“’Google’ is not a synonym for ‘research’.” – Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol
All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation by Elizabeth Gilbert ★
nonfiction / memoir.
Twenty years ago, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love inspired millions of readers to embark upon their own journeys of self-discovery. A decade later, Big Magic empowered countless others to live their most creative lives. Now comes another landmark book—about love and loss, addiction and recovery, grief and liberation.
In 2000, a friend sent Liz to see a new hairdresser named Rayya Elias. An intense and unlikely curiosity sparked between these two apparent opposites: Rayya, an East Village badass who lived boldly on her own terms but feared she was a failed artist; Liz, a married people-pleaser with a surprisingly unfettered sense of creativity. Over the years, they became friends, then best friends, then inseparable. When tragedy entered their lives, the truth was finally laid bare: The two were in love. Unacknowledged: they were also a pair of addicts, on a collision course toward catastrophe.
What if the love of your life—and the person you most trusted in the world—became a danger to your sanity and wellbeing? What if the dear friend who taught you so much about your self-destructive tendencies became the unstable partner with whom you disastrously reenacted every one of them? And what if your most devastating heartbreak opened a pathway to your greatest awakening?
All the Way to the River is for everyone who has ever been captive to love – or to any other passion, substance, or craving—and who yearns, at long last, for peace and freedom.
“Deeply personal… a beautiful portrait of a woman learning to care for herself.” – Real Simple
“[A] brave story with an ultimately hopeful outcome. Anyone who has faced addiction—or loved someone who has—will recognize and be moved by Gilbert’s journey.” – Candace Smith, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“…inspiring… Gilbert achieves her signature intimacy through a bluntly confessional tone and an admirable ability to stare darkness in the face without losing hope. Readers struggling with addiction or seeking a path through heartbreak will find invaluable wisdom in these pages.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“The book is intense. It’s moving, and shocking. Raw and real. More recovery memoir than anything else: but also a book of genuine care and soul-searching, speaking from the abyss of an experience we’d all be lucky to never have. It’s a tremendous achievement, a heart-breaking journey into the depths and back.” – Julia Hass, Literary Hub
The Book of Sheen: A Memoir by Charlie Sheen
nonfiction / memoir / film / television.
“We can live the stories or hear about them later from others. I choose the former.”
Charlie Sheen should not be alive to write this book.
But in The Book of Sheen, the movie and TV star, who has defied the odds, finally presents his story, in his own words.
Charlie Sheen was born the third of four children to actor Martin Sheen and his wife, Janet. He grew up on film sets—from his father’s all over the world, to his own in Malibu. There he made ambitious Super 8s, with a roster of friends who went on to become household names themselves, including his brother Emilio, Sean and Chris Penn, and the Lowe brothers.
Sheen broke into movies in the 1980s, playing a hoodlum in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a young soldier in Platoon, and an ethically compromised trader in Wall Street. But somewhere along the way, despite a successful transition to TV leading man in Spin City and Two and a Half Men, Sheen descended into a vortex of extracurricular activities.
Now sober, Sheen delivers a clear-eyed narrative of his highs and lows with humor, candor, and a vivid, captivating writing style that is uniquely his. The Book of Sheen reads like a far-fetched, overstuffed novel of Hollywood life—yet it is all true.
“A major 80s heartthrob. A charming 2000s TV dad. A pop culture icon who refused to follow the script. Charlie Sheen shares the peaks and valleys of his career and personal life in a candid memoir penned in his signature voice.” – B&N Reads
“[A] startling snapshot of a specific cultural moment and the highly publicized mindset of a celebrity navigating a storm… fiercely personal, often bombastic, and undeniably unique… a profoundly fascinating, albeit undeniably bizarre, cultural document.” – The Book Short
Clown Town by Mick Herron ★
fiction / suspense / mystery / comedy.
“Old spies grow ridiculous, River. Old spies aren’t much better than clowns.” Or so David Cartwright, the late retired head of MI5, used to tell his grandson. He forgot to add that old spies can be dangerous, too, especially if they’ve fallen on hard times—as River Cartwright is about to learn the hard way.
David Cartwright, long buried, has left his library to the Spooks’ College in Oxford, and now one of the books is missing. Or perhaps it never existed. River, once a “slow horse” of Slough House, MI5’s outpost for demoted and disgraced spies, has some time to kill while awaiting medical clearance to return to work, and starts investigating the secrets of his grandfather’s library.
Over at the Park, MI5 First Desk Diana Taverner is in a pickle. An operation carried out during the height of the Troubles laid bare the ugly side of state security, and those involved are threatening to expose details. But every threat hides an opportunity, and Taverner has come up with a scheme. All she needs is the right dupe to get caught holding the bag.
