“She read beautifully, deeply. I don’t know how else to describe it.
Eventually, I finally asked her what she got out of reading these books by old dead men, what the words on the page had to do with her. The kind of question an idiot asks. But she took it seriously, she pursed her lips.
It’s just another way to talk to the dead, she said.
It’s another way to make a way, she said.” – Lot: Stories
FICTION
Memorial by Bryan Washington ★
Benson and Mike are two young guys who live together in Houston. Mike is a Japanese American chef at a Mexican restaurant and Benson’s a Black day care teacher, and they’ve been together for a few years — good years — but now they’re not sure why they’re still a couple. There’s the sex, sure, and the meals Mike cooks for Benson, and, well, they love each other.
But when Mike finds out his estranged father is dying in Osaka just as his acerbic Japanese mother, Mitsuko, arrives in Texas for a visit, Mike picks up and flies across the world to say goodbye. In Japan he undergoes an extraordinary transformation, discovering the truth about his family and his past. Back home, Mitsuko and Benson are stuck living together as unconventional roommates, an absurd domestic situation that ends up meaning more to each of them than they ever could have predicted. Without Mike’s immediate pull, Benson begins to push outwards, realizing he might just know what he wants out of life and have the goods to get it.
Both men will change in ways that will either make them stronger together, or fracture everything they’ve ever known. And just maybe they’ll all be okay in the end. Memorial is a funny and profound story about family in all its strange forms, joyful and hard-won vulnerability, becoming who you’re supposed to be, and the limits of love.
Description from Goodreads.
“Wryly funny, gently devastating… Washington’s hand is effortless—smooth dialogue, a love for good food, and his vibrant, sprawling, gradually gentrifying hometown—in inviting you into a nuanced love story that sticks to you like the Texas heat.” – Entertainment Weekly
“Implicit in a book about changing relationships and titled Memorial is the question of what is being preserved. The book preserves Houston and Osaka. It preserves the feeling of being young and lost. It preserves the food that gives us comfort and nourishment and purpose.” – New York Times
“A beautiful, unusual examination of the difference between love and care, and what happens when they merge.” – Washington Post
“A very different kind of love story… Washington’s deeply touching (and deeply funny) look at love, sex, family, grief, and the ways in which we take care of each other is a revelation, a reminder of how powerful a novel can be.” – Refinery29
Available Formats:
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Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella
Call Ava romantic, but she thinks love should be found in the real world, not on apps that filter men by height, job, or astrological sign. She believes in feelings, not algorithms. So after a recent breakup and dating app debacle, she decides to put love on hold and escapes to a remote writers’ retreat in coastal Italy. She’s determined to finish writing the novel she’s been fantasizing about, even though it means leaving her close-knit group of friends and her precious dog, Harold, behind.
At the retreat, she’s not allowed to use her real name or reveal any personal information. When the neighboring martial arts retreat is canceled and a few of its attendees join their small writing community, Ava, now going by “Aria,” meets “Dutch,” a man who seems too good to be true. The two embark on a baggage-free, whirlwind love affair, cliff-jumping into gem-colored Mediterranean waters and exploring the splendor of the Italian coast. Things seem to be perfect for Aria and Dutch.
But then their real identities–Ava and Matt–must return to London. As their fantasy starts to fade, they discover just how different their personal worlds are. From food choices to annoying habits to sauna etiquette… are they compatible in anything? And then there’s the prickly situation with Matt’s ex-girlfriend, who isn’t too eager to let him go. As one mishap follows another, it seems while they love each other, they just can’t love each other’s lives. Can they reconcile their differences to find one life together?
Description from Goodreads.
