“Even a small group of people can change the galaxy.” – Chuck Wendig, Aftermath
Barbie: Dreamscape by Alex Aster
fiction / young adult / fantasy / romance.
Barbie’s life is perfect. She lives in a pink-hued paradise called Heartland where everything is in order and everyone has a role to play, thanks to the mysterious and all-powerful beings who will soon assign her a Fate at graduation from the enchanted Swancrest Academy. She’s worked hard to earn a good one. Her years of endless studying and acing every challenge are about to pay off. But when the unthinkable happens and Barbie is left Fateless—the first in Heartland’s history—her carefully ordered world shatters.
Shaken and uncertain, Barbie must confront a future she never imagined: one with no clear path forward at all. Yet when a mysterious necklace begins to pulse with hidden power, she is drawn beyond Heartland’s protective mists into a daring journey across extraordinary lands. From sun-drenched shores to treacherous, ever-shifting landscapes, to shadowed forests steeped in secrets and magic, each realm will test Barbie’s courage, sharpen her wits, and awaken strengths she never knew she possessed—all while drawing her ever closer to a buried truth that could change her world forever.
A richly imagined coming-of-age tale from the premier voice in teen fiction, this is a story about defying expectations, rewriting the rules, and discovering that the greatest possibilities lie in stepping out of the box… and into the unexpected.
“[An] emotional, fast-moving story… A beautiful rendering of an iconic figure from many readers’ childhoods.” – Kirkus Reviews
Brain Damage by Freida McFadden
fiction / suspense / mystery.
Dr. Charly McKenna had the perfect life: a thriving dermatology practice, a luxury apartment overlooking Central Park, and a handsome husband who adored her.
Until the night a bullet tore through her skull… and stole everything.
Now Charly wakes in a rehabilitation hospital unable to walk, speak, or remember her own name. All she knows is that someone tried to kill her―and they may still be out there. As fragments of memory surface, so do unsettling questions about the people around her, including the attentive man who keeps appearing at her bedside.
The truth of what happened that night lives somewhere inside her brain. And as Charly pieces together the jagged edges of her past, she begins to realize the most terrifying possibility: the person who wants her dead might be the one she once trusted most.
“Starts with a bang and closes with a knockout punch of an ending.” – Kirkus Reviews
“…harrowing… this compelling story features all of the thrills and misdirects McFadden is known for as it paints a powerful portrait of the long and arduous path of recovery from a horrific brain injury.” – Kristine Huntley, Booklist
“[McFadden] builds a claustrophobic thriller around unreliable memory and the terror of misplaced trust.” – Anna Bonet, The i Paper
Brain Defenders: Harness the Power of Your Immune Cells to Protect Your Brain for Life by David Perlmutter, MD
nonfiction / health / self-help.
We’ve been fighting the wrong enemy. For decades, medicine has pointed its weapons at symptoms like memory loss, tremors, headaches, and lethargy, while ignoring the root causes of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and major depression. In Brain Defenders, neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter flips the script, exposing the real culprits: malfunctioning microglia, tiny immune cells that, when metabolically hijacked, go rogue and attack the very neurons they’re meant to protect.
With clarity and urgency, Dr. Perlmutter explains how a silent battle rages in the brain. Microglia can become either warriors of protection or agents of destruction—and the outcome depends largely on how we live. In Brain Defenders, you will:
- Learn the science of immunometabolism and the relationship between energy and your cells
- Understand the overlooked role of inflammation in everything from dementia to long COVID—and why the immune system may be the brain’s greatest threat and hope
- Discover how your lifestyle affects the fate of your microglia and, in turn, your cognitive future
- Uncover the surprising link between metabolic health and brain resilience, and how tools like fasting, sleep, and even oxygen therapy can restore damaged neural networks
- Explore therapeutic interventions—from metformin to lion’s mane mushroom—that support healing and slow neural decline
Neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders are not inevitable, but often the result of chronic, controllable inflammation. Drawing on the latest peer-reviewed science and grounded in decades of neurological care, Dr. Perlmutter delivers a powerful message: the future of your brain health is in your hands.
“Flipping the script on the root causes of brain disease, Dr. David Perlmutter delivers a hopeful, science-backed look at how our immune cells could transform the future of brain health.” – Nina Braca, B&N Reads
“…illuminating… an empowering road map for taking health into one’s own hands.” – Publishers Weekly
The Calamities by Chuck Wendig
fiction / horror / fantasy.
