New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

semanurLeave a comment

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

The Awakening  by Nora Roberts – An anxious young woman mired in student debt and working a hated job uses hidden funds to visit Ireland, where she uncovers truths about vivid dreams compelling her to embrace her destiny in a fantastical alternate world.

Dark Tides by Philippa Gregory – A sequel to Tidelands finds 17th-century London warehouse owner Alinor reuniting with a man from her past while reaching out to her brother in war-torn New England for proof of her son’s survival.

Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce – A teacher and her unlikely assistant leave post-World War II London to search for a rare insect that may not exist, discovering the transformative power of friendship along the way. By the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline – A 1980s cultural assessment of the fantastical future of online behavior continues the story that began in the internationally best-selling futuristic novel, Ready Player One, that inspired a blockbuster Steven Spielberg film. Movie tie-in.

War Lord by Bernard Cornwell – A latest entry in the best-selling series behind Netflix’s The Last Kingdom continues the history-based epic story of fan-favorite character Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his adventures in the turbulent early years of England.

Deadly Cross by James Patterson – Investigating the assassination of the vice president’s wife, Detective Alex Cross and FBI Special Agent Ned Mahoney travel to Alabama to uncover clues from the victim’s early life. By the best-selling author of Criss Cross.

The Diplomat’s Wife by Pam Jenoff – Surviving a Nazi concentration camp before her child’s father dies in a plane crash, Marta marries a kind diplomat only to have her fleeting happiness sabotaged by the activities of a communist mole in British intelligence.

How to Raise an Elephant by Alexander McCall Smith – Precious Ramotswe and the rest of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency must come together to raise a small elephant, in this two-ton case that employs Precious’s maternal instincts.

Murder in Season by Jessica Fletcher – Supervising community holiday activities in Cabot Cove, Jessica Fletcher discovers two sets of bones, one recent and one ancient, before a tabloid reporter’s theories lead to a third death and revelations about a long-unsolved community mystery.

Slanted: How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism  by Sharyl Attkisson – The five-time Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and best-selling author of Stonewalled draws on insider accounts to detail how partisan bias, corporate interests and popular narratives are compromising journalistic integrity in today’s newsrooms.

Stuff You Should Know: An Incomplete Compendium of Mostly Interesting Things  by Josh Clark/ Chuck Bryant – From the duo behind the massively successful and award-winning podcast Stuff You Should Know comes an unexpected look at things you thought you knew.

Saving Freedom: Truman, the Cold War, and the Fight for Western Civilization  by Joe Scarborough – The host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe examines the 33rd President’s diplomatic and military strategies to support democracy, chronicling the passage of the “Truman Doctrine” policy of containment and its ongoing role in international affairs.

~Semanur~

Reconnect@RRPL

carolLeave a comment

If you are looking for a smart and funny mystery, put The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman on your to-read list.

This delightful story takes place in the peaceful town of Kent, England, where four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room at Coopers Chase, their retirement village, to keep their “grey cells” working. Elizabeth, Ibrahim, Joyce and Ron are members of The Thursday Murder Club, a group of septuagenarians who meet not for book club or bridge, but to pore over old cold crime case files to see if they can solve them.

It’s like Christmas for these four when the developer of their very own senior complex is found murdered, and they set out to catch the killer. The club uses their years of experience and diverse backgrounds to start digging for clues, and with their powers of persuasion and perfected coffee cake recipes, they also manage to cleverly rope a new young local policewoman into revealing key facts to them about the ongoing investigation. Will this unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before he or she strikes again? You’ll have to read this complex, intelligent and engaging mystery to find out.

With a cast of diverse characters, tight plotting, and plenty of red herrings, The Thursday Murder Club is a laugh-out-loud cozy mystery that has already made it on my “favorite reads” list this year. Check it out today! -Carol

Virtual Book Club – All About Thanksgiving

ShannonLeave a comment

While we may not be able to have the Thanksgiving we planned on this year, we can still celebrate the holiday by reading. We’ve curated a list of books about or set during Thanksgiving, and even a cookbook to give you that turkey and stuffing feeling.

However, we do want to mention that while Thanksgiving for most people is a holiday of family and togetherness, we are also including books on the troubled history of the holiday and what it means for the indigenous peoples of the United States. The holiday cannot be separated from its less-than-stellar history, and we want to acknowledge that.