Jackson Lamb, the enigmatic and odiferous head of Slough House, has no plans to send in the clowns. On the other hand, if the clowns ignore his instructions, any harm that befalls them is hardly his fault. But they’re his clowns. And if they don’t all make it home, there’ll be a reckoning.
“…excellent… Herron’s work now has a huge following and no wonder: He’s a master at mixing byzantine plotting with breathless pacing.” – Taylor Antrim, Vogue
“A wickedly funny take on espionage.” – Andy Abrahams, People
“Fans of this wonderful series will be delighted with Clown Town, and if there are any spy-fiction fans who haven’t yet read Herron’s books, now’s a good time to rectify that.” – David Pitt, Booklist
“Herron’s preternatural talents for satire and spycraft are on full display in his latest Slow Horses novel… With his trademark balance of complex plotting and bone-dry laughs, Herron steers the narrative toward a jaw-dropping ending… Overflowing with gritty action and mordant humor, this is as good as espionage novels get.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
The Deepest Cut by P.J. Tracy
fiction / suspense / mystery.
Minneapolis homicide detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth arrest a sadistic pair of killers for the murder of several women with the help of Monkeewrench, their eccentric, cyber-sleuth friends and partners. One of the killers dies in custody and the other, Wolfgang Mauer, is sent to a maximum security mental hospital in a rural corner of Minnesota.
There, Mauer plots his escape–and his vengeance. With the help of his mother, a former militia leader and assassin living an extravagant, reclusive life, he schemes to get out of the mental hospital and hunt down the detectives and the Monkeewrench crew that got him a life sentence.
When Mauer successfully escapes, an inexperienced county sheriff is thrown head-first into a massive manhunt for the murderer. When she finds three bodies and discovers that Mauer has kidnapped a young boy, she realizes that Mauer’s escape was just the beginning. With many lives on the line, Magozzi, Gino, and Monkeewrench join in the desperate search effort. The longer he’s at large, the more people will die, and Mauer is on a mission to find those who sentenced him, so they all have targets on their backs.
“…fans of the crew will welcome their return… Welcome back, Monkeewrench. Long may you wave.” – Kirkus Reviews
“[The series] returns here with gusto. It’s as if no time at all has passed: the characters are exactly as we remember them, the tone is a perfect mixture of light and dark, and the writing is superb. For fans of the series, it’ll be like a visit with some old friends; for new readers, the book is a wonderful introduction to the Monkeewrench crew and the world-weary cops.” – David Pitt, Booklist
The Elements by John Boyne
fiction.
In The Elements, acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne has created an epic saga that weaves together four interconnected narratives, each representing a different perspective on crime: the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator, and the victim.
The narrative follows a mother on the run from her past, a young soccer star facing a trial, a successful surgeon grappling with childhood trauma, and a father on a transformative journey with his son. Each is somehow connected to the next, and as the story unfolds, their lives intersect in unimaginable ways.
Boyne’s most ambitious work yet, The Elements is both an engrossing drama and a moving investigation of why and how we allow crime to occur. With masterful, spellbinding prose, he navigates this complex subject with extraordinary empathy and unflinching honesty. The story resonates on a deeply emotional level, challenging readers to confront their own conceptions of guilt and innocence at every step. Amid the wildly engrossing storytelling, the book ultimately asks: What would you do when faced with the unthinkable?
“Book clubs will find plenty to discuss in this meaty and challenging read.” – Kirkus Reviews
“…[the novel’s] connections range from subtle to stunning… [the] overlapping stories highlight the scourge of violence and the insidious ways it alters lives… Among Boyne’s gifts is a knack for infusing real-life debates into his fictional world.” – Michelle Ruiz, New York Times
“[A] masterfully crafted story, rich with complexity and nuance—just like life itself… a truly great book.” – Lit & Leisure
Lauryn Harper Falls Apart by Shauna Robinson
fiction.
Lauryn Harper had a plan. A high achieving, perfectly constructed, eight-year plan. But after a (totally blown out of proportion) mishap at work that plan is put to the test.
As punishment for her mistake she is transferred to the Ryser charity department, a branch that just so happens to be located in the hometown she abandoned long ago – and that her powerful corporate employer is responsible for running into the ground. Horrified at the thought of returning and facing those she left behind (one in particular keeps coming to mind), Lauryn quickly comes up with a new plan: impress her boss enough that she’s briskly whisked back to her big city life.