Mourning Mayne knows he’ll one day bear the duty of managing his family’s vast empire of wealth and power. But the feckless Mourning has always struggled to accept this legacy of cruelty, domination, and exploitation… and something even darker.
Because the Maynes are no ordinary family: Hidden in our world are the fiends—half-human, half-demon, and possessed of a dark magic born from buying human souls—and the Maynes are one of the oldest and most influential fiendish families.
But when Mourning’s estranged father, the formidable and terrifying Hadrian Mayne, demands that Mourning return to the fold, he has to decide whether to accept his legacy and embrace his role in the family or to forge his own destiny, and with it, change the course of the world.
Because along the way home, he will meet Key, a black-market seller of human souls, and Quinn, an artist who may hold the dark truth behind the fate of the fiends. Alone, they have all struggled with the darkness of their natures… but together, they might find a path out of the shadows.
“…The Calamities is Wendig at his very best… [the] novel features a host of otherworldly characters and the kind of detailed world building that makes Wendig’s novels such a tactile experience for his readers. A great start to what should be a spectacular series.” – David Pitt, Booklist
“[Contains] hints of Leigh Bardugo, Clive Barker, The Library at Mount Char, and Evil…” – Natalie Zutter, Literary Hub
Finding Renée Richards: The Groundbreaking Story of Tennis’s Trans Pioneer by Julie Kliegman
nonfiction / biography / sports.
Fifty years ago, tennis player Renée Richards made international headlines in her fight to compete in the women’s draw of the 1977 US Open—marking the first time a trans athlete sued to participate in professional sports in the gender category with which they identify. Renée eventually won her case. Though she lost in the first round of the singles tournament, she and her tennis partner made it to the finals in doubles, losing to Martina Navratilova and her partner.
Finding Renée Richards chronicles Richards’s extraordinary life, moving from her tumultuous upbringing in Queens, New York, to her career as a successful eye surgeon; her years as a star tennis player to her role as a transgender pioneer. Now in her nineties, Renée remains a complex figure: A person who changed the sports world forever yet questions the place of trans athletes in that world today. GLAAD award-nominated sports journalist Julie Kliegman deftly probes these contradictions, drawing on intimate interviews and offering critical reflections on what is at stake for athletes, fans, and the queer community today, at a time when trans participation in sports is more hotly contested—and condemned—than ever before.
“[Richards] is an overlooked figure in American sports history, and Julie Kliegman’s insightful biography finally shines a spotlight on her.” – Town & Country
“…revelatory… as much a paradoxical portrait of a reluctant forerunner as it is a fraught intergenerational debate.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“This comprehensive look at Richards and her life is also a history lesson on transgender rights and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality… Kliegman is a compassionate and thoughtful interviewer, and their conversations with Richards are enlightening. Richards may be a complicated person, but her contribution to the advancement of transgender rights can’t be overstated. Not to be missed.” – Stephanie Howes, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
God’s Country by William Kent Krueger
fiction / mystery / suspense.
Cork O’Connor, preparing for a family trip into the Boundary Waters, is troubled by ominous visions about his future. Ignoring the warnings, he uncovers signs of violence while searching for his missing friend, Cordell Bishop. Soon, he is forced to negotiate with dangerous criminals, the Kennedy brothers, who are seeking their late father’s hidden stash.
Facing escalating danger and difficult choices, Cork grapples with his darkest instincts as he helps others escape and eventually takes justice into his own hands. God’s Country is an action-packed thrill ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
“…part rescue mission, part survival story, part treasure hunt, and part meditation on good and evil… The [book] is both harrowing and fascinating, as Cork uses his deep knowledge of the area to outwit the men dragging his friend with them on their quest. With Krueger’s expert plotting, this thriller presents a topography of terror.” – Connie Fletcher, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Emotional, dark and suspenseful, God’s Country will have you on the edge of your seat… an immersive and engrossing tale that hits with a powerful intensity and rocks you to your core.” – Steven Netter, The Best Thriller Books
“…exceptional… Beautifully written, brutally suspenseful, and rich with questions of faith, family, justice, and human nature, God’s Country is a towering addition to one of crime fiction’s finest series.” – Ryan Speck, The Real Book Spy
Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
fiction / fantasy / romance.
Members of the ancient Rosebourne family have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.
When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.
Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life–and fortune–that should have been hers.
As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them–especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen.