Click any of the book covers below to be taken to our catalog, where you can request a copy of the book with your library card number and PIN. We’ve also included links to our e-media services Overdrive and Hoopla where available. 

We Gather Together by Denise Kiernan catalog link

We Gather Together: A Nation Divided, a President in Turmoil, and a Historic Campaign to Embrace Gratitude and Grace by Denise Kiernan

Well-reviewed and timely, this new book tells the true story of one woman’s campaign to have an annual holiday of thanks added to the national calendar. Kiernan also chronicles the struggles of indigenous peoples, women’s rights activists, and abolitionists intertwined with the holiday.

We Gather Together Overdrive link

This Land is Their Land catalog link

This Land is Their Land : the Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving by David J. Silverman

Another book of history, this book tells the true story of Thanksgiving – not the sanitized tale that we were taught in elementary school. This is a book that forces the reader to reflect on the history of colonialism that was used to found this country, and to understand that impact today.


The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler catalog link

The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler

Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, this bestselling book was adapted into an Oscar-winning movie. Meet Macon, a grief-stricken travel writer who hates travelling, and Muriel, a dog trainer who tries to teach him to be human again in this beautiful and heartbreaking love story.

The Accidental Tourist Overdrive link

Turkey Trot Murder by Leslie Meier catalog link

Turkey Trot Murder by Leslie Meier

For the cozy mystery lover in all of us, try this Thanksgiving-themed murder mystery. Lucy Stone is the intrepid amateur investigator of all the murders that happen in the small town of Tinker’s Cove, and when she finds a woman dead in a local pond, she must find the killer before the turkey gets cold.

Turkey Trot Murder Overdrive link

Turkey Trot Murder Hoopla link

Thanksgiving : How to Cook It Well by Sam Sifton catalog link

Thanksgiving : How to Cook It Well by Sam Sifton 

Lastly, we’ve got a cookbook on how to cook the traditional Thanksgiving meal – turkey and all the trimmings. Don’t look for innovation here, but if you want to perfect your turkey technique, check out this quintessential Thanksgiving tome.

Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well Overdrive link



We’ll see you on the other side of Thanksgiving – until next time!

Reconnect@RRPL

EmmaLeave a comment

Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce

What a fun book! At the age of 10 in 1914, Margery Benson’s father introduces her to the “mythical” golden beetle of New Caledonia, an island in the South Pacific. She is determined one day to find specimens for the Natural History Museum in London. Margery does not give up her quest and in 1950 decides to take the expedition. She needs adequate funds, equipment, and an assistant. Her assistant, Enid Pretty, is an energetic young counterpart to Margery and they have little in common. Also Enid is hiding something in her red valise that no one can touch.

Enid’s outgoing nonstop personality is good for Margery, and Margery’s solid well thought-out plans are good for Enid. As the weeks go by family histories and secrets are revealed. Eventually the two women become friends sharing the ups and the downs on the expedition.

I thoroughly recommend this novel. It will make my list of top ten for the year.

~ Emma

Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer Review

MeganLeave a comment

Departing from her usual science fiction and fantasy offerings, Marissa Meyer has released her first YA contemporary romance with a hint of magical realism and it is delightful.

Prudence Barnett is the stereotypical overachiever. She’s judgmental and difficult to like at times, especially when she’s lashing out at her horrible lab partner, Quint Erickson, the well-liked slacker who is dragging her and her final grade down. After an accidental head injury, Pru discovers she has the ability to bestow instant karma on those around her. The only problem is that Quint seems immune to her new power, much to her dismay. She and Quint have been given a second chance to improve their grade, but he continues to frustrate her.

Things aren’t all fluff, teen angst, and typical romance tropes. The story has real meat to it as both teens deal with family issues. Pru is also forced to confront her own assumptions about her friends and classmates and make some tough decisions regarding how to use her unusual gift. Throw in some environmentalism, an aquatic animal rescue, and some karaoke, and you have fun, refreshing, and thoughtful cautionary tale. The queen of retellings has struck gold with this one.

As the weather grows colder and the days get shorter, treat yourself to this sunny beach read. You won’t regret it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book.

~Megan

New Books Tuesday @ RRPL

semanurLeave a comment

In this week’s special picks there are new exciting adventure, mystery, suspense, and many more genres for you to choose from! Enjoy!

