After discovering a murderous plot involving one of her clients, uncovering a deeply buried family secret, and finding love in what appeared at first glance to be all the wrong places in Time Under Tension, Kelsey James thought she was done with secrets. After all, her day job as a Master Personal Trainer in her beautiful Oakview, California gym keeps her busy enough. Plus, all of the puzzle pieces of her life are starting to fall into place; her best friend and coworker Justin seems to have finally found love, her own relationship status with a handsome detective has progressed steadily into serious territory, and her parents are more devoted than ever after the revelation of Kelsey’s half sister Tina. But Kelsey is back and better than ever in the second action-packed installment of the Kelsey James Fitness Mystery series: Double Progression. What started as an innocent suspicion shared in confidence by a client becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse as marriages and friendships are tested and a shadowy conspiracy is forced into the spotlight. Kelsey’s client, Jennifer’s, life is perfect; she has a successful online shop after clenching a deal on Shark Tank, her kids are happy and healthy, and her sessions with Kelsey are building her confidence along with her body. But after her husband stops sharing his location on a supposed business trip, Jennifer confides her suspicions of an affair to Kelsey. What Kelsey suspects is a simple but unfortunate case of infidelity turns into a cascading avalanche of secrets, lies, and mistaken identities, with Kelsey caught in the crossfire. When a stakeout with Jennifer to confront her husband leads to his disappearance and the discovery of a dead body in his motel room, the two of them devise a plan to uncover the truth no matter the cost, even if it means Kelsey putting herself in the crosshairs of a potential killer. With Fox’s trademark fast-paced style, Double Progression delivers a labyrinthian web of twists and turns that make it difficult to put down once you start. If you loved the cozy feel of the interpersonal relationships between the characters in Time Under Tension, don’t worry, there’s enough everyday appeal interspersed between the intense mystery of the main plot to keep you satisfied. After all, it’s these solid, believable relationships that make Kelsey such a compelling and believable character, firmly rooting her as logical and down-to-earth while navigating a mystery with such a topsy-turvy twist ending that it’ll make you dizzy. Fans of Paula Hawkins and Jeffery Deaver will love this razor-sharp domestic thriller.


The Rise and Fall of Mary Jackson Peale

"The Rise and Fall of Mary Jackson Peale is a breathtaking portrait of ambition, passion, and tragedy that will sweep readers from seaside cliffs to the highest tiers of society. Mary’s life is as dazzling as it is devastating, a reminder of how brilliance and desire can both elevate and undo us. This book doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses you in a world of beauty, betrayal, and unflinching humanity. It will leave readers reeling, haunted, and deeply moved." —Kathryn Dare, Manhattan Book Review

"This is an unforgettable story that grips the reader from the very first page. Mary Jackson Peale’s journey is bold, turbulent, and profoundly human, marked by moments of breathtaking intensity. Rarely does a narrative achieve such raw honesty while unfolding with cinematic elegance. It is a book to experience, not simply to read." —Kyle Eaton, Seattle Book Review


The Day I Lost You: A Novel

Two women both claim they are the mother of two-year-old Sam. One of them, Lauren, is in Spain with Sam when the police arrive. Apparently, Hope, the other woman, and her husband, Drew, have alleged to UK police that Lauren abducted Sam. The narrative moves backwards in time from the near-present, through Drew’s admission of an affair (eighteen months earlier) to a car crash (twelve months before that), before finally bringing the story back to the present. The backtracking is a clever device that allows the author to allude to events that have already occurred but not yet shared with the reader. This compounds the mystery, leaving the reader intrigued and puzzled, albeit sometimes at sea. Matters become clearer as the gaps are filled in in the third part of the story to the point, indeed, where the reader may be able to guess the key incident precipitating the tragedy. The Day I Lost You is an ingeniously constructed mystery that lays bare the lengths to which a mother’s love will drive her. While the rather tame ending may not do justice to the emotional drama and shameful actions that precede it, this is a book well worth reading.


The Whistler

The Whistler is a chilling horror novel of superstition, ghost hunting, and regret by Nick Medina. Fans of Medina’s writing will recognize several characters. Some minor players in past novels take lead roles while others take steps back. But this novel is its own story and works as a stand-alone novel. Medina blends parts of traditional legends and notable figures in tribal lore with a myth of his creation. Medina tells a tale of how an old Indian saying and the dream of fame lead one ghost hunter on a path of deception that is hard to come back from.

The plot of Medina’s novel is a fascinating look into the phenomenon of ghost hunting. This is the real magic of this novel. The plot is interesting, but Medina takes things to the next level when the lights go out. Not many books send shivers down my spine. This is one of those novels that does. Much of that is due to Medina’s ability to convey a sense of urgency, mystery, and foreboding.  It’s also due to Medina’s use of a popular superstition. Now there are two things not to do after dark. The first is to whistle, the second is to read this novel unless you want to meet The Whistler.


Switch

"Secrets, betrayals, and buried family ties collide in this high-stakes game where nothing is what it seems. Switch delivers nonstop action and heart-stopping twists that play out like a blockbuster thriller on the page. Lisa Towles writes with cinematic intensity, displaying razor-sharp dialogue, vivid settings, and relentless pacing that keeps the tension simmering from beginning to end." —Kathryn Dare, Los Angeles Book Review


Princess Battle Royale

Most girls, young and old, know of the various Disney princesses, but do they know what they like to do in their free time, besides singing and looking pretty? Apparently, they like a little competition, particularly a Princess Battle Royale! The Swan Princess is the undefeated champion, with other favorites in line to try to take the crown. So far, their signature moves aren't enough to take down the Swan Princess, so will she stay the winner, or will a new champion be crowned by the end of the night?!

Princess Battle Royale is a fun spin on Disney princesses that I usually only see in one way: in their royal attire and being princess-y; but in this book, they let loose and have some fun, making them seem more realistic and showing their darker sides. I enjoyed seeing who the unexpected winner was, and learning the princesses' signature moves was a fun way to relate to their character traits. It was interesting that some of the princesses were referred to by their names in their original stories and not their Disney movies. I think all readers will find something enjoyable if they check out //Princess Battle Royale//!


Bear Heart

Somehow, Bear doesn't feel just right, but then he says he wants to have the heart of a lion to be fierce and brave. He feels better, but still not just right. Then, Bear meets a Lion, and the Lion says Bear has his heart, so he gives it back. Now, Bear really doesn't feel right, so he finally figures out what it takes to have the heart of a Bear. He knows he is unique, and he can be whatever he wants. This is a great story about being yourself.

The illustrations in this book are so cute, and it is certainly a great read for the whole family. It has a really great message about how its ok to be exactly who you are, if you aren't like anyone else.


Shaila’s Dance: A Novel

At its heart, Mohini Dasari’s Shaila’s Dance tells the story of Anokhi, a young woman adopted from India and raised in small-town Idaho, who is haunted by vivid visions of a mysterious dancer named Shaila. These visions, part dream, part spiritual encounter, propel Anokhi on a journey that is as much about uncovering her past as it is about learning to claim her future.

One of the strongest themes in this book is identity. Anokhi’s story captures the complexity of growing up between cultures, being Indian by birth but raised American, with a mother who loves her fiercely but cannot answer the deepest questions about where she came from. As a mother myself, I found Sasha, her adoptive mom, particularly poignant. Sasha is loving and supportive, but her daughter’s questions about her origins inevitably create tension, even distance, between them. The novel treats this dynamic with compassion, showing both sides of the bond, the comfort of chosen family and the ache of unanswered history.

Another key theme is belonging. Anokhi’s struggles with bullying, loneliness, and eventually dropping out of high school highlight the longing we all have to be truly seen. When she decides to travel to India, her journey isn’t simply about finding her roots; it’s about permitting herself to define where she belongs. That theme feels universal. Whether we are teenagers, parents, or somewhere in between, we all wrestle with the desire to feel whole and at home in our own skin.

The book is also rich with the theme of art as a bridge to identity and healing. Shaila’s dances, with their expressive gestures and stories of spirits, animals, and human struggles, mirror Anokhi’s own search for meaning. The way Anokhi chronicles these visions in her journals reminded me of how we sometimes use creative outlets, writing, painting, or even cooking, to make sense of life’s uncertainties. The descriptions of classical Indian dance are vibrant and immersive, giving readers both a sensory and spiritual experience.

I was struck by the novel’s exploration of adoption and family bonds. It’s honest about the challenges, those painful moments when a child questions the love or adequacy of their adoptive parent, but it’s equally tender in affirming that family is built on love and care, not just blood. That balance makes this story not only relatable for adoptees and adoptive parents but also for anyone who has questioned what truly defines family.

Readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories, multicultural narratives, and novels infused with a touch of the mystical will find Shaila’s Dance captivating. It would especially appeal to young adults standing at the threshold of independence, as well as to parents who want to better understand the inner world of a child searching for identity.

Ultimately, Mohini Dasari has given us more than a novel about a girl and her visions; she has given us a meditation on belonging, family, and the transformative power of art. It is both tender and fierce, much like the dance at its center.


