“Fear, I’ve learned, is never a good place from which to operate.” – Mike Bockoven, FantasticLand
The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers’ Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda by Nathalia Holt
nonfiction / biography / history / nature / travel.
The Himalayas—a snowcapped mountain range that hides treacherous glacier crossings, raiders poised to attack unsuspecting travelers, and air so thin that even seasoned explorers die of oxygen deprivation. Yet among the dangers lies one of the most beautiful and fragile ecosystems in the world.
During the 1920s, dozens of expeditions scoured the Chinese and Tibetan wilderness in search of the panda bear, a beast that many believed did not exist. When the two eldest sons of President Theodore Roosevelt sought the bear in 1928, they had little hope of success. Together with a team of scientists and naturalists, they accomplished what a decade of explorers could not, ultimately introducing the panda to the West. In the process, they documented a vanishing world and set off a new era of conservation biology.
Along the way, the Roosevelt expedition faced an incredible series of hardships as they disappeared in a blizzard, were attacked by robbers, overcome by sickness and disease, and lost their food supply in the mountains. The explorers would emerge transformed, although not everyone would survive.
Beast in the Clouds brings alive these extraordinary events in a potent nonfiction thriller featuring the indomitable Roosevelt family. From the soaring beauty of the Tibetan plateau to the somber depths of human struggle, Nathalia Holt brings her signature “immersive, evocative” (BookReporter) voice to this astonishing tale of adventure, harrowing defeat, and dazzling success.
“[A] scintillating account… Readers will relish this graceful combination of enlightening research and propulsive action.” – Publishers Weekly
“[A] grand tale of adventure and high drama. Both stirring and tragic, this is an excellently told story about an overlooked segment of history. Highly recommended for book clubs.” – Colleen Mondor, Booklist
“Holt creates a thrilling narrative filled with narrow escapes, yet she also tenderly explicates the brothers’ about-face concerning pandas. Appealing and thought-provoking…” – Chantal Walvoord, Library Journal
Clint: The Man and the Movies by Shawn Levy
nonfiction / biography / history / film.
C-L-I-N-T. That single short, sharp syllable has stood as an emblem of American manhood and morality and sheer bloody-minded will, on-screen and off-screen, for more than sixty years. Whether he’s facing down bad guys on a Western street (Old West or new, no matter), staring through the lens of a camera, or accepting one of his movies’ thirteen Oscars (including two for Best Picture), he is as blunt, curt, and solid as his name, a star of the old-school stripe and one of the most accomplished directors of his time, a man of rock and iron and brute Clint.
To read the story of Clint Eastwood is to understand nearly a century of American culture. No Hollywood figure has so completely and complexly stood inside the changing climates of post–World War II America. At age ninety-five, he has lived a tumultuous century and embodied much of his time and many of its contradictions.
We picture Clint squinting through cigarillo smoke in A Fistful of Dollars or The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; imposing rough justice at the point of a .44 Magnum in Dirty Harry; sowing vengeance in The Outlaw Josey Wales or Pale Rider or Unforgiven; grudgingly training a woman boxer in Million Dollar Baby; and standing up for his neighbors despite his racism in Gran Torino. Or we feel him present, powerfully, behind the camera, creating complex tales of violence, morality, and humanity, such as Mystic River, Letters from Iwo Jima, and American Sniper. But his roles and his films, however well cast and convincing, are two-dimensional in comparison to his whole life.
As Shawn Levy reveals in this masterful biography—the most complete portrait yet of Eastwood—the reality is richer, knottier, and more absorbing. The Man and the Movies is a saga of cunning, determination, and conquest, a story about a man ascending to the Hollywood pantheon while keeping one foot firmly planted outside its door.
“[A] fascinating, well-researched portrait of a complicated visionary talent.” – Lisa Henry, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“It makes for a solid account of the good, the bad, and the ugly in the life of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.” – Publishers Weekly
“[An] immensely enjoyable book… balanced and honest… [a] fine, nuanced portrait of Clint Eastwood.” – Man of la Book
Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee
fiction / young adult / fantasy / romance.
When Brenda’s internet goes out right before an important scholarship deadline, she stumbles right into Kat’s family’s coffeeshop. Brenda is swept away by cool, confident Kat, who actually cares about Brenda’s 19-step plan to save the world through science. Meanwhile, Kat can’t stop thinking about Brenda, who is smart, passionate, and doesn’t seem to care that Kat is the prophesized Chosen One.
