“The best conversations are with yourself. At least there’s no risk of a misunderstanding.” – Olga Tokarczuk, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea
fiction / romance.
Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumors of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.
Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.
As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.
“Very cute and cinematic.” – Cate Daily, Library Reads
“Lea tugs at readers’ heartstrings with this sweet fake-dating romance… Readers will have no trouble rooting for these two.” – Publishers Weekly
“This contemporary romance features well-developed protagonists with realistic backstories and relatable fears, and there’s plenty of humor and chemistry to balance out the emotion-laden moments. Readers will love Lea’s latest.” – Heather Miller Cover, Library Journal
Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards
fiction / historical fiction / fantasy.
Aleys is sixteen years old and unusual: stubborn, bright, and prone to religious visions. She and her only friend, Finn, a young scholar, have been learning Latin together in secret—but just as she thinks their connection might become something more, everything unravels. When her father promises her in marriage to a merchant she doesn’t love, she runs away from home, finding shelter among the beguines, a fiercely independent community of religious women who refuse to answer to the church.
Among these hardworking and strong-willed women, Aleys glimpses for the first time the joys of belonging: a life of song, meaning, and friendship in the markets and along the canals of Bruges. But forces both mystical and political are at work. Illegal translations of scripture, the women’s independence, and a sudden rash of miracles all draw the attention of an ambitious bishop—and bring Aleys and those around her into ever-increasing danger, a danger that will push Aleys to a new understanding of love and sacrifice.
Grounded in the little-told stories of medieval women—mystics, saints, anchoresses, and beguines—and introducing a major new talent, Canticle is a luminous work of historical fiction, vividly evoking a world on the verge of transformation.
“In elegant prose, this deceptively quiet novel juggles big spiritual ideas with big social issues.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Edwards’ debut novel is full of interesting period details and the kind of clergy-led machinations that fans of Ken Follett’s historicals will enjoy. The interesting frame, smooth language, and empathetic main character make this an easily recommendable addition among historical fiction with a religious angle.” – Heather Booth, Booklist
“Edwards debuts with an inspired tale of a devout and defiant young woman in medieval Bruges… Drawing on stories and biographies of medieval saints, Edwards faithfully highlights the lives of 13th-century religious women and the sacrifices they were forced to make. Readers of Lauren Groff’s Matrix ought to take a look.” – Publishers Weekly
A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls: Margaret C. Anderson, Book Bans, and the Fight to Modernize Literature by Adam Morgan ★
nonfiction / biography / history / literature.
Already under fire for publishing the literary avant-garde into a world not ready for it, Margaret C. Anderson’s cutting-edge magazine The Little Review was a bastion of progressive politics and boundary-pushing writing from then-unknowns like T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, William Butler Yeats, and Djuna Barnes. And as its publisher, Anderson was a target. From Chicago to New York and Paris, this fearless agitator helmed a woman-led publication that pushed American culture forward and challenged the sensibilities of early 20th century Americans dismayed by its salacious writing and advocacy for supposed extremism like women’s suffrage, access to birth control, and LBGTQ rights.
But then it went too far. In 1921, Anderson found herself on trial and labeled “a danger to the minds of young girls” by a government seeking to shut her down. Guilty of having serialized James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses in her magazine, Anderson was now not just a publisher but also a scapegoat for regressives seeking to impose their will on a world on the brink of modernization.
Author, journalist, and literary critic Adam Morgan brings Anderson and her journal to life anew in A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, capturing a moment of cultural acceleration and backlash all too familiar today while shining light on an unsung heroine of American arts and letters. Bringing a fresh eye to a woman and a movement misunderstood in their time, this biography highlights a feminist counterculture that audaciously pushed for more during a time of extreme social conservatism and changed the face of American literature and culture forever.
“A lively biography of a bold woman.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will savor this enlightening depiction of a little-discussed but influential figure of both modernism and queer history.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana
fiction / fantasy / romance.
Khamilla Zahr-zad’s life has been built on a foundation of violence and vengeance. Every home she’s known has been destroyed by war. As the daughter of an emperor’s clan, she spent her childhood training to maintain his throne. But when her clansmen are assassinated by another rival empire, plans change. With her heavenly magic of nur, Khamilla is a weapon even enemies would wield—especially those in the magical, scholarly city of Za’skar. Hiding her identity, Khamilla joins the enemy’s army school full of jinn, magic and martial arts, risking it all to topple her adversaries, avenge her clan and reclaim their throne.
To survive, she studies under cutthroat mystic monks and battles in a series of contests to outmaneuver her fellow soldiers. She must win at all costs, even if it means embracing the darkness lurking inside her. But the more she excels, the more she is faced with history that contradicts her father’s teachings. With a war brewing among the kingdoms and a new twisted magic overtaking the land, Khamilla is torn between two impossible choices: vengeance or salvation.