MY SHANGHAI NEIGHBOURS

Marcus Fedder’s My Shanghai Neighbours is an intriguing blend of fiction, philosophy, and satire, set against the intimate backdrop of a Shanghai *Xincun* (a kind of communal compound). What first looks like a neighborhood drama quickly reveals itself to be something more layered: a tapestry of eccentric characters, personal betrayals, and cultural tensions, all stitched together with dark humor and philosophical musings. At its heart, the novel is character-driven. We meet Laowen, a retired engineer who once designed fountain pens and now spends his days smoking cigarettes, reading Goethe and Kant, and avoiding his wife. His relationship with Jing Zhang, a black-and-white cat who seems to understand both German and philosophy, provides some of the novel’s most delightful and absurd moments. Their odd companionship, which includes Laowen reading *Faust* aloud to the cat, or pondering Heidegger’s *Dasein* while Jing Zhang purrs, captures the novel’s ability to balance comedy and melancholy. When Laowen reflects, “Silence is Dasein,” it’s both ironic and oddly moving. The book thrives on contrasts: intellectual musings bump against neighborhood gossip, personal histories bleed into political traumas, and the ordinary (cooking, smoking, fixing lightbulbs) becomes charged with hidden meaning. Take Jing Zhang’s revenge after being castrated: he masterminds a campaign to have all the neighborhood cats use Comrade Bo’s garden as their litter box. It’s petty, hilarious, and strangely profound in how it mirrors the human characters’ own cycles of resentment and quiet rebellion.

Themes of memory, silence, and revenge ripple throughout. Laowen’s decision to stop speaking after a stroke becomes a form of protest and self-preservation. Lanfen, his wife, uses cooking pork (which she knows he hates) as her subtle revenge. Their son Muyang drifts through life with misplaced affections and questionable choices, while neighbors like Mrs. Bo embody the persistence of ideology, clinging to Maoist slogans long after their relevance has faded. In every corner, Fedder captures the pettiness, resilience, and absurdity of ordinary life in extraordinary political and cultural circumstances.

Stylistically, Fedder writes with a dry, playful voice. His sentences often weave philosophical reflections into everyday events. For instance, Laowen muses on *Faust* and Heidegger while smoking, while Jing Zhang, ever the feline philosopher, contemplates the indignities of castration. This blend of the profound and the ridiculous keeps the tone light even when the subject matter veers into betrayal, loss, or disillusionment. Readers who enjoy novels rich in character studies, like those of Yiyun Li or even Milan Kundera, will find My Shanghai Neighbours rewarding. It’s perfect for readers interested in contemporary China, but it avoids heavy-handed political analysis. Instead, it focuses on the private lives of individuals, their quirks, and their quiet acts of rebellion or resignation. Cat lovers, too, will appreciate the unusual narrative role of Jing Zhang, who often sees more clearly than his human counterparts. In the end, My Shanghai Neighbours is a book about neighbors who spy, resent, comfort, and misunderstand each other, but also about the larger question of how people carve meaning out of the contradictions of daily life. With its mix of wit, poignancy, and philosophical depth, it leaves you reflecting on your own neighbors, your grudges, and maybe even your household pets.


Unleash The Fury: A Storm of Vengeance on Eastern Sands

Joseph Paul D’Aquisto’s Unleash the Fury is a gritty, hard-boiled thriller that plunges the reader into a world of corruption, vengeance, and moral conflict. At its center is John, a retired Seattle detective whose attempt at a quiet life dissolves when he travels abroad only to find himself caught between ruthless gangs, crooked lawmen, and his own inner demons. What begins as a vacation in Sri Lanka quickly escalates into a fight for justice and survival.

The opening pages set the stage with a raw immediacy. John is reflective, burdened by the weight of age, regret, and a complicated past, but he’s also still sharp, fit, and dangerous when provoked. His encounter with an acid attack victim, a horrifying and visceral scene, pulls him back into a life of violence he thought he’d left behind. From there, the novel explodes into a cascade of shootouts, betrayals, and uneasy alliances that test the limits of both his skill and his conscience.

One of the strongest themes running through the novel is justice versus vigilantism. John is no longer a cop bound by the rule of law; instead, he becomes a one-man reckoning against the mobsters and traffickers who terrorize the town. The line between hero and antihero blurs, leaving the reader questioning whether John’s actions are noble acts of defense or dangerous indulgences of his “fury.” This tension gives the story its heartbeat.

Equally powerful is the theme of trauma and memory. John is haunted by the loss of his daughter, Mallory, whose ghostlike voice recurs throughout the narrative. These imagined conversations add psychological depth, showing that his violence is fueled not just by present danger but by unhealed wounds. The interplay between memory, guilt, and vengeance provides a poignant counterweight to the relentless action.

The book also wrestles with themes of corruption and moral decay. Law enforcement in the story is portrayed as feeble at best, complicit at worst, while gang leaders thrive in an environment where fear is currency. Through this lens, the novel critiques systems that fail to protect the vulnerable, forcing individuals like John to take matters into their own hands.

D’Aquisto favors a lean, direct prose that mirrors John’s no-nonsense personality. The fight sequences are especially vivid—fast, brutal, and cinematic. At the same time, quieter passages of introspection allow the reader to sit with John’s inner conflict, preventing the book from becoming just another action spectacle.

Who would enjoy Unleash the Fury? Readers who gravitate toward gritty crime fiction, noir thrillers, and character-driven action will find themselves drawn in. Fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series or Robert B. Parker’s Spenser novels will appreciate the lone-wolf protagonist who combines intelligence with raw force. Those interested in stories that probe the moral gray zones of justice, particularly when filtered through the lens of aging and regret, will find the book especially resonant.In the end, Unleash the Fury is more than a shoot-’em-up thriller; it’s a meditation on how past failures, personal loss, and an unyielding sense of duty can drive a man to extremes. D’Aquisto delivers a story that is both violent and thought-provoking, making it a compelling read for anyone who likes their thrillers with grit, heart, and moral complexity.


Switch

Lisa Towles has once again proven herself a master of intelligent, character-driven thrillers with Switch. I was particularly struck by the way Towles balances relentless suspense with a deeply emotional exploration of family, trust, and identity. From the first pages, I was swept into Marissa Ellwyn’s world where she is haunted by her CIA father’s secrets, her missing mother, and her own fractured sense of safety.

In Switch,Mari Ellwyn and her team are on a dangerous mission to bring down James Traeger, the mastermind behind a string of sophisticated bank robberies across California. Traeger and his crew have stolen nearly ten million dollars, cleverly stashing the cash in a warehouse and eluding capture despite months of surveillance. Mari’s group, operating under E&A Investigations, collaborates with law enforcement but often pushes into the gray areas of private investigation, taking high risks to expose criminals others can’t seem to touch. Each member of Mari's team brings a distinct expertise. Together, this diverse team blends official authority, private ingenuity, and cutting-edge tech to outmaneuver Traeger’s slick operations. Their mission is not only about catching a criminal but also about restoring balance against someone who has proven to be nearly untouchable.

One of the most intriguing threads in Switch revolves around a mysterious John Doe discovered at the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office. Dr. Linus Hagen, the chief forensic pathologist, confides in Mari that despite his eighteen years of experience, he cannot establish the cause or manner of death for this young man, a failure that unsettles him deeply. The case becomes even more suspicious when Dr. Camille Bota, the newly appointed Medical Examiner and Hagen’s superior, refuses to authorize the usual procedure of posting the John Doe on the county website for public identification and instead forces her staff to sign nondisclosure agreements. When Bota herself vanishes without explanation, the mystery sharpens: was she silenced, complicit, or protecting something bigger? The convergence of an unidentified corpse and a missing professional raises the stakes, pulling Mari into a web of secrecy and danger where official channels can no longer be trusted.

The stakeout sequences, with heat-signature monitors, coded communications, and tense waiting, perfectly balance the cerebral with the visceral. Towles doesn’t just show the adrenaline of a mission; she shows the mental gymnastics, the second-guessing, and the toll of constant vigilance. As a female reviewer, I find Mari refreshing because she isn’t written as a flawless heroine. She’s tall, physically strong, but also vulnerable, scarred, sometimes cranky, and always real. Her navigation of complicated family loyalties alongside international intrigue makes her one of the most compelling female protagonists I’ve read in recent thrillers.

Towles’s prose is elegant yet taut, her pacing masterful. Every chapter offers a new door, sometimes literally, as with the mysterious opening in the Ellwyn mansion wall, that leads the reader deeper into a labyrinth of secrets. Switch succeeds as both a high-stakes thriller and an intimate story of a woman wrestling with her past.

Switch is an electrifying, character-rich novel that combines espionage, family drama, and psychological depth. Lisa Towles has written a thriller that is not only smart and suspenseful but also profoundly human.


James Dean: An American Icon

I’ve lived long enough to see cultural icons come and go, but few names endure the way James Dean’s has. In James Dean: An American Icon, Thomas Brennan offers not just a biography, but a thoughtful exploration of why Dean’s legacy continues to resonate across generations. The book traces Dean’s short but meteoric journey from his modest beginnings in Indiana to his groundbreaking work in Hollywood, and ultimately, to the tragic car accident that immortalized him at just twenty-four.

Brennan’s biography is both accessible and meticulously researched. He avoids sensationalizing Dean’s life, instead grounding the narrative in the actor’s growth as an artist. The early chapters focus on Dean’s difficult childhood, losing his mother at a young age, and being raised by relatives in Fairmount, Indiana. These passages reveal the deep emotional wounds that shaped his persona both on and off the screen.

The heart of the book lies in its examination of Dean’s artistry. Brennan shows how Dean’s approach to acting was revolutionary for its time. Influenced by Method techniques, Dean brought raw emotion and unpredictability to his roles in East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant. Brennan highlights how Dean was more than just the “first teenager” on film; he was a nonconformist who challenged Hollywood’s polished style with an intensity that demanded attention.

The book explores rebellion, identity, and the price of authenticity. Dean epitomized youthful angst and alienation, themes that still echo today. Brennan doesn’t shy away from Dean’s contradictions. Some saw him as empathetic, others as arrogant; some critics dismissed him as a Brando imitator, only to later recognize his unique brilliance. These nuances prevent the book from falling into hero worship and instead paint Dean as a complex human being whose flaws made him relatable.

Another powerful theme is legacy. Brennan demonstrates how Dean’s untimely death only amplified his myth, comparing the cultural reaction to that of Rudolf Valentino’s passing decades earlier. The final chapters consider how Dean’s image, brooding, restless, and defiant, has continued to inspire musicians, filmmakers, and young dreamers who see in him a reflection of their own struggles.

