon shines. Author and illustrator Carin Berger depicts these enchanting scenes with beautiful scrapbook-like images and soft meandering prose. I love a soothing picture book, one that lulls you and your little loved one to sleep.

After these sweet picture books I was shocked back to the real world by “Hey Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies behind Multilevel Marketing” by Emily Lynn Paulson. Have you ever noticed one of your Facebook friends starting to post frequent videos about a new product that they claim instantly gives them great skin, weight loss, an energy boost, or other miracle results? And posting about how you can change your life by joining them on this journey? They might have joined a multilevel marketing company. In multilevel marketing companies consultants make some money from product sales, but the biggest earners earn money by recruiting new consultants to be in their “down line,” or pyramid. Paulson describes how she worked her way to the top of a multilevel marketing company that sold beauty products, and everything she sacrificed to get there. After several years of high earning, a cancer diagnosis and her struggle to become sober clarified how predatory, toxic, and manipulative multilevel marketing companies are to consultants, especially those who rank lower in the pyramid. This is a fascinating look at the culture of multilevel marketing companies and the repercussions that joining one can have.

I finished out my recent reads with “The Daydreams” by Laura Hankin. Kat, Liana, Summer, and Noah were once the fresh-faced stars of teen show “The Daydreams.” The quartet grew close over two seasons. Everything fell apart during the live finale of the second season when Summer seemed to have a breakdown on air, ruining her career and causing the show to be canceled. The group reluctantly gets back together 15 years later to film a reunion episode. Everyone seems to want redemption and validation, and maybe just a little revenge. This novel explores how Hollywood discards young women when their public image becomes even slightly tarnished. Hankin gives each character a chance at redemption, but can they let go of the past enough to seize it?

If any of these books caught your attention, visit www.newulmlibrary.org and choose Library Catalog to place your request. Otherwise stop by the library or give us a call at 507-359-8331. Library staff are happy to assist you.

New Ulm Public Library is located at 17 North Broadway and is open Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. We hope to see you soon!