However, it soon becomes clear that sticking to plans isn’t that simple, especially when her ex-best friend enters the charity department demanding they help revitalize the town by bringing back the once-famous Greenstead Apple Festival. Confronted by her past wrongs, Lauryn immediately agrees to host the festival on Ryser’s dime, but soon enough Lauryn is swept away in town hijinks, chaotic planning sessions, and a second chance with a childhood friend that shows her why home isn’t necessarily a place she has to run from.
“…charming… a lively, joyful read… Readers will cheer for Lauryn and the Ryser Cares crew as they rediscover their talents and revitalize their hometown.” – Nanette Donohue, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution by Amy Coney Barrett
nonfiction / memoir / law / politics.
Since her confirmation hearing, Americans have peppered Justice Amy Coney Barrett with questions. How has she adjusted to the Court? What is it like to be a Supreme Court justice with school-age children? Do the justices get along? What does her normal day look like? How does the Court get its cases? How does it decide them? How does she decide?
In Listening to the Law, Justice Barrett answers these questions and more. She lays out her role (and daily life) as a justice, touching on everything from her deliberation process to dealing with media scrutiny. With the warmth and clarity that made her a popular law professor, she brings to life the making of the Constitution and explains her approach to interpreting its text. Whether sharing stories of clerking for Justice Scalia or walking readers through prominent cases, she invites readers to wrestle with originalism and to embrace the rich heritage of our Constitution.
“Breaking from the high court’s notorious opacity, [Barrett] pulls back the curtain on everything from her early career and day-to-day schedule to her Constitutional interpretation and judicial deliberation process.” – New York Times
“Although framed as an accessible introduction to constitutional basics and how the Supreme Court works, the book is actually much more… It emerges that the legacy of the American constitutional tradition is in the hands of a profound conservative who is now at the center of the court.” – Noah Feldman, Washington Post
“At the heart of Justice Barrett’s book is her defense of her own philosophical outlook… On originalism, Justice Barrett writes superbly.” – Barton Swaim, Wall Street Journal
The Literati by Susan Coll
fiction / comedy / romance.
Aspirant, bookish, and close to broke, 26-year-old Clemi steps into her dream job at a prestigious literary nonprofit and finds herself in the bull’s eye of a financial, legal, and existential calamity. The executive director has disappeared, leaving behind an inscrutable cat to which she is highly allergic. Meanwhile, the bank accounts have been overdrawn, the FBI is asking questions, and she has three days to pull off the annual fundraising gala, a glamorous affair filled with famous writers and local literati.
On the upside, she will get to meet her all-time favorite writer, who has won the award. Clemi has read and reread her novels, pouring over her every word. But her interactions with the author and her eight-year-old son, as well as with the nonprofit’s Board Members, leave her wondering whether certain writers are better on the page than in person.
All the while, Clemi is trying to sort out her own life: her current boyfriend is, like every boyfriend before him, a pompous poseur, and the clock is running on her apartment-sitting gig. She finds herself wondering what all the goings-on in this dysfunctional, scandal-plagued nonprofit have to do with literature. And if it’s time to let go of her literary aspirations and apply to law school.
In the week in which this madcap story unfolds, USA Today bestselling author Susan Coll weaves together a charmingly witty and warm comedy of manners that offers a peek behind the literary curtain–one that anyone who’s ever been a little bit uncertain of what the future might hold can relate to.
“Nobody does crazy comedy of errors like Susan Coll.” – Marion Winik, Oprah Daily
“This is the perfect read for those looking for a bookish comedy of manners, and readers of lit fic looking for something lighter will enjoy the deep dive into Clemi’s consciousness.” – Lily Hunter, Booklist
“[A] funny, sometimes zany comedy of errors with a splash of rom-com — heavy on the com and light on the rom, which is refreshing… Coll deploys all kinds of humor here — satire, mistaken identities, slapstick and farce. But she knows when to play things for laughs and when to pull back and let Clemi ruminate.” – Laurie Hertzel, Washington Post
Martha’s Daughter: A Novella and Stories by David Haynes
fiction / short stories.
Martha’s Daughter is the brilliant and influential author David Haynes’s first short story collection and the first time that Haynes’s stories have ever been assembled in one volume. Steeped in everyday gossip and lives, this collection ranges from the magically real life of a city’s crumbling superhero to a rundown motel whose long-term guests are lucky to call home. In the titular novella the first hours are chronicled after Cynthia finds out her mother has died. What we learn is that Cynthia is a woman who has been bullied by her mother’s overbearing opinions, her disdain for difference, her respectability politics, and her outdated beliefs about how men and women should relate to one another. Martha’s death is less a catalyst for Cynthia’s grief than an opportunity to free herself of a burden too long endured.
