Category: AdultsReadOn

Closed Circle Mysteries

Closed circle mysteries is a mystery in which the murder/crime’s circumstances limit the number of suspects- the criminal is one of the people present at or nearby the scene, and the crime could not have been committed by some outsider. The detective has to solve the crime, figuring out the criminal from this pool (circle) of suspects, rather than searching for a totally unknown perpetrator. 

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And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they’re unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion. 

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Book

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An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

A weekend retreat at a cozy mountain lodge is supposed to be the perfect getaway. But when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a blizzard cuts off the electricity–and all contact with the outside world–the guests settle in and try to make the best of it. Soon, though, one of the guests turns up dead–it looks like an accident. But when a second guest dies, they start to panic. Within the snowed-in paradise, something–or someone–is picking off the guests one by one. And there’s nothing they can do but hunker down and hope they can survive the storm–and one another. 

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena Book

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The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong. 

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Book

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The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

For the past ten years, a group of thirtysomething college friends take an annual vacation together. For this year’s vacation,  they’ve chosen an idyllic and isolated estate in the Scottish Highlands—the perfect place to get away and unwind by themselves. They arrive on December 30th, just before a historic blizzard seals the lodge off from the outside world. Two days later, on New Year’s Day, one of them is dead. 

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The Five Red Herrings by Dorothy L. Sayers

During a painting retreat, a killer takes a creative approach to the ancient art of murder… The majestic landscape of the Scottish coast has attracted artists and fishermen for centuries. Sandy Campbell’s body is found at the bottom of a steep hill while his art easel is at the top of the hill, suggesting he fell while painting. Campbell was a hated resident, and no one weeps when he dies. But “accidental” death doesn’t sit right with gentleman sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey. Which of Campell’s fellow retreaters killed him? 

The Five Red Herrings by Dorothy L. Sayers Book

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Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood

The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher, a 1920s London socialite living in Australia, is off for a week in Ballarat for a little vacation. However, the sedate journey by train turns out to be far from the restful trip she was planning. What was planned as a restful country sojourn turns into the stuff of nightmares: a young girl who can’t remember anything, rumors of slavery, and the body of an old woman missing her emerald rings. And Phryne is at the center, working through the clues to arrive at the incredible truth before another murder is committed. 

Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood Book

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The Last Guest by Tess Little

In this dark, cinematic suspense novel, a glamorous birthday dinner in the Hollywood Hills ends with the famous host, Richard Bryant, dead. In the weeks that follow, each of the eight guests come under suspicion: the school friend, the studio producer, the actress, the actor, the new partner, the manager, the cinematographer, and Richard’s ex-wife, Elspeth. What starts out as a locked-room mystery soon reveals itself to be much more complicated, as dark stories from Richard’s past surface, colliding with Elspeth’s memories of their marriage that she vowed never to revisit. 

The Last Guest by Tess Little Book

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Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie 

Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the famous Orient Express in its tracks as it travels through the mountainous Balkans. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year but, by the morning, it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Famous detective Hercule Poirot just happens to be on the train on vacation.  Isolated and with a killer on board, Poirot must identify the murderer—in case he or she decides to strike again. 

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Book

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They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall

Are you a fan of thrilling contemporary suspense? Seven strangers are invited to a luxurious private island. However, each is harboring a sinful secret. Accidents begin to befall the group as one by one, They All Fall Down

They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall Book

World War II

This curated booklist is filled with compelling titles set against the backdrop of World War II, transporting readers to a tumultuous era of history. These books promise a journey through evocative storytelling that captures the essence of the time, offering readers a window into the human experience during this pivotal period in history. 

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All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Marie-Laure, a young blind girl, lives with her devoted father in Paris, where he works as the master of locks at the Museum of Natural History. When the Nazis occupy Paris, Marie-Laure and her father flee to the walled city of St. Malo, where her uncle lives. Unbeknownst to Marie-Laure, her father brings a potentially valuable item with him.  

In a small town in Germany, a boy called Werner and his sister have endured life in an orphanage. Werner enjoys tinkering with radios, eventually becoming an expert at building and fixing them. His skills earn him a place at a Hitler Youth academy and a job tracking the resistance, which brings him to St. Malo, where he and Marie-Laure’s paths collide. 