“Brutal, majestic, and lavish, YA author Rana’s adult debut has expansive worldbuilding, reminiscent of R. F. Kuang’s The Poppy War with the epic machinations of Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree.” – Maria Martin, Library Journal
“…you can’t put it down… I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who loves high fantasy.” – Skylar Wetzel, The Gloss
“[A] striking and evocative epic about power, revenge, and the price of freedom, both for individuals and those caught up in the games of empires… With dynamic worldbuilding and a cast of complex characters, Rana has created a remarkable saga that will not just capture the imagination but expand it as Rana draws from Islamic culture in both her world’s texture and its magic systems. Dawn of the Firebird is a provocative epic that asks questions about the cost of war and power struggles on the people swept up in their machinations.” – Michelle Anya Anjirbag, Shelf Awareness
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins
fiction / mystery / suspense / historical fiction / comedy.
It’s 1985, what will soon become known as “The Year of the Spy,” and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent. “Gary” isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche. Peter thinks Gary only wants to get close to his mom because she works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with big government contracts. But who is going to believe him? He’s just a kid into BMX and MTV.
But after another woman who works at the lab is killed, Peter recruits an unlikely pair of allies—a has-been pulp writer and muckraker named Dennis Hotchner and his drag performer buddy and heavy, Jackie Demure. Both soon become the target of an unhinged Russian hitman (Is it Gary? Maybe!) with a serious Phil Collins obsession.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Weaver, a young, Black FBI agent, investigates Scientific Atlanta in the wake of the employee’s murder and discovers a nest of Russian spies in the Southern “city too busy to hate.” Little does she know her investigation is being thwarted by a seriously compromised colleague in Washington, D.C., who is in league with a lovesick, hypochondriac KGB defector who is playing both sides of the Cold War to his benefit.
As Ronald Reagan and Soviet general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev prepare for a historic nuclear summit in Geneva, what happens in Atlanta might change the course of the Cold War, the twentieth century, and Peter Bennett’s freshman year of high school.
“International intrigue in a series of amusing, arresting closeups.” – Kirkus Reviews
“…superb… Atkins captures the peak paranoia of the waning days of the Cold War and spins a fantastic yarn filled with deception, double-crosses, action, and drama. Fans of Red Dawn or The Americans will flock to this brilliant novel.” – Philip Zozzaro, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“Ace Atkins delivers laughs aplenty that overlay a terrifying cold war thriller… [a] page-turner… A wonderful book filled with weird insights into the machinations of an absurd reality that masks the dangers of existence.” – Ali Karim, Shots
Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L.M. Chilton
fiction / mystery / suspense / comedy.
Kirby Cornell needs a break from everything:
– Her crumbling apartment in the sleepy town of Crowhurst (famous for its bucolic countryside and a second-rate serial killer from the ’90s).
– Her dead-end job.
– Her sleazy landlord
– Her messy roommates.
– And, most of all, the terrible thing they all did.
Luckily, that hasn’t caught up with her just yet. Until a new message on their old group chat pops up: Everyone in the group chat dies.
It’s the first text her ex-roommate Esme has sent for ages, but that’s not the really weird thing.
The really weird thing is, Esme died twelve months ago…
Don’t miss the new laugh-out-loud thriller from L.M. Chilton, Everyone in the Group Chat Dies—a murder mystery that fuses the comedy of Friends with the serial killer thrills of I Know What You Did Last Summer.
“Witty, clever and creepy, this true-crime thriller is a fun, easy read for readers looking for something murderous that doesn’t take itself too seriously.” – Carri Genovese, Library Reads
“A deliciously creepy thriller that perfectly blends murder mystery elements with the absurdities of modern social media culture.” – Lisa Driban, The Indie Next List
“Chilton offers a sharp, fast-paced, modern twist on the classic murder mystery. Perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building or Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, plus anyone who has ever felt trapped in a group chat from hell.” – Kerri Copus, Library Journal
The Happiness Collector by Crystal King
fiction / fantasy / suspense.
After losing her book deal and her academic position, historian Aida Reale needs a new career, and fast. After all, she and her fiancé, Graham, have a wedding to pay for. So when a friend recommends her for an extremely high-paying position at a company called MODA, it feels like the perfect stroke of luck. And with a move to Italy and a breathtaking palazzo included, how could she say no?
Aside from a snooty assistant, a daunting NDA and some very stringent rules about the use of personal technology, working for MODA is a dream come true—at least at first. But the more research Aida conducts for this elusive company, the more things feel off. Not only does her relationship with Graham suffer, but it seems like every site she visits either vanishes or is struck by tragedy soon after she’s been there.