Brennan’s prose is straightforward, making the book approachable for casual readers while still satisfying for those who want depth. The inclusion of anecdotes from friends, teachers, and industry insiders adds warmth and texture. At times, the level of detail, especially about Dean’s high school years, feels exhaustive, but it ultimately underscores how deeply Dean’s formative experiences shaped the artist he became.

This book would appeal to several audiences. Classic film enthusiasts will appreciate the behind-the-scenes stories of Dean’s three iconic movies. Younger readers interested in cultural history will find it fascinating to learn why Dean still appears in songs and pop culture references decades after his death. And anyone drawn to stories of nonconformity and rebellion will see in Dean a figure whose struggles mirror their own search for authenticity.

In the end, James Dean: An American Icon is more than a biography—it’s a meditation on what it means to live passionately, even briefly, and to leave behind an imprint larger than life. For readers who want to understand why Dean remains a touchstone of American culture, Brennan’s book provides both context and insight.


Kay Elksong’s Different Values: Cultural Shifts in the U.S., Covid-19 to War in the Mideast is a sharp-eyed collection of essays that takes stock of a country in flux. Written with the urgency of recent history and the perspective of cultural commentary, Elksong traces the ways American life has shifted under the weight of a pandemic, the rise of new technologies, and the ripples of global conflict. It is not a history book so much as a mirror, reflecting the questions many Americans have been asking themselves since 2020: What do we value, and how have those values changed?

The book’s strength lies in its scope. Elksong is as comfortable dissecting the role of artificial intelligence and what she calls “virtual imperialism” as she is exploring the fragile state of mental health or the altered rhythms of work. Her essays on the pandemic, in particular, cut close to the bone, examining how isolation and disruption forced people to reconsider their priorities, from family to freedom. Elsewhere, she connects the dots between U.S. culture and the wars overseas, making a persuasive case that American values do not exist in a vacuum but are shaped by global currents of power and justice.

Elksong writes with an accessible voice that makes even heavy topics such as geopolitics, technology, and cultural decline, feel approachable. The essays never lecture, though they often challenge, nudging readers to question whether the habits and assumptions of the pre-pandemic world are worth clinging to. In one essay, she argues that America’s embrace of remote work is not just a shift in labor but a shift in values, a redefinition of what people consider essential. In another, she warns of the creeping influence of AI, not with fear-mongering but with sober analysis of how identity and autonomy might be reshaped in a digitized world.

As with any collection this broad, not every piece lands with the same weight. Some essays feel more like sketches than fully developed arguments, and the transitions from topic to topic can be abrupt. Yet the cumulative effect is powerful. By the end, readers are left with a sense that Elksong has captured the restlessness of a nation still searching for equilibrium.

Different Values is timely, relevant, and often provocative. It’s the kind of book that sparks conversation rather than closes it, the kind you want to pass along just to ask, “What did you think of this one?” In an era defined by upheaval, Elksong reminds us that values themselves are not fixed; they shift, stretch, and sometimes fracture. The question she leaves hanging is whether we are comfortable with the directions in which they are moving.


A Rather Peculiar Poisoning: A Novel

At Asquith Manor, a group of guests has come together to celebrate the engagements of the Asquith twin brothers, Easton and Weston. Easton is engaged to their childhood friend, Eloise, although she longs to be with Weston. Weston is engaged to an heiress, since he is the secondborn and will not inherit the title. At the dinner party the first night, A Rather Peculiar Poisoning takes place. Weston is harmed, but it appears he will make it. Over the course of the week, more peculiar accidents occur, leading the guests to wonder if they are accidents at all and what the motive could possibly be. Someone needs to do something before there is only one twin left.

If you enjoy historical fiction, especially murder mysteries, then you will enjoy this book. There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as red herrings, but the clues are there if you’re paying attention. The epilogue leaves things open as if there is a possibility of another book. I would certainly be interested in another story by this author. I recommend you add this to your collection.


Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business: The Graphic Novel (Junie B. Jones Graphic Novels)

Barbara Park, Colleen AF Venable, Honie Beam

I first started reading the Junie B. Jones series when I was in the second grade (I'm currently in sixth); I loved the series. It was one of the first I devoured as I was really getting into reading on my own, and that girl was funny! I read more difficult and different books now, including other books I read when I was younger that have been turned into graphic novels; so when I saw that Junie. B. Jones is now having graphic novels, I jumped on the chance to read A Little Monkey Business! Being in a different format (a graphic novel), I felt that the whole story is still presented; however, some of the humor and feeling are left out when the story is told mostly through pictures and some short text, instead of vice versa in the original books. Fans of June B. Jones should for sure check out this story and others, and graphic novels are nice for kids who don't do well with mainly text, and the reader can get through the story more quickly.


We Are All Guilty Here: A Novel (A North Falls Thriller, 1)

Karin Slaughter never disappoints. In her new thriller, We Are All Guilty Here, the story and characters pull you in from the very beginning. When two young girls go missing, Sheriff Emmy Clifton-Lang must push aside her personal matters and focus on finding the girls. After all, one of the girls, Madison Dalrymple, is Emmy's best friend, Hannah's stepdaughter.

The character development in this book sets everything up for the next book in the series. The Clifton family is big, and although Emmy is stuck in the middle of the clan, she really wants no part of it whatsoever. When FBI agent Jude marches onto the scene, more of the Clifton family secrets are revealed.

I found the story to be heartwrenching, and as Emmy uncovers the identities of the men found to be pedophiles, it disgusted me as well. The best part of Slaughter's writing is that not everything turns out perfect in the end. The characters have flaws, even the heroes, and the story is messy, just like in real life. If you're not a Karin Slaughter fan yet, you will be after reading this one.


Play Nice

After New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harrison delighted her readers with last year’s Black Sheep, she’s now back with a gripping haunted house story in Play Nice featuring a cast of new and interesting characters.

Clio Louise Barnes spends her days as an influencer, going to parties, repping jewelry and other accessories, and doing her best to keep distance between herself and her unusual family. But everything comes to a grinding halt when she finds out her mom has passed away. Clio soon finds out that she and her sisters have inherited the house they grew up in. The house that was purportedly possessed, and it’s what her mother made her career on. But she sees an opportunity in flipping the house and making some great original influencer content while she does it.

Harrison does what she does best in Play Nice in giving the reader some great and original characters with Clio and her distinctive sisters, and then throwing them into a compelling story about a haunted, or is that possessed, house that they don’t remember being that scary.


Joan Crawford: A Woman's Face

Lucille LeSueur shed the pain of her past when she relocated to Hollywood, became an actress, and was rechristened Joan Crawford. Her early years in Texas are marked by inconsistencies regarding her birth year and biological father. Her relationship with her mother and brother was estranged. In 1924, Crawford was hired by MGM and played minor roles until starring in 1928’s “Our Dancing Daughters.” Crawford was known for a commanding screen presence, and she remained a star at MGM until the early 1940s. Crawford’s innate ability to throw herself into a role would garner her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1946 for “Mildred Pierce.” Her off-screen life would be notable for high-profile romances and posthumous allegations of abuse by one of her children, which damaged her legacy.

Scott Eyman has a clear talent for writing about fascinating and complex celebrities ("Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise"). His latest biography continues that trend as he explores the life and work of the brilliant Joan Crawford. Eyman masterfully highlights the highs and lows of Crawford’s career while providing a wealth of information about Crawford’s friendships and relationships that contrasts with the “Mommie Dearest” image that has persisted over the years.


The Wizard's Guide to Magical Experiments: 40 Science Experiments to Try at Home

This is the perfect gift for the curious child who still believes in magic and wants to solve the mystery behind performances. Carefully, clearly, and definitely with maximum color, the author and illustrator have delightfully turned these magical phenomena into science experiments. Outlined instructions using readily available materials are listed for each topic.  The involved illustrated wizard children illustrate the techniques and outcomes expected, and most procedures have hidden notes or pop-ups with more details. Science is strongly supported as experiments start with ‘hopping ladybugs’, which introduces the concept of atoms along with positive and negative charges. The page includes an inset of the periodic table, challenging the reader to find those elements that look familiar. There are experiments with water, salt, balloons, vinegar, and even some kitchen alchemy or cooking recipes. The magical experiments are all designed to teach some basic science concepts, and all the materials are easily accessible. Where heat or fire is involved, the instructions call for adult assistance. The magical intoxication comes from the eye-catching, whimsical little alchemists who glowingly fill the pages with their Halloween colors and enthusiastic energy.


Ghostly Encounters: Terrifyingly True Hauntings (The Real Unexplained! Collection)

Ghostly Encounters: Terrifyingly True Hauntings by paranormal investigator Richard Estep is an excellent addition to the libraries of anyone interested in hauntings and ghost hunting. Estep provides an in-depth history of some of the most haunted locations in North America and England. These 18 investigations will not only raise the hairs on your neck but also shed light on why these areas are haunted in the first place. By giving the whole story, Estep goes beyond history into the creepy and eerie.

Ghost stories have been part of storytelling since the beginning of time, but somehow seem creepier when there is truth behind the tales. As a paranormal investigator, Estep takes a journalistic approach to the hauntings. Some of his ghost stories are well documented, such as Eastern State Penitentiary, The Bell Witch, and the Stanley Hotel. Some are a little more obscure, like Gef the talking mongoose and the Borley Rectory. From haunted mansions and hotels to ghostly battles and brutal penitentiaries, wherever there is a haunting, chances are Estep has been there and now brings these ghostly encounters to you.


