This Week's Top Picks: Movies, Books, and Shows

Ah, New Jersey weather. One minute you’re sitting outside enjoying a lovely Spring day, the next it’s snowing. The warmer temperatures should return soon enough (we hope), but in the meantime, here’s this week’s staff picks to keep you occupied!

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The 98th Academy Awards

Sure, they aren’t perfect, and they often run too long, but if you love film as much as I do, the Academy Awards are one of the biggest events of the year. Top contenders this year include Sinners, One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and Sentimental Value, and the show is once again being hosted by the supremely funny Conan O’Brien, so it promises to be an entertaining night. It’s especially fun with friends, so try to get invited to a party or whip together one of your own and enjoy the show! If you want to watch some of the movies before the ceremony begins at 7pm this Sunday, check out our guide here: https://afpljournal.com/2026/01/22/oscar-nominees-2026-where-to-watch/ – Sean Farrell

A group of five individuals dressed in colorful costumes, standing in an urban setting, with one person wearing a straw hat and another with orange hair, while others display various hairstyles and expressions.

One Piece

Netflix’s fun and imaginative pirate tale returns for another season, promising even more colorful, swash-buckling insanity. Possibly the best live-action manga adaptation yet made, this is one wild ride and is unlike anything else on TV. If you like adventure, you owe it to yourself to give this a watch. – SF

A close-up illustration of a blonde woman and a man with short dark hair gazing at each other against a colorful sunset backdrop.

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

The Night We Met explores how a small decision can change the course of a life. After a concert, Larissa makes a quick choice about who to ride home with—and sets off a chain of events that shapes her future. As the story unfolds, she finds herself forming a close connection with her boyfriend’s best friend, raising complicated questions about timing, loyalty, and connection. The Night We Met continues the world introduced in Say You’ll Remember Me, which centered on Xavier and his close group of friends.

While this one didn’t quite land for me the way some of Jimenez’s other novels have, it showcases her trademark mix of humor, emotional plot lines, and strong friendships. Fans of slow-burn romance and interconnected character worlds will find plenty to enjoy in this book and others by Jimenez.

If you’re new to Abby Jimenez—or looking for a favorite—some other standout titles from her story universe include: Part of Your World, Yours Truly, and Just for the Summer.

Also fun – in addition to being a bestselling author, Jimenez is also an award-winning baker! Check out NadiaCakes.com! – Erin Brown

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Bossypants by Tina Fey

I don’t know how I ended up not listening to this book until now. I already know I love Tina Fey’s work, especially Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and this was released 2012. But I’m glad to report it is now in my life, and lands solidly in the pile of audiobooks I will happily return to every few years. You can probably guess what it’s about – Tina Fey growing up in DelCo and walking (tripping, skipping) down the path to where she is now (well, was in 2012). It’s a humorous memoir read by the author (possibly my favorite genre), and I love her humor and philosophy. Highly recommend – I actually didn’t listen to it sometimes so I could be listening to it longer. – Mary Ecklund

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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Epic and intimate, this tale follows a pair of best friends from their first meeting in a hospital as children through to their adult lives as successful video game developers. Some of their decision making can be frustrating, but they remain endearing nevertheless as they contend with love, loss, work, injury, and death over the years. The author pretty perfectly captures the era the story takes place in and will have a lot of us itching for a nostalgic trip back on the Oregon Trail. – SF

Neither the Avalon Free Public Library nor its staff receive any compensation for inclusion on this list or for links to external websites.

Cover photo by Mieke Campbell on Unsplash.