Categories
Full List of New Arrivals

NEW ARRIVALS – DECEMBER 2019

ADULT FICTION

“After Kilimanjaro” by Gayle Woodson — “Medical fiction of this kind is rare―it’s not a thriller or a tearjerker, but a thoughtful novel about doctors, the work they do, and the impact this work has on their patients and the communities they serve.” ―Booklist

“The Fifth Season” by N. K. Jemisin — “Astounding… Jemisin maintains a gripping voice and an emotional core that not only carries the story through its complicated setting, but sets things up for even more staggering revelations to come.”―NPR Books

“The Girl with No Face” by M. H. Boroson — “A brilliant tale of magic, monsters, and kung fu in the San Francisco Chinatown of 1898 . . . smoothly mixes Hong Kong cinema with urban fantasy, and Li-lin is a splendid protagonist whose cleverness and bravura will leave readers eager for her future adventures.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes — “An adventure story grounded in female competence and mutual support, and an obvious affection for the popular literature of the early 20th century, give this Depression-era novel plenty of appeal. . . There’s plenty of drama, but the reader’s lasting impression is one of love.” —Publishers Weekly

“The Institute” by Stephen King — “King wows with the most gut-wrenching tale of kids triumphing over evil since It….Tapping into the minds of the young characters, King creates a sense of menace and intimacy that will have readers spellbound…Not a word is wasted in this meticulously crafted novel, which once again proves why King is the king of horror.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

“The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek” by Rhett McLaughlin & Link Neal – “An entertaining narrative . . . Brimming with 1990s cultural references ranging from New Kids on the Block to Hypercolor t-shirts, the story is funny, spooky, and at times terrifying.”–Booklist

“Return to Christmas” by Anne Stuart — “When Madison left her …boring office, she never expected what she’d find through Macy’s revolving door. Suddenly it was 1947, … and now Madison is trapped inside with the hottest, grumpiest man she’s ever seen looking out for her. She has to navigate all the subtle differences in life, stop swearing so damned much, and keep from falling in love. Easy peasy.” — Back cover

“The Starless Sea” by Erin Morgenstern — “A magnificent quest, a sense of unfolding adventure and danger, gold-wrought fantasy, and endless provocation on what storytelling really means.” —Library Journal, starred review

“The Water Dancer: A Novel” by Ta-Neshi Coates — “An experience in taking [Toni] Morrison’s ‘chances for liberation’ literally: What if memory had the power to transport enslaved people to freedom?’ . . . The most moving part of The Water Dancer [is] the possibility it offers of an alternate history. . . . The book’s most poignant and painful gift is the temporary fantasy that all the people who leaped off slave ships and into the Atlantic were not drowning themselves in terror and anguish, but going home.”—NPR

ADULT MYSTERY

” Blind Search: A Mercy Carr Mystery” by Paula Munier — “There’s so much to praise here: Munier’s deep knowledge of the culture of hunting (especially the bow-and-arrow variety); her brisk, incisive characterizations; the way she maintains a taut line of suspense throughout; and, best of all, her portrayals of wounded yet still courageous pairs of humans and dogs.” ―Booklist

“Bloody Genius: A Virgil Flowers Novel” by John Sandford — “Flowers remains one of the great modern fictional detectives, and Sandford, as always, supplies amazing secondary characters, sharp dialogue, and plots that confound and amaze. A near-perfect crime novel.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Bomber’s Moon” by Archer Mayor — “A gripping and fascinating tale of crime and human frailty… impressive.” ―Manchester Journal

“City Conspiracy” by J.D. Mallinson — “A man of East European origin is found dead near Hampton Court Gardens. Another person of similar origin is attacked while sitting on a bench by the Serpentine. Is there a connection between the two incidents? George Mason, ably assisted by Detective Sergeant Alison Aubrey will pursue leads to find out,” — Backcover

“Cut and Run” by Mary Burton — “Twin sisters separated by the past are reunited by unspeakable crimes in New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton’s throat-clutching novel of suspense…As the missing pieces of Faith’s and Macy’s dark lives snap into place, Faith is becoming more terrified by what she sees—and by what she must do to save her sister and herself from the past.”– Backcover

” G.I. Confidential” by Martin Linmon — “Limon’s stories of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) criminal investigators George Sueno and Ernie Bascom provide a vivid look at the Korea of the past.”
—Korea Times