The Macabre (Deluxe Limited Edition)

In The Macabre, award-winning author Kosoko Jackson delivers a darkly imaginative tale of art, magic, and destiny. For struggling painter Lewis Dixon, art has always been a private refuge. But when the British Museum takes interest in his work after his mother’s death, he discovers it isn’t for an exhibition- it’s a test. His ecstatic, trance-like state while painting is more than creative passion; it’s magic. Lewis can enter a series of nine mysterious paintings created by his great-grandfather, each imbued with dangerous, world-altering power. Tasked with destroying the paintings before they fall into the wrong hands, Lewis teams up with enigmatic agent Noah Rao and journeys across continents and even through time. As black markets, cursed objects, and ancient secrets close in, Lewis must find the courage to embrace his gift, his heart, and his place in a world where art can both save and destroy.

A bold, haunting debut, The Macabre is as thrilling as it is unforgettable.


A World of Kisses (Somos8)

I consider myself a "lovey" person, as seen by my liking to give hugs to my friends and family. In A World of Kisses, I wasn't sure what to expect. I learned that it briefly discusses aspects of kissing, such as times and situations when kisses are appropriate, types of kisses (like how the French kiss three times in a row on the cheeks), needing permission to kiss someone, and ways to say "kiss" in different languages. This book will be better for younger readers, versus older ones, with the rhyming text making it easier to follow along and understand; however, I enjoyed viewing the colorful illustrations on each page, even if the drawings of people are different and more "modern" than I usually see in picture books.


The Hawk Is Dead: Roy Grace Returns In This Royally Pulse-Pounding Crime Thriller From The Multimillion-Copy Bestselling Author

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace fans will be pleasantly surprised by this, the latest mystery of the series. Author Peter James provides an accurate depiction of the workings of Buckingham Palace. James posts a reader advisory that Queen Camilla and King Charles are featured players; however, their dialogues are inventions of the author. The plot is fashioned like an Agatha Christie mystery.

Queen Camilla is travelling by the Royal Train to an event in Brighton, the first stop on her busy schedule. The train driver, Stan Briggs, is a seasoned veteran, but this is his first time driving the Royal Train, and there’s royalty aboard.

The train will pass through three long tunnels. Following an emergency alert, Briggs has just seconds to avoid a collision with debris on the tracks inside the Clayton Tunnel. Chaos ensues and violence follows. From this point forward, the plot continues with remarkable attention to accuracy. Readers will feel as though they have gone behind the scenes in the Palace and observed key members of the Royal Household staff.

The Hawk is Dead is 448 pages, driven by the nimble mind of Roy Grace. Maps and an illustration are a bonus.


American Grammar

Public education has long been used to instill certain values and beliefs by the leaders of the United States, and locally, to be taught to racial minorities in a variety of settings and success. This book explores how public schools, which started off locally supported grew to become part of the arsenal used by the United States government to build a nation, especially amongst the minority populations. Professor Jarvis Givens splits his narrative into three parts, something that I do not feel was needed, from how public education began to the rise of minority own institutions such as the Historically Black Colleges during the Antebellum and Reconstruction periods. Each chapter focuses on a specific minority in each part, though most of the second part is taken up by Native American education. While the story itself is interesting the problem with this book is that it often backtracks needlessly on itself and I believe the issue is by breaking it into three parts that the author feels he has to repeat information he already spoke about earlier. It can be frustrating when you feel like you are making progress in the history of education and then go back to cover something you already read about.


Thank You, Old Oak

Owl is flying home with a full belly to the Old Oak in the forest. After Owl tucks away in her hole in the Old Oak, she feels a pop and a tremble. She flies out as the Old Oak falls. After 400 years in the forest, Old Oak has reached the end of its life. Squirrels, moths, butterflies, rabbits, deer, bear, possums, and more gather to give thanks for all Old Oak has given them through the years. Old Oak provided food, shade, homes, and protection to so many of the forest creatures. But old Oak isn’t quite through with its work. It will still provide homes for some animals and insects while it slowly decomposes, adding needed nutrients to the soil for the growth of future oak trees.

Britt Crow-Miller has written a lovely story of the importance of oak trees to the ecosystem. Her lyrical language will draw young readers and listeners into the book and hold their attention to the end. Five pages of excellent back-matter support the story with factual information. The delightful illustrations by Amy Schimler-Safford use paint and collage to complete the story with surprising details. Do not miss this wonderful book.


something out there in the distance

An unusual book blending photography with the words of a pair of lonely, lost lovers. This short story which reflects the parched scenery of the desert, along with the blunted emotions of the distressed subjects who find no pleasure in their lives. She deals with a malignant diagnosis and is resolute in dealing with the consequences on her own terms. And her companion continues to drive directionless in the bleak embrace of the desolate desert. They delight in executing mischievous acts along the way, irritated by the incongruity of a golf course artificially set in the parched setting, they deliberately burn the turf and find amusement in the trouble it causes.  Devoid of ambition, they greedily absorb the affection of relatives and steal some of their host’s cash when leaving. Filled with anguish reflected in their comments and joyriding in the barren sands, the photos and text reflect a pair of nihilistic subjects isolated within a vast empty terrain; here, the depicted pictorial landscape mirrors the emotional character of the protagonists.  While this is a novel method of combining story with photography, this reader found the narrative troubling, and the photography unimpressive.


The Hidden Seasons: A Calendar of Nature’s Clues (Natural Navigation)

Take a look at the changes that take place in nature through the course of a year. Watch as the sun glows and dims, feel the change of temperature as the seasons cycle. Watch the sky as the clouds take on imaginary shapes, and look at the mysteries in the water as glaciers melt. Tristan Gooley, the adventurer and naturalist, details many of the influences that environmental conditions impose on flora and fauna. In a little more than a dozen chapters, the cyclic ecological responses to Mother Nature are recorded, such as the change in plant leaf pattern reflecting modifications in exposure to light, or the timing of reproductive cycles dependent on temperature, or inspect a hailstone to determine where in its parent cloud it was formed. The guidance encourages the reader to examine one's settings and try to envisage those influences that shape one's environment. This is a nature book that has its own program, one which emphasizes the varying effects that the seasonal conditions impose on the life surrounding us. It is an interesting read that will help the reader examine this world with a different approach.


Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time

The title of Dinosaurs is a bit misleading only because this book covers so much more than dinosaurs and the era in which they lived. After a quick introduction, readers will find a timeline that shows how recent, in the larger scheme of things, is the age of dinosaurs, and how many other important eras there are. There are sections on plate tectonics, understanding fossils, reading rocks, mass extinction events (there were many), and understanding evolution. These lead into sections on the many eons, eras, and periods in the history of the planet. Each section is chock full of information written in accessible, conversational prose that does not shy away from using scientific language. The writer respects the middle-grade readers who will pick this book up and expects them to do what they need to do to read it. Every page is filled with wonderful illustrations that support the vast amount of information being communicated. The illustrations are not terribly realistic but still convey a good deal of information. Young readers are infinitely curious, and they will lose themselves in this wonderful compendium of historical and scientific information. This is the perfect book for young science and history lovers.


The Fall of Iris Henley

Iris Henley’s life seemed pretty perfect until six months ago, when her boyfriend supposedly murdered her best friend before killing himself. Iris hadn’t even known they were together when that bombshell was dropped on her. Her life is just starting to get back to normal when someone posts online that Iris is the one who killed them. It doesn’t take long for the whole school to turn against her, loving The Fall of Iris Henley. When the police reopen the investigation, Iris knows she needs to find out who really did it, if she ever hopes to clear her name.

If you love Veronica Mars as much as I do, you will love this book. You can’t help but see the similarities between Iris and Veronica. This story was also a wonderful example of how it doesn’t take much to ruin people’s lives these days. Post something online and watch the fallout. No one needs evidence anymore, just public opinion, to convict someone. It would be nice if people would consider how it would make other people feel or if it’s even true before commenting, but that would probably take a Christmas miracle.


Everyone in the Group Chat Dies: A Novel

To say that I was disappointed with Everyone in the Group Chat Dies is an understatement. A group of young adults who have nothing in common live in a flat owned by your proverbial disgusting landlord. The story is told from the point of view of one of the roommates, Clare "Kirby" Cornell, in the present day and twelve months earlier. When one of the roommates moves out, a young woman named Esme shows up claiming to be the group's new addition. Esme is an amateur true-crime reporter on the social media platform "ShowMe." When Esme goes missing after being on a livestream, Clare sets out to find out what happened. Esme was investigating a serial killer from thirty years ago that may or may not be dead. If he wasn't dead, could he have kidnapped Esme?

The story is a cross between the Final Destination movies and some TikTok brainrot. None of the characters is particularly likable or trustworthy. The story is rather messy and difficult to follow because characters are dead, and then the timeline jumps back twelve months.

I almost DNFed this book because it never pulled me in. There was no part of the book in which I said, "Oh, I wonder what will happen next." Events are unnaturally thrown at the reader, and at the end of the day, I had no emotional connection to the characters or investment in the storyline. Skip this one if you're looking for a story with good twists and turns.


Moonflower

Phillip Shabazz's latest poetry collection, "//Moonflower," gives voice to the silent sorrows of forgotten people with a heartfelt resonance that knows injustices long buried. These poems are reflections, tributes, and elegies that bear witness to suffering with unflinching honesty.

Shabazz captures the terror and violence of living while Black in the South, amid Confederate flags and the Klan's lingering shadow in halls of power. His imagery excels in depicting scenes of suffering, withdrawal, and resignation, yet never loses sight of the rituals of care and grief that bind communities together.

The moonflower serves as a perfect metaphor for resilience and resistance. This night-blooming flower closes at light and opens in darkness, beckoning both death and loveliness. Like the flower that dwells in places of mourning yet heralds hope as morning approaches, Shabazz's poems embody persistence amid rage, chronicling a people's history bound by enduring darkness even as they reach toward light.

