Fantasy

New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

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There are many exciting new book releases coming and you don’t want to miss it…

THE MAID’S SECRET

Head maid Molly Gray’s discovery of a priceless artifact sparks a media frenzy, a daring heist, and revelations from her grandmother’s hidden diary, intertwining a present-day mystery with a long-lost tale of forbidden love and family secrets.

THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits, a deeply moving novel set against the glitz and chaos of early 2000s pop stardom. Equal parts heartfelt family saga and behind-the-scenes look at fame, this is a story about sisters, secrets, and the power of second chances.

HAPPY LAND

When Nikki visits her estranged grandmother in North Carolina, she uncovers a hidden legacy tied to a forgotten kingdom of freed people, unraveling her family’s secrets and her own identity while fighting to protect their endangered heritage.

FLIRTING LESSONS

When shy, newly single Avery enlists flirty heartbreaker Taylor for flirting lessons, their playful arrangement ignites undeniable chemistry, forcing both women to confront their feelings and risk everything for the chance at something real.

THE CAT WHO SAVED THE LIBRARY

The long-awaited sequel to the #1 international bestseller The Cat Who Saved Books—an uplifting tale from Japan about a talking cat, a book-loving girl and the power of books to make a difference in the world.

THE BOOK THAT HELD HER HEART

As an infinite library teeters on destruction, Livira must mend fragile bonds with Evar and reunite scattered allies across time and space to confront an unresolvable conflict threatening the very fabric of existence.

COLD ETERNITY

Cold Eternity is the newest action-packed space horror from S.A. Barnes perfect for fans of Severance, where desperation for eternal life leads to a fate worse than death… Halley is on the run from an interplanetary political scandal that has put a huge target on her back. She heads for what seems like the perfect place to lay low: a gigantic space barge storing the cryogenically frozen bodies of Earth’s most fortunate citizens from more than a century ago…

~Semanur

New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

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There are tons of new releases that come to our shelves every week. Here are some books we picked out for you!

THE WRITER

When the husband of bestselling true-crime author Denise Morrow is found dead in their luxury apartment, NYPD Detective Declan Shaw must unravel whether she is a target, a victim, or the mastermind behind a chilling plot.

BEACH VIBES

Beth’s idyllic life running her Malibu beach shop unravels when she discovers her brother’s infidelity and must make a moral decision threatening her newfound happiness and forcing her to choose between love and loyalty.

THE SUMMER GUESTS

In Purity, Maine, former spy Maggie Bird and her Martini Club of ex-CIA operatives are drawn into the search for a missing teen with ties to their past, as they confront an innocent friend’s wrongful suspicion, a buried corpse, and dark secrets that threaten to unravel everything they’ve worked to protect.

THE PARIS EXPRESS

Set on a fateful 1895 train journey to Paris, a diverse group of passengers-including politicians, a medical student, an inventor, and an anarchist-navigate personal ambitions and hidden motives, culminating in a disaster that forever changes their lives.

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND

In 1952, illustrator Clara Harrington travels to London with her daughter Wynnie to investigate a discovery linked to her vanished mother, a famed author, uncovering long-buried truths amid the chaos of the Great Smog and a remote Lake District retreat.

EVERYTHING IS TUBERCULOSIS

An award-winning bestselling author explores of tuberculosis’s historical and social impact, highlighting global healthcare inequities, personal stories like a young patient in Sierra Leone and the urgent need for action against this preventable yet deadly disease.

THE LOVE WE FOUND

Ten years after Gabe’s disappearance, Lucy follows a clue to Rome, uncovering secrets about his past while meeting Dax Amstrong, whose connection challenges her to confront her lingering grief, the truth about her son’s father, and the possibility of moving forward.

A MAP TO PARADISE

Blacklisted actress Melanie Cole and her maid, Eva, form an unlikely alliance to uncover the mystery surrounding their agoraphobic neighbor’s disappearance, leading them to a surprising discovery about themselves and their shared past.

THE BUFFALO HUNTER

In 1912, a Lutheran pastor documents the chilling confessions of Good Stab, a Blackfeet vampire seeking justice for a historical massacre, intertwining themes of revenge, survival and haunting truths on the Blackfeet reservation.

~Semanur

New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

semanurLeave a comment

There are many exciting new book releases coming and you don’t want to miss it…

THE OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER

Paul Brightman, a former Wall Street star hiding in a New England town with a bounty on his head, is forced to flee into the New Hampshire wilderness as he unravels a conspiracy involving Russian operatives and government agencies after falling in love with Tatyana, the daughter of a powerful oligarch.

ORDER OF SWANS

Kaley Adams travels to friend Jobi’s island home, but she awakens on the plane in the birthplace of fairytales, and when the king asks Kaley to find the prince, she must rely on fairytale knowledge and her handsome guide to survive this new world.

