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| A Lady for All Seasons by TJ AlexanderIn 1820 London, impoverished Verbena Montrose arranges a marriage of convenience with her gay friend Etienne, but the scheme is exposed by gossipy poet Flora Whitcombe. When the confrontation between the two women sparks an instant attraction, their burgeoning friendship is upended by the arrival of nobleman William Forsyth, who hopes to court Flora himself. The catch? William and Flora are the same person, and Verbena has no idea. For fans of: The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley. |
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| The Moonshine Women by Michelle Collins AndersonThe Strong family farm, hunt, and make moonshine in the Ozark Mountains during Prohibition, but when tragedy strikes, the three Strong sisters move to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Because the youngest has a talent for moonshine, they keep the family business going despite all odds in this richly detailed novel. Try this next: Jess Montgomery's Kinship novels, starting with The Widows; Jeannette Walls' Hang the Moon.
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| Yesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeWith millions of social media followers, Natalie Heller Mills carefully curates her trad wife life featuring a charming Utah ranch, a cowboy/political scion husband, and five children (with one on the way!). What her followers don't know is that she has nannies and plenty of other help. Then one morning she wakes up and it's somehow 1805. Anne Hathaway has snagged film rights for this buzzy, twisty debut novel that's great for book clubs. Try this next: Anna-Marie McLemore's The Influencers; Alli Hoff Kosik's Too Blessed to Stress.
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| All Booked Up by Melody CarlsonHaving lost her husband to cancer a year earlier, 61-year-old Riva Owen deals with grief and tries to pay her mortgage. She doesn't want to leave the old Victorian that's been in her family for generations, so after praying, she takes in four women boarders. This leads to new friends and experiences, as well as drama and romantic rivalries in this fun and moving Christian novel about single older women. Try this next: Lauraine Snelling's The Florence Legacy.
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| A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan HarperIn Los Angeles, Jake monitors the police scanner and livestreams what he finds to his many followers, while defense attorney Gibson reluctantly represents a bigtime TV producer charged with possession of child pornography and Kara works for a private concierge service, getting the wealthy what they want (no minors, no violence). Then a missing woman connects the three, turning their lives upside down. For fans of: gritty neo-noir novels with well-crafted dialogue.
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| The Shock of the Light by Lori Inglis HallWorld War II separates tight-knit twins Theo and Tessa when he joins the Royal Air Force and French-speaking Tessa trains as an operative for the Special Operations Executive. Afterwards, wounded Theo hides his homosexuality as it's illegal, mourns war casualties, and wonders about his still-missing sister. Decades later, PhD candidate Edie researches women in the SOE, leading her and Theo to team up and investigate what happened to Tessa. Try this next: Lucy Caldwell's These Days.
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| A Good Person by Kirsten KingAfter casting a drunken hex on her ex, Lillian is horrified when he turns up dead -- and not only does she learn he had another romantic partner, but Lillian becomes a prime suspect. Determined to prove she’s the “real” grieving girlfriend, she spirals into obsession, denial, and chaos in this darkly funny, twisty debut about narcissism, loneliness, and self-delusion.
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| My Grandfather, the Master Detective by Masateru KonishiKaede, a 27-year-old teacher and crime novel reader, often uncovers puzzling events as she goes about her day. With her beloved grandfather, a former member of a mystery club whose Lewy body dementia hasn't affected his armchair crime-solving skills, she explores six mysteries, including a locked room murder and a missing persons case. For fans of: novels that reference classic mysteries; cozy Japanese stories.
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| The Fortune Flip by Lauren Kung JessenSeeking reassurance from a fortune teller, unlucky data analyst Hazel Yen has a run-in (literally) with Logan Wells, a perpetually lucky carpenter with whom she shares a kiss -- and a winning lottery ticket. When they cash in their winnings, their fortunes flip. As they work together to change Logan's (now bad) luck, they find themselves learning more about themselves -- and each other. For fans of: One & Only by Maurene Goo.
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| The Complex by Karan MahajanIn late 20th-century India, a prominent Delhi family inhabit an apartment complex built after Indian independence by their famous politician ancestor. Arguments, affairs, and assaults occur as a young couple return from the United States and an uncle's political star rises. Also, as readers know from the start, one family member murders another. "Beautiful and unforgettable...masterly," raves Kirkus Reviews. For fans of: character-driven stories with messy families and multiple narrators.