Hot to Trot by M. C. Beaton & R. W. Greene – Jealously investigating an ex’s intended, Agatha Raisin crashes the wedding only to become implicated in the bride’s murder, a situation that immerses Agatha in the cutthroat equestrian world. 

The Short, the Long and the Tall: Short Stories by Jeffrey Archer – Illustrated renderings of 20 top-selected short stories by the award-winning author of the Clifton Chronicles are complemented by a short parable about how war pointlessly puts good people in the crossfire of their leaders’ ambitions.

No Time Like the Future by Michael J. Fox – The award-winning actor shares personal stories and observations about illness and health, aging, the strength of family and friends, and how our perceptions about time affect the way we approach mortality.

The Orchard by David Hopen – Reinventing himself upon moving to a glitzy Miami suburb, a student at an Orthodox Jewish academy is welcomed into a circle of popular students whose faith is unconventionally tested by their charismatic rabbi.

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson – Technological discoveries and an edict-violating arms race enmesh Dalinar Kholin and his knights in a conflict that reveals secrets about the original source of Radiant strength. By the Hugo Award-winning author of Oathbringer.

All That Glitters by Danielle Steel – When her life of privilege is upended by a terrorist attack that ends her parents’ lives, a college senior struggles to rebuild on her own terms, learning uplifting and heartbreaking life lessons throughout a series of relationships and opportunities.

Daylight by David Baldacci – When her search for her sister clashes with one of John Puller’s high-stakes investigations, FBI agent Atlee Pine confronts traumatizing forces in the world of organized crime. By the best-selling author of A Minute to Midnight.

Murder of Innocence by James Patterson – A latest series entry published in partnership with Discovery ID includes “Murder of Innocence,” in which a global effort captures a serial predator; and “A Murderous Affair,” in which a rookie FBI agent is set up by his informant. 

Piece of My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke – A high-suspense follow-up to the best-selling You Don’t Own Me finds the nuptials of television producer Laurie Moran and investigative host Alex Buckley nightmarishly upended by the sudden disappearance of Alex’s 7-year-old nephew. 

Tom Clancy Shadow of the Dragon by Marc Cameron – When a high-level mole infiltrates American Intelligence, President Jack Ryan dispatches John Clark and the Campus team to track down a missing scientist who holds critical aerospace and naval technology. By the award-winning author of the Jericho Quinn series.

The Burning God by R. F. Kuang – A trilogy conclusion finds an abandoned Rin returning to her home village, where with the Southern Army and millions of dedicated supporters she prepares for an ultimate battle against the Dragon Republic and other anti-shamanic enemies.

The Killer’s Shadow by John E. Douglas / Mark Olshaker – A legendary FBI criminal profiler and international best-selling author of Mindhunter returns with a book that goes to the heart of extremism and domestic terrorism, examining in-depth his chilling pursuit of, and eventual prison confrontation with Joseph Paul Franklin, a White Nationalist serial killer.

~Semanur

Reconnect@RRPL

carolLeave a comment

In need of a pick-me-up? Pick up What You Wish for by Katherine Center!

In this novel, Samantha Casey is a school librarian in Galveston, Texas who loves her job and brings joy to all she does. But she wasn’t always that way. At her last school in California, Samantha was quiet, less confident and secretly in love with a enigmatic teacher who didn’t know she existed. Because she couldn’t be with this man, Samantha felt as though she needed to leave in order to change– she did, and she didn’t look back.

When the beloved principal at her Texas school dies, Samantha learns that his replacement will be Duncan Carpenter, the very same man she worked with (and loved from afar at her last school)! Samantha knows this former teacher-turned-principal will be perfect for the job. After all, this was “the guy,” her old crush, whose own wacky outlook, positive energy and love of life and teaching inspired her transformation into a more outgoing person.

But when Duncan arrives on the scene, he is nothing like the man Samantha remembers. He is no longer carefree, fun, or full of laughter. Instead, he is now a suit-and-tie wearing, rule-enforcing, scowling stick-in-the-mud who seems eager to change everything good about the school and destroy its legacy. Is it Samantha’s turn now to help Duncan rediscover who he really is, and teach him to take chances in life and love?

Pick up What You Wish For if you are in the mood for a light romance, but know that it also has some real substance to it. The engaging characters in this novel experience difficult situations and show personal growth, even as the book’s witty dialogue speeds the story along to its ultimately happy ending. Sounds like the perfect read to me. –Carol