All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Book

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The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larsen

Erik Larsen uses his incredible storytelling abilities to transport us back to wartime Britain. Winston Churchill faces the seemingly impossible task of holding Britain together during an intensive bombing campaign, while building up Britain’s air force and naval strength, thwarting Nazi invasions, and convincing President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Britain was a worthy ally. This riveting look at Churchill covers only one year of his term as Prime Minister, but gives an intimate glimpse into the workings of his war room, his private life, and his personality. 

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The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn

When a whale washes up on the beach of Dorset, Cristabel Seagrave, a twelve-year-old orphan, hatches an ingenious plan to build a theatre from the enormous ribcage. She enlists the help of her sister Flossie, her brother Digby, the maid Maudie Kitcat, and a traveling artist called Taras. This proves to be just what Cristabel needs to bring her imagination to life and escape the drudgery of her reality. When World War II begins, Cristabel and Digby are called upon to use their acting skills in circumstances with much higher stakes. 

The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn Book

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Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

There are many books about heroism in the Second World War, but not all are as astonishing as Beneath a Scarlet Sky. This book is based on the true story of Pino Lella, a young Italian man who, despite wanting nothing to do with the war, ends up using his exceptional climbing and skiing skills to help Italian Jews escape to Switzerland. After being forced to enlist as a soldier in the German army, he shows incredible courage by becoming a spy for the allies from inside the German High Command, risking his own life and everything dear to him.

Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan Book

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Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

The U.S. is at war, and Anna Kerrigan’s father has vanished. While working as a diver for the Navy, repairing ships, she meets her father’s former boss, Dexter Styles. She becomes involved with him and is plunged into the underground world of gangsters. Over time, she begins to understand what must have happened to her father, and what she must do. 

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan Book

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan eBook

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The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan

Hearts are breaking in the charming village of Chilbury, England. Sons and husbands are leaving to go to war, and on top of that, the vicar has announced that the choir will close until the men return. Singing is exactly what the ladies need to lift their spirits, so they set about forming their own choir. In doing so, they discover a way to forget their troubles and learn the true value of friendship. 

The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan Book

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Midnight in Broad Daylight by Pamela Rotner Sakamoto

This is the epic true account of a Japanese-American family that found itself on opposing sides during World War II. Three Brothers, Harry, Frank, and Peirce, who were born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, move back to their mother’s homeland of Japan. Harry ends up returning to the States, while his brothers remain there. When war breaks out, Harry is sent to an internment camp, but is released to fight for the U.S. army. Meanwhile, his brothers enlist in the Japanese Imperial Army. Alternating between the brothers’ perspectives, we witness the horror of the bombing of Hiroshima from both sides of the war. This heartbreaking story takes us on a rollercoaster of love, loss, and reconciliation. 

Midnight in Broad Daylight by Pamela Rotner Sakamoto Book

Just.One.Word.

Read a book with a one-word title! Whether you are in the mood for a memoir, a classic graphic novel, or a suspenseful thriller, pick it up. And. Read. It. Select from your to-read pile or choose from the following diverse suggestions. 

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Spare by Prince Harry

Yes, the holds lists are under control (mostly) so now is a good time to read this global bestselling memoir. Prince Harry provides an inside glimpse at life inside and outside British royalty. Honest and Entertaining.  

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Spare by Prince Harry Large Print

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Getaway by Zoje Stage

This psychological thriller centers on three women fighting for survival after a hiking trip down the Grand Canyon goes horribly wrong. As their supplies disappear, they realize they are not alone.  

Getaway by Zoje Stage Book

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Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

This short novella (first in a trilogy) introduces readers to the unique character of Binti, a student who chooses to attend a galaxy academy over the protests of her traditional and isolationist family. Winner of both the Hugo and Nebula awards. 

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor Book

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Pearl by Josh Malerman

How about some Horror? This is the frightening story of Pearl, a telepathic pig with the ability to control the minds of humans and drive them mad. Quirky, unique, and horrifying. 

Pearl by Josh Malerman Book

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Watchmen by Alan Moore

This is the graphic novel that basically redefined the entire comic genre. It offers an alternate history where mystery and conspiracy abound. When a group of superheroes are being threatened, who ya gonna call? Crimebusters

Watchmen by Alan Moore Book

Watchmen by Alan Moore eBook

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Beloved by Toni Morrison

If you prefer literary classics, this book is the winner of multiple awards including the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Dealing with slavery following the Civil War, this family story is haunting and brutal. 