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| The Bridge Back to You by Riss M. NeilsonWhen Carmello Rodriguez inherits 75% of Celia's Place, his late mother's Filipino restaurant, he's surprised to discover that his ex-girlfriend, Olivia Jones, has inherited the other 25%. Both professional chefs, Carmello and Olivia themselves reconnecting while co-running Celia's Place -- but will they be able to mend their past hurts? "Perfect for readers seeking emotional depth with culinary heart" (Library Journal). Try this next: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan.
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| The Survivor by Andrew ReidAfter being fired on his first day, Ben Cross boards a New York City subway and becomes the target of a killer who taunts him with secrets from Ben's past. As bodies fall, disgraced detective Kelly Hendricks races to stop the threat in this tense, fast-paced thriller packed with twists and claustrophobic suspense.
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| World's Edge by James SallisThe United States of the future has fragmented into provinces, often warring and filled with disenfranchised people struggling day-to-day. In these five linked stories, readers follow the lives of the individuals caught up in the chaos and disarray that comes with a fractured civilization trying to rebuild. For fans of: suspenseful and tentatively hopeful stories of apocalyptic survival such as Scattered All Over the Earth by Yoko Tawada and Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling.
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| Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die by Greer StothersSir Cameron, a handsome but cowardly knight, teams up with the reclusive and short-tempered sorcerer Merulo when a prophecy ties them together and puts Cameron in immediate peril. As Merulo's ambitious plans come closer to fruition, Cameron realizes he may be more drawn to the sorcerer than previously planned. This "ambitious and decidedly weird" (Library Journal) debut combines fantasy cliché deconstructions with thoughtful explorations of queer self-discovery and autonomy. |
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| This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History by Beverly GagePulitzer Prize-winning historian Beverly Gage's engaging travelogue surveys 250 years of American history via visits to 13 places that have shaped the country, from Independence Hall to Disneyland and everything in between. Try this next: American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed by Isaac Fitzgerald.
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| London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden KeefeIn his richly detailed latest, award-winning journalist Patrick Radden Keefe (Say Nothing) chronicles the shocking death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler in 2019 London, revealing how Brettler's secret life posing as the son of a Russian oligarch spurred his involvement in the city's seedy underworld. For fans of: Blood Will Out: The True Story of a Murder, a Mystery, and a Masquerade by Walter Kirn. |
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| Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age by Ibram X. KendiNational Book Award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi's (Stamped from the Beginning) thought-provoking latest details the origins and evolution of the great replacement theory -- the far-right conspiracy that claims white European people are deliberately being replaced by non-white immigrants -- examining how leading politicians in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, and more openly propagate these views. Further reading: The Great White Hoax: Two Centuries of Selling Racism in America by Philip Kadish. |
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| 102 by Matthew CordellSick with a fever of 102, young George goes on a surreal, imaginary adventure in a miniature world. Meticulously cross-hatched ballpoint pen illustrations from Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell provide texture and atmosphere, as well as a wealth of details that reward close reading. For fans of: David Wiesner, Chris Van Allsburg, and Henry Cole. |
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| The Escape Game by Marissa MeyerDespite the fact that a contestant died on the fourth season of reality show The Escape Game, ruthless producers have greenlit a fifth season. Sierra joins the cast to solve high-stakes escape rooms...and find out who murdered her sister. Fans of puzzle-filled mysteries will devour this exhilarating thriller. |
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| Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick NessThe New World is threatened by an epidemic of nightmares and giant flaming gods. Many people blame the planet’s indigenous humanoids, but teen brothers Ben and Max seek the truth. This thought-provoking dystopian novel takes place twenty years after the events of author Patrick Ness’ popular Chaos Walking trilogy. |
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| A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic: Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm by Philip C. SteadAfter her friend Perseverance the turtle is imprisoned, goatkeeper Bernadette sets out on a rescue mission, aided by a memory-impaired magician and a Boat That Does Not Grant Wishes. This illustrated fantasy -- in which the chapters are out of order and the author can't control the characters -- is witty, whimsical, and hilariously weird. Read-alikes: Matt Phelan's Knights vs. Dinosaurs; Kate DiCamillo's The Beatryce Prophecy. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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