The only problem? Kat and Brenda are from different universes. Like need-to-find-a-portal-to-go-on-a-second-date different universes.
As their universes collide and things spiral out of control, can a girl who is determined to save the world find love with a girl determined to outrun her destiny?
“Expansive, exciting and full of heart, this fantasy is just as rich in world-building as it is in character cast and emotional beats. There’s just so much to love!” – B&N Reads
“…sweet, tender, and high-stakes all at the same time—a true triple threat.” – Karis Rogerson, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Epic world-saving plotting mixes with intimate star-crossed love and touches of magic and mischief, making for a satisfying and cozy read.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Come Knocking by Mike Bockoven
fiction / horror.
When Come Knocking came to Los Angeles, the interactive theater production that took over six floors of an abandoned building was met with raves, lines for tickets, and reviews calling it the “must-see experience of a generation”. After dozens of people were killed and hundreds injured during one bloody night of chaos during the show’s run, the nation was captured by one inescapable question: How could this happen?
As the dust settles, investigative reporter Adam Jakes is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the massacre. Through a series of gripping interviews with survivors, cast members, and witnesses, Jakes pieces together the chilling reality behind what was supposed to be the ultimate theatrical experience.
In Come Knocking, the enthralling and terrifying exploration of human nature under extreme conditions poses unsettling questions about the limits of immersive experiences and the true nature of reality.
“…simmering with tension and begging to be read… an absolute masterclass in building suspense and tension… A searing reminder that doing nothing is still a choice, Come Knocking, condemns being a bystander, yet holds its audience captive and makes voyeurs of us all.” – George Dunn, FanFiAddict
“…deeply unsettling… preys upon every sense of social anxiety… Come Knocking is one of the most effectively horrifying novels I have read in some time… a nightmare of claustrophobic, viscerally frightening circumstances that tragically lead to disaster.” – Anna Dupre, Capes & Tights
Face with Tears of Joy: A Natural History of Emoji by Keith Houston
nonfiction / history / technology.
A vibrant exploration of the world’s newest language—where it came from, how it works, and where it’s going.
We are surrounded by emoji. They appear in politics, movies, drug deals, our sex lives, and more. But emoji’s impact has never been explored in full. In this rollicking tech and pop culture history, Keith Houston follows emoji from its birth in 1990s Japan, traces its Western explosion in the 2000s, and considers emoji’s ever-expanding lexicon. Named for the world’s most popular pictogram, Face with Tears of Joy tells the whole story of emoji for the first time.
“A pleasurable and well-researched journey into pop iconography.” – Kirkus Reviews
“With a casual approach that suits the content, this is equal parts informative and delightful.” – Publishers Weekly
“…reading the book feels like grabbing a coffee with a friend and listening to them happily describe their most recent interests and discoveries. An excellent read for those interested in history, technology, and the global scale of digital communication.” – Monique Martinez, Library Journal
Hot Girls with Balls by Benedict Nguyễn
fiction / comedy.
Six is 6′7″, scheming to rejoin the starting lineup, and barely checks her phone. Green is 6′1″, always building her brand, and secretly jealous of her more famous girlfriend. Together, they’re going where no Asian American trans woman has gone before: the men’s pro indoor volleyball league. Our hot girls with balls just thought playing with the boys would spare them some controversy… haha.
In between their rival teams’ away games across the globe, Six and Green stay connected on SpaceTime and selflessly broadcast their romance to fans on their weekly Instagraph live show. After a long season, they’ll finally reunite for the championship tournament, the first to accommodate in-person fans since the COVIS pandemic struck the world a year ago. Just as they enter an airtight bro bubble of the world’s best, they’re faced with a crisis that demands an indisputably humiliating task: make a public statement online.
Can Green stock up enough clout for her post-ball future? Can Six girlboss her team’s seniority politics? Can they both take a time-out to just grieve? Their rabid fans and horny haters await their next move. We’re all just desperate for a whiff of the sweaty feminine energy that makes that ball thwack with such spectacular force.