It’s only after a mysterious woman approaches Aida and Luciano, her devastatingly handsome and equally concerned MODA colleague, that they learn the truth—they are just mortal pawns in a game between gods. Now Aida must find answers to the question she’s been avoiding: What’s really happening to all the happiness she’s been collecting… and can she stop the gods’ plans before it’s too late?
“An ingenious modern urban fantasy that brings Greek mythology to life… Readers of alternative histories, modern fantasy, and thrillers will enjoy this page-turning title as they wait to see if the mortals will win over the gods.” – Laura Hiatt, Library Journal
“Urban fantasy, unexpected romance, and mythology all collide in King’s latest. A must for V.E. Schwab and Katee Robert fans.” – Bre Weeks, Booklist
“King highlights art and history’s importance to humanity in this immersive, heart-racing fantasy… her descriptions of Italy are wonderfully evocative and the mythological intrigue propels the plot at a brisk clip. Armchair travelers and contemporary fantasy fans alike will be thrilled.” – Publishers Weekly
The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage
fiction / romance.
It’s New Year’s Day in Australia and the life Lexi Villiers has carefully built is working out nicely: she’s in the second year of her medical residency, she lives on a beautiful farm with her two best friends Finn and Jack, and she’s about to finally become more-than-friendly with Jack—when a helicopter abruptly lands.
Out steps her grandmother’s right-hand-man, with the tragic news that her father and older brother have been killed in a skiing accident. Lexi’s grandmother happens to be the Queen of England, and in addition to the shock and grief, Lexi must now accept the reality that she is suddenly next in line for the throne—a role she has publicly disavowed.
Returning to London as the heir apparent Princess Alexandrina, Lexi is greeted by a skeptical public not ready to forgive her defection, a grieving sister-in-law harboring an explosive secret, and a scheming uncle determined to claim the throne himself.
Her recent life—and Jack—grow ever more distant as she feels the tug of tradition, of love for her grandmother, and of obligation. When her grandmother grants her one year to decide, Lexi must choose her own destiny: will it be determined by an accident of birth—or by love?
“Armitage’s writing is spectacular, with rich dialogue and descriptions, a vibrant depiction of the burden of duty versus personal freedom, and unique insights into royal life.” – Cassandra Smith, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“The author’s deep knowledge of all things royal adds realism and texture to this entertaining debut.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Armitage convincingly renders Lexi’s inner turmoil as she weighs her sense of responsibility with a desire for freedom. It’s a standout portrayal of the royals and the tabloid culture surrounding them.” – Publishers Weekly
House of Day, House of Night by Olga Tokarczuk; translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones ★
fiction.
A woman settles in a remote Polish village where she knows no one. It has few inhabitants, but it teems with the stories of the living and the dead. There’s the drunk Marek Marek, who discovers that he shares his body with a bird, and Franz Frost, whose nightmares come to him from a newly discovered planet. There’s the man whose death – with one leg on the Polish side, one on the Czech—was an international incident. And there are the Germans who still haunt a region that not long ago they called their own. From the founding of the town to the lives of its saints, these shards piece together not only a history, but a cosmology.
Another brilliant “constellation novel” in the mode of Tokarczuk’s International Booker Prize-winning Flights, House of Day, House of Night reminds us that the story of any place, no matter how humble, is boundless.
“[A] rich and pulsating view into life itself, which the narrator views as ‘beautiful despite the terrible things other people say about it.’ It’s a marvel.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“This is a constellation novel: a mosaic of stories, myths, gossip, anecdotes, philosophical reveries and even recipes. Together, these fragments form a history of the region… Alongside history and memory, Tokarczuk explores identity, transformation, and the meaning of home. Her meditations range from the banal to the surreal: playful riffs on mushrooms are interwoven with weighty existential questions… Lloyd-Jones’s translation eloquently captures these various registers.” – Lucy Popescu, Financial Times
“[A] poetic, rich work of art that ebbs and flows like a stream. Moments of absurdity—an international incident happens when a man dies on the border, and Czech and Polish soldiers spend a week moving him to the other side of the line to avoid having to deal with it—mix in with moments of rich emotion, all topped with a swirl of folklore-like magic. A treat for fans of Tokarczuk and literary fiction.” – Leah von Essen, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
Huguette by Cara Black
fiction / historical fiction / mystery / suspense.