Beloved by Toni Morrison Book

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Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Book one in the best-selling series, this is a time-travelling love story for the brave and adventurous. Strong and colorful characters in a beautiful Scottish setting, this series continues to gather fans  

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Book

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Becoming by Michelle Obama

This bestselling memoir from 2018 is not only a glimpse into the life of a young Michelle, but also a vulnerable look into the life of the First Ladybefore, during, and after the White House. Honest and personal.   

Becoming by Michelle Obama Book

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Becoming by Michelle Obama Large Print

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Dracula by Bram Stoker

I doubt this one-word title needs much introduction. Maybe it is time to re-visit this classic (or enjoy it for the first time!). A dark castle in a dark forest with a mysterious host…what could possibly go wrong? This is Vampire story-telling at its creepiest best.  

Dracula by Bram Stoker Book

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Beartown by Fredrik Backman (translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith)

This heart-tugging and relevant story will prove why Backman is so beloved worldwide. Beartown is a small town that loves hockey. But pressure to win the championship mounts while the community unravels with secrets, struggles, and decisions about telling the truth. Engaging, thought-provoking, and inspiring. 

Beartown by Fredrik Backman (translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith) Book

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Time Travel and Parallel Universes

If you’re the type that thinks about the ‘what ifs’, those moments where there was a fork in the road, then these books are for you. This is your chance to live vicariously through characters who get to explore alternate possibilities, live different lives and rewrite their history. 

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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Imagine the existence of a magical library filled with books containing not only your life story as it is, but every variation of the life you could have lived, if you had made different choices along your life’s journey. If you had the chance to live these alternate lives, would you? 

In The Midnight Library, Nora Seed, having reached rock bottom, has the opportunity to explore what might have been. In doing so, she must look within to discover what really makes life worth living. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Book

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig eBook

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig eAudiobook 

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Recursion by Blake Crouch

Can we trust our memories? NYC cop Barry Sutton is tasked with investigating a terrifying new phenomenon dubbed ‘False Memory Syndrome’, where people are being driven mad by memories of a life they never had. 

Meanwhile, Neuroscientist Helena Smith is developing groundbreaking technology to help preserve memories. Both Barry and Helena hold the key to deciphering this puzzle. Together they must join forces to confront their deepest fears to battle the evil that threatens to disrupt the very fabric of time. 

Recursion by Blake Crouch Book

Recursion by Blake Crouch CD Audiobook

Recursion by Blake Crouch eAudiobook

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The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

This fast-paced whodunnit will keep you guessing right up to the end.  

Aiden Bishop is trapped in his own Groundhog Day! Evelyn Hardcastle will die     every day until he can identify her killer and end the cycle. To complicate things further, every time the day begins again at Blackheath Manor, Aiden wakes up inhabiting the body of a different guest. Some of his hosts prove more helpful than others, and no one is quite what they seem…  

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The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel

A novel of time travel and love, Sea of Tranquility spans five hundred years and involves four different timelines: in 1918, Edwin St. Andrew, an exile of British polite society is travelling through Canada; in 2020, Mirella Kessler is searching Manhattan for her former friend, Vincent Alkatis Smith; in 2203, writer Olive Llewellyn is embarking on a book tour from her home on the second colony of the moon; and in 2401, detective Gaspery-Jacques Roberts is investigating an anomaly that links all four timelines and slowly reveals their interconnected stories. 

The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel Book

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This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

The world is dying when an agent of the Commandant finds a letter saying,Burn before reading, Signed Blue. So begins a correspondence between two rival agents in a war that spans the vastness of time and space. Now what started as a taunt, or a battlefield boast, turns into something more. Something dangerous. Something that could alter the past and the future. The discovery of their shared bond risks everything 

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone Book

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone eBook

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone eAudiobook

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The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley

Is it worth changing the past to save the future, even if it costs you everyone you’ve ever loved? 
 
Joe Tournier has amnesia. His first memory is of stepping off a train in England, a nineteenth-century French colony. The only clue Joe has about his identity is an old postcard of a Scottish lighthouse that arrives in London the same month he does. The postcard is signed with the letter “M,” but whomever wrote it seems to know him better than he knows himself, and he’s determined to find out who M is. The search for M will lead Joe from French-ruled London to rebel-owned Scotland, and then onto the battleships of the former Royal Navy. Swept out to sea, Joe will rewrite history, and discover himself.  