“Spellbinding… Kinsella’s clever romance about the nature of compromise alternates laugh-out-loud humor with moments that will tug at readers’ heartstrings. This rollicking rom-com is a hit.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“A sweet, mishap-filled look at what it takes to create lasting love between two people with separate lives.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Love Your Life was an enjoyable romp that took us from London to Italy and back again. If you’re a fan of modern romance with some fun twists to it, you won’t regret picking this one up.” – Harlequin Junkie
Available Formats:
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The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg
Bud Threadgoode grew up in the bustling little railroad town of Whistle Stop, Alabama, with his mother Ruth, church-going and proper, and his Aunt Idgie, the fun-loving hell-raiser. Together they ran the town’s popular Whistle Stop Cafe, known far and wide for its friendly, fun, and famous “Fried Green Tomatoes.” And as Bud often said to his daughter Ruthie, of his childhood, “How lucky can you get?”
But sadly, as the railroad yards shut down and the town became a ghost town, nothing was left but boarded-up buildings and memories of a happier time.
Then one day, Bud decides to take one last trip, just to see where his beloved Whistle Stop used to be. In so doing, he discovers new friends, new surprises about Idgie’s life, and about Ninny Threadgoode, Evelyn Couch, other beloved Flagg characters, and also about the town itself. He also sets off a series of events, both touching and inspiring, which change his life and the lives of his daughter and many others. Could these events all be just coincidences? Or something else? And can you go home again?
Description from Goodreads.
“Reading this novel is like entering a second childhood. You have our permission.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Flagg’s memorable cast returns to Whistle Stop, Ala., made famous in Fried Green Tomatoes, in this heartfelt saga… Flagg’s multitude of fans will enjoy reminiscing and learning more secrets from her well-known protagonists.” – Publishers Weekly
“An abundance of Southern charm will delight both readers eager to journey back to beloved Whistle Stop and also those wanting to visit for the very first time… feel-good fun.” – Shelf Awareness
Available Formats:
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SUSPENSE
The Sentinel by Lee Child & Andrew Child
It is close to midnight on a Saturday night when Jack Reacher gets off a bus at the Greyhound station in a sleepy no-name town outside Nashville. As always, Reacher is in no hurry. He has no particular place to go, and all the time in the world to get there. He has no appointments to keep. No people to see. No scores to settle. Not yet anyway. By morning he ends up in a town near Pleasantville, Tennessee. But there’s nothing pleasant about the place.
In broad daylight Reacher spots a hapless soul walking into an ambush. “It was four against one”… so Reacher intervenes, with his own trademark brand of conflict resolution. The man he saves is Rusty Rutherford, an unassuming IT manager, recently fired after a cyberattack locked up the town’s data, records, information… and secrets. Rutherford wants to stay put, look innocent, and clear his name.
Reacher is intrigued. There’s more to the story. The bad guys who jumped Rutherford are part of something serious and deadly, involving a conspiracy, a cover-up, and murder, all centered on a mousy little guy in a coffee-stained shirt who has no idea what he’s up against. Rule one: if you don’t know the trouble you’re in, keep Reacher by your side.
Description from Goodreads.
“It’s great to be back in [Reacher’s] company in a world where the bad guys get what’s coming to them… A smooth transition for a much-loved character.” – The Observer
“It’s terrific… The story is just as powerful… Brutal action mixes with keen-eyed detective work as Reacher metes out his own brand of justice… If this novel is a harbinger of what’s to come, then Jack is in good hands.” – Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Much of The Sentinel is humorous as Reacher patiently teaches bad guys about the flaws in their tactics. While there’s lots of action, the novel also feels like a procedural as Reacher interviews suspects and delves deeper toward the truth… [The Sentinel has] one of the most inventive action sequences in recent memory… It continues the series without any sense that there’s now a coauthor. In a year of drastic change, fans will welcome the consistency.” – Publishers Weekly
Available Formats:
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A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson
While studying wolverines on a wildlife sanctuary in Montana, biologist Alex Carter is run off the road and threatened by locals determined to force her off the land.
Undeterred in her mission to help save this threatened species, Alex tracks wolverines on foot and by cameras positioned in remote regions of the preserve. But when she reviews the photos, she discovers disturbing images of an animal of a different kind: a severely injured man seemingly lost and wandering in the wilds.