THE CRASH

Eight months pregnant and abandoned by her baby’s father, Tegan embarks on a desperate journey to her brother’s house during a storm, only to crash and find herself at the mercy of a remote couple with potentially sinister intentions.

BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT

Detective King Oliver fulfills his grandmother’s dying wish to reunite with his estranged father while also protecting a missing woman and her daughter from a powerful billionaire, in the third novel of the series following Every Man a King.

GOOD DIRT

Ebby Freeman’s life unravels when her brother is killed and a centuries-old family heirloom is shattered but years later, while fleeing a public breakup, she uncovers how that lost, shattered jar may hold secrets to her future.

ABDUCTION OF A SLAVE

In ancient Egypt, Tetisheri, Cleopatra’s trusted agent, is sent to Cyrenaica to investigate a communication breakdown involving her uncle, a master trader. As she navigates a landscape filled with spies and hidden agendas, Tetisheri uncovers a web of intrigue linked to impending war and a local murder mystery.

JOHNNY CARELESS

Burnout from a heartbreaking NYPD case leads Jeep Mullane back to Long Island’s North Shore to head a small department, and when wealthy childhood friend Johnny Chambliss is found dead, Jeep must face Johnny’s wealthy family, enigmatic ex-wife, and decades-old secrets to untangle the mystery.

PENITENCE

When a shocking murder occurs in the home of Angie and David Sheehan, their lives are shattered; and, desperate to defend their family, they turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont for help.

~Semanur

New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

semanurLeave a comment

There are many exciting new book releases coming and you don’t want to miss it…

LAWBREAKER

Tony Garza has been Odalie Everett’s nemesis since the day they met. Once a New Jersey crime boss, Tony now owns an art gallery in New York, where he spends most of his time delegating his shadier business to subordinates. Odalie is a professional singer whose lifelong dream is to perform at the Met. She never expected to run into the heartbreaker from her past when she rents a small house near Tony’s Manhattan apartment while taking voice lessons.

DEFINITELY BETTER NOW

A touching and deeply funny debut about starting over sober only to discover life’s biggest messes are still waiting right where you left them.

The very last person anyone should worry about is Emma. Yes, hi, she’s an alcoholic. But she’s officially been sober for one entire year. That’s twelve months of better health. Fifty-two whole weeks of focusing on nothing but her nine-to-five office job, group meetings, and avoiding the kind of bad decisions that previously left her awash in shame and regret. It’s also been 365 days of not dating. And with her new dating profile, Emma, 26, of New York is ready to put herself back out there.

NORTH IS THE NIGHT

In the Finnish wilderness, more than wolves roam the dark forests. For Siiri and Aina, summer’s fading light is a harbinger of unwelcome change. Land-hungry Swedes venture north, threatening the peace; a zealous Christian priest denounces the old ways; and young women have begun to disappear.

BLACK GIRLS BREATHING

As a Black woman, Jasmine Marie knows the impact that intergenerational trauma and systemic racism have had—and continue to have—on her community. Those experiences, along with her own journey through chronic stress, are why she created black girls breathing®, a movement dedicated to helping Black women understand the power of the mind‑body connection and its impact on their holistic health, one breath at a time.

FODOR’S ESSENTIAL SPAIN 2025

Whether you want to explore the Alhambra, marvel at La Sagrada Familia, or enjoy tapas, wine, and flamenco, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Spain are here to help! Fodor’s Essential Spain guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time.

INVISIBLE HELIX 

Detective Galileo, Keigo Higashino’s best loved character from The Devotion of Suspect X, returns in a case where hidden history, an impossible crime, are linked by nearly invisible threads in surprising ways. The body of a young man is found floating in Tokyo Bay. But his death was no accident – Ryota Uetsuji was shot.

~Semanur

Taylor’s Top Ten Reads of 2024

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A peek into the books I’ve been reading this year and a few that I dip into every year! I expanded my horizons this year genre-wise and although I’d have a critique for each, they were all thoroughly enjoyable. Here you’ll find lightly spooky, lightly fantasy, heavy on love, and the I’ve-got-a-sweet-tooth kind of reads. Each title is linked to the catalog where you can put a hold on the book, ebook, or even audiobook. Happy Reading!

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
If you’re in need of a little escapism, this romance set amongst an ancient forest with fae will sweep you away with the fantastical story telling of Emily Tesh.

Drowned Country by Emily Tesh
Oh, look! Silver in the Wood is a duology! Enjoy!

Fairy Tale by Stephen King
If you’ve never read a Stephen King novel (like me before this book) I double dare you to read it before reading a summary. I’ve been told if you have read Stephen King you may find this a little out of the ordinary for his writing. Knowing that King rules the horror genre this book keeps you wondering when the other shoe will drop… or will it?

