We like to think we know the library pretty well, but with more than 61,000 items in our collection – and more than 9 million across the IHLS system as a whole – we’re always seeing something fun or unexpected popping up on the holds shelf. Here are a couple of the coolest finds we’ve come across this month: 

Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes, by Roald Dahl. An important addition to every chef’s bookshelf, especially if you find yourself with a hankering for Snozzcumbers, Stink Bugs’ Eggs, or Mr. Twit’s Beard Food. Also available in braille!

Pasta Grannies: The Secrets of Italy’s Best Home Cooks, by Vicky Bennison. Perhaps the best kind of grannies (along with pie grannies… and cookie grannies… and sandwich grannies…)

Carnosaur, by Harry Adam Knight. An eccentric billionaire, a savage murder, and mysterious sightings of a long-extinct creature — this pre-Jurassic Park novel is perfect for fans of vintage horror. (You can also check out the truly terrible 1994 movie of the same name).

How to Paint Without a Brush: The Art of Red Hong Yi, by Red Hong Yi. Filled with gorgeous photos and personal anecdotes, this book explores how artist Red Hong Yi decided to set aside the paintbrush and explore alternate ways of depicting the world around her, from portraits made with matchsticks and coffee stains to stamping with fish scales.

I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf, by Grant Snider. This is accurate.

Looking for your next read? These items (and millions more) are available here at the O’Fallon Public Library, or through Interlibrary Loan. Check one out on your online account, via our new SHARE app, or by asking one of your friendly local librarians!