After searches for the unknown man come up empty, local law enforcement is strangely set on dismissing the case altogether, raising Alex’s suspicions. Then another invasive predator trespasses onto the preserve. The hunter turns out to be another human—and the prey is the wildlife biologist herself. Alex realizes too late that she has seen too much—she’s stumbled onto a far-reaching illegal operation and now has become the biggest threat.
In this wild and dangerous landscape, Alex’s life depends on staying one step ahead—using all she knows about the animal world and what it takes to win the brutal battle for survival.
Description from Goodreads.
“Best thriller of the year so far.” – Fresh Fiction
“…filled with twists and turns that keep readers interested and engaged…” – The NERD Daily
Available Formats:
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MYSTERY
Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spotswood
It’s 1942 and Willowjean “Will” Parker is a scrappy circus runaway whose knife-throwing skills have just saved the life of New York’s best, and most unorthodox, private investigator, Lillian Pentecost. When the dapper detective summons Will a few days later, she doesn’t expect to be offered a life-changing proposition: Lillian’s multiple sclerosis means she can’t keep up with her old case load alone, so she wants to hire Will to be her right-hand woman. In return, Will will receive a salary, room and board, and training in Lillian’s very particular art of investigation.
Three years later, Will and Lillian are on the Collins case: Abigail Collins was found bludgeoned to death with a crystal ball following a big, boozy Halloween party at her home–her body slumped in the same chair where her steel magnate husband shot himself the year before. With rumors flying that Abigail was bumped off by the vengeful spirit of her husband (who else could have gotten inside the locked room?), the family has tasked the detectives with finding answers where the police have failed. But that’s easier said than done in a case that involves messages from the dead, a seductive spiritualist, and Becca Collins–the beautiful daughter of the deceased, who Will quickly starts falling for. When Will and Becca’s relationship dances beyond the professional, Will finds herself in dangerous territory, and discovers she may have become the murderer’s next target.
A wildly charming and fast-paced mystery written with all the panache of 1940s New York, Fortune Favors the Dead is a fresh homage to Holmes and Watson that reads like the best of Dashiell Hammett and introduces an audacious detective duo for the ages.
Description from Goodreads.
“A relentlessly entertaining romp through 1940’s New York City, and through the annals of mystery fiction, as well, with many sly nods to authors of the past and some invigorating reinventions of classic tropes and gambits… Spotswood’s style is swift and witty, and the mystery at the novel’s heart is a clever knot.” – CrimeReads
“Sparkles [with] wit and personality… Delightful… This mystery plot has all the twists and surprises a fan of the genre could ask for, but it is Will’s distinctive, captivating voice and background [that] is Spotswood’s real triumph… Gutsy Will, with her snappy, slangy narrative style, ultimately wins readers’ hearts and carries the day. This classic noir-style mystery recast with humor, female leads and superb style is both satisfying and great fun.” – Shelf Awareness
“Good news, mystery readers, your new favorite sleuthing duo has arrived on the scene!… Fortune Favors the Dead is a refreshing update to a classic Golden Age mystery, serving hard-boiled thrills and laugh-out-loud wit with charm and panache. A fantastic read!” – Northern Virginia Magazine
Available Formats:
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The Witch Hunter by Max Seeck
A bestselling author’s wife has been found dead in a gorgeous black evening gown, sitting at the head of a formally set dinner table. Her most chilling feature—her face is frozen in a ghastly smile.
At first it seems as though a deranged psychopath is reenacting the gruesome murders from The Witch Hunter, the bestseller written by the victim’s husband. But investigator Jessica Niemi soon realizes she’s not looking for a single killer but rather for dozens of believers in a sinister form of witchcraft.
They know her every move and are always one step ahead. As the bodies start piling up, Jessica knows they won’t stop until they get what they want. And when her dark past comes to light, Jessica finds herself battling her own demons while desperately trying to catch a coven of killers before they claim their next victim.
