Recommended Reads
March 2026
Benny the Blue Whale by Andy Stanton, available on Libby audio, 11 hours
Benny the Blue Whale by Andy Stanton is a wildly inventive and humorous experiment in cowriting with AI. The book follows Stanton’s collaboration with ChatGPT, sparked by an intentionally absurd prompt, resulting in a chaotic and insightful exploration of storytelling and creativity. Reviewers praise its blend of sharp wit and philosophical depth, highlighting its playful interrogation of language and narrative. Though Stanton is known for children’s books, this one is strictly for adults, featuring irreverent humor, explicit jokes, and surreal twists. Readers describe it as unlike anything they’ve read before: strange, smart, and laugh-out-loud funny—a perfect pick for anyone curious about the intersection of human creativity and AI.
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney, available on Libby as an ebook
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney is an atmospheric, cleverly constructed locked room mystery that blends family dysfunction, gothic tension, and twist heavy suspense into a single night of escalating terror on a remote tidal island. The novel follows the deeply fractured Darker family as they reunite at Seaglass—an isolated, tidelocked mansion—for Nana’s 80th birthday, a gathering doomed from the outset as the characters bring with them years of secrets, resentment, and emotional scars. Feeney uses this claustrophobic setting to great effect: once the tide rises, the family is trapped, and the story unfolds hour by hour as bodies begin to fall and a sinister poem appears, signaling hidden betrayals and longburied truths. Daisy, the narrator, brings a poignant edge to the narrative through reflections on her childhood marked by a rare heart condition and chronic exclusion within her own family, elements that heighten the novel’s emotional undertow even as the plot grows more chilling. The book skillfully weaves presentday horrors with flashbacks that reveal a deeper web of lies, guilt, and fractured relationships, all culminating in a twist that reframes everything that came before. Blending homage to Agatha Christie with Feeney’s trademark psychological complexity, Daisy Darker is both a gripping thriller and an exploration of the shadows families carry—an unsettling, immersive tale that keeps readers turning pages long after the tide has come in.
Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau Libby, available on Libby audio, 4 hours
If you read only one book this year to deepen your understanding of disability, make it this one!Emily Ladau’s Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally is more than just a guide—it’s a compassionate, eyeopening invitation to rethink how we talk about disability, how we interact with disabled people, and how we show up as genuine allies in everyday life. As a parent of a child with a disability, I know firsthand how essential this conversation is. Words like “autism” and “disability” are not insults, not whispers, and not topics to tiptoe around. They’re simply descriptions of human diversity. My hope is that someday, everyone will treat them that way. What makes Ladau’s work so impactful is how skillfully she tackles the questions people often feel too uncomfortable to ask. She explains that even wellintentioned “personfirst language” isn’t always the best or preferred approach—because identityfirst language can be empowering for many autistic and Deaf individuals. She presents this with such clarity, warmth, and honesty that you never feel judged—only invited to understand more. Ladau also breaks down how harmful everyday labels can be. Terms like “highfunctioning” and “lowfunctioning” can influence whether someone is taken seriously, what services they can access, or how others view their abilities. She reminds us that functioning is not fixed—it shifts depending on the day, the environment, and countless other factors.Another powerful element of this book is her exploration of privilege—especially the privilege nondisabled people often don’t realize they hold. She highlights how some common phrases and jokes are actually rooted in slurs, even when people don’t recognize them as such. This book isn’t about guilt; it’s about awareness and growth. The book also shines a light on the erasure of disability in history. For example, many people don’t know that Harriet Tubman lived with a disability—a significant part of her life story that is often ignored. Ladau opens the door to the rich, fascinating, and frequently overlooked history of disability, making this book a treasure trove for anyone who loves to learn. Her greatest gift to readers is permission—permission to ask questions, to make mistakes, to grow, and to keep learning. She emphasizes progress over perfection, and she shows exactly why disability awareness is everyone’s responsibility, not just the responsibility of disabled people and their families. This book is available now on Libby, and it truly is a mustread for educators, families, allies, and anyone who wants to create a more inclusive and understanding world.
The Intruder by Freida McFadden, available on Libby audio, 8 hours
If you’re a Freida McFadden fan, The Intruder will feel like coming home—in the best, “twistiest” way possible. McFadden once again delivers a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you guessing from the first page to the final, gaspinducing reveal.
This story unfolds through the perspectives of two girls: Ella, and a second narrator whose identity remains hidden until the very end. From the moment the book opens on a stormy night in a remote cabin, McFadden builds an atmosphere thick with tension. Ella is alone, the wind howls, the roof shakes, and every shadow outside feels like a warning. But the biggest question is: What would you do if a stranger appeared at your door in the middle of a dangerous storm?When Ella discovers someone hiding in her shed—covered in blood—the mystery deepens. Are they a threat? Or are they the one who needs saving? By morning, not everyone will make it out alive, and the truth behind the stranger’s story will challenge every assumption you’ve made along the way. True to McFadden’s style, the plot twists come fast, sharp, and unforgettable. Just when you think you’ve solved the mystery, she throws in one final curveball that will leave you stunned.