” The Guardians: A Novel: A Sueno and Bascom Investigation Set in South Korea” by John Grisham — “Grisham’s colorful prose is riveting, and the issue is a timely one that can be too easily overlooked…His fictional legal happenings convey a loud and clear ring of veracity.”–Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Knife: A New Harry Hole Novel” by Jo Nesbo — “[Knife] may be Nesbø’s best storytelling yet. It’s not just clever; it’s diabolical, and let’s be glad it is, because the corkscrewing plot provides a measure of relief from the pain on view in this uncompromisingly intense and brilliant novel.”—Booklist, Starred Review

“Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel” by Emily Brightwell — ” …a killer lures Margaret Starling, a wealthy widow known for her kindness and charitable acts with the Angel Alms Society, into the back garden of her London house. There he whacks Mrs. Starling over the head with a shovel. When Insp. Gerald Witherspoon, who has “solved more murders than anyone in the history of the Metropolitan Police,” is called in, his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, and her sleuthing group of house staff and servants fan out across London in search of clues, unbeknownst to him. No one can imagine why anyone would want to harm Mrs. Starling, until Mrs. Jeffries and crew learn of her erratic behavior and her loud arguments with the local vicar, who’s hiding a nasty secret. Meanwhile, Insp. Nigel Nivens of Scotland Yard, who’s jealous of Witherspoon’s success, tries to sabotage the investigation. Brightwell takes the reader back to a more simple time and place. Fans of light historicals will find plenty to like.” — Agent: Donald Maass, Donald Maass Literary. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Murder in Mind” by Faith Martin — “Looking for a brilliant best-selling murder mystery with a feisty female detective? Detective Hillary Greene is solving the cold cases no else could crack.” — Backcover

“Olive, Again” by Elizabeth Strout — “Strout dwells with uncanny immediacy inside the minds and hearts of a dazzling range of ages: the young (with their confusion, wonder, awakening sexuality), the middle-aged (envy, striving, compromise), the old (failing bodies, societal shunning, late revelations). . . . I have long and deeply admired all of Strout’s work, but Olive, Again transcends and triumphs. The naked pain, dignity, wit and courage these stories consistently embody fill us with a steady, wrought comfort.”—The Washington Post

“Passport to Death” by Yigal Zur — ““An original and deftly crafted suspense thriller . . . Passport to Death showcases author Yigal Zur’s impressive and thoroughly reader engaging narrative storytelling style.”—Midwest Book Review

BIOGRAPHY

“Genghis Kahn and the Making of the Modern World” by Jack Weatherford –“Weatherford’s lively analysis restores the Mongol’s reputation, and it takes wonderful learned detours. . . . Well written and full of suprises.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Know My Name: A Memoir” by Chanel Miller “In a world that asks too many survivors to keep their experiences to themselves and shrink their suffering to preserve someone else’s potential, Know My Name stands unapologetically large, asking others to reckon with its author’s dazzling, undiminishable presence. To read it, in spite of everything, inspires hope.”—The Guardian

“March Book One” by John Lewis” –“An astonishingly accomplished graphic memoir that brings to life a vivid portrait of the civil rights era, Lewis’ extraordinary history and accomplishments, and the movement he helped lead… its power, accessibility and artistry destine it for awards, and a well-deserved place at the pinnacle of the comics canon.” – NPR

“March Book Two” by John Lewis — “A must-read monument… As Rep. Lewis continues to carry the civil-rights flame, this graphic achievement is a firsthand beacon that burns ever relevant today.” – The Washington Post

“March Book Three” by John Lewis — “A stirring call to action that’s particularly timely in this election year, and one that will resonate and empower young readers in particular. Essential reading.” — BOOKLIST (STARRED)

ADULT NON-FICTION

“Booze in the Kingdom: Voices from Prohibition” by Scott Wheeler — “Prohibition brought excitement to the Northeast Kingdom, but it also brought hardship and death. This book tells the story of people who lived here during the 13 years of Prohibition.” — Backcover

“Catch And Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators” by Ronan Farrow — “Farrow … took a journalistic sledge-hammer to this industry’s meticulously tended facade … upended the town’s historic casting-couch culture, and spurred a wave of disclosures that have toppled powerful men in Hollywood, the media, and politics.” — Marisa Guthrie, Hollywood Reporter

“The Hundred-Year Marathon: China’s Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower” by Michael Pillsbury — “China’s ambition to become the world’s dominant power has been there all along, virtually burned into the country’s cultural DNA and hiding, as [Pillsbury] says, in plain sight… The author is correct to assert that China constitutes, by far, the biggest national challenge to America’s position in the world today.”―The Wall Street Journal