“Nguyen dazzles in her riotous debut… With agile prose and tongue-in-cheek humor, Nguyen delivers sharp insights into the pressure trans people face to justify their identities and gender presentations. This bold novel hits as hard as a spike to the face.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“[A] great beach read…” – AV Club
“Hot Girls with Balls is a searing satire of a hostile world that asks minorities to speak on behalf of their communities and then silences them.” – Ellis Breunig, The Indie Next List
Into the Leopard’s Den by Harini Nagendra
fiction / mystery / historical fiction.
Bangalore, 1922: Pregnant and confined to the house by her protective mother-in-law, Kaveri Murthy has resolved to take a break from detection. But when an elderly woman is murdered at night and dies clutching a photograph of Kaveri while asking for her help—how can she refuse? Missing the assistance of her husband Ramu, who is working in Coorg, Kaveri investigates her new case with her able assistants, milk boy Venu and housemaid Anandi. They find a trail of secrets that lead them to suspect the killer may be in Coorg.
Eager to be reunited with her husband, Kaveri sets off to Coorg to investigate. When she arrives, she encounters a thorny thicket of cases. Why does a ghost leopard prowl the forests at night, terrorizing the plantation workers? And who is trying to kill Colonel Boyd, the Coffee King of Coorg? She finds suspects in every coffee bush and estate—from Boyd’s surly plantation manager and security guard to the feuding brothers who own the neighboring plantation—and the many women the Coffee King has pursued and abandoned.
When two vulnerable children appeal for her help, Kaveri is drawn deeper into the case, becoming emotionally involved in finding the killer. Soon, one murder turns into two—and then a few days later into three. Now the killer has tasted blood and needs to be stopped. Racing against time, Kaveri must take on her most complex challenge so far, with the assistance of Anandi and Venu in Bangalore, and with Ramu and Inspector Ismail in Coorg. In this stunning new novel by an acclaimed master of the form, the Bangalore Detectives Club must find and expose a brutally intelligent killer before they strike again.
“Nagendra’s series is a thoughtful crowd-pleaser and satisfyingly steeped in history.” – Dwyer Murphy, CrimeReads
“…one of the most fun-to-follow detectives in contemporary fiction… Fascinating throughout, but best understood by readers who have followed Kaveri from the start of the series.” – Connie Fletcher, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
I Want to Burn This Place Down: Essays by Maris Kreizman ★
nonfiction / essays / memoir / politics / history.
At the heart of this funny, acerbic, and bravely honest book of essays is Maris Kreizman, a former rule follower and ambition monster who once believed the following truths to be self-evident: that working very hard would lead to admission to a good college, which would lead to a good job at a good company, which would then lead to personal fulfillment and a sense of purpose, along with adequate health care and eventual home ownership and plenty of money waiting in a retirement account. Like any good Democrat and feminist, she believed that if she just worked hard and played by the rules, she was guaranteed a safe and comfortable life.
Now in her forties, the only thing Maris Kreizman knows for sure is that she no longer has faith in American institutions or any of their hollow promises. Now she knows that the rules are meant to serve some folks better than others; and, actually, they serve no one all that well—not even Kreizman. Disturbed by the depth and scope of the liberal myths in which she once so fervently believed, Kreizman takes readers on an intimate journey that revisits some of her most profound revelations, demonstrating that it’s never too late to become radicalized.
With Kreizman’s signature wit and blunt self-reflection, and more than a little transformative rage, I Want to Burn This Place Down is a book for anyone who wishes they could go back in time to give their younger selves the real truth about the fractured country they have inherited—and the encouragement to rebuild something better in its place.
“Unexpectedly charming… Though gentler than its title suggests, an intelligent and entertaining read.” – Kirkus Reviews
“…fierce and witty… while her viewpoint is firmly on the left, many of her frustrations at the failures of the neoliberal status quo will resonate across the political spectrum. These sharp and entertaining essays deliver the goods.” – Publishers Weekly
“…what unites these thought-provoking, heartfelt essays is Kreizman’s clear commitment to dissecting and openly sharing all the ways she’s felt let down by the institutions she once trusted — something we can all relate to.” – Alexis Burling, San Francisco Chronicle
“…Kreizman’s sharp thinking and writing explore the myths we’ve been told about a life well lived, and dismantle those that haven’t yet fallen in on themselves. But it’s not all doom and gloom; the writer might be a ‘former rule follower’ but she isn’t without faith in at least one system, urging readers to blaze their own trails and create the world they want to see instead of accepting the one with which they’ve been left.” – Town & Country
The Road That Made America: A Modern Pilgrim’s Journey on the Great Wagon Road by James Dodson
nonfiction / history / memoir / travel.