After Libération, spring 1945: Seventeen-year-old Huguette Faure is a survivor. The war has taken everything from her—both her parents and her sense of safety. Now, pregnant and on the lam, she cannot return to her childhood home in Paris. Forced to reinvent herself, she must outrun her father’s enemies, who want her dead. After narrowly avoiding jail time—thanks to the help of a kindhearted police officer named Claude Leduc—Huguette lands a job assisting a legendary film director. As her role develops from helping him with chores to cooking his books, she sees an opportunity to break free from the ghosts of her past once and for all.
In this big-hearted story of resilience, New York Times bestselling author Cara Black offers a wholly original depiction of postwar France as well as introduces Claude Leduc—the man who decades later inspired his granddaughter, Aimée, to become a private investigator.
“Huguette’s journey is extraordinary, and her courage and resourcefulness make for an engaging read. Black’s fans may clamor for more of this extraordinary character.” – Jane Murphy, Booklist
“Historical mystery fans will root for Huguette all the way to the novel’s bittersweet end.” – Publishers Weekly
“Readers of Black’s historical mysteries will savor this satisfying thriller, while newcomers will surely join the ranks of her fans.” – Carolyn Mulac, Library Journal
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams
fiction / romance / comedy.
Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is her shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend.
James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and running the family business. But when Madison’s happiness is on the line, he’s willing to take up his estranged brother’s offer to launch a restaurant. James has loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance, but now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that.
Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy restaurant in record time, but keeping things strictly professional soon becomes impossible, and the town can’t help but meddle in their relationship. As opening night looms closer, Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back.
When an unexpected disaster collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.
“[A] swoonworthy romance.” – Avery Thompson, Swooon
“It’s moving to watch this affable and deserving couple fall in love while navigating misunderstandings from the past and the heightened scrutiny of small-town life.” – Publishers Weekly
“[Adams’] heartfelt, slow-burn romance will leave readers reminiscing and wanting to start the whole series over again.” – Erin Holt, Library Journal
The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe by James Patterson & Imogen Edwards-Jones
nonfiction / biography / true crime / history.
In life, Marilyn Monroe’s superstardom defies classification. In death, she remains shrouded in mystery.
In the months before her death, Marilyn polishes the script for her ultimately unfinished film, Something’s Got to Give.
In the weeks before her death, she drinks champagne on Santa Monica Beach with the last photographer to take her picture.
In the days before her death, she’s a guest of Frank Sinatra in the Celebrity Room at the Cal Neva Lodge.
In the hours before her death, she argues with US Attorney General Bobby Kennedy and his brother-in-law Peter Lawford.
In an emergency session with her psychiatrist, she confesses: “Here I am, the most beautiful woman in the world, and I do not have a date for Saturday night.”
On June 1, 2026, the world celebrates Marilyn Monroe’s one hundredth birthday… without her.
“Electrifying… A spellbinding new account of the star’s final days by the world’s greatest thriller writer.” – The Daily Mail
“Readers with a soft spot for Hollywood’s perennial muse will find plenty to enjoy.” – Publishers Weekly
“With the precision of a seasoned journalist and the flair of a thriller writer, Patterson revisits the life and untimely demise of Marilyn Monroe, blending historical detail, personal accounts, and unsettling implications to explore whether her death in 1962 was truly the overdose it was ruled to be—or something far more complex.” – Swapna Peri, Storizen
The Library of Fates by Margot Harrison
fiction / fantasy / mystery / suspense / romance.
The Library of Fates was designed to show you who you are—and who you could become. Its rarest book, The Book of Dark Nights, holds a secret: when you write an intimate confession on its pages, you’ll receive a prediction for your future, penned in your own handwriting.
For Eleanor, whose childhood was defined by a senseless tragedy, the library offers a world where everything makes sense. She’s spent most of her life there as an apprentice to the brilliant librarian, showing other people how to find the meaning of their lives in stories.
But when her mentor dies in a freak accident and The Book of Dark Nights goes missing—along with the secrets written inside—Eleanor is pulled out of the library and into a quest to locate it with the last person she expects: the librarian’s estranged son, Daniel, who Eleanor once loved.
Together, as they hunt down clues from Harvard to Paris, Eleanor and Daniel grow closer again, regaining each other’s trust. But little do they know that they’re entangled in a much larger web. Someone else wants the book, and they’ll go to dark lengths to get it…
“[It’s] a suspenseful read, but ultimately, the power of language, books, and libraries reigns supreme… A compelling plot and lots of bookish heart combine in this wonderful read.” – Emily Whitmore, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“…Harrison’s book checks every box for readers looking for something with a little bit of magic and a little bit of romance. While it contains an entertaining mystery, at heart this is a novel about the power of a good book and how that book can change a person’s life if it’s read at the right moment.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Harrison threads tropes of dark academia, witchcraft, and second-chance romance throughout her spellbinding latest… Harrison keeps the reader guessing with her taut mystery plot, which builds to wild revelations about the depth of the book’s power. Readers will be riveted.” – Publishers Weekly
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
fiction / mystery / historical fiction.