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley Book

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This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

If you could travel back to your youth, would you? 
 
Alice is about to turn forty. Life isn‘t awful. Although her job isn’t exactly right for her, she likes it. She‘s happy with most aspects of her life, but her dad is unwell, and it feels like something is missing. Astonishingly, she wakes up the next morning in 1996, reliving her sixteenth birthday. But the biggest shock is seeing her dad healthy and full of life again. Given this new perspective on her own life and his, events of the past take on new meaning. What could she change, and should she? 

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub Book

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub eAudiobook

Dark Academia

Embark on a literary journey that delves into the enigmatic realm of academia’s shadows and gothic literature. This curated booklist invites you to explore the haunting allure of the genre, where hallowed halls conceal secrets, mysteries, and the esoteric beauty of intellectual pursuits.

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The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality they slip gradually from obsession to corruption and betrayal, and at last—inexorably—into evil. 

The Secret History by Donna Tartt Book

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Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Hailsham, an idyllic English boarding school, nurtures its students in art and literature, shielding them from the outside world. Kathy, alongside friends Ruth and Tommy, only discovers the unsettling truth about Hailsham once they venture beyond its confines. Kazuo Ishiguro’s ‘Never Let Me Go’ defies literary conventions, seamlessly weaving a captivating mystery, a poignant love story, and a poignant critique of human arrogance, offering a powerful reflection on memory, the past, and our treatment of the vulnerable in society..

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Book

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro eAudiobook

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Alias Grace By Margaret Atwood

In 1843, Grace Marks is imprisoned for the brutal murders of her employer and his mistress. While some believe in her innocence, others deem her insane or malevolent. An emerging expert in mental illness endeavors to uncover the truth, blurring the line between Grace’s forgotten past and a potential pardon. Margaret Atwood’s “Alias Grace” is a gripping exploration of memory, crime, and the human psyche, showcasing the author’s formidable storytelling prowess.  

Alias Grace By Margaret Atwood Book

Alias Grace By Margaret Atwood eBook

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Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde’s sole novel follows a young man who trades his soul for eternal youth and beauty, leading to a haunting portrayal of the consequences of decadence in 19th-century England. As Dorian Gray descends into a life of debauchery, his portrait bears the grotesque marks of his sins, hidden from the world. This enduring tale of horror and suspense remains a pivotal work in Wilde’s canon and a classic of its genre.  

Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Book

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Babel by R.F. Kuang

In 1828, orphan Robin Swift is taken from Canton to London by enigmatic Professor Lovell. He undergoes rigorous training in language and magic at the Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel, center of global linguistic power. As Robin grapples with loyalties between his homeland and Britain, a pivotal decision awaits him amidst an impending conflict over silver and opium.  

Babel by R.F. Kuang Book

Babel by R.F. Kuang eBook

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The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

The year is 1327. Benedictines in a wealthy Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, and Brother William of Baskerville arrives to investigate. When his delicate mission is suddenly overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths, Brother William turns detective. His tools are the logic of Aristotle, the theology of Aquinas, the empirical insights of Roger Bacon—all sharpened to a glistening edge by wry humor and a ferocious curiosity. He collects evidence, deciphers secret symbols and coded manuscripts, and digs into the eerie labyrinth of the abbey, where “the most interesting things happen at night.” 

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco Book

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The Turn of The Screw by Henry James

In Henry James’ 1898 horror novella “The Turn of the Screw,” a young governess takes on her first job caring for two peculiar children, Miles and Flora, in a desolate estate haunted by malevolent forces. As sinister apparitions draw nearer, the governess realizes they seek to corrupt the children’s bodies and minds. To her dismay, she finds that Miles and Flora are strangely unafraid of the looming evil, desiring a connection with the supernatural just as eagerly.

The Turn of The Screw by Henry James Book

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Piranesi By Susanna Clarke

In an extraordinary, infinite house, Piranesi navigates endless corridors adorned with countless unique statues. He embraces the ocean’s rhythms within the labyrinth, fearlessly exploring every inch. His routine with The Other, focused on unlocking A Great and Secret Knowledge, is disrupted as evidence of a third presence emerges, unearthing a profound and unsettling truth about the world he thought he knew. 