Description from Goodreads.
“[A] rich, intensely suspenseful thriller. Seeck’s debut is dark and intricate—the moments of revelation are as vividly cinematic and impactful every time. Seeck has an uncanny ability to unspool reveals at just the right pace to get the reader’s heart pounding as they make the connection at the same moment as the detective on page. His expertise with pacing, his careful plotting, and his choice to use short, quick chapters all combine to create a vivid, robust thriller.” – Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“One twist follows another, baffling the police and readers alike. Seeck imbues this riveting procedural with a deliciously creepy undertone. Readers will be excited to see what Seeck does next.” – Publisher’s Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“The heroine’s personal problems provide a fascinating counterpoint to a disturbing tale of murder and madness.” – Kirkus Reviews
Available Formats:
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HISTORICAL FICTION
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter ★
The Dolan brothers live by their wits, jumping freight trains and lining up for day work at crooked job agencies. While sixteen-year-old Rye yearns for a steady job and a home, his dashing older brother Gig dreams of a better world, fighting alongside other union men for fair pay and decent treatment. Enter Ursula the Great, a vaudeville singer who performs with a live cougar, and who introduces the brothers to a far more dangerous creature: a powerful mining magnate who will stop at nothing to keep his wealth and his hold on Ursula.
Dubious of his brother’s idealism, Rye finds himself drawn to a fearless nineteen-year-old activist and feminist named Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, her passion sweeping him into the workers’ cause. But a storm is coming, threatening to overwhelm them all, and Rye will be forced to decide where he stands. Is it enough to win the occasional battle, even if you cannot win the war?
An intimate story of brotherhood, love, sacrifice and betrayal set against the panoramic backdrop of an early twentieth-century America that eerily echoes our own time, The Cold Millions offers a stunning, kaleidoscopic portrait of a nation grappling with the chasm between rich and poor, between harsh realities and simple dreams. Featuring an unforgettable cast of cops and tramps, suffragists and socialists, madams and murderers, it is a powerful and moving tour de force from a “writer who has planted himself firmly in the first rank of American authors” (Boston Globe).
Description from Goodreads.
“Walter puts forth his most ambitious work yet, solidifying his place in the contemporary canon as one of our most gifted builders of fictional worlds… It’s often said that a novel contains the world; Walter brings new meaning to this phrase, peopling The Cold Millions with vaudeville stars, hobos, suffragists, tycoons, union agitators, policemen, and dozens of other vibrant characters. Warm and deeply humane, this transporting novel is a staggering achievement from a landmark writer.” – Esquire
“Stunning… The Cold Millions feels timed perfectly to this moment of stark income inequality, where the crevasse between billionaires and workers widens and activism increases… Walter marshals a motley, fascinating cast of characters so finely drawn that they lift from the page… I haven’t encountered a more satisfying and moving novel about the struggle for workers’ rights in America.” – San Francisco Chronicle
“The fact that the same author has written books as wildly different and all as transporting as The Zero, The Financial Lives of the Poets, Beautiful Ruins, and now this latest tour de force is testimony to Walter’s protean storytelling power and astounding ability to set a scene, any scene… We have heard that Jess Walter writes nonstop: Seven days a week, 365 days a year. Please, never stop.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“Strung up around true events and a handful of real people, Walter’s latest is informed by intensive, ardent research and reverence for his home city; consider this book a train ticket to a past time and place. In addition to boldly voiced characters and dramatic suspense, in this century-ago tale of labor rights and wealth inequality readers will find plenty of modern relevance.” – Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
Available Formats:
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ROMANCE
If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Working as the personal assistant to one of Hollywood’s cruelest divas has left Amanda Queen more determined than ever to sell her screenplay and gain her independence. In the meantime, she’ll settle for a temporary escape. When her employer is felled by the flu on Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, Amanda gets her glam on, struts out the door, and parties with the glitterati. But she never expects to come face to face—and closer than close—with one of the hottest stars in the game…
Following up his first Oscar win with a steamy after-hours romp with an enigmatic woman seems like the perfect way for actor Sam Pleasant to celebrate—until she suddenly disappears. Worse, she’s vanished with the wrong swag bag: the one containing his Oscar statue, leaving Sam even more intrigued about the beauty’s identity—and wondering if a repeat performance of their amazing night is in the stars. And when a second chance encounter happens, only a trip to Sam’s family ranch—and revealing the whole, not-always-glamorous, truth about themselves—will give them a chance to turn one magical night into forever…
Description from Goodreads.
