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Welcome to our brand new blog!

Join us here for staff reviews of books, movies, TV shows, digital services, and more! We know it's been a bit of a challenge these days finding something good to read, watch, or listen to, so we've taken a little bit of the guesswork out of it by providing you with our take on what we've been reading and watching. We're here for you.



Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli

Movie available on Disney + streaming service. Rated PG.

Audiobook on RBdigital

eBook on OverDrive/Libby

Intended Audience: YA

Review by Kristine Oulman


Leo never really felt like anyone ever saw him. Until a birthday serenade in the high school lunchroom by the new girl. Star Girl was unlike anyone in tiny Mica, New Mexico, and Mica will never be the same. This tender and touching movie, based on the YA novel by the same name, is a wonderful family experience. There is gorgeous desert scenery, great music, funky fashion, and good acting. This uplifting film is a perfect way to spend a home-bound evening. If you love it as much as my family did, the book is available on our digital resources page. Star Girl will make your day and remind you to embrace your differences.



City of Flickering Light by Juliette Fay

Available to Easton residents through SimplyE digital download

Intended Audience: adults

Review by Ryan Tice

City of Flickering Light takes the reader back in time to the early days of Hollywood, when “flickers” where just getting started. The story follows three friends who escape the clutches of a ruthless vaudeville circuit leader and make their way on a train to Hollywood to become stars. Once there, the trio quickly realize that it isn’t want it seemed to be. They soon learn that with hard work and a bit of luck (or a lot of it), you may get a chance at stardom. Irene, Millie, and Henry navigate their way through the hardships of trying to make it big in California. Luckily for Henry, he gets his foot in the door as a costumer’s assistant, eventually working his way up to being a movie extra and beyond. Irene and Millie try their luck at becoming extras, but work is harder for them to come by until Irene finds a job as a writer and Millie finally catches a break, thanks to Henry’s help. Soon the three find themselves caught in quintessential Hollywood: scandals, poverty, and heartbreak.


Told in alternating chapters each dealing with a different main character, we follow these three young, dewy-eyed performers through the hard times, the good times, and the even worse times. Early Hollywood comes alive with racism, sexism, and homophobia. Love is won and lost at some point for each of the three characters, one of which is the climax of the novel. After finishing the book, I’ve contemplated how far we have come as a society since the early days in some aspects of the novel’s story, but in others we still have a long way to go. While the novel does take a while to get going once it does, you won’t want to put it down. By the end of the final page you will wish there was more story left to read and soon you will miss reading about the trials and tribulations about living and making it in Hollywood.




The English Game by Julian Fellowes

Six-part drama on Netflix

Intended Audience: adults

Review by Mary Beth Rassulo


This miniseries, by the creator of Downton Abbey, is a riveting look into the history of football in England, classism, and the indomitable human spirit. Based on actual people and events, the series traces the evolution of football (soccer) in England with a focus on two of its earliest champions, Eton College graduate Arthur Kinnaird and working class Scotsman Fergus Suter. The first season is available on Netflix and is a worthy

binge watch. Whether you choose to binge watch or watch episodically over a period

of time, it’s a winning experience.



The Stranger (Netflix)

Intended Audience: adults

Review by Lynn Zaffino


This 8-part series is based on the book by Harlan Coben. It is an engaging, suspenseful series filled with lots of twists and red herrings. I was hooked!


Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)

Intended Audience: adults

Review by Lynn Zaffino


This series is based on the bestselling novel by Celeste Ng. New episodes are released every Wednesday, and there will be a total of 8 episodes. I had read the book and really enjoyed it, so I was very excited about watching the series. The acting is great (especially the two female leads, Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington), and the story is compelling. It follows the book pretty closely. If you liked the book, don't miss it!

Anne With an "E" (Netflix)

Intended Audience: adults

Review by Lynn Zaffino


This charming series is based on the beloved children's classic (and one of my all-time favorites), Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. I love the actress who plays Anne, Amybeth McNulty. She captures the spirit and feistiness of the character so well! I would have liked to see the series stick more closely to the book, but it is refreshing and entertaining.





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