Library Research: My Perfect Read: Stephanie Hutchins

Stephanie Hutchins

Stephanie Hutchins reading beside a path through the woods.

Advising readers on their next great read has always been my favorite thing about being a librarian. I’m excited that through this new online initiative I’ll have a chance to reach more patrons while doing what I love.

I’ve loved YA literature before it was even a thing, ever since seventh grade when I read Tamora Pierce’s “Song of the Lioness” quartet. I’ve been devouring it ever since and have loved seeing it grow into the full-fledged genre it is today. Having grown up on fairy tales and fables, I’ve also always loved the Fantasy genre. I really got sucked into it after reading David Eddings’ Pawn of Prophecy in eighth grade. As for Romance, well, I'm a Hopeless Romantic, and I do enjoy my Happy Ever Afters.

I think my personality can be best described as quirky. My family moved around a lot when I was little, but eventually settled in a tiny town in Central Texas with more cows than people. I graduated from high school there before heading to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX, where I received a BA in English. I went on to the University of North Texas for my MLIS. I worked for two years for a branch of the North Texas Library Consortium, before moving to Virginia in 2012, and shortly thereafter started working for Fairfax County Public Library. Having grown up in Texas, I tend to use the word “y’all” a great deal, but my co-workers and customers are used to it by now.

Genres of Interest

Fantasy
Young Adult Fiction
Romance

Fantasy

Dreadnought by April Daniels
Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander (start with The Book of Three)

Young Adult Fiction

Pride by Ibi Zoboi
Spill Zone by Scott Westerfeld
The Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee (start with The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue)
Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Romance

The Witness by Nora Roberts
The Modern Love series by Alisha Rai (start with The Right Swipe)
The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost (start with Halfway to the Grave)
That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E. K. Johnston
The Maiden Lane seres by Elizabeth Hoyt (start with Wicked Intentions)

Christmas and Other Horrors by Ellen Datlow (Editor); Nadia Bulkin; Terry Dowling; Tananarive Due; Jeffery Ford; Christopher Golden; Stephen Graham Jones; Glen Hirshberg; Richard Kadrey; Alma Katsu; John Langan; Cassandra Khaw; Josh Malerman; Nick Mamatas; Garth Nix
Call Number: FIC 808.83 Christm
ISBN: 9781803363264
Publication Date: 2023-10-24
Hugo Award winning editor, and horror legend, Ellen Datlow presents this chilling horror anthology of original short stories exploring the endless terrors of winter solstice traditions across the globe, featuring chillers by Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu and many more. The winter solstice is celebrated as a time of joy around the world--yet the long nights also conjure a darker tradition of ghouls, hauntings, and visitations. This anthology of all-new stories invites you to huddle around the fire and revel in the unholy, the dangerous, the horrific aspects of a time when families and friends come together--for better and for worse. From the eerie Austrian Schnabelperchten to the skeletal Welsh Mari Lwyd, by way of ravenous golems, uncanny neighbors, and unwelcome visitors, Christmas and Other Horrors captures the heart and horror of the festive season. Because the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is hungry...
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy; Sierra Simone
Call Number: FIC Murphy Julie
ISBN: 9780063222571
Publication Date: 2022-09-20
Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldn't ask for more. But when Bee's favorite producer casts her to star in a Christmas movie he's making for the squeaky-clean Hope Channel, Bee's career is about to take a more family-friendly direction. Forced to keep her work as Bianca under wraps, Bee quickly learns this is a task a lot easier said than done. Though it all becomes worthwhile when she discovers her co-star is none other than childhood crush Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Nolan's promised his bulldog manager to keep it zipped up on set, and he will if it means he'll be able to provide a more stable living situation for his sister and mom. But things heat up quickly in Christmas Notch, Vermont, when Nolan recognizes his new co-star from her ClosedDoors account (oh yeah, he's a member). Now Bee and Nolan are sneaking off for quickies on set, keeping their new relationship a secret from the Hope Channel's execs. Things only get trickier when the reporter who torpedoed Nolan's singing career comes snooping around--and takes an instant interest in mysterious newcomer Bee. And if Bee and Nolan can't keep their off-camera romance behind the scenes, then this merry little meet cute might end up on the cutting room floor
The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Louise Wallwork
Call Number: YSF WAL
ISBN: 9781732831506
Publication Date: 2018-10-23
A retelling of The Nutcracker Ballet with a dash of The Pied Piper. Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: to marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler (ah!) and settle down to a life full of music. But all that changes on Christmas Eve, when Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker. Whisked away to his world--an enchanted empire of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince--Clara must face a magician who uses music as spells...and the future she thought she wanted.
How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow
Call Number: YFIC Arlow Jake
ISBN: 9780063078727
Publication Date: 2022-11-01
It all starts when Shani runs into May. Like, literally. With her mom’s Subaru.

Attempted vehicular manslaughter was not part of Shani’s plan. She was supposed to be focusing on her monthlong paleoichthyology internship. She was going to spend all her time thinking about dead fish and not at all about how she was unceremoniously dumped days before winter break.

It could be going better.

But when a dog-walking gig puts her back in May’s path, the fossils she’s meant to be diligently studying are pushed to the side—along with the breakup.

Then they’re snowed in together on Christmas Eve. As things start to feel more serious, though, Shani’s hurt over her ex-girlfriend’s rejection comes rushing back. Is she ready to try a committed relationship again, or is she okay with this just being a passing winter fling?

As the Adult Services Manager at Chantilly Regional Library, my hours may vary, but I'm usually in the branch Sunday through Thursday. Please allow a couple of days for me to respond to your request.

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