Here's my testimony to Shabazz's power: After reading "//Moonflower," I was so deeply moved that I felt compelled to write my own poem about my people's struggles. This collection awakens something profound in its readers, transforming witness into action, sorrow into solidarity. //Moonflower// is a delicate source of joy that bears memories.


MindWorks: An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction

It is not often to find a collection of young adult short stories collected together as there are not many places to publish young adult short stories in the first place, compared to the market for adult short stories. This is a collection of the short stories written by popular young adult author Neal Shisterman for the first time, giving long time and first time readers a chance to enter into his world of writing without needing the commitment of a full book. Except for a few stories that take place in his Scythe Universe the rest of the stories are standalone and like his longer fiction much of it takes place in a world of the future that is still recognizable as our own. Each story is not long, generally less than 15 pages, which makes it the perfect length to get the attention of young adult readers and keeping them engaged, as there is not the need to have the attention to get through long stories, while also being entertained by them as well. Even for readers who may not be familiar with his work will find much to enjoy as well.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


Whirlwind

This veteran TV newsman was front and center at many of the most important moments in the late 20th century. As the rare journalist with a law degree, he covered famous trials: Richard Speck, the Chicago Seven, and the Manson Family. He was one of the last reporters in Vietnam as Saigon fell and the first one allowed back in to cover the devastating effects of Agent Orange—after first highlighting its toll on US soldiers. There, he discovered the shameful ways that Amerasian children and their mothers were treated, and brought it to national attention in one of the book’s most exciting chapters. Kurtis gives tidbits of his personal life, primarily his early years in Kansas that molded him into a straight-arrow truth-teller, but mostly focuses on his work life, offering fascinating glimpses into how the technology of news reporting has vastly changed over the past fifty years. It’s unfortunate that his publisher did not provide a thorough copy edit (there is no San Marin County in California, for instance), but don’t let that quibble keep you from enjoying this vivid, heartfelt account. As he says, “I wasn’t covering history [at the time], I was just reporting the news.”


Everything You Know About the Human Body is Wrong!

You know how your body works, right? It is your own body after all. But how do you know what to get it to do so easily without really focusing on telling it what to do, like catching a ball, or pulling your hand away from something hot? With this book, you can dive deep into what else calls your body home, like fungi and germs. Or how about the time you were at the zoo with your uncle and he said one day apes turned into humans? This book busts lots of myths.

This book was really fascinating and was packed full of information. This book has great illustrations to go along with all the information to help a variety of readers get the most out of this informative book.


There Are No Silly Questions: More than 200 Weird and Wacky Questions, Expertly Answered!

This is the coolest book ever! This book is filled with facts with answers to so many random questions. Like have you ever wondered what is the biggest spider, or why moths are attracted to porch lights. This book is full of information, that you may have always wondered about, or not. It also has really cool illustrations to go with each questions. If you are looking for answers to a specific subject you can search in the back of the book.

I can really appreciate the fact that it took 1.5 years to bring this book together, like noted from the illustrator in the front of the book. This book is a great resource for school, or just for families wanting to learn the answers to random questions.


Welcome to Our Playground: A Celebration of Games Children Play Everywhere

An oversized book fashioned in a kaleidoscope of color and featuring a jumble of active, bouncing children engaged in a myriad of play activities. Here is the chance to become familiar with toys and games played in different countries of the world. While many of the themes and rules are familiar, the languages spoken are unique to the culture. For example, take the familiar tic-tac-toe, which fittingly is called noughts and crosses, or Xs and Os in other countries.  Quite an ancient game, the Romans played it with pebbles and labeled it in Latin. The content includes a treasure trove of ideas for clapping games. using nature crafts, clapping games, chalk games, playing hide and seek, tag games, and so much more. In this international overview of children’s amusement activities, they are found to be common to different cultures and differ mainly in their identifiable names. Thus, the author has introduced the game names used in various languages, matching the English terms to Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Norwegian, Japanese, and more. This is a delightful encyclopedia of children’s games, colorfully illustrated with a diverse bunch of actively engaged children from all over the world.


Between These Broken Hearts

Between These Broken Hearts concludes the Cursed Stars duology and notably wraps up the thrilling Hollow Vows storyline.

In Elora, unrest is growing. Whispers in the Fae Courts speak of Mordeus reclaiming the Unseelie throne, and the Banshee’s cry foretells impending death. As the story begins, the fate of the human realm and fae courts appears grim. The cursed princess is losing herself to the spellbinding charm of the Enchanted lady. The reluctant assassin has been stripped of her glamour and is at the mercy of those pursuing her fate. Meanwhile, the human Queen is missing and presumed dead. The distinct paths of the characters continue to intersect chaotically as illusions are unraveled, bargains are struck, and necessary betrayals reveal hidden truths. With time running out, everyone must make choices about love, duty, and accepting fate.

Although the story resumes immediately after the dramatic cliffhanger from the previous book, the pace slows considerably. The multiple storylines and interactions between characters can, at times, feel repetitive as scenes are retold across different groups. The pace accelerates significantly in the final chapters as elements come together and both internal an eternal battles unfold.


Ooh La La! Kids Cook French: 68 Classic French Recipes Anyone Can Make

If you have a young cook in the house, this is the perfect book. It is filled with sophisticated recipes and straightforward instructions that never talk down to youngsters. Author Barbara Beery clearly respects her audience and knows how to speak to them. There are over seventy recipes that will challenge young chefs to try new skills and develop new tastes. Each recipe has its American name as well as its French name, although there is no guide to pronunciation. A level of difficulty is assigned to each recipe (most are level one with a few two and three levels), how much the recipe makes, an ingredients list, and excellent step-by-step directions. Each also has a mouthwatering full-color close-up photograph of the finished product. The recipes are arranged in nine sections: Herbs & Sauces, Appetizers, Soups, Main Courses, Salads and Vinaigrettes, Breads, Pastries & Desserts, and Drinks. Young chefs will be very excited to know they can try their hand at exciting dishes like Crème Brûlée and Chicken Cordon Bleu with excellent chances for success. They can learn to make their own crunchy Croissants and sweet Macarons. Don’t miss the Dauphinoise Potatoes or the simple, delicious French Green Salad.


See You at the Summit

A heartfelt adult romance about coming out, self-discovery, and unexpected connection. Simone Whitaker is navigating her new life as a bi woman when she meets carpenter Ryan Foley, and their instant chemistry challenges both their assumptions about love and themselves. Set against the backdrop of pride celebrations and tender moments of vulnerability, this story blends modern romance with meaningful insight into identity and trust. It’s an uplifting and affirming choice for Valentine’s Day reading if you love romances with emotional depth, relatable struggles, and joyful affirmations of love in all its beautiful forms.


Preserving the Seasons: A Guide to Canned, Jammed, Frozen, Dehydrated, Freeze-Dried, Quick-Pickled, and Infused Produce, Herbs, and Flowers (A Cookbook)

If you are looking for a good book to learn about ways of preserving food, this would be a fine choice, but it is so much more. The subtitle — A Guide to Canned, Jammed, Frozen, Dehydrated, Freeze-Dried. Quick-Pickled, and Infused Produce, Herbs, and Flowers (yes, and flowers!) — gives you a hint. This is simply the most comprehensive book on food preservation this reviewer has ever seen. In addition to that, there is a great cookbook in the third section with over a hundred pages of fabulous recipes that will show you the way to incorporate all the wonderful things you have preserved and created with the information in the first two sections. For instance, say you want to make Stuffed Zucchini (and you really should), you will be using Herb Infused-Salt, Italian Seasoning Blend, and Roasted Marinara Sauce you will have made from the first two sections of the book. Making Barbecue Sauce will include Kickin’ Ketchup, Herb-Infused Honey, and Purple Basil Vinegar. Whether you have your own garden or go to the farmers’ market or grocery store, this book will help you use more of what you have, cutting waste, and giving you a most satisfying experience.


The Way of the Desert Elders: How the Wisdom of Ancient Christians Sustains Us Today

Between 300 and 600 CE, as persecution swept through the Roman Empire, a remarkable group of Christians fled to the deserts of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Arabia. In The Way of the Desert Elders, Lisa Colón DeLay resurrects their forgotten stories with compelling clarity.

These "desert elders"—both men and women—formed monastic communities dedicated to overcoming what they called the "nine afflicting thoughts": gluttony, lust, avarice, wrath, acedia, despondency, vainglory, and pride. Through religious asceticism, they discovered paths to peace and hope during humanity's darkest hours.

What surprised me most, despite my Christian upbringing, was encountering these stories for the first time, particularly the women who defied societal norms. For example, Amma Marcella and Melania the Elder chose radical independence, escaping patriarchal constraints to pursue spiritual freedom in the wilderness.

Whether you're spiritually curious or historically minded, this illuminating work offers timeless insights about perseverance, community, and the courage to choose an unconventional path. DeLay masterfully brings these ancient figures to life with accessible, engaging prose. Each chapter concludes with prompts to reflect, respond, and pray: an invitation for readers to apply desert wisdom to modern struggles. The book reveals Christianity's roots as a faith of resistance and resilience, a truly important message in our era of division and apathy.


Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers

Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of the North American Woodpeckers by photographer and author Paul Bannick, is a stunning and in-depth look into these fascinating birds. After the success of his first book, Bannick features a unique and distinct bird. Many people can recognize the telltale drumming sounds of the woodpeckers, but not much more. Bannick’s book is a deep dive into the lives, from their physical features to their territory, courtship, nesting, and survival in winter. Bannick, through his award-winning photography and knowledgeable text, brings these birds to life.