The sixth in McSweeney’s Of the Diaspora series, Martha’s Daughter is another record in David’s oeuvre, of the people and places he’s been recording since the beginning of his career, some thirty years ago. With its full-circle connection to Haynes’s previous novels, Martha’s Daughter is guaranteed to enthrall longtime fans and new readers alike.
“[A] masterful collection… deliciously complex… Haynes writes with confidence and power, and he has a particular talent for closing lines that cut straight to the heart. It’s a knockout.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Consistent in their inward foci, the short stories of Martha’s Daughter reveal that the slow climb toward acceptance occurs within.” – Xenia Dunford, Foreword Reviews
“A master class in storytelling from the inside out… spirited, witty, and illuminating… Haynes’ first collection of stories is a treasure trove of warmth, smarts, and wisdom.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Middle Spoon by Alejandro Varela
fiction / comedy.
The narrator of Middle Spoon appears to be living the dream: He has a doting husband, two precocious children, all the comforts of a quiet bourgeois life—and a sexy younger boyfriend to accompany him to farmers markets and cocktail parties. But when his boyfriend abruptly dumps him, he spirals into heartbreak for the first time and must confront a world still struggling to understand polyamorous relationships. Faced with the judgment of friends and the sting of rejection, he’s left to wonder if sharing a life with both his family and his lover could ever truly be possible.
With a big heart and just the right dose of the anxieties that define the modern era, Middle Spoon skewers the unspoken rules we still live by—from taboos around intimacy to the shortcomings of Oscar season, pop culture, and gluten-free food—offering a surprising perspective on love, loss, and reinvention. Equal parts heart-wrenching and uproariously funny, Middle Spoon is for anyone who has longed, nursed a broken heart, or grappled with love at its messiest.
“…subversive and generous…” – Eva M. Baron, The Millions
“[A] refreshingly candid tale of modern love.” – Publishers Weekly
“A beautiful exploration of heartbreak, polyamory, and life. Varela’s inventive novel is a collection of emails sent to the main character’s ex, therapist, and anyone who will provide relief from the pain of loss.” – Reid Ransom, The Indie Next List
The (Most Unusual) Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy by Roan Parrish
fiction / romance / fantasy.
Jamie Wendon-Dale (transmasc they/them) creates haunted houses for a living. Haunting is their life—but nobody working New Orleans’ spooky circuit actually believes in ghosts.
Edgar Lovejoy (cis he/him) is 100% haunted. No, really. Ghosts have tormented him since childhood and he’s organized his life around attempts to avoid them.
Opposites? Get ready to attract. But while Jamie’s biggest concern is that Edgar sometimes seems a bit distracted, Edgar’s fears are much greater. Not only is he scared of encountering the dearly departed whenever he leaves the house, but he’s terrified of making himself vulnerable to Jamie. After all, how do you tell someone who believes ghosts only exist as smoke and mirrors that you see them everywhere you go? And how can you trust in a happy future when you can’t even believe in yourself?
“Somehow both adorably wholesome and unbelievably hot.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“A pinch of hurt/comfort, a dash of queer romance and a splash of ghosties and ghoulies — the perfect spell to conjure up your favorite Fall read. Parrish’s latest release is a spooky delight.” – Katie Garaby, The Indie Next List
“…endearingly wholesome… Parrish develops a satisfying slow-burn romance and skillfully balances humor with poignant moments and thoughtful discussions of mental health struggles. The result is a delightful romance celebrating the courage required to fully embrace one’s true self.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey
fiction / romance / comedy.
Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He’s made it to the NHL, his best friend/teammate and fellow “orgasm donor” is his roomie—and the women of Boston love them both. Life is sweet. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, girl least likely to take anyone’s bull…and the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Robbie might be dazzled by the badass pitcher, but Skylar pegs him as a filthy player and wants nothing to do with him.
When he discovers she’s carrying a serious torch for her brother’s best friend, Robbie knows he should just go back to clubbing and whipped cream bikini parties, but he can’t seem to leave Skylar to flounder on her romantic quest to land another man. Nor can he miss out on the opportunity to spend time with her and hopefully redeem himself. Before Robbie knows it, he’s agreed to be Skylar’s fake boyfriend/love coach at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. What could go wrong?
Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control.
But it’s all just pretend… right?