“We’ll make a list. A list of all the people and things we see that are suspicious. And then… we’ll investigate them.”
Twelve-year-old Miv is panicking. Life has been complicated since her mom got sick, and now her dad is talking about wanting to move their family away from the town Miv has lived in her whole life―because of the murders. Young women are dying, everyone is afraid, and no one knows who the culprit might be.
But as far as Miv is concerned, leaving Yorkshire and her best friend Sharon simply isn’t an option, no matter the dangers lurking round their way; or the strangeness at home that started the day Miv’s mum stopped talking. Perhaps if she could solve the case of the disappearing women, they could stay after all?
So, Miv and Sharon decide to make a list: a list of all the suspicious people and things on their street. People they know. People they don’t. But their search for the truth reveals more secrets in their neighborhood, within their families―and between each other―than they ever thought possible. What if the real mystery Miv needs to solve is the one that lies much closer to home?
“Imaginative, impressive, and illuminating.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“There’s been buzz around this novel―for good reason. Endearing characters and nostalgic details make this a must-read.” – Good Housekeeping
“Godfrey succeeds brilliantly in fitting a gripping and moving story in the interstices of a horrific episode in recent history, without ever trivialising, taking focus from, or minimising the lasting impact of the original crimes.” – Suzi Feay, The Guardian
The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson
fiction / romance / fantasy.
Contractor Tess Covington has spent her entire life as a regular non-shifter human, so after she lands in the Denver ER with flu-like symptoms, it comes as a complete shock to be told that, no, she’s not sick—she’s actually a late-presenting omega wolf shifter. With her family in dire financial straits and a contract for her own television show on the line, she can’t afford not to complete the renovation job she came for. And given that her newly emerged wolf is in danger of going into heat, she’ll just have to do her best to follow the doctor’s advice to keep away from alpha shifters.
Alpha wolf Hunter Barrett has spent most of his adult life living by a routine, and a big part of that involves staying clear of omegas after having one stomp on his heart. So when the tiny contractor shows up at his place smelling like the one thing he’s determined to avoid, he thinks it must be some sort of cosmic joke. But with his lodge on the verge of failing and this sweet-smelling omega his only hope to turn things around… he’s left with few other options than to grin and bear it.
Set on avoiding each other as much as possible, they find things unexpectedly starting to heat up between them enough to thaw even the frostiest of hearts. Though even with the pair going head over paws for each other, there’s no changing that their fling has an expiration date. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re playing a dangerous game—one where the only thing on the line is their hearts.
“Fans of creature romances, snowed-in tropes, and grumpy-sunshine dynamics will love this take on werewolf romance.” – Lindsey Allen, Booklist
“A book that will wolfishly appeal to the most heated fans of omegaverse erotica.” – Kirkus Reviews
“There is no author I trust more to tell me a story about two adults who can change into wolves and will fall in love. The Mating Game is exactly what it should be: hilarious, heartwarming and freaking sexy.” – Mekhala Villegas, The Indie Next List
The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits
fiction.
When Tom Layward’s wife had an affair twelve years ago, he resolved to leave her as soon as his youngest child left the nest. Now, while driving his college-bound daughter to Pittsburgh, he remembers his promise to himself. He is also on the run from his own health issues and a forced leave from work.
So, rather than returning to his wife in Westchester, Tom keeps driving west, with the vague plan of visiting people from his past—an old college friend, his ex-girlfriend, his brother, his son—en route, maybe, to California. He’s moving towards a future he hasn’t even envisioned yet while he considers his past and the choices he’s made that have brought him to this particular present. Pitch-perfect, tender, and keenly observed, The Rest of Our Lives is a story about what to do when the rest of your life is only just the beginning of your story.
“…superb… What starts as an understated chronicle of wanderlust swells to something more powerful and permanent.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“[The Rest of Our Lives] is a book that has everything — a clear line of plot, turbulently interesting narrator, themes both modern and timeless — and feels like one of those books that, as you read, makes you think, ‘Why aren’t all novels like this?’… Markovits manages his story with an admirable blend of fluidity and focus, a distinctive cast and a chewy management of contemporary issues… Ben Markovits is, it turns out, not a writer to watch but one that we — that is, I — should have been reading all along.” – John Self, The Critic
“[A] triumphant twist on the great American road novel… The Rest of Our Lives is another quiet triumph, an elegant, devastating book… Markovits has long been one of our most under-appreciated novelists; this is yet more proof that he deserves far greater recognition.” – Alex Preston,The Guardian
The Sea Captain’s Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World by Tilar J. Mazzeo
nonfiction / history / biography / adventure / travel.
