Mary, our January 2026 Reader of the Month, is a Recruiting Coordinator at Medical Associates Clinic who approaches reading with curiosity and heart. A fan of mystery, historical fiction, and literary novels, Mary sees books as a way to both escape and better understand the world – returning to favorites like Pride and Prejudice while always making room for something new. Find all of Mary’s recommendations here.
January Reader of the Month Q&A:
Can you tell us about your reading interests in general?
- I’ve always enjoyed reading because it allows me to explore new perspectives and ideas. I tend to gravitate toward fiction, especially literary fiction, mystery, and historical novels. My personal reading philosophy is to read with curiosity. I like books that challenge me to think differently, as well as those that offer escapism. I believe every book has something to offer, even if it’s just a new way of seeing the world. Reading is a big part of how I relax, learn, and stay inspired.
What is your ideal reading environment?
- Depends on the time of year….In summer I enjoy reading on my deck or in a park with a cold lemonade or a glass of wine. In winter, it’s all about snuggling up on the couch with fuzzy blankets, hot apple cider, my cats and a good book!
What book are you currently reading?
What is the best book you have read within the last year (or ever)?
- Best books in the last year: “The Time Between by Karen White“, “The Witches are Coming by Lindy West” and The French House by Courtney Lochner.
- Best book of all time: “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen (I read it every year).
What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is most exciting?
- “Enabling Acts: The Hidden Story of How the Americans with Disabilities Act Gave the Largest US Minority Its Rights” by Lennard J. Davis. I’m excited because it means something close to my heart. My dad was a passionate advocate who spent his life working to make the world better for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, and his dedication is an inspiration to me.
What format do you prefer and why?
- I love physical books the most, but e-books are perfect for traveling or cozy holiday reading by the glow of Christmas lights. Audiobooks are great while cleaning, doing puzzles, or driving.
Have you discovered any exciting new authors or genres?
- I’ve recently been drawn to Dark Academia, reading “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab and “The It Girl” by Ruth Ware.
Have you read any books recently that have changed the way you think about something?
- “Little Bee” by Chris Cleave addresses refugees seeking asylum and really made me think about how morality often collides with self-preservation.
What is something interesting you learned from a book?
- It’s not so much of a something as a what. I’ve learned to better self-reflect through reading. Books let you live inside other people’s minds, people different from you. Sometimes you read a character’s actions or beliefs and feel friction — that tension teaches you what you value.
What book has been the most challenging for you to read? How did it challenge you?
- “The Luminaries” by Eleanor Catton. The book shifts between third-person, first-person, journal entries and period speech which required a lot of adaptability and focus.
When do you decide to stop reading a book? In other words, do you read every book to the last page, or is there a moment when you decide to stop?
- I have a hard time not finishing a book—even one I’m not really enjoying—and have only done so a few times. I still need to know how it ends!
Do you remember when your love for reading began?
- My love of reading started early. My dad would read my favorite Little Golden Books, There’s a Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, and The Mother Goose Book by Nina Barbaresi and my all-time favorite Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. As I got older, my mother would read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. My passion just kept growing from there.
What other library resources do you enjoy?
- Lawn Games and Puzzles!
Thanks to Mary for being our first Reader of the Month of 2026! Are you interested in being our next featured reader? Fill out the application form here.