Need to know what book to buy? Ask a librarian

A  National Book Award nominee, a controversial selection about one of America's most private authors, and Anne Rice's latest venture with vampires lead the list of the Cedar Rapids Public Library's 2014 staff picks.

Whether you're looking for wonderful winter reads for yourself or the perfect present, begin with Anthony Doerr's atmospheric 'All the Light We Cannot See.” Recommended by longtime library staffer Barbara Bernier, it is the fictional tale of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl and Werner, a German boy, whose worlds collide in occupied during World War II.

Bernier notes, 'I was totally obsessed with the book. Always fascinated with World War II Europe, ‘All the Light' interested me from the start.”

Although not science-oriented, Bernier cites the author's incorporation of '20,000 Leagues under the Sea” into the plot as inspiration for her to read Jules Verne's classic, as well as an introductory physics text. Ten years in the writing, 'All the Light” is rich in character, plot, and emotion providing an unforgettable reading experience.

Marja Mills' 'The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee” is staffer Carol Farris' non-fiction choice.

In 2001 the Chicago Public Library tapped 'To Kill a Mockingbird” as the first 'One Book, One Chicago” selection. Mills, a Chicago Tribune reporter, interviewed Alice (Harper's sister) and Harper, eventually becoming friends with them and living next door for 18 months. Ostensibly, she had their blessing in writing the tell-all but after publication, the Lees objected. Carol says, ' I enjoyed learning about Harper Lee, the author of one of the world's best-loved books but also felt a little disloyal for reading it since the Lee family was not happy about its publication. Lee always treasures her privacy.”

Reference librarian Kristine Olsen suggests 'Prince Lestat: The Vampire Chronicles” by Anne Rice. 'This book picks up where 'The Vampire Lestat and 'The Queen of the Damned” left off. It was nice getting caught up with old friends, meeting new friends and seeing where Rice is going to take her beloved creations. A little slow in places but an overall good read. Lestat is back.”

Staff member Heidi Hartke recommends the non-fiction title 'Congratulations, By the Way: Some Thoughts on Kindness” as a volume that gave her goose bumps. 'It offers a simple message calling us to lead kinder, more fulfilling lives.”

Written by Syracuse University professor George Saunders, whom the New Yorker named as one of the 'Best Writers under 40,” this is from a graduation address he gave that was then posted on the New York Times website where it went viral. 'Funny, wise, rich without being too heavy, and deeply resonant, I apparently was not alone in loving it,” she observes.

She also cites 'Under Magnolia: a Southern Memoir” by Frances Mayers ('Under the Tuscan Sun”). Hartke describes the story as a well-written slice of life 'offering insights into growing up white and middle-class in the South during the '60s (and) '70s with a mother who always wanted more.”

During five seasons on British TV and in their movies, Monty Python put hilarious spins on topics serious and treated grave subjects humorously. Library staffer Katie Beitzel found Brian Cogan and Jeff Massey's 'Everything I Ever Needed to Know about __________* I Learned from Monty Python” highly entertaining. 'It provides insight to Python fans - to anybody really - about the works of the Pythons and how they influenced various aspects of the culture. The authors' love of Python keeps the book light and a quick read,” she says.