“One serendipitous night transforms an aspiring screenwriter’s life in this wonderfully inventive, Cinderella-inspired romance, the second in Weatherspoon’s Cowboys of California series (after A Cowboy to Remember)…Uniting a heart-stopping hero and a plus-size heroine who knows her own worth, this steamy fairy tale shines by serving realistic conflict alongside swoon-worthy romance.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Readers who want romance to explore some of the real issues that women like Amanda face and see her beautifully celebrated and cherished will absolutely adore this book.” – BookPage, STARRED REVIEW
“Although her vindictive boss has damaged her confidence and belief in herself, Amanda is surrounded by supportive friends and a steady, sexy, and respectful love interest in Sam. The sexual tension and flirty banter between the two will have readers rooting them on and anticipating Dru’s comeuppance. Another winner from rising star Weatherspoon.” – Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
Available Formats:
Hoopla eBook
NONFICTION
Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate ★
Christie Tate had just been named the top student in her law school class and finally had her eating disorder under control. Why then was she driving through Chicago fantasizing about her own death? Why was she envisioning putting an end to the isolation and sadness that still plagued her in spite of her achievements?
Enter Dr. Rosen, a therapist who calmly assures her that if she joins one of his psychotherapy groups, he can transform her life. All she has to do is show up and be honest. About everything—her eating habits, childhood, sexual history, etc. Christie is skeptical, insisting that that she is defective, beyond cure. But Dr. Rosen issues a nine-word prescription that will change everything: “You don’t need a cure, you need a witness.”
So begins her entry into the strange, terrifying, and ultimately life-changing world of group therapy. Christie is initially put off by Dr. Rosen’s outlandish directives, but as her defenses break down and she comes to trust Dr. Rosen and to depend on the sessions and the prescribed nightly phone calls with various group members, she begins to understand what it means to connect.
Group is a deliciously addictive read, and with Christie as our guide—skeptical of her own capacity for connection and intimacy, but hopeful in spite of herself—we are given a front row seat to the daring, exhilarating, painful, and hilarious journey that is group therapy—an under-explored process that breaks you down, and then reassembles you so that all the pieces finally fit.
Description from Goodreads.
“Tate takes readers on a journey through her life-changing road to recovery and in turn finds hope, human connection and a new take on life.”- CNN
“[A] dazzling debut memoir… Readers will be irresistibly drawn into Tate’s earnest and witty search for authentic and lasting love.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Christie Tate’s… writing displays a wonderful combination of clear and simple with sparkle and intelligence… [Group is] a compelling narrative that empowers readers to better understand their own lives.” – Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“It feels clichéd to write ‘you’ll laugh, you’ll cry,’ but I promise you’ll do both, as well as examine your own life and happiness… even if you don’t want to. Written with the gift of hindsight, Group is an honest, heart-breaking and hilarious look at reaching rock bottom and climbing your way back to life.” – Amazon Book Review
Available Formats:
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The Flavor Equation: The Science of Great Cooking Explained in More Than 100 Essential Recipes by Nik Sharma
Aroma, texture, sound, emotion–these are just a few of the elements that play into our perceptions of flavor.
The Flavor Equation demonstrates how to convert approachable spices, herbs, and commonplace pantry items into tasty, simple dishes.
In this groundbreaking book, Nik Sharma, scientist, food blogger, and author of the buzz-generating cookbook Season, guides home cooks on an exploration of flavor via 115 recipes.
