Gryph Reads Staff Picks

Today's Hours: 8am - 10pm - All service hours
A collage of thin slices of book covers from the staff picks.

Find your next summer read from the Gryph Reads Staff Picks Collection! The books in this collection were hand-picked by McLaughlin Library staff just for you.

The Gryph Reads Collection is the library’s leisure reading collection including a variety of genres. You can browse the Gryph Reads Collection online or check it out on the first floor of the library. 

Here's what our staff are reading:  

  • The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews: “Toews is unequalled in her ability to tackle serious situations with heart, humour, and humility. Join the Flying Troutmans on the road as Hattie takes her 11-year-old niece, 15 year old nephew, a cooler of food, and a box of art supplies from Manitoba to the southern US border.” - Pam, Research & Scholarship Librarian 
  • The Fifth Season: The Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin: “If you're looking for an amazing post-apocalyptic fantasy trilogy with diverse, well-developed characters, a fascinating detailed world, a plot that sucks you in, and a shocking reveal, The Fifth Season is it!” - Emily, Communications Specialist 
  • Baseball Life Advice by Stacey May Fowles: “I love sports writing, and enjoyed reading about sports fandom from the female perspective. Baseball Life Advice is a collection of essays about baseball both on and off the field, and chronicles Fowles' life as a woman who loves the game.” - Andrea, Library Associate, Electronic Resource Management and Metadata 
  • Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: “This is not your boring run-of-the-mill memoir. Learn how Phil Knight along with a cast of quirky businessmen he assembles build and grow Nike into the global powerhouse it is today. I was shocked at the constant stream of roadblocks that Phil and his team met which set me up for the delight I felt at their creative problem solving.” - Juliene, UX and Assessment Librarian 
  • Normal People by Sally Rooney: “The story follows two Irish teenagers as they navigate life, love, loss, and change through the last year of high school and into their university careers. Beautifully written and heartbreaking, the book is profound in the way it depicts life, mental health, and growth.” - Laura, Access Services Assistant 
  • Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: "A perfect read for music fans. The book follows Daisy Jones and the Six, a rock band that quickly rose to fame in the 1970's. The story is told through interviews with the band, which allows the reader to connect with each character on a personal level as they explore themes of fame, regret, artistry and loyalty.” - Laura, Access Services Assistant 
  • Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice: “This book's plot puts a unique spin on the post-apocalyptic genre. It is set in a remote northern Anishinaabe community whose members struggle to survive and support each other after communication and access to resources from the south are cut off. The story is anchored by the realistic portrayal of the relationship at its heart, and also offers hope as community members find renewal and resilience in turning towards the land and tradition.” - Jacqueline, Learning & Curriculum Support Librarian 
  • Outlawed by Anna North: "Outlawed follows Ada, a barren woman who is thrown out of her town due to superstition surrounding fertility. With nowhere to go, Ada joins the Hole in the Wall Gang, a group of outcasts with a dangerous plan to help them find security in life. Themes of queerness, femininity, fertility and chosen family are explored in this action packed western.” - Laura, Access Services Assistant
The library is committed to ensuring that members of our user community with disabilities have equal access to our services and resources and that their dignity and independence is always respected. If you encounter a barrier and/or need an alternate format, please fill out our Library Print and Multimedia Alternate-Format Request Form. Contact us if you’d like to provide feedback: lib.a11y@uoguelph.ca