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SDPL Recommended Reads

Staff Picks 2026

San Diego Public Library staff writes short book reviews of its favorite titles for the San Diego Union-Tribune, which are published every other Sunday. Here is a selection of the titles we've recommended. Checkout information may be found in the library catalog.

For more book recommendations and reviews, check out our YouTube Channel for video reviews by staff.


The cover features a painting of the side profile of a hare. The background is a cream color with the book title and author’s name in teal.

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
Reviewed by Ereka Prevot
Librarian II, Central Library
San Diego Union Tribune, January 11, 2026

Raising Hare is a beautiful account of connecting with nature during a time of isolation. Written by Chloe Dalton, political adviser and foreign policy specialist, the story begins on a cold winter day in the English countryside. Dalton finds a lone newborn hare in a field near her home. She cares for the hare into adulthood, altering her home and habits to ensure that the animal remains wild. Dalton describes the hare in tender detail, down to the subtle colors and seasonal changes of its coat. Her choice of words reflects the care with which she handles the wild guest. I loved this story not only because it focuses on a beloved creature, but for how the author handles difficult moments. Rather than dwelling on loss, she graciously reflects on what the hare contributed to her life.