Piranesi By Susanna Clarke Book

Piranesi By Susanna Clarke eBook

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Maurice By E.M. Forster

Set in Edwardian Cambridge, this novel by a master storyteller follows Maurice Hall from his adolescence at fourteen through public school and Cambridge, and into his father’s firm. In a society marked by strict conventions, Maurice is a conventional young man in every aspect, except for his homosexuality. Written in 1913-1914 but not published until 1971, Maurice is a groundbreaking exploration of love between men, challenging societal norms and affirming the possibility of happiness in such relationships. 

Maurice By E.M. Forster Book

The Gift of Reading

Libraries give the gifts that keep on giving. During this wintry holiday season, give yourself permission to curl up by the fire with one of these books about libraries, librarians, and books. May the season and reading bring you comfort and joy 

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The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Set in Depression-era America, The Giver of Stars tells the story of five extraordinary women who answer Eleanor Roosevelt’s call for traveling librarians. This brave and resilient team of women set off on horseback across rural Kentucky to offer books, learning, joy, and comfort to people facing despair and scarcity. The women, known as the Horseback Librarians of Kentucky, often experience personal and professional adversity of their own. Based on true events, this is a story about friendship, justice, loyalty, and the power of books and librarians to change people’s lives.  

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The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

The Personal Librarian tells the story of Bella de Costa Greene, personal librarian to J.P. Morgan. In her position, Bella becomes a powerful collector and curator, acquiring manuscripts, books, and artwork for Morgan’s world-renowned collection. To maintain her esteemed standing in New York Society, Bella must keep an important secret – she is the daughter of the first Black graduate of Harvard. Because of her light complexion, Bella is passing for white, and to protect her family and her legacy, no one must find out she is not 

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray Book

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The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray CD Audiobook

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Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Doerr’s beautiful and moving novel is, at its core, a story about the power of story. Cloud Cuckoo Land spans centuries and circumstances, delving readers into the worlds of a 15th Century orphan in Constantinople, a village boy and his oxen conscripted into the army laying siege on that orphan’s city, an octogenarian and Korean War veteran rehearsing a children’s play in a library where a troubled teenager, misled by his pain and disappointment, has planted a bomb, and a young girl alone in a vault on an interstellar ship in the not-so-distant future. The thread that weaves these characters and their lives together is the story of Aethon, who longs to be turned into a bird so he can fly to a fabled utopian paradise. Aethon’s quest is a source of hope, inspiration, and transformation in the lives of Doerr’s characters, and Doerr’s novel offers much the same for readers. 

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr Book

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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Patrons visit libraries to get many things: books, research materials, technology assistance, meeting spaces, and opportunities to connect with community—to name a few. In Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, patrons are given an infinite number of lives to “read,” and the opportunity to choose what could or should or would have been. When the novel’s dispirited protagonist Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she is presented with endless stacks of lives to live. Which will she choose? And, in her search for a fulfilling life, will Nora discover a life she deems worthy of living?  

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Book

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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig CD Audiobook

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The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

In 1913, Laura Lyons and her family live in an apartment tucked deep inside the gilded New York Public Library building, where her husband is superintendent. Happy but restless, Laura finds enjoyment in authoring a recurring article for the library’s newsletter. When she applies and is accepted to the Columbia’s School of Journalism, Laura’s life and what she wants out of it changes. Her studies lead her to a group of radical, bohemian women called the Heterodoxy Club who cause Laura to question her traditional role as wife and mother. Tension intensifies for Laura when rare and valuable books start going missing from the library. Eighty years later, Laura’s granddaughter Sadie lands her dream job at that same library and comes face to face with the legacy and mystery surrounding her grandmother. When books go missing from the collection Sadie is curating, she embarks on a journey to uncover a thief and the story of her grandmother’s past.  

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis Book

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis eAudiobook

Fourth Wing Read-Alikes

If you’re waiting for this or the sequel, Iron Flame, to pop up on your hold shelf, worry not! This list contains read-alikes for this series. Whether you’re looking for epic fantasy world-building, dragons, strong female characters, enemies to lovers romance, or a combination of it all, there’s a book for you here. 

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Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

After a brutal revolution opens the ruling dragonrider classes everyone, two orphans jockey for the position of Firstrider. Anne, who’s family was executed under the old regime is the top contender but carries a secret about her contender and close friend Lee. When survivors of the old regime rise up to start a war, the two must examine their loyalties to family, friend, self, and city.  