First, this is not a field guide. It is more of a coffee table book, with its stunning photography and large hardback construction; this book would be a great addition to any bird lover’s library. This book is very informative. Bannick breaks down the life of the woodpeckers. He does not focus on any specific type, but on the entire species residing in North America. As informative as this book is, the real beauty is in the stunning full-color photography. Bannick’s talents are showcased in this beautiful masterpiece. One could spend hours engrossed in this captivating study of the Woodpecker.


Dead Ends!: Flukes, Flops & Failures That Sparked Medical Marvels

We have so many modern medical life-saving treatments that we often don’t think about how they came about. This marvelous middle-grade book takes a look at how people tried truly bizarre treatments over hundreds of years that somehow led to the miracles doctors seem to work today. Readers will be fascinated to know that holes were drilled in skulls to release demons or that some doctors thought milk, rather than blood, transfusions were a good idea. A fur trader in the 1800s was injured by a shotgun blast, leaving him with a fist-sized hole in his side. A doctor treated him, but the wound never closed. The doctor found that he had a great window into the inner workings of man. Stories like these fill the book and will keep youngsters engaged. The writing by Lindsey Fitzharris is easily accessible to young readers. While filled with facts, the writing is conversational and imbued with humor. Her research shines through on every page. The cartoonish illustrations are fun and will engage young readers all the way through. Everything is done in black and white and red, the perfect way to show such a bloody history. This one is fun and educational.


Dinner at the Night Library: A Novel

Otoha Higuchi was not one for academia; all she wanted out of life was to be around books. But she has yet to find a job that’s just the right fit. That is, until she receives a mysterious invitation from the Night Library to apply for an opening. This wasn’t like anything she had ever seen, with books by late authors on display and not available for checkout by patrons. Finally, Otoha feels at home. But her new job is threatened when strange happenings occur that could mean the end of the Night Library.

This reads as a love letter to the love of reading and literature, with a library only accessible at night and featuring books on display. Entering the Night Library feels like walking into a book museum where everyone is welcome. Otoha finds a place for herself in the quirkiness and charm of the library, and among the staff who share the same interests as her. Strange occurrences threaten the joy and peace the library brings, creating an underlying mystery that builds up for a delightful final episode. Dinner at the Night Library is character-centric with snappy dialogue, a charming mystery, and a fun assortment of characters who bring with them humorous situations.


White Widow: Secret Sisters

The mission is simple: destroy the package at any cost. Only the package turns out to be a person. A child. Yelena Belova is a Widow. It shouldn’t matter. She has her orders. But the little girl has her face and Yelena reacts before she thinks. Now on the run in a stolen minivan, she has more questions then answers, a team of Widows on her tale, a conspiracy far more complicated then she ever thought and now she’s questioning things she was trained to never consider.

You don’t need to have read the comics or watched the movies for this book to make sense. You just need to be familiar. So if you’re a huge Marvel fan, you might be disappointed with this story. The Red Room is awful, there’s no denying it, but Yelena doesn’t know differently and that comes across well. The characters are straightforward, most with only one or two traits, but they are all different from each other and easy to keep track of who’s who. Information is often repeated more then needed. The combat was fast paced and not drawn out.


The Grey Wolf: A Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, 19)

Armand Gamache, the head of homicide in Quebec, is enjoying a quiet afternoon in his garden when his peace is shattered by a phone call from a former nemesis. And although he manages to avoid talking to the person, he soon encounters other strange coincidences. For one thing, someone has broken into his Montreal apartment only to return a stolen item to police headquarters. If that weren't enough, the person wants to meet Gamache to explain. Is it a trap? Of course, Gamache has to go and find out.  This leads to another sinister, dangerous event. And soon enough, a full-blown investigation into something that could turn his world upside down is underway.

The Grey Wolf may be Louise Penny's finest work yet. If you are already a fan of this series, you will not want to miss this book. It has the familiar cast of characters that readers have come to know and love, and the writing is pitch-perfect. But you will probably need to set aside some time for this one because once you start reading, it will be hard to put down.


Roger Washington Faafp, Scarlet Nickhol Mpp Mba, Stacy Hummel

Sleeping is something I love to do, especially sleeping in, but sometimes it's hard to wind down at the end of the day to get to sleep at a decent time due to many reasons. Doctor Bedtime's SLEEP MAGIC Superpowers for Super-Sleepers is a children's book that gives reminders about the importance of sleep and other aspects of sleep, such as knowing when you feel tired, finding the best spot for you to comfortably sleep, the fun dreams that might happen, and how it helps your body and mind to be and do their best, which helps you to do the same in lots of areas of your life. The book is written in rhyming text, which is fun, but I felt that the book overall was slightly too long for what I already know about sleep. Younger readers who don't know the importance of sleep, or readers who struggle with sleeping, will probably get the most out of this book, or caregivers reading to or for either of these types of readers.


Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry!: A Picture Book

Emily Frans, Susanna Chapman, Lainey Wilson

Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry! by Emily Frans provides information about a special and honorable stage known for its weekly country music performances of old and new singers together, allowing fans to enjoy their favorite people and music regularly. The Grand Ole Opry began much smaller in 1925, but as it got more popular, it had to switch venues twice before settling on its current, permanent home in Nashville, TN. I like how the author presents this book - it's a picture book with lots of bright colors appropriate for younger readers, but it also has a lot to look at on each page, formatted similar to collages, which keeps older readers' attention; there is just enough information that the reader will learn something, or be able to reminese if they are already familiar, but also not too much to make it like a textbook. The book celebrates and includes country music singers from the beginning, such as Minnie Pearl and Dolly Parton, and includes greats through the current years, such as Scotty McCreery and Lainey Wilson. I would recommend this book to any reader because it is about a historical American genre, whether you're a fan of country music or not.


Higher Magic: A Novel

Dorothe Bartleby is filled with anxiety as she’s facing the impending doom of her qualifying exams. She gets one last chance, or she’ll be removed from the Magic program. To add insult to injury, she has been informed that she must reframe the entirety of her dissertation, and worse, she must use Digimancy. Just as her focus should be on remaining in the program, she begins to suspect the worst when her students, along with others in the university, asking for disability accommodations, are disappearing.

The comedic timing of Floyd is spot on, with quirky dialogue and perfectly absurd situations, such as a talking skull that participates by narrating Bartleby’s thoughts. Somehow, Floyd makes every eccentric scene work to the advantage of the plot. And even finds time to include some romance with Bartleby, having no choice but to seek help from the handsome James. The cast of characters is delightful, unique, and features lovely inclusivity. The world is a modern-day reflection, though with a magical bent and jargon that helps immerse you in the reality that Floyd has created. The mystery serves the greater good of the plot by shining a light on characters with disabilities and anxiety. Higher Magic is a magical treat with charm, magic, mystery, and subtle commentary about friendship, acceptance, and inclusion.


The Boys in the Light: An Extraordinary World War II Story of Survival, Faith, and Brotherhood

It was April 1945 when the men of D-Company met the young waifs Eddie Willner and Mike Swaab. While Second Lieutenant Elmer Hovland and the men under his charge, such as Sammy “Pepsi” DiCola, had recently survived the “Battle of the Bulge”, Eddie and Mike had just escaped another kind of hell, the genocidal persecution of the Nazis. Elmer Hovland was a hard-working young man from Minnesota who won the trust and respect of his fellow soldiers with his solid leadership. Pepsi DiCola was from a tight-knit Italian clan in Massachusetts. DiCola became a cook in the army who provided sustenance and a sympathetic ear to the men. Eddie was from Monchenbgladbach, Germany, and Mike was from Amsterdam, and the young men survived five years of indescribable torment at Auschwitz and other concentration camps. Their resilience led them to this fateful point and a second chance at life.

The Boys in the Light is a touching and riveting story about survival and courage under the most gut-wrenching conditions. Author Nina Willner has written an outstanding book that touches upon the unbreakable bonds forged under fire, and how fate brought these incredible men together, and the impact it had on the men and their families for decades after.


This Way to Happy

Reilly Rhoades has grown up at her grandparents’ amusement park and campground. Her cousin and BFF Nic also lives there. It’s been a happy life until Grandpa died recently. Now it seems keeping the business going is something of a struggle, which causes Reilly and Nic’s mothers to fight more and more. When Grandma gets sick and ends up in the hospital, Reilly’s mom loses it and slaps Nic. Nic’s mom takes Nic, packs up, and leaves town. Everyone who works at the park pitches in to try to keep things going, but it’s hard. Reilly makes a new friend, Alex, who is staying at the campground. It helps, but Reilly still misses Nic. Can things ever get back to normal?

Allison Green Myers has written a story of an extended family trying to run a business and all get along. It touches on issues of loss, grieving, and learning to go on. It’s very realistic and leaves some issues unresolved, as happens in life. The characters are well-rounded, and the writing is great. The setting is unique, and it will capture the attention of young readers. This is a terrific middle-grade novel.


The History of Money: A Story of Humanity

This book claims that money isn’t just metal discs, paper, or pixels on a screen; it’s the greatest collective fiction humanity ever decided to trust.  It retells the epic story of money from clay-tablet IOUs of ancient Sumer to bitcoins.  Along the way are references to Roman urine taxes, Rai stones, and citizens using billion-mark notes as wallpaper.

The book is chronologically arranged in five parts, each with three to five chapters.  Each chapter is built around a monetary breakthrough or meltdown.  It starts with credit in Mesopotamia, and moves on to Greek silver, Chinese paper money, the concept of zero, England’s tally-stick system, the gold standard, the creation of central banks, fiat currency, and finally crypto.  The pages are peppered with sharp sidebars, irreverent footnotes, and a helping of humor – no equations, virtually no charts, and no deep discussion of economic theory.