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
A wintery, claustrophobic murder mystery perfect for your next snow day read.

Gallant by V.E. Schwab
Be sure to check out the physical copy of this beautifully haunting YA book, the illustrations really drive home the spooky atmosphere of this story.

The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Maybe it was my love of Bridgerton, maybe it was growing up reading and being enamored with the adventurous spirit of the “Bloody Jack” series that had me consuming this book and it’s subsequent novels in a matter of no time.

An American in Scotland by Lucy Connelly
My first ever cozy mystery read! Set in a small idyllic town in Scotland, a widowed American becomes the towns new doctor and is immediately faced and accused of murder. She finds friendship, foes, and not so much help from the constable (who is obviously in love with her…maybe?) along the way to solving the mystery. If you love it, this book is also the first of a series.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
A story set in 1950s San Fransisco, it portrays the life and story of Lily Hu, a seventeen year old Chinese American finding who she is and where she belongs – in a time when being exactly who she is was met with hate and disapproval. This book will break your heart and lift you up, prepare for an emotional rollercoaster.

The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair
A book you can dive into over and over again. In its pages you’ll find delightful descriptions and origin stories of the colors we see everyday, and some we don’t.

Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Tis the season to be baking, so I figured I’d share my favorite cookie recipe book that I refer to each year during the holiday season.

Stacey’s Selected Titles -2024 edition

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Are you as exhausted by 2024 as I am? How about a book to help soothe the soul, or make you laugh, or give you a reason to read more on a topic? Here are twenty options that made my list (and more available upon request- heh heh!):

Actual Facts (aka Nonfiction)
The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl
This is a beautifully crafted book, both the art work and the sharing of the author’s life experience in monthly chapters. If you’re looking for a gift for a nature loving friend -this might be worth checking out.

Generations by Jean Twenge
This book plus The Coddling of the American Mind have answered a lot of questions for me I didn’t know I had.

Something Cozy
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
Short in length, long on happiness impact. Take an afternoon and enjoy!

A New Lease On Death by Olivia Blacke
Looking for a cozy mystery? Here you go!

How to Age Disgracefully by Claire Pooley
Zesty characters and a cute dog. Do I need to say more?

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
Welcome back to Patrick O’Hara -everyone’s favorite Guncle!

Something a Little Different
Tilda is Visible by Jane Tara
What if you felt invisible because you’re a woman who’s getting older, and then your physical body actually started disappearing? And the medical community even had a name for the phenomenon?!

The Voyage of the Damned  by Frances White
If you’re willing to read a fantasy book in which charming characters have magical gifts, this is also a locked room mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

The Failures by Benjamin Liar
A chonky science fiction story with multiple storylines that come together in a pretty satisfying way to end the first in a trilogy.

After Annie by Anna Quindlen
When Annie unexpectedly passes away, we are given the opportunity to know her better through the lives she touched.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Margo is used to people thinking she makes bad choices, the current bad choice would be sleeping with her married college professor. When she discovers she’s pregnant and decides to keep the baby, Margo feels overwhelmed and determined to succeed.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
When a woman on a plane starts predicting when and how other passengers will die, the first response was to brush it off. After the first prediction comes true, the rest of the group begins to bond and a search begins to find the mysterious lady.

Something a Little Dark
Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond
First in a new series, this is another short in length but long on impact book. You’ll be amazed at the world building the author is able to accomplish in only 167 pages!

The Haters by Robyn Harding
Camryn Hart went from celebrating her first published book to trying to figure out who’s making damaging false accusations about her online. The longer the attacks go on, the less trust Camryn has in the people surrounding her. What a wild ride!

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
Creepy, creepy, creepy… So good!

Something Old (aka Historical)
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate 
Set in Oklahoma, with storylines in 1909 and 1990s, this book is filled with young women fighting for survival and for acceptance.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
I had no idea who Martha Ballard was before reading this book and now I know why her legend lives on. Fascinating details on midwifery and all the additional jobs that were attached to that title.

The Mesmerist by Caroline Woods
Using some factual happenings and some fictional characters, this is another story of women fighting to have control over their own lives.

The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore
Just when you think there’s nothing new to learn about World War II, you read a book like this. Also, I’m a little sorry I didn’t pay more attention in my Macro Economics course…

Hopefully one of these books is just what you were looking for, and I’m *always* interested in hearing what you thought after reading! []~(￣▽￣)~*

Enjoy! 
Stacey

Linnea’s Top Ten

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I whittled down my favorite reads of the year to present to you Linnea’s Top Ten Books of 2024! (In no particular order.)  

Each title will link to the catalog to find the physical, ebook, and audiobook copies. 

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley 

Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout by Laura Jane Grace 

The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore 

Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin 

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 

There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib 

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin 

Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook 

Death Valley by Melissa Broder 

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride 

Happy reading!