Little known today, the Great Wagon Road was the primary road of frontier America: a mass migration route that stretched more than eight hundred miles from Philadelphia to Augusta, Georgia. It opened the Southern frontier and wilderness east of the Appalachian Mountains to America’s first settlers, and later served as the gateway for the exploration of the American West. In the mid-1700s, waves of European colonists in search of land for new homes left Pennsylvania to settle in the colonial backcountry of Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas. More than one hundred thousand settlers made the arduous trek, those who would become the foundational generations of the world’s first true immigrant nation. In their newly formed village squares, democracy took root and bloomed. During the Revolutionary War, the road served as the key supply line to the American resistance in the western areas of the colonies, especially in the South.
Drawing on years of fieldwork and scholarship by an army of archeologists, academics, archivists, preservationists, and passionate history lovers, James Dodson sets out to follow the road’s original path from Philadelphia to Georgia. On his journey, he crosses six contiguous states and some of the most historic and hallowed landscapes of eastern America, touching many of the nation’s most sacred battlefields and burying grounds. Due to its strategic importance, military engagements were staged along the Great Wagon Road throughout North America’s three major wars, including the early days of the bloody French and Indian conflict and pivotal Revolutionary War encounters.
In time, the Great Wagon Road became America’s first technology highway, as growing roadside villages and towns and cities became, in effect, the first incubators of America’s early Industrial age. The people and ideas that traveled down the road shaped the character of the fledgling nation and helped define who we are today. Dodson’s ancestors on both sides took the Great Wagon Road to Maryland and North Carolina, respectively, giving him a personal stake in uncovering the road’s buried legacy. An illuminating and entertaining first-person history, The Road That Made America restores this long-forgotten route to its rightful place in our national story.
“…James Dodson reintroduces us to an obscure piece of American history in a whole new way.” – B&N Reads
“…the history [Dodson] learns fills out the picture of America’s evolution and is both fascinating and enlightening.” – Gary Day, Booklist
“Armchair travelers will enjoy Dodson’s wanderings—and may even be inspired to explore the road on their own.” – Kirkus Reviews
Typewriter Beach by Meg Waite Clayton
fiction / historical fiction.
1957. Isabella Giori is ten months into a standard seven-year studio contract when she auditions with Hitchcock. Just weeks later, she is sequestered by the studio’s “fixer” in a tiny Carmel cottage, waiting and dreading.
Meanwhile, next door, Léon Chazan is annoyed as hell when Iz interrupts his work on yet another screenplay he won’t be able to sell, because he’s been blacklisted. Soon, they’re together in his roadster, speeding down the fog-shrouded Big Sur coast.
2018. Twenty-six-year-old screenwriter Gemma Chazan, in Carmel to sell her grandfather’s cottage, finds a hidden safe full of secrets—raising questions about who the screenwriter known simply as Chazan really was, and whether she can live up to his name.
In graceful prose and with an intimate understanding of human nature, Meg Waite Clayton captures the joys and frustrations of being a writer, being a woman, being a star, and being in love. Typewriter Beach is the story of two women separated by generations—a tale of ideas and ideals, passion and persistence, creativity, politics, and family.
“Clayton delivers another top-tier dual-timeline historical. Thought-provoking and timely, it’s sure to be a big summer hit.” – Portia Kapraun, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“Clayton delivers an irresistible story of 1950s Hollywood… Clayton expertly interweaves Gemma’s, Isabella’s, and Léon’s tales as each attempt to forge their path in a cutthroat industry. Readers will be riveted.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Meg Waite Clayton pulls the reader into the story with nuanced, believable characters and prose that tells ‘just enough’ to keep reading until the end. This is a hard-to-put-down book that asks big questions. Typewriter Beach is not just a captivating story about Hollywood in the 50’s and 60’s or another examination of what family is about, it is also a portrait of the strength and importance of friendship and an intense look at the effect that the sowing of distrust can have on society.” – Lara Ferguson, The Gloss
-
-
-
-
-