“Bailey hits it out of the park with her latest spicy romance.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“[A] must-read sports romance full of heat and banter… pure fun.” – Rachel Hedderman, Library Journal
“The banter in this book really shines… Bailey writes quick-witted dialogue at a high level.” – Kristin Keaton, BookTrib.
Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body by Andrew D. Huberman, PhD
nonfiction / science / health / self help.
Dr. Andrew Huberman, host of the world’s leading health podcast, Huberman Lab, and neuroscientist and tenured professor at Stanford School of Medicine, introduces Protocols, an essential guide to improving brain function, enhancing mood and energy, optimizing bodily health and physical performance, and rewiring your nervous system to learn new skills and behaviors that can transform your life.
Protocols provides simple, powerful, and evidence-based solutions to life’s most common challenges. Designed to improve your mental health, physical health, and performance, these guidelines are customizable, allowing you to adapt them to your specific needs. With his clear and engaging style, Dr. Huberman explains the scientific principles behind each protocol and how they can deliver immediate, effective results.
The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
fiction / suspense / mystery / adventure.
Robert Langdon, esteemed professor of symbology, travels to Prague to attend a groundbreaking lecture by Katherine Solomon—a prominent noetic scientist with whom he has recently begun a relationship. Katherine is on the verge of publishing an explosive book that contains startling discoveries about the nature of human consciousness and threatens to disrupt centuries of established belief. But a brutal murder catapults the trip into chaos, and Katherine suddenly disappears along with her manuscript. Langdon finds himself targeted by a powerful organization and hunted by a chilling assailant sprung from Prague’s most ancient mythology. As the plot expands into London and New York, Langdon desperately searches for Katherine… and for answers. In a thrilling race through the dual worlds of futuristic science and mystical lore, he uncovers a shocking truth about a secret project that will forever change the way we think about the human mind.
“[A] mind-bending, globe-spanning maze of a story.” – B&N Reads
“…good-hearted and full of humanity, with a couple of big surprises.” – Moira Redmond, The i Paper
“The nearly 700 pages of The Secret of Secrets zigzag across a hectic day, mostly in Prague, during which guns are fired, locks picked, hidden passageways discovered and shocking revelations delivered on the run… a wistful testament to the power of the printed word. A book, this book invites us to believe, has the potential to change the world… At a time when reading sometimes seems to be in terminal decline and books have ceded influence to listicles, podcasts and video, it’s heartening to pick up a fat volume that dares to insist otherwise.” – A.O. Scott, New York Times
Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests by KJ Whittle
fiction / mystery / suspense.
Three courses. Seven guests. One card.
It’s a deadly evening they’ll never forget.
Seven strangers meet for an anonymously hosted dinner party. As the evening winds down, seven cards appear, one in front of each of the guests. On the card is a number – the age at which they will die. Thinking it an elaborate prank, the guests disperse into the night, hoping to forget the morbid evening forever.
Two weeks later, one of them is dead at exactly the age the card predicted.
It must be a coincidence. But as more guests die, each one dead at the same age as their card, it soon becomes clear that something much more sinister is afoot. Now, it’s up to the quickly dwindling group to figure out who (or what) was behind that fateful dinner party, before their numbers catch up with them.
Told from the perspectives of each of the seven guests, Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests is a spellbinding and mysterious exploration of mortality, begging the question: how would you live your life if you knew your number was up?
“The locked-room mystery gets unlocked in Whittle’s intriguing debut… keeps readers on the edge of their seats… While many recent books mimic Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None, this one stands out with its fresh take.” – Cari Dubiel, Booklist
“Christie fans will be delighted with Whittle’s new twist on an old classic.” – Darcy Mohr, Library Journal
“Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None gets a wicked update in Whittle’s assured debut… crafty twists and voicey narration culminate in an impressive payoff. Whodunit fans will look forward to the author’s next effort.” – Publishers Weekly
Shot Ready by Stephen Curry
nonfiction / memoir / sports / self help / photography.
Shot Ready is a powerful distillation of Stephen Curry’s transformative philosophy of success—centered on preparation, constant improvement, creativity, connection, mindfulness, and joy—delivered in his incomparable voice and style. Stunningly designed and illustrated with more than 100 gorgeous photographs, Shot Ready is an intimate narrative and a practical blueprint for any reader who wants to unlock their own potential.
“[A] stylish collection that mixes life lessons with sharp photographs and archival images… ‘Protect your passion,’ writes an NBA star in this winning exploration of how we can succeed in life.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Curry is charming, he’s funny, and he’s here to look back at a long and storied career alongside his fans… Shot Ready is perfect for all Warriors fans or anyone who loves the game as much as Curry does.” – Julia Jass, Literary Hub
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