-Linnea

New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

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Here some of the new exciting releases for you to take a look at this week!

THE GREY WOLF

A missing coat, an intruder alarm, a note for Chief Inspector Gamache reading “this might interest you,” a puzzling scrap of paper with a mysterious list, and then a murder all propel Gamache and his team toward a terrible realization: something much more sinister than any one murder or any one case is fast approaching.

THE BLUE HOUR

On an isolated Scottish island, a present-day discovery intimately connects three people and unveils a web of secrets and lies. By the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Girl on the Train.

MY THREE DOGS

A new novel from the #1 bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose looks features humankind’s best, most loyal friends, and a wonderful adventure of love and finding home.

THIS MOTHERLESS LAND

From the acclaimed author of Wahala, comes a retelling of Mansfield Park, exploring identity, culture, race and love.

BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN

After achieving her dream of becoming the first female highmage, Sciona faces hostility from her colleagues and an unexpected alliance with her janitor, a former nomadic hunter, as they uncover a secret that could revolutionize magic. 

THE GIRL’S A KILLER

Cordelia is a serial killer who kills unscrupulous men, and she never had a problem with it, until she starts to become not so sure about the new man her best friend, Diane, is dating.

MY MEXICAN KITCHEN

An award-winning actor, director, producer and cookbook author, Eva’s genuine love for cooking and culinary-related history, along with her pride for her Mexican heritage, shine on every page of this meaningful and delectable cookbook.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE MOTHER

Populated by unforgettable, complex characters, a novel about three generations of strong-willed women shaped by the secrets buried in their family’s past is a portrait of family, marriage, ambition, power, the stories we inherit and the lies we tell to become the people we believe we’re meant to be.

~Semanur

New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

semanurLeave a comment

Here some of the new exciting releases for you to take a look at this week!

IN TOO DEEP

Waking up handcuffed in a dark hospital room with no memory, Reacher finds himself framed for a murder, setting the stage for an explosive reckoning, in the latest addition to the long-running series following The Secret.

KARLA’S CHOICE

George Smiley, John le Carré’s most famous spy, is drawn out of retirement in 1963 to investigate a missing man tied to a Russian defector, leading him back into the perilous world of espionage and his most cunning adversary’s secrets.

PATRIOT

A political freedom fighter who paid the ultimate price for his convictions recounts his political career, the many attempts on his life and the lives of the people closest to him and the relentless campaign he and his team waged against an increasingly dictatorial regime.

BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT

Seattle attorney Keera Duggan helps former childhood friend Jenna Bernstein, a disgraced biotech CEO accused of murdering her former partner, amidst rising doubts and circumstantial evidence in the second novel of the series following Her Deadly Game.

THE WOOD AT MIDWINTER

From an internationally bestselling and prize-winning author comes a short story set in the world of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.

EVERYONE THIS CHRISTMAS HAS A SECRET

A fan of mystery novels investigates a real-life murder when the benefactor of a world-famous magician turns up dead in the days leading up to Christmas and all the suspects are masters of illusion and misdirection.

DREAMING OF AUTUMN SKIES

Caroline, living with her domineering grandfather, embarks on a determined campaign to reclaim her power and independence, vowing to overcome her past suffering in the third novel of the series following Chasing Endless Summer.

~Semanur

New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

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Here are some of the new books coming to our shelves this week for you to add to your book list!

WE SOLVE MURDERS

Investigator Steve Wheeler comes out of retirement when his daughter-in-law, Amy, needs help finding out who left a dead body on a remote island with a huge bag of money.

THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM

As Nora and her estranged brother Sam form an uneasy alliance to unravel the mystery of their father’s death, they start putting together the pieces of their father’s past and uncover a family secret that changes everything.

GOOD LOOKIN’ COOKING’

Music legend Dolly Parton and her sister Rachel share their prized dishes and family stories in recipes sorted by months of the year including Barbecue Spare Ribs, Slaw of Many Colors, Watermelon Fruit Salad, Mac and Cheese and Strawberry Shortcake.

CONNIE

In this witty and definitive memoir, the trailblazing journalist recounts her groundbreaking career as the first Asian woman in U.S. television news, detailing her experiences with sexism, her major stories and her behind-the-scenes challenges and triumphs.

A SONG OF ASH AND MOONLIGHT

After the curse destroying their families finally breaks, Farrin and Ryder must put aside their hate and work together as the old gods of Middlemist awaken, in the second book of the trilogy following A Crown of Ivy and Glass.

A DARK AND DROWNING TIDE

A folklorist embarks on an expedition with six eccentric nobles to find a fabled spring and must figure out who murdered her beloved mentor at the start of their trip before they have a chance to strike again.

~Semanur