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda Book

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The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Based off the legend of George and the dragon from the sixteenth century, Shannon tells the story of a queen who would survive assassination attempts to continue her ruling line. The queen decides to protect her line by forbidden magic by a court outsider. Meanwhile, a secret society does their best to prevent a dragon war. Told through four narrators, she explores the relationship between religion, custom, and territory.  

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon Book

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon eBook

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A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Scholomance is an elite school of magic where only the strongest survive, literally. An unwilling dark sorceress destined to rewrite the rules of magic must team up with another student with a gift for slaying monsters. But is he trying to help or does he have sinister ulterior motives?  

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Book

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik eBook

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Red Sister by Mark Lawerence

Charged with attempted murder, Nona is saved from the noose by a nun. She’s taken to a convent where girls are selected to train in either religion, combat, or magic. While she hones her abilities, she makes friends at the convent. However, Nona soon finds herself in the center of an epic battle for empire. 

Red Sister by Mark Lawerence Book

Red Sister by Mark Lawerence eBook

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Child of Light by Terry Brooks

Remembering nothing before being imprisoned by goblins in the middle of a wasteland, nineteen-year-old Auris dreams of her past. Before she is required to move to the adult prison, her and several other prisoners enact a bold escape. After escaping Auris meets a handsome stranger who claims to be a member of a magical race and insists that she is too. She’ll follow the stranger to a strange land to learn of her past and unlock her future.  

Child of Light by Terry Brooks Book

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A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand

Gemma is the only person in her family born without possession of magic. It makes her physically sick. She upholds a glittering façade but is deeply sad. After a harrowing trip to visit her exiled sister, she meets a kind and handsome Talan. The pair team up, masquerading as a couple, to defeat the forces aligning against her family and to return honor to Talan’s fallen family.

A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand Book

A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand eBook

A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand eAudiobook

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Heartstone by Elle Katherine White

In this fanciful retelling of Pride and Prejudice, the residents of Merybourne Manor undergo constant attacks from monstrous creatures. Aliza Bentaine agrees when the people of Merybourne want to hire Riders to fight these creatures; she lost her sister in an attack afterall. The only thing she’s not sure of is the dragon-rider Alastair. The two find an unlikely attraction in each other, as the ever-present danger around them increases.  

Heartstone by Elle Katherine White Book

Heartstone by Elle Katherine White eBook

Heartstone by Elle Katherine White eAudiobook

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Poppy’s life has never been her own. She was chosen from birth to user in a new era, and the entire kingdom’s future rests on her shoulders. While grappling with what she truly wants, she meets Hawke and duty and destiny combine with desire and need. They’ll both be put to the test when a fallen kingdom rises from its ashes to take back what they believe is theirs through vengeance and violence.  

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout Book

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout eBook

Adventure Awaits!

The best adventures are about the journey, not the destination. Whether climbing mountains, exploring trails, or cruising along the sea is your cup of tea, there are many stories to help you explore. These titles are all available at your library, and don’t require any special skills to navigate. Read, listen, and enjoy! 

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Unforgettable Journeys: slow down and see the world by Lucy Sienkowska

If you’ve ever dreamed of walking the Camino de Santiago, driving Route 66 or riding the Trans-Siberian Railway, this book is organized by type of trip with chapter maps showing a different way to travel every country. 

Unforgettable Journeys: slow down and see the world by Lucy Sienkowska Book

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1,000 Perfect Weekends: great getaways around the globe published by National Geographic

Whether you’re looking for a way to unplug from the busy work week, take the family on a quick getaway, or add to a vacation itinerary, this practical and inspiring book provides the perfect way to plan your next escape. Packed with innovative ideas and inspiring photographs, this gift-worthy treasury features 1,000 dream escapes from sunny beach retreats to lush mountain idylls, exotic city sojourns, and wild adventures around the world. 

1,000 Perfect Weekends: great getaways around the globe published by National Geographic Book

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American Ramble: a walk of memory and renewal by Neil King Jr.; illustrations by George Hamilton

An extraordinary 26-day journey through historic battlefields and cemeteries, over the Mason-Dixon line, past Quaker and Amish farms, along Valley Forge stream beds, atop a New Jersey trash mound, across New York Harbor, and finally, to his ultimate destination: the Ramble, where a tangle of pathways converges in Central Park. 