Summer, 1856
Nineteen-year-old Mary Ann Patten and her husband, Joshua, were young and ambitious. Both from New England seafaring families, they had already completed their first clipper-ship voyage around the world with Joshua as captain. If they could win the race to San Francisco that year, their dream of building a farm and a family might be within reach. It would mean freedom. And the price of that freedom was one last dangerous transit―into the most treacherous waters in the world.
As their ship, Neptune’s Car, left New York Harbor and sailed down the jagged coast of South America, Joshua fell deathly ill and was confined to his bunk, delirious. The treacherous first mate, confined to the brig for insubordination, was agitating for mutiny. With no obvious option for a new captain and heartbroken about her husband, Mary Ann stepped into the breach and convinced the crew to support her, just as they slammed into a gale that would last 18 days. Determined to save the ship, the crew, and their future, she faces down the deadly waters of Drake’s Passage.
Set against the backdrop of the California Gold Rush and taking us to the brink of Antarctica, The Sea Captain’s Wife finally gives Mary Ann Patten―the first woman to command a merchant vessel as captain ― her due. Mazzeo draws on new archival research from nineteenth-century women’s maritime journals and on her own expedition to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica in search of Mary Ann’s route. Thrilling, harrowing, and heroic, The Sea Captain’s Wife is the story of one woman who, for love, would do what was necessary to survive.
“A rip-roaring, seafaring adventure with a twist… A thoroughly entertaining, delightful story.” – Kirkus Reviews
“…thrilling… Mazzeo turns exemplary research into nineteenth-century maritime history into a fascinating tale.” – Lucy Roehrig, Booklist
“[A] bracing high-seas adventure and a forgotten slice of women’s history.” – Publishers Weekly
Seeing Other People by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
fiction / romance / fantasy.
Morgan is being ghosted by her ex. No, really. It’s sad Zach died and became a ghost. But Morgan and Zach only ever went on the one date, and now she’s being haunted by him. Zach has no desire to spend eternity with Morgan, but he can’t recall his past and doesn’t know how to move on.
At a support group for humans and their haunters, Morgan and Zach run into Sawyer, whose fiancée-turned-ghost has started to fade. Unlike Morgan, Sawyer isn’t ready to part ways with his ghost. Although they face opposite issues, Morgan and Sawyer decide to work together to solve their problems.
As Morgan and Sawyer try to solve their paranormal conundrums together, they find something even more surprising—a tender, growing affection between them that threatens any unfinished business they’re seeking to close. The ghosts of their past might be there in spirit, but the connection between Morgan and Sawyer is as alive as anything they’ve ever felt.
“The novel successfully blends humor and sadness, especially via the character of Zach, a ghost who becomes more and more compelling and funny as the book goes on. Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka offer a story about love flourishing, despite and because of sorrow, successfully managing a tricky balancing act between grief, romance, and the paranormal.” – Sierra Wilson, Library Journal
“[A] heartwarming love story that will touch your soul. Watching these four interact, fall in love and say goodbye is touching, and you will need to have tissues handy.” – Red Carpet Crash
Sharpe’s Storm by Bernard Cornwell
fiction / historical fiction / action / adventure.
The year is 1813. France is a battlefield, and winter shows no mercy. Amid brutal conditions, Major Richard Sharpe finds himself saddled with an unexpected burden: Rear-Admiral Sir Joel Chase, dispatched by the Admiralty with sealed orders, unshakable confidence, and a frankly terrifying enthusiasm for combat.
Sharpe’s mission from Wellington is clear, yet anything but simple: Keep Sir Joel alive.
Sir Joel could hold the key to defeating Napoleon once and for all. But to pull off his audacious plan, he needs someone who knows how to fight dirty, think fast, and survive the impossible.
He needs Sharpe…
“This story is always good value, with endless superbly described action scenes in which the tough, brave and loyal characters vividly leap off the page. Cornwell hints that this may be the last Sharpe novel. If so, the series has ended in triumph.” – Ben Bergonzi, Historical Novel Society
“It is—and this will come as no surprise to regular readers—a rousing adventure, a perfect blend of historical fact and fiction. Because he’s solidly anchored in a real world, tied to real historical events, Sharpe doesn’t feel like a made-up character. We know him so well by now that we can almost predict what he might say or do. He’s an old friend, and it sure is nice to see him again. Highly recommendable to Cornwell’s multitude of fans.” – David Pitt, Booklist
“As usual, Cornwell nimbly melds Sharpe’s action-hero theatrics with a vivid historical setting, offering a smart study of the past that’s punctuated by thrilling bayonet thrusts and exploding cannon shot. It’s a heart-pounding treat for history buffs and military thriller fans alike.” – Publishers Weekly
Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear: A.A. Milne and the Creation of “Winnie-the-Pooh” by Gyles Brandreth
nonfiction / biography / history / literature.
Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear tells the remarkable story of A.A. Milne, a playwright, a bestselling crime writer, poet, polemicist, humorist, and the man who created Winnie-the-Pooh.
Gyles Brandreth explores “Winnie-the-Pooh,” a bear beloved by millions: his genesis, his life across a hundred years, his special philosophy, and the reasons for his worldwide popularity. Brandreth’s book is also the intimate biography of three generations of the fascinating and troubled Milne family, which knew fame and fortune, despising both for a time, but a family that ultimately found a profound reason to be grateful for the riches Pooh brought them.
With an extraordinary cast list that includes Elizabeth II and Walt Disney, Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear moves from idyllic childhood games in the English countryside to New York in the 1930s and the love affairs, litigation, and heartrending family rifts that touched the life of one of Britain’s most brilliant writers and his most famous creation.
“[An] affectionate account of the children’s classic… Through extensive archival research and his own pleasant memories of the Pooh books, Brandreth successfully demonstrates why millions continue to find joy in that ‘silly old bear.’ Fans will be delighted.” – Publishers Weekly
“The family life of A.A. Milne as a lesson in childhood innocence, its loss, and its recovery in storytelling.” – Kirkus Reviews
“This fascinating, thoroughly researched, and timely biography, with insets of quotations from Pooh and his friends, will remind readers of this unforgettable character and his creator, and introduce others to them.” – Marcia Welsh, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
Stuart Woods’ Blown Away by Brett Battles
fiction / mystery / suspense.
Teddy Fay whisks away to join Peter and Hattie Barrington in Palm Springs. But his hope for a relaxing vacation vanishes when he attends a prominent actor’s annual birthday party, where he witnesses a heated squabble between two women, only for one of them to turn up dead the next day.
Teddy investigates who might be lurking in the shadows and uncovers a web of intrigue involving a sinister plan to take over a cutting-edge energy company. If he doesn’t act fast, valuable secrets risk falling into the wrong hands, but more importantly innocent lives could be in jeopardy.
“As efficiently engineered as a toy train…” – Kirkus Reviews
“This is the eighth Teddy Fay novel and it’s a good one. Teddy is always a joy to read, the character is refreshing and well-written by author Brett Battles. Fans of the series will enjoy this one.” – Red Carpet Crash
“[There’s] a lot of plot, but readers can rest assured that Battles maintains full control, pulling everything together without skimping on suspense or amusing banter. Devoted series fans will be happy to hear that Battles remains a fantastic steward of Teddy Fay’s adventures.” – Publishers Weekly
Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson
fiction / short stories / fantasy / science fiction.
Spanning the genres of fantasy and science fiction, Tailored Realities includes ten works of short fiction from the ingenious mind of one of the genre’s most beloved bestselling authors.
From futuristic detective thrillers to inventive space opera, superhero action, high-tech fantasy, and beyond, these gripping standalone reads have never before been gathered into one volume, with many available here in print for the first time.
Along with the thrilling new science fiction novella “Moment Zero,” this collection includes:
• “Snapshot”
• “Perfect State”
• “Defending Elysium” (from the world of Skyward)
• “Firstborn”
• “Mitosis” (from the world of The Reckoners)
• and four other stories
Also including author’s notes and stunning interior illustrations for each story, this visionary collection is a must-read whether you’re new to Sanderson or a longtime fan.
“Bestseller Sanderson, known for his Cosmere universe novels, demonstrates his considerable range in this impressive collection of 10 stories written over 20 years… This is a bounty for Sanderson fans.” – Publishers Weekly
“[A] fun, unique book in Sanderson’s catalog, and well worth the time if you enjoy his books… [his] penchant for clever twists and frenetic pacing is on full display in a few of these tales, and they’re nigh impossible to put down… a wonderful read.” – Daniel Roman, Winter is Coming
“…if you are a Sanderson fan, then of course you’ll love this book, but non-Sanderson fans may want to give this volume a spin, particularly since it isn’t tied in with the larger fictional Cosmere universe.” – Will Swardstrom, FanFiAddict
Television by Lauren Rothery ★
fiction.
Some people you meet them and you imagine this movie together. The two of you make a kind of movie and then it’s over. Other people, what you imagine isn’t a movie, because it keeps going. It’s television… If you can’t see how romantic television is, you’re blind.
