Nov. 21, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is made possible by our incredible staff. And we are staffed by book lovers. To celebrate the people who keep our library running, we're highlighting different staff members and books they love.
Maria Jose is a Patron Services Specialist, working primarily at the Downtown Library. She served at the library as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in 2018, and then stayed on a staff member in 2020.
Patron Services Specialists are the friendly faces who greet you when you come in, help you sign up for library cards, use the computers, find the books you're looking for, and more.
"My favorite part of the job is that I never know what to expect from day to day – things never get stale. Every day, patrons come to me with all sorts of different requests or questions, and I get to dive into our resources and learn something new," she said. "Whenever I start to think I've seen everything, I get surprised once more! It's truly invigorating to constantly be practicing new skills, exploring new books, learning new information, and embracing new challenges."
Browse Maria Jose's book recommendations below, and put them on hold in our catalog by clicking on their covers.
"The Guest List" by Lucy Foley
As someone with a relatively short attention span, I appreciate a good murder mystery that can keep me on my toes, and in this, author Lucy Foley is a master. While all of her murder mysteries are worth a read, the combination of the large cast of multi-layered characters (each with their own secret pasts), the main event (an extravagant destination wedding), and the venue (a dark and stormy island off the coast of Ireland) all make "The Guest List" the most memorable and haunting to me.
"Rose Madder" by Stephen King
This magical realism title is the dark and brutal tale of a woman, Rosie, attempting to escape her abusive husband and start a new life for herself – something he'll do anything to prevent. Though the threat of him finding her and satisfying his depravity and anger is constant, the ferocity of those who seek to aid and protect her is just as powerful. Trigger warning: the violence depicted here is graphic, but Rosie's bravery, perseverance, and strength in the face of true horror is inspiring in a way that rattles you down to your core.
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
What I think many people don't realize about classic literature is that it isn't all stuffiness and purple prose. Austen's body of work is largely characterized by her biting humor and wit, and "Pride and Prejudice" remains one her most beloved examples. Countering Mrs. Bennet's hysterics with Mr. Bennet's dry sarcasm, Mr. Darcy's arrogance with Mr. Bingley's golden retriever energy, and everyone's overall silliness with Elizabeth Bennet's own shrewd observations, there is just so much to entertain.
"Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead
Hear me out! In a post-Twilight era, it is hard for YA vampire fiction to stand out, but even after all these years, this title remains one of my absolute favorite novels across the board. While packed with smart humor and witty comebacks, "Vampire Academy" also delivers a nuanced critique of a society riddled with old-world discrimination and inequality, tackling issues of segregation, wealth disparity, political conflicts, and more. Even Mead's plucky heroine, Rose Hathaway, must eventually confront her own internalized prejudice and faults in order to forge ahead and fight for a better future.
"Borreguita and the Coyote" by Verna Aardema
I have so many beloved childhood picture books on my shelf – but if you were to ask me for just one recommendation from the lot, it would be this one. In this retelling of a Mexican folk tale, a clever little lamb must outsmart the coyote that wishes to eat her. Time and time again, she manages to stay one step ahead, proving that sometimes, brains can in fact beat brawn.