This week on our traveling book club, we head to the Warren County Public Library for a psychological horror, a science-fiction fantasy romance and a feel-good tale.

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Despite what the temperatures might say, fall is here! Here are three book recommendations to help get you in the autumnal spirit. 

Every other Wednesday, we check in on a new library, in a new town, on our 4 p.m. show, The Current. This week, for our 31st stop, we’re heading south to the Warren County Public Library in Monmouth, Illinois. 

You can also check out any of our other libraries, including our most recent visits to Wilton, Rock Island, Fulton, Bettendorf, Sterling, and Lost Nation. 

This week, our librarians have chosen a psychological horror with monsters and mystery; a fantasy, science-fiction romance filled with lords, knights and gods; and a feel-good page-turner about true friendship, overcoming adversity and fighting for the heart of a community:

“Don’t Let the Forest In” by CG Drews has become an instant New York Times bestseller. This YA psychological horror follows high school senior, Andrew Perrault, who finds refuge in the twisted fairy tales he writes. Those stories are only ever seen by his friend, Thomas Rye, a boy with ink-stained hands and hair like autumn leaves. When the kids all return to Wickwood Academy, Andrew finds his twin sister, Dove, inexplicably keeping him at a cold distance, prompting him to lean on Thomas even more. But something strange is happening with Thomas. When his abusive parents suddenly vanish and he returns to school with blood on his sleeve, Thomas won’t say a word about it. He also begins losing interest in his artwork and is seemingly haunted by something. Desperate to figure out what’s wrong, Andrew follows Thomas into the off-limits forest one night. What he finds is a nightmare: all of Thomas’s drawings of the monsters in Andrew’s stories are coming to life and killing anyone close to Thomas. Together, the boys battle the monsters every night, trying to make sure no one else dies. But as their obsession with each other grows stronger, so do the monsters. Soon, Andrew fears the only way to stop the creatures might be to destroy their creator. “The Knight and the Moth” by Rachel Gillig is book one in The Stonewater Kingdom series and a highly-regarded science fiction and fantasy epic. Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. She’s a Diviner – girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral. Each night, Sybil receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From there, she can predict terrible things before they occur. Consequently, lords and common folk from across the kingdom of Traum travel to learn their futures by her dreams. But just as she and her sister Diviners approach the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rodrick, as he’s called, is rude, heretical and devilishly handsome. He also has no respect for Sybil’s visions. But when her fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, Sybil has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. Only the gods have the answers she’s seeking. As much as she’d rather avoid Rodrick’s dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god. “The Library” by Bella Osborne is the story of two lonely bookworms, an unexpected friendship and a library that needs their help. Teenager, Tom, has always blended into the background of life. After another fight with his dad, and facing an unhappy future at the dog food factory, he escapes to the library. Meanwhile, pensioner Maggie has been happily alone with her beloved novels for ten years. Or, that’s what she tells herself. But when the two meet, they recognize something in the other that will change their lives forever. Then the library is threatened with closure, and they must join forces to prove it’s not just about books. It’s about the heart of their community, and some things are worth fighting for. 


Beyond the Books

The library has several fun Halloween events planned around the end of October. 

On Oct. 23 at 6 p.m., your teenager can take part in the Teen Halloween Paint Night to get their crafting on. 

The next day, on Oct. 24, the annual Trick or Treat on the Square will take place at 2 p.m. with a bunch of local businesses. There will be a cemetarium fairy garden craft available in the library afterward. 

And on Oct. 30, Bring Your Own Book Discussion is happening at 5 p.m. Simply bring the book you’re currently reading and enjoy fellowship with other local readers. 

You can check out these events and other future ones on the library’s Facebook or event page. 

Tune into The Current from 4 to 5 p.m. on weekdays to catch live interviews impacting you, your family and your hometown as well as all of the biggest headlines of the day.