An aging, A-list movie star lotteries off the entirety of his mega-million blockbuster salary to a member of the general viewing public before taking up with a much younger model. His non-famous best friend (and often lover) looks on impassively, while recollecting their twenty-odd years of unlikely connection. And an aspiring filmmaker, unknown to them both, labors over a script about best friends and lovers while longing for the financial freedom to make great art.
Told in their alternating, intricately linked perspectives, Television is a funny, philosophically astute novel about phenomenal luck, whether windfall or chance encounter. Like Joan Didion’s classic Play It as It Lays, but speaking to a since irrevocably changed Hollywood, it portrays a culture in crisis and the disparities in wealth, beauty, talent, gender, and youth at the heart of contemporary American life. In this glittering but strange new world, lit up by social media and streaming services—what, if not love, can be counted in your favor?
With plays in chronology, bright, nimble dialogue, and a profoundly modern style, Lauren Rothery’s debut novel is an arresting feat of literary impressionism, and marks the arrival of a significant new talent to the landscape of American fiction.
“Such a fresh, nimble novel, with so much depth. It’s a story about uncanny love and the inconvenience of celebrity, about restlessness and contentment and the ways we move between them.” – Kristen Iskandrian, The Indie Next List
“A slick and largely entertaining debut about the entertainment world.” – Kirkus Reviews
Tender Cruelty by Katee Robert
fiction / romance / fantasy.
The barrier that’s protected Olympus for generations has fallen. The enemy’s breached the gates and the Thirteen are scrambling to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the city they’ve sworn to protect. At least they would be if they weren’t at each others’ throats instead.
Hera has no intention of letting her husband, Zeus, survive the oncoming storm. But despite the white-hot hatred burning between them, when Hera and Zeus are forced to work together, enmity crystalizes into something brighter. Hotter. Too powerful to deny or destroy.
Hera never bartered on falling in love with the man she married―the man she once swore to kill. But now, standing back-to-back in the ruins of Olympus, she may be forced to admit that she’s been wrong about Zeus all these years… and there may be something about their marriage worth saving if they can survive long enough to turn sworn enemies into something more.
“Okay, this is 100% my favorite book of the series. The animosity that they had for each other at the beginning made their love at the end that much sweeter. The WORST part of this book is that it’s OVER.” – Amelia Yasuda, The Indie Next List
“…the story draws in the reader through sheer chemistry as the push and pull between Zeus and Hera grows into a volatile relationship. Fans of Robert and of Greek mythology in general as well as readers who love arranged-marriage tropes will adore this tale of two powerful people finding love in the chaos of a rebellion.” – Lindsey Allen, Booklist
“Robert deftly expands the lore of her bestselling Dark Olympus series while keeping the romance sizzling in this exciting ninth installment… Robert brings her A game to their red-hot enemies-to-lovers romance before leaving things off on a tantalizing cliffhanger. This series shows no signs of slowing down.” – Publishers Weekly
Year of the Water Horse: A Memoir by Janice Page
nonfiction / memoir.
Janice Page hails from Braintree, Massachusetts and a large Catholic brood. Her parents had a complicated marriage. Her five siblings each have their own sagas, and there is a destructive genetic force within the family’s blood lines that causes much heartbreak.
And then there is the large Chinese family of Janice’s husband, James, equally cinematic and sweeping with a rich and complex history of its own. There is a daring wartime escape, a lost child, immigration to a new world, and a bittersweet reunion after decades of separation.
Janice first met James fresh out of college while waitressing at Mandarin Garden, the only Chinese restaurant of its kind in Braintree. He had just arrived in America from Taiwan. As they work to bridge the divide between them—emotionally, culturally, and geographically—they begin to build their lives together. From Taiwan to Los Angeles, from her mother’s bipolar disorder to the language barrier with her mother-in-law, Janice finds herself constantly searching for the feeling of home. Janice believes she can close the circle when she embarks on her own journey to become a mother. Like so many journeys, Janice’s own journey to motherhood is filled with twists, turns, and surprises, leading to a baby girl from James’s ancestral region of China. Janice and James might finally close a circle that had been open for generations on both sides and find home at last.
Filled with humor and heart, wisdom and healing, Year of the Water Horse is a profound and compelling story with a deeply satisfying ending that will resonate long after the final page.
“Washington Post editor Page reflects on family trauma and the ties that bind in her funny and affecting debut… Armed with sharp wit and bracing emotional intelligence, Page tackles heavy subjects with an admirably light touch, rendering each of her relatives in three dimensions and prompting readers to think deeply about the legacies they’ve inherited from their own families. It’s an auspicious first outing.” – Publishers Weekly
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