But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom–and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.
“Bracken masterfully intersperses secrets and some shocking betrayals as the pair dance in and out of danger in this action-packed romantasy…” – Frances Moritz, Booklist
“Wow! This is why I love reading.” – Julie Potter, Childress Ink
“…captivating… Exquisite worldbuilding, a unique perfume-based magic system, and expert handling of a dual POV narrative makes for a remarkable start to a mesmerizing new series. Readers will swoon for the slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance as Bracken’s elegant prose teases tenderness from guarded characters. This stellar romantasy is sure to thrill the author’s adult fans and should win her plenty of new ones.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols
fiction / mystery.
Months after the shocking murders at Marigold Cottages, eccentric landlady Mrs. B finds the peace and quiet a little too peaceful. That’s why she invites her young friend CJ Moore to move into a now-vacant cottage: CJ is a suspect in the death of her employer, a wealthy Santa Barbara philanthropist who tumbled down the stairs of his mansion during a dinner party. The dead man’s much-younger widow claims she saw CJ push him, but Mrs. B is certain that she’s innocent. Why? Oh, just a feeling.
That’s enough for her to summon the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. Lily-Ann will marshal the facts, Hamilton will dig around online, Sophie and Nicholas will offer eyewitness testimony, and everyone will hope that Ocean keeps Mrs. B out of trouble.
Just as the tenants begin to suspect that Elsa is in fact the perpetrator, there’s a second murder. A bloodier one. And with their tight-knit community in the crosshairs, they must prove her innocence – or accept her guilt.
“This series is wonderfully reminiscent of Armistead Maupin’s series Tales of the City, Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series, and Only Murders in the Building―all of which have a wonderful sense of community, an abundance of love, and a good dollop of eccentricity.” – Brian Kenney, First Clue
“Nichols has found her stride with this mystery, which stands alone while also building on the characters and community of the first book in the series. Readers will root for Marigold Court’s eclectic cast as they sleuth their way through Elsa’s story.” – Emily Bowles, Library Journal
My Sister Is Going to Kill Me by Nina Simon
fiction / mystery / suspense.
Liv and Mandy Chisholm’s yearly sister trip is a sacred tradition, an attempt to bond as their lives increasingly diverge. Liv, the ever-practical older sister, packs the color-coded itineraries. Mandy, a bedazzled human tumbleweed, brings the spontaneity.
This year, the sisters take off for a rafting adventure through the breathtaking depths of the Grand Canyon with a group of strangers. But beyond the terrors of whitewater rapids, sibling squabbles, and rogue reptiles, the ferocious beauty of the river carries a darker undercurrent, and an unexpected guest: a murderer in their midst.
When a fellow traveler is found dead and another corpse hits the water, the rafting trip flips from idyllic sister vacation to high-stakes murder investigation. Every suspect has a secret, every clue is drenched in mystery, and Liv and Mandy can hardly trust each other, let alone their own instincts. With the river raging and danger around every bend, the Chisholm sisters must work together to catch a killer—and keep their relationship from capsizing—before it’s too late.
“A nice blending of character-driven development and suspenseful mystery, this will appeal to fans of Megan Miranda and Gillian McAllister.” – Jane Jorgenson, Library Journal
Promise Me Never by Liv Constantine
fiction / suspense / mystery.
Aspiring writer Savannah’s scheme to meet superstar horror novelist Bennett Bryson turns out better than she ever imagined: not only does her charming and handsome literary idol offer to read her work, he is instantly smitten with her. After a whirlwind romance, Savannah says “yes” to marriage, and the two settle into Bennett’s secluded upstate home.
But just as Savannah thinks she has it made, cracks appear in her perfect new life. Bennett’s behavior becomes dark and controlling: he criticizes Savannah’s writing, dictates her permitted activities, and spends most of his time locked in his office, forbidding her from entering. And everywhere, Savannah cannot escape the shadow of Bennett’s first wife, the free-spirited and passionate artist Poppy, who died in a tragic accident, but who seems still to be Savannah’s rival for Bennett’s affection.
Then comes an enigmatic warning: Bennett is not who he seems. The women that came before Savannah have disappeared. And Savannah could be next.
Isolated and unsure whom to trust, Savannah tries to piece together the mystery of the man she married, and the woman he married first. But Savannah has no idea what her husband is really hiding. And someone out there knows Savannah has secrets of her own. As these two writers will learn the hard way—past really is prologue.