“Life on the Other Border: Farmworkers and Food Justice in Vermont” by Teresa M. Mares — “Life on the Other Border is at once a critical analysis of the inequities, fear, and invisibility experienced by dairy farmworkers in the picturesque landscape of Vermont and a compelling tribute to them. The individuals and families Teresa M. Mares introduces in this book inspire us toward a more truly just and equal society as they care for one another, advocate for fair treatment and policy, and provide us with the food that nourishes us.”––Seth M. Holmes, author of Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies

“A Warning” by Anonymous — “What Americans should actually be concerned about when it comes to Trump and his administration.”― Rachel Maddow

ADULT AUDIO BOOK

LARGE PRINT

“Lethal Agent: A Mitch Rapp Novel” by Kyle Mills — “The writing is stellar, and the action is nonstop, as always, continuing the legacy that makes the Rapp series the best of the best when it comes to the world of special ops.” — Booklist (starred review)

“The Night Fire: A Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel” by Michael Connelly – “Connelly is without peer when it comes to police procedurals, and once again proves that he’s the modern master of the form.”―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

MUSIC

“One Night Only: Live at the Royal Albert Hall”
“Toddler Favorites: Music for Little People”

BLUE/DVD

“Annabelle Comes Home”
“The Angry Birds 2 Movie”
“Angel Has Fallen”

“The Art of Racing in the Rain”
“Avatar Book 1: Water”
“Avatar Book 2: Earth”
“Avatar Book 3: Fire”
“The Dark Knight”
“The Doctor Blake Mystery Series: Season Three”
“Dora and the Lost City of Gold”

“The Farewell”
“Hustlers”
“The Lion King”

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
“Planet Earth II”
“The Secret Life of Pets 2”

“Tea with the Dames”
“Toy Story 4”
“Yesterday”

BOARD BOOK

“Do Cows Meow” by Salina Yoon
“Grumpy Monkey” by Suzanne Lang
“Pandas Love Pickles” by Liz Lynch

KIT – Book + CD

PICTURE BOOK

“16 Words: William Carlos Williams & “The Red Wheelbarrow” by Lisa Rogers
“Albert’s Quiet Quest” by Isabelle Arsenault
“Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao” by Kat Zhang
“A Big Bed for Little Snow” by Grace Lin
“Birdsong” by Julie Flett
“A Fox Found a Box” by Ged Adamson
“Henry and Bea” by Jessixa Bagley
“Home in the Woods” by Eliza Wheeler
“Ho’onani: Hula Warrior” by Heather Gale
“How I Met My Monster” by Amanda Noll
“I Am Perfectly Designed” by Karamo Brown
“The Love Letter” by Anika Aldamuy Denise
“My Wild Cat” by Isabelle Simler
“Our Favorite Day” by Joowon Oh
“Pluto Gets the Call” by Adam Rex
“Pokko and the Drum” by Matthew Forsythe
“The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family” by Ibtihaj Muhammad
“The Shortest Day” by Susan Cooper
“Sketchy McHandsome” by Judy Schachner
“Small in the City” by Sydney Smith
“Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o
“The Traveler’s Gift” by Danielle Davison
“Wild Honey from the Moon” by Kenneth Kraegel

JUVENILE AUDIO

“The Next Great Paulie Fink” by Ali Benjamin — “Genuinely original, the novel offers thoughtful perspectives on friendship, accepting change, and the many rewarding guises of storytelling, as well as a fully gratifying ending that the characters don’t see coming.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

JUVENILE BIOGRAPHY

“It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way” by Kyo Maclear – “Written and illustrated with clean, spare lines, the book reveals emotions in an understated manner…This beautiful biography offers a fitting tribute to an artist with a lasting legacy in American picture books.” — (Booklist (starred review))

“Monument Maker: Daniel Chester French and the Lincoln Memorial” by Linda Booth Sweeney — “This picture book biography tells the story of Daniel Chester French from his days as a farm boy drawing birds and making the neatest plow lines to his time as a preeminent sculptor. …Back matter includes an excellent time line of French’s life, complete with more color photographs and notes on the significance and legacy of the Lincoln Memorial, particularly as a site for speeches.” — Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK. School Library Journal Web Exclusive. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

“Muslim Girls Rise: Inspirational Champions of Our Times” by Saira Mir — Compilations about women leaders have grown in number each year; now, at last, here is one about modern Muslim women that exhorts readers to “find your passion, and…RISE.” … As a collection for younger readers to browse, as a starting point for older readers, and as a source of inspiration and pride for all ages, this volume wins. Not to be missed. — Kirkus Reviews STARRED

JUVENILE FICTION

“Allies” by Alan Gratz — “A vivid and detailed snapshot of the D-Day Invasion from multiple complex and diverse characters . . . meticulously researched [and] honest.” — School Library Journal, starred review