Enthusiasm for money and humor reeks through the narrative.  The text fluidly weaves money into religion, war, and art.  The anecdotes are unforgettable, the pace relentless, and the prose delightful.  The book’s scope and objective sometimes sacrifice depth for memorable anecdotes.  Chapters on the creation of the Federal Reserve, the eurozone crises, and cryptocurrency feel rushed.  Overall, a great book for general readers interested in economic history.


The Library of Lost Maps: An Archive of a World in Progress

At first, we ask, with cell phones to show us our route to the restaurant, the doctor's office, our vacation destination, why do we need printed maps and atlases? Cartographer and map teacher James Cheshire fills The Library of Lost Maps with multiple reasons. Maps serve purposes we may not have realized and considered.

Political maps, for example, show us the path Hitler chose for World War II, and the path of Europeans a century earlier, swarming over Africa, drawing borders, and filling vast empty areas to demonstrate their colonial hegemony.

Accurate information about the properties of the physical world was not available in the past, with a couple of clicks, as it is today. The Society for Useful Knowledge, known as SPUK, was founded in the late 1820s and produced high-quality maps sold individually by monthly subscription. The initial plan to produce 16 maps rose to a total of 224 maps, including 6 maps of the stars. Cheshire describes how early map printing involved making plates from meticulously hand-drawn maps, then etching them before they were individually printed. In addition to maps, Cheshire introduces the creators of early maps and the impact of their work.

The Library of Lost Maps is housed in University College London, the only non-religious
uncesity when founded in 1826.


Avatar Legends: City of Echoes (Avatar Legends Book 1) (Volume 1)

Not all is well in Ba Sing Se, no matter how much everyone wants to believe it is. Jin is a refugee with her grandfather, her parents lost in an attack from the Fire Nation. But Susu makes life easier, her best friend since she first arrived. When Susu makes a deal to work in the upper ring to save her family, Jin promises to do whatever it takes to get her home. Danger is around every corner as she tries to earn enough money, but so are new friends and allies.

If you haven’t seen the show, there will be many things that won’t make sense; there are characters and events talked about without context. Jin originally only had a brief appearance and I’m glad to see more of her. Her story shows that even the background characters can make a difference. Many of the relationships were bland, with no real connection to keep them together. The plot was everywhere and too fast paced in places, with to many things going on at once and glossing over important events. Overall, I enjoyed reading about Jin and this is an excellent addition to the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender.


It's Not Easy Being a T. Rex: A Dinosaur Story

It's Not Easy Being a T. Rex is an adorable story about a T. Rex's first day at school. She is worried that the other dinosaurs won't like her. She is self-conscious about her short arms and big head. At school, it's hard for T. Rex to play at recess because her arms are so short. When she tries to play kickball, she grabs the ball with her teeth, and the ball deflates. But then, something happens. A volcano erupts, and a rock knocks the kickball cage over one of her classmates. She uses her strong jaw to free him. From then on, the other dinosaurs tell her she's a hero and not to worry about her shortcomings.

This is a great story for any child who may be afraid of going to school. The lesson in the book teaches children that they all have their strengths and weaknesses, and no one is perfect.

The illustrations are so cute and colorful, they will catch the eye of any child. A sweet story with fun characters and a great lesson, It's Not Easy Being a T. Rex is sure to become a favorite.


The Maya Myths

//The Maya Myths// by Mallory Matsumoto is a captivating and accessible journey into the rich spiritual world of the Maya civilization. Spanning present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, the Maya civilization was not a single, unified people but a diverse array of cultures connected by shared beliefs, languages, and cosmology. Matsumoto, a professor of religious studies, skillfully brings these ancient traditions to life through six core themes—ranging from creation and migration to destruction and renewal.

What sets this book apart is Matsumoto’s deep understanding and respect for the source material. She weaves together Indigenous myths drawn from hieroglyphic inscriptions, archaeological artifacts, and colonial-era manuscripts to reveal stories of gods, heroes, and ancestors. Richly illustrated with photographs of carvings, pottery, and other objects, the book makes ancient symbols tangible. Readers meet the Maize God, journey through the celestial realms and the underworld, and encounter animals that speak and shape destiny.

For readers curious about ancient Mesoamerican cultures, //The Maya Myths// is an enlightening and beautifully crafted introduction that honors a complex, enduring legacy. Matsumoto explains the deeper meanings of each story within Maya life and worldview. She emphasizes that growing interest in Maya myths has enriched scholarship, offering contemporary readers a deeper, more nuanced understanding of how these stories reflect a people navigating an evolving reality and adapting to a changing world.


Bernd Roeck’s The World at First Light: A New History of the Renaissance is a sweeping and ambitious re-examination of what the Renaissance was, where and when it took root, and what conditions made it possible. The book unfolds over more than 1,100 pages (in translation by Patrick Baker), and Roeck casts his net wide: he situates the Renaissance not simply as an Italian or high-culture phenomenon, but as the outcome of centuries of change across politics, religion, society, and geography.

One of the core strengths of this work is Roeck’s insistence on the preconditions for the Renaissance. He argues that features such as political competition among small states, proximity to the Arab world (with its transmission of Greek antiquity), religious conflict, and the interplay of craft, science, and art all played central roles. He demonstrates how these factors combined to produce a culture both eager to preserve knowledge and willing to experiment with new forms.

Roeck’s scope is itself a double-edged sword. The richness of detail is impressive as the reader navigates trade networks, court politics, religious strife, artistic practices, and scientific innovations. Many of the small stories (guilds, manuscripts, artisans) are illuminating and help build texture. At the same time, the sheer scale of the work means that some arguments feel underdeveloped, and some threads, while interesting, seem peripheral to the main theses. At times, the density of material can overwhelm.

In terms of style, Roeck is learned and erudite. His voice is that of a historian deeply engaged with sources and with scholarship. For readers seeking an expansive rethinking of the Renaissance that situates it in global relational and temporal contexts, this book is a major contribution. Yet one should come prepared: this is not a quick read. It demands both patience and stamina.

Overall, The World at First Light succeeds in reframing the Renaissance not simply as a cultural rebirth but as the forging of modernity itself. It challenges many traditional boundaries around periodization, geography, and value. For scholars and serious students of history, this is essential reading. For general readers interested in the Renaissance, there is much reward here, though also a challenge.


Lake Effect: A Novel

The Larkins and the Finnegans live across the street from one another in Rochester, NY.  It is 1977 and the parents socialize together and the children grow up together, but the appearance of one book, The Joy of Sex, becomes a catalyst for matriarch Nina Larkin to examine the marriage she's worked so hard to stitch together. Lake Effect is a tour de force, and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney is an author to be read voraciously.

The plot moves quickly and involves lovers' quarrels, betrayals, divorces, dinner parties, and the crushing desperation of teenage heartbreak. I'd hate to give too much away, but I'll say this: when two of the parents begin an affair, life on Cambridge Road changes irrevocably. It's easy to pass judgments on the ones who leave, but Sweeney, with a microscopic focus, dissects why people leave, so no one is clean. There is no perfect divorce, but there are reasons, and those reasons echo through generations.

The novel is split into three sections: 1977-78, 1994-95 and 1998. I don't typically enjoy novels that do this--it can feel like a cop out rather than writing a story that moves through time in a connected fashion. Sweeney's choice, though, mimics the fractures at place in the Larkin and Finnegan families' lives. It is a brilliant book that will make you laugh and think and feel deep gratitude for the love in your life.


Everyone a Stranger

The year is 1943 and Virginia Abrams lost her husband in Guadalcanal over a year ago. On a date with the son of a senator, she is assaulted and ends up pregnant. The senator wants this problem erased and so Virginia flees to Seattle where Everyone A Stranger will be in her favor. However, when a neighbor dies in her apartment complex, Virginia discovers you can never really outrun your past. She’ll have to decide what’s more important, protecting her unborn child or standing up for what’s right. ||I wasn’t sure how well a male author would do writing from the perspective of a young woman, especially a pregnant one. I think he exaggerated the pregnancy side of things a bit, but otherwise he didn’t do too bad of a job. This is not a quick read but it is an entertaining one. I enjoyed the multiple mysteries taking place and it’s always fun to see places you know in literature. If you enjoy murder mysteries, especially ones set in the 1940s, then this book is for you.


Murder Your Darlings

The story revolves around three characters: Simone, a second-tier author struggling with writer’s block; William, a novelist whose every book ends up on the best-sellers list; and a bookshop assistant, dubbed Rabbit. Rabbit is stalking William; William is romancing Simone; Simone is receiving threatening messages from Rabbit. Part I follows William and Simone’s growing involvement through alternating chapters in which each new stage in their wooing is portrayed first from Simone’s participant perspective, then from Rabbit’s voyeur perspective. In Part II, the story continues from William’s perspective. The reader learns more about him, including: his encouragement of other writers through his Darlings Support Group; his unique talent for crafting novels across multiple genres; and his remarkable sexual attraction to women. Hints about the dark undercurrents lying beneath the interactions among the three are scattered throughout, alerting the reader to the outcome well before it plays out in Part III. The concluding section, then, derives its excitement, not from the what of the ugly truth, but from how it is discovered… and its deadly aftermath. The clever premise, snappy dialogue, and deep characterization make Murder Your Darlings a thoroughly worthwhile read.


God’s Junk Drawer

Peter Clines, author of most recently //The Broken Room// and //Paradox Bound//, returns with another time travel romp, but this time going to an alternate world with dinosaurs and alien machinery.

The Gather family vanished forty years ago while whitewater rafting. Five years later, Billy Gather miraculously returned spouting tales of dinosaurs and aliens and Neanderthals. Everyone wrote him off as crazy. Now Professor Noah Barnes (Billy grown up) is checking out a site with his students, all culminating at a specific place and time. He knows how to get back to where his family was lost, but he ends up bringing his students with him. Now they’re all back in the Valley, but they soon discover it’s a puzzle that needs to be solved if they’re to survive. What begins is a wild tale of adventure and the impossible brought to life.