“Constantine’s latest twisty-turny psychological thriller will keep readers guessing until the very end.” – Carol Haggas, Booklist
Ship Happens by Mason Deaver
fiction / romance.
A year ago, Owen Henson had a close-knit group of friends who felt like family and a boyfriend who made his heart race just by walking into the room. But now? Everything’s unraveling. His friends seem to be moving forward without him, and his happily-ever-after shattered when his boyfriend Jacob packed up and left for the United Kingdom to join a research team.
The last thing Owen needs is for Jacob to waltz back into the city like nothing happened, showing up at their friends’ annual Christmas party looking just as annoyingly handsome as the day he left. Or for their friends to spring a surprise six-day, seven-night cruise up the West Coast to Alaska as a bonding trip for the group. How is Owen supposed to keep it together around the man who broke his heart, all while pretending he’s fine? Totally fine. But then Jacob tells Owen that he’d like to be something even more complicated than exes. He wants to be friends. Skeptical, Owen agrees to the plan but as they spend time together among the gorgeous Alaskan backdrop and cruise-mandated activities, Owen feels his walls coming down and he might just discover that he can’t help but fall in love again.
“Deaver makes this story work without resorting to easy answers for their smart yet flawed characters.” – Amy Alessio, Booklist
“[A] romance that expand[s] our concept of happily ever after.” – Emmalita, Cannonball Read
That Night by Gillian McAllister
fiction / suspense / mystery.
On vacation in Europe, Frannie makes two urgent phone calls. One to her sister, and one to her brother. The siblings come running, and they find their sister covered in blood, kneeling over an unmoving body.
There’s been an accident: Frannie has hit a man with her car, and she needs their help. They bury the body, and they make a promise. They’ll never tell anyone.
But when the police come calling, the siblings’ lies start to spiral. They begin to doubt their trust in each other. Because what really happened that night?
And who will be the first to crack?
With the incredible twists and turns and a unique look at family relationships that McAllister has become known for, That Night is the ultimate summer thriller that asks: what would you do to protect your family?
“Fast-paced and breathless, with short chapters, this is a thriller to binge.” – Cari Dubiel, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“McAllister’s greatest strength lies in her ability to write truly human characters, characters who make mistakes and struggle and regret and fall apart, all in the name of love for family.” – Kirkus Reviews
“[A] terrific look at the roles people play within their family and how that affects the way in which others see us, behave towards us and treat us. That Night will keep you up, reading late at night.” – Kath, Nut Press
Up on Cove Mountain: Adventure, Tragedy, and a Quest for Meaning on the Appalachian Trail by Earl Swift
nonfiction / memoir / true crime / travel / nature.
In 1990, a youthful Earl Swift backpacked the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, a transformative experience that colored every aspect of his later life. He emerged from his hike across the rugged, sky-high roof of fourteen eastern states a sharper and more organized thinker, a better problem solver, and a committed outdoorsman.
But he also left the AT with baggage: Early in his odyssey, he spent time with a couple of other southbounders, who were friendly, capable, and doing everything right, but who were nonetheless murdered weeks later at a mountaintop campsite in Pennsylvania—a fit of violence that the killer never explained.
Half a lifetime later, Swift returned to the trail to find out whether he was still, in his sixties, equal to the AT’s roller-coaster terrain. Driving him, too, was a quest for answers that had nagged at him since that first hike: What had happened at that campsite to turn two smart, bighearted people into prey? Why had fate chosen them, when other hikers—Swift included—seemed more likely candidates? And how could such a grisly episode have unfolded in the backcountry’s sylvan loveliness, not to mention one of the safest places around?
Up on Cove Mountain is the arresting account of Swift’s 2024 trek through the AT’s enduring wonders and the ghosts of its past, a chronicle of swashbuckling adventure coupled with a meditation on the nature of risk and the risks of nature.
“[A] moody meditation on humans’ relationship with nature and the passage of time.” – Publishers Weekly
“This book’s vivid writing style brings readers inside the hiking experience.” – Caren Nichter, Library Journal
“[Swift is] a superb travel companion from start to finish. He’s keenly observant of changing landscapes and weather, openhearted to the myriad hikers he encounters, a fine raconteur, actually uncomplaining of his injuries except to share the demands and natural perils of the trail, and, now in his mid-60s, a man filled with gratitude and wonder at the treasures before him.” – Alan Moores, Booklist
-
-
-
-
-