Earlier this year, we asked you to tell us about the books that moved you, books you loved, books that you wanted to share with others. The recommendations listed below come from your neighbors and friends who participated in the Canton Book Project. The links below feature personal recommendations across a variety of genres and include, in their own words, a bit about why the books means so much to the person recommending it. 

If you would like to recommend a book that means a lot to you, you'll find a recommendation form at the bottom of this page. Happy reading! 

Kristin Felsburg recommends Letting Go of Supermom by Daisy Sutherland.*  "I chose this book because I think it does an excellent job of depicting how mothers in today’s age feel the pressure to be everything at all times."  A single working mom of three, Kristin says "I have double the duties and double the workload at home and I feel the pressure to perform all of my roles perfectly all the time.  This book helped me understand that by doing that I’m actually doing a disservice to those who want to help me, as well as my children who need to learn some independence." 

* Currently unavailable at CPL, but click here for other options

Cecilia Escobar recommends An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. "As a new year resolution, I decided to read even more this year, from fiction to political science, to philosophy and all in between." A friend recommended An American Marriage and Cecilia found it fit her resolution.

"The simple storyline is narrated by the characters whose individual complexities and points of view add substance to the story. Different upbringings, social class revelations, and yet, a criminal justice system consumed by inequality complete the novel." 

Sandra den Boer recommends Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: A Surgeon Looks at the Human and Spiritual Body by Paul Brand.  "Dr. Brand shares his unique knowledge of the human body and the amazing way our various biologic systems work. He covers the skin, nervous system, skeletal system, etc., and shares many incredible cases he personally worked on." Sandra recommends this book to readers of all ages, especially high school or college students "pondering what career choice and course of study to take. I believe that this incredible book will inspire them to consider medicine as a path of study."

Hailey Davis recommends The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupery for readers of all ages. Hailey first read The Little Prince as an adult and found that "it reminded me of the importance of listening and paying attention to the heart of each person you encounter. It reminded me how to be a good friend and to appreciate those that are in my life."

This classic appeals to little readers, too.  "When I've shared it with my children they've enjoyed the other world descriptions and curious character of the little prince."

Alfred Brock recommends The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell because "it is informative and interesting and is also uplifting and encouraging to those who are starting out on a new adventure or dealing with personal struggles in their lives.  Just like the mythical stories it is centered on this book is not what it seems at first glance."  Alfred recommends this book for anyone, but especially "people considering going to college because it would encourage them to seek out more and believe in themselves."

Susan Bock recommends Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder because the theme of family is timeless and classic. "When I was 9ish I lived in those books- they swallowed up a whole summer vacation. It wasn’t the setting as much as the way the family pulled together. The family values inspired me so much that my daughters are named after the characters in these biographical stories."

Monica Anderson recommends Winter Chills: Ghostly Tales for Cold Nights by D.B. Carter, Derek R. King, S. J. Lomas, and Natalie Reeves-Billing.*  "This collection of stories restored the excitement of reading for me.  I had gotten away from reading due to an overwhelming work schedule."  Monica, who chose Winter Chills upon a friend's recommendation, says it "was not only engaging, it also reminded me how important reading is to ones mental health.  With the turn of each page, I was drawn further and further away from my daily stresses and was pulled delightfully into the riveting storylines." 

*Currently unavailable at CPL but click here for other options