You always know you’re going to get an insane story with Peter Clines, and his latest novel is aptly titled, //God’s Junk Drawer.// The characters are interesting and varied, and the writing is gripping. The key is to just keep following the story because you have no idea where it’s going to take you.


The Green Funeral: Honoring the Environment While Beautifying Funeral Practices

Sequola Dawson, David Emannuel Goatley, Jonathan C Augustine

The Rev. Dr. Sequola Dawson delivers a bold and necessary intervention in her critique of Black Church funeral practices. Identifying as an "earth theologian" and "bereavement minister," Dawson advocates for environmentally conscious "green funerals" that honor both God's covenant with the faithful and our collective responsibility to steward the land. Her arguments are firmly anchored in ecclesial training, environmental research, intimate knowledge of the Black community, and practical experience with parishioners.

As a non-Black person of color with an interest in nature-based burial practices, I approach The Green Funeral with awareness of my social location and the limitations of my perspective on Black traditions and experiences. What makes particularly compelling is Dawson's unvarnished perspective on the Black Church. She doesn't shy away from challenging long-held beliefs and attitudes about dying, death, and the ecological crisis—a courage rooted in her deep love for and commitment to her community. Her writing skillfully blends academic rigor with the persuasive, prophetic call to action characteristic of faith leaders.

Dawson's focus on environmental theology opens crucial conversations about how communities of faith can respond to the climate crisis through reimagined death practices. For readers interested in nature-based burials, this book provides theological grounding and cultural context often missing from mainstream green death discourse. It's essential reading for anyone seeking to integrate ecological justice with spiritual practice and community tradition.


Princess Minna: The Big Bad Snowy Day

Princess Minna: The Big Bad Snowy Day is technically book four in the //Princess Minna// series, but the reader won't have any problems if they start reading any of her adventures at any point; this is because the necessary information for the reader is reminded toward the beginning, and then the story begins. In The Big Bad Snowy Day, Minna needs to rescue her grandma, who has been snowed in after a big snowstorm hit the night before. Minna thinks she knows the way, and she eventually runs into friends whom she tries to help, but it's only when they all work together that the problem gets solved, and they have a great time enjoying the snow!

 I enjoyed this story because it contains parts of other fairy tales that are fun to find. Minna is a great friend and daughter to her parents, the king and queen, and she loves to get things done while having a fun time! I will continue reading future books in this series and encourage others to do the same.


1000 Botanical Colors: Make Your Own Dyes, Paints, Inks, Stains, and Pottery Paints from 250 Plants

Before this fantastic offering, I had no idea what a mordant might be. Or a glass muller. Briefly, mordants make colors more resistant to fading from light or washing and vary the color yields from plants. A process involving gently slurrying a bit of botanical between a glass weight and a flat slab of the same material, a glass muller, mulls paint from flowers, herbs, leaves, and seeds.

The author has years of teaching and experimenting tucked into this invaluable work. Subjects potentially forbidding, such as creating mordants, turn into comfy home projects.|| There is infinite detail, delivered in fine clarity of language, with some nice humor.

Paints, inks, dyes, stains, delving into everything from tie-dying to fabric selection to explorations, with safety precautions for adults and kids, proliferate. A wealth of sharing!!||Starting on page 115, plants are introduced by their Linnaean name, then, in Bold, their English one, with a very clear 3x2 photo. Listed are: parts for pigment, type (shrub, tree), hardiness zone, and whether it’s annual or perennial. Then a step-by-step procedure with commentary. Prominent are broad color swatches noting mordants/methods used to produce each.

Interested in natural color? Here is kindly guidance delivered by a master craftsman.


I Did Not Kill My Husband

I Did Not Kill My Husband by Linda Keir is a story about a woman named Cara Campbell who is convicted of murdering her husband, Karl. Cara claims she's innocent, but the jury convicted her of hitting her husband over the head with a hammer while they were glamping. Cara, a social media influencer, is bashed over the head herself on social media after she is convicted. When Cara and several other inmates are being transported, they are in an accident, and Cara escapes into the wilderness.

What I enjoyed about this book was the storyline that kept moving forward with Cara. What would she do next? Whom would she meet? Would she get caught before finding out what really happened the day her husband was murdered?

The book is written in alternating point-of-view chapters, however. One point of view is that of Cara's. The other point of view is that of the sheriff, Jordan Burke. I felt that all the chapters written from the sheriff's perspective were completely unnecessary and bogged down the book with boring details. The book could have been half as long, yet the story would still be just as good.

I'm assuming that since the author is a team of two people, one wrote one series of chapters and the other wrote the other series. Although I enjoy books with different points of view, this one just didn't do it for me. The ending was also very anticlimatic.


Ask for Andrea

This book was one of the best books I've read this year. Told from the point of view of three girls, all murdered by the same psychopath. The twist? He's married with kids. Ask for Andrea is an all too realistic tale where readers will be cheering for the spirits of the missing girls to bring their captor to justice. I loved how the three girls end up finding one another, sharing their stories with one another, and ultimately working together. This story will tug at readers' heartstrings but also have them cheering. The scenes and character development are phenomenal, and I felt as if I was right there with each girl as she left her physical body. I was on the edge of my seat with this one. Ihli unravels the story piece by piece and then brings all of the elements together in a race against time. Readers of Chevy Stevens and Karin Slaughter will love this fast-paced thriller.


Love & Other Monsters

1816, the Year Without a Summer, is familiar to many people, whether because of the historical significance of the Mount Tambora eruption or because of the literary significance of the intellectual gathering at Lake Geneva, which led to Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein and inventing what would become science fiction.

Love & Other Monsters is focused on the latter, but it tells the story through the point of view of Claire Clairmont, Mary’s stepsister and one of Lord Byron’s many lovers. The book is at once a coming-of-age novel, though it doesn’t seem that way to begin with, and a rich look into history. At times, the details and introspection bog down the narrative, but they are so beautifully written that it is an easy fault to forgive. Mostly, I was enmeshed in the story, in Claire’s desperation to prove herself and to determine what sort of woman she will grow into.

There are many books telling chapters of history from the perspective of forgotten women. Many of those books are, sadly, forgettable themselves. Love & Other Monsters deserves to be one that is remembered.


This House Will Feed

Maggie O’Shaughnessy is the sole survivor of her family during the Great Hunger of Ireland. In the workhouse, trying to survive, she meets Lady Catherine, who has come to whisk her away to pretend to be her dearly departed daughter, Wilhelmina. Lady Catherine needs Maggie to impersonate her so that their land will not be taken away, meaning Lady Catherine will no longer be able to care for the tenants. It doesn’t take long before Maggie comes to realize that something is not right in the house. When she begins to see the Woman in White, Maggie knows that This House Will Feed and she will do whatever it takes to make sure it’s not on her.

There were so many frightening things about this book. If you love Gothic horror, I highly recommend it. It is also educational, as I learned so much about the Great Hunger. I can’t even imagine what it was like to go through that, but the author does a wonderful job of bringing the horror of that time to life without downplaying the atrocities. This is definitely a book to add to your collection.


Lucien

Lucien by J.R. Thornton is a darkly compelling and exquisitely crafted psychological thriller that examines ambition, class, and the dangers of blind admiration. Through the eyes of Christopher “Atlas” Novotny, a gifted but vulnerable artist, readers are drawn into the intoxicating world of his wealthy, enigmatic Harvard roommate, Lucien Orsini-Conti. Thornton expertly balances tension, character study, and suspense, showing how charisma can mask manipulation and darkness. With sharp social observation, richly drawn characters, and escalating stakes, the novel is a riveting exploration of identity, desire, and moral compromise. Lucien is addictive, sophisticated, and hauntingly unforgettable, perfect for fans of literary thrillers.


Like in Love with You

A delightful Regency-inspired contemporary romance, Like in Love with You channels the spirit of classic romance with a fresh, modern twist. Think Mean Girls meets Northanger Abbey: witty, sharp, and full of charm. When the heroine’s sharp wit and misadventures lead her into a fresh yet unconventional romantic situation, she must navigate feelings that are as complicated as they are irresistible. This book delivers romance with depth, humor, and engaging characters that make it ideal for Valentine’s season reading, especially if you love clever dialogue and swoony moments tied to timeless tropes.


The House of Hidden Letters

The House of Hidden Letters explores a Greek island escape filled with heart, mystery, and community. Skye MacKinnon seizes a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy a cottage for just one euro and, in doing so, starts a fresh chapter of life under the Mediterranean sun. As she and fellow lottery winners bond, they uncover old letters that unlock the island’s wartime past and deepen their emotional connections. Readers can expect sweeping escapism, warm relational depth, and the comfort of sunlit surroundings — perfect for cozy reading on a rainy afternoon.


FDR: A New Political Life

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is considered one of the greatest Presidents of the United States in the country’s history. His four election victories (1932, 1936, 1940, 1944) were unprecedented and haven’t been duplicated. However, his ascent to Governor of New York, and later, standard bearer of the Democratic Party, was nearly derailed primarily due to his battle with Polio. Roosevelt and his advisers’ ability to conceal the extent of his illness greatly assisted him at the polls during the election season. The successes that have been attributed to him while President primarily concern his New Deal legislation and his wartime leadership. However, as author David T. Beito skillfully shows, many of the New Deal programs only prolonged the economic woes, while his Lend-Lease Act skirted neutrality and his intransigence towards Japan hastened the hostilities that began with Pearl Harbor.

FDR: A New Political Life is a thorough reassessment of the political career of the 32nd President of the United States. Author David T. Beito has written an exemplary biography of a consummate politician who was never truly magnanimous; a leader often inclined to prevaricate on difficult decisions. Beito’s valuable work demonstrates how a cult of personality can be deconstructed.