“Mightier Than the Sword” by Drew Callander and Alana Harrison — “[A] Carrollian adventure… arch humor and goofy jokes provide continual laughter along the way. The book gives readers the power to influence their own story, and it will tickle readers who appreciate creative interactivity.” -Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The Mystery of the Brick Kingdom” by Raymond C. Perkins, Jr — “Follow teen detectives, B.T. Stevens and Jimmy Martin, as they help a friend search for her family’s long-lost treasure in the Brick Kingdom, a two hundred year-old, abandoned, 19th Century industrial park.” —Baker & Taylor

“The Mystery of the Haunted Opera House” by Raymond C. Perkins, Jr — “Follow the teen detectives as they venture into the realm of ghosts and strange happenings at the world-famous Haskell Opera House and Library situated on the border between Vermont and Canada.” — Backcover

“Shine!” by J. J. and Chris Grabenstein — “This gentle book offers a wonderful reminder that kindness, generosity, and love far outweigh the importance of money, awards, and prestige. —Booklist

“The Forty Thieves: Marjana’s Tale” by Christy Lenzi — “After humble Ali Baba discovers how to access the secret lair of Baghdad’s notorious Forty Thieves, his greedy cousin Cassim demands entry and, upon attempting to loot the cave, is butchered. Ali Baba enlists slave girl Marjana’s help with recovering her former master’s quartered body, but when the thieves track them down, it’s up to her to stop them from killing Ali Baba, too.” — Ronny Khuri. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

“Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky” by Kwame Mbalia — “,,,black seventh grader Tristan Strong is sent from Chicago to spend the summer on his grandparents’ Alabama farm. His best friend has just died, and he’s lost a boxing match …. When a talking doll named Gum Baby steals his prized book of stories- which has mysteriously begun to glow-Tristan pursues, accidentally tearing a hole between the farm and the myriad lands of Alke. There, he encounters legendary folk heroes …., whose people are being captured and enslaved by terrifying monsters. To mend the rift, save the day, and return home, Tristan and his allies must seek out the missing trickster god Anansi, a journey that takes them to regions inhabited by ancient gods. As a reluctant hero-afraid of heights, grieving, and burdened by past failures-Tristan’s voice rings true and sympathetic, while the irrepressible Gum Baby steals every scene. Mbalia expertly weaves a meaningful portrayal of family and community with folklore, myth, and history-including the legacy of the slave trade-creating a fast-paced, heroic series starter.” — Agent: Victoria Marini, Cake Literary. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue” by Karina Yan Glaser – “Glaser produces a charming novel reminiscent of classic and contemporary family story mainstays by Edward Eager, Jeanne Birdsall, and others, but she adds depth with racial diversity, evocative city details, and complex socio-economic issues….Satisfying as a stand-alone and a welcome return for those who consider the Vanderbeekers part of their own family.” —Kirkus

JUVENILE NON FICTION

“Into the Blizzard: Heroism at Sea During the Great Blizzard of 1978” by Michael J. Tougias — “Quotes from eyewitnesses involved with the rescue attempts, friends, and transcripts of radio transmissions tell the story of what was ultimately a deadly rescue mission. The bravery of Frank Quirk, the captain of the Can Do, along with that of crew member Charlie Bucko, takes center stage.” ―School Library Journal

“The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice” by Wendy Pfeffer – “In a well-thought-out collection of ideas surrounding December 21 and the Winter Solstice, the author leads readers through what happens to the sun and why… Back pages include an interesting and useful variety of ideas, from more facts about the solstice with explanatory diagrams, four projects that teachers, parents, and adults who work with children would find fresh, and two “cooking” activities, one for a human party and one for an avian one.” —Children’s Literature

“Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship”” by Deborah Heiligman -“Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath . . . the real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age.” ―Booklist, starred review

“White Bird: A Wonder Story” by R. J. Palacio — “A story of resistance, bravery, and survival…. This compelling story is served well by the graphic novel format.” —Booklist

YOUNG ADULT

“Call Down the Hawk ( The Dreamer Trilogy, Book 1)” by Maggie Stiefvater — “Stiefvater’s razor-sharp characterizations, drily witty dialogue, and knack for unexpected metaphors and turns of phrase make for sumptuous, thrilling reading…. Readers will snap up the final installment the second it’s available.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A House of Rage and Sorrow” by Sangu Mandanna —  “The high-stakes, lofty narrative reads like a mythology story of its own, as the lives of gods, mortals, and spaceships are intricately connected, setting up for what’s sure to be a breathtaking conclusion.” —Booklist, Starred Review