– Provides inspiration and knowledge to both home cooks and seasoned chefs
– An in-depth exploration into the science of taste
– Features Nik Sharma’s evocative, trademark photography style
The Flavor Equation is an accessible guide to elevating elemental ingredients to make delicious dishes that hit all the right notes, every time.
Recipes include Brightness: Lemon-Lime Mintade, Saltiness: Roasted Tomato and Tamarind Soup, Sweetness: Honey Turmeric Chicken Kebabs with Pineapple, Savoriness: Soba Noodles with Mushrooms and Walnut Sauce, and Richness: Coconut Milk Cake.
– A global, scientific approach to cooking from bestselling cookbook author Nik Sharma
– Dives deep into the most basic of our pantry items–salts, oils, sugars, vinegars, citrus, peppers, and more
– Perfect gift for home cooks who want to learn more beyond recipes, those interested in the science of food and flavor, and readers of Lucky Peach, Serious Eats, Indian-Ish, and Koreatown
– Add it to the shelf with cookbooks like The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji López-Alt; The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America’s Most Imaginative Chefs by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg; and Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat.
Description from Goodreads.
“If there’s one book out this fall that I think has true lasting power—you know, Joy of Cooking–level lasting power—it’s this one… Sharma’s latest is such a wild and well-researched resource, it’s hard to compete.” – Epicurious
“As with his previous book, recipes are easy to follow and the photographs are mouth-watering. Helpful diagrams, charts, and illustrations are presented throughout. This book will appeal both to those who want to expand their Indian cooking repertoire and those who want to know more about the scientific background behind cooking itself.” – Library Journal
“Whatever your skill level in the kitchen, with its more than 100 recipes, illustrated diagrams, and Sharma’s own evocative photography, The Flavor Equation is an engrossing guide to elevating simple dishes into holistic experiences.” – Eater
Available Formats:
Hoopla eBook
Pie Academy: Master the Perfect Crust and 255 Amazing Fillings with Fruits, Nuts, Creams, Custars, Ice Cream, and More by Ken Haedrich
It’s always time for pie! Whether it’s Blueberry-Pineapple Piña Colada, Triple-Layer Pumpkin-Chocolate, Ricotta Pie with Toasted Almonds, or a Classic Lemon Meringue, Ken Haedrich, dean of The Pie Academy, dishes up a pie for every craving.
Discover recipes for all types of crusts and pastry, including gluten-free, whole wheat, and extra-flaky. Learn about the best tools and gadgets to make dough and fillings. Step-by-step instructions with photos make it easy for bakers of all levels. From the perfect apple pie to adorable mini-pies, from finger pies and slab pies to regional favorites like Indiana Buttermilk Pie or New Hampshire Raspberry and Red Currant Pie, there’s something for every taste and every occasion. Bakers will learn all the details that make for great pie, including how to create decorative crusts featuring cut-outs and dough designs; whether to use table salt or kosher salt; and helpful tips and tricks for baking each particular pie perfectly.
Having Haedrich in the kitchen is like having a trusted friend alongside — someone who knows what he’s doing but encourages plenty of fun!
Description from Goodreads.
“…substantial and highly informative… This recipe collection is bound to please bakers of all tastes with its impressive number of pie crust variations, such as flaky cream cheese, cornmeal, and a simple press-in crust. The bountiful assortment of fillings includes cherry-vanilla, maple custard, and kahlua fudge brownie. Readers will appreciate pie variations for specific fruits, such as apple: caramel apple slab pie with melted butter crumb topping, apple butter pie, and buttermilk pie with fried apple rings. This is an excellent resource for home bakers looking to up their pie game.” – Publisher’s Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“The wide-ranging, well-curated mix of classic and contemporary recipes and expert advice make this an essential primer for avid home bakers.” – Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“Readers will find everything they’d ever want to know about making pie, and even the dough-fearful will feel ready to measure, roll, and cut… A pie for any season and any reason.” – Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
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