American Ramble: a walk of memory and renewal by Neil King Jr.; illustrations by George Hamilton Book

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A Walk in the Woods: rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

The author’s adventurous trek along the Appalachian Trail past its natural pleasures, human eccentrics, and offbeat comforts.

A Walk in the Woods: rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson Book

A Walk in the Woods: rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson eBook

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Mother, Nature: a 5,000-mile journey to discover if a mother and son can survive their differences by Jedidiah Jenkins

For years, Jedidiah Jenkins and his mother, Barbara have talked about taking a trip together, just the two of them. They decide to retrace the thousands of miles Barbara trekked with Jedidiah’s father, travel writer Peter Jenkins, as part of the Walk Across America book trilogy that became a sensation in the 1970s. Tender, smart, and profound, Mother, Nature is a story of a remarkable mother-son bond and a moving meditation on the complexities of love. 

Mother, Nature: a 5,000-mile journey to discover if a mother and son can survive their differences by Jedidiah Jenkins Book

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The Last Ride of the Pony Express: my 2,000-mile horseback journey into the Old West by Will Grant

Inspired by the likes of Mark Twain, Sir Richard Burton, and Horace Greeley, all of whom traveled throughout the developing West, Will Grant returned to his roots: he would ride the trail himself with his two horses, Chicken Fry and Badger, from one end to the other. a tale of adventure by a horseman who defies most modern conveniences, and is an unforgettable narrative that will forever change how you see the West, the Pony Express, and America as a whole. 

The Last Ride of the Pony Express: my 2,000-mile horseback journey into the Old West by Will Grant Book

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Backpacker Hidden Gems: 100 greatest undiscovered hikes across America by Maren Horjus

A collection of Mother Nature’s best-kept secret hikes, this book reveals the top 100 trips across the country, with information on how to reach them, when to go, and what you’ll see. With color topographic maps and more than 200 gorgeous photographs to complete the package, this book is the perfect keepsake for hikers looking to expand their horizons. 

Backpacker Hidden Gems: 100 greatest undiscovered hikes across America by Maren Horjus Book

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Epic Road Trips of the Americas: explore Americas' most thrilling driving adventures by Amy Balfour

Showcasing 50 of the Americas’ greatest road trips across North and South America as well as the Caribbean, you’ll discover classic drives including the Pacific Coast Highway, Gaspesie Loop in Canada and the Hana Highway in Hawaii, plus lesser-known routes.  

Epic Road Trips of the Americas: explore Americas’ most thrilling driving adventures by Amy Balfour Book

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This Land is our Land: how we lost the right to roam and how to take it back by Ken Ilgunas

A lifelong traveler, hitchhiker, and roamer, the author takes readers back to the nineteenth century, when Americans were allowed to journey undisturbed across the country. Inspired by the United States’ history of roaming, proposes opening American private property for public recreation. He imagines a future in which folks everywhere will have the right to walk safely, explore freely, and roam boldly–from California to the New York Island, from the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters. 

This Land is our Land: how we lost the right to roam and how to take it back by Ken Ilgunas Book

This Land is our Land: how we lost the right to roam and how to take it back by Ken Ilgunas eAudiobook

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Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered, and her own marriage destroyed, twenty-two-year-old Cheryl Strayed made the most impulsive decision of her life. She hiked more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State, alone, with no experience or training. 

Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed Book

Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed Large Print

Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed eBook

Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed eAudiobook

Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed CD Audiobook

Wild: from lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed DVD

Winter Winnings

It’s your mandatory holiday must-read list for the year. Tis the season for family and miracles as we look at these titles that encapsulate these feelings. Enjoy!  

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Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich

When Megan Murphy discovered a floppy-eared rabbit gnawing on the hem of her skirt, she meant to give its careless owner a piece of her mind, but Dr. Patrick Hunter was too attractive to stay mad at for long. Soon the two are making Thanksgiving dinner for their families. 

Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich Book

Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich eBook

Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich eAudiobook

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Thanksgiving : the holiday at the heart of the American experience

While the rites and rituals have evolved, the essence of Thanksgiving remains the same: family and friends feasting together in a spirit of hospitality and gratitude. Kirkpatrick’s exploration of America’s oldest tradition offers a fascinating look into the meaning of the holiday we celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November. 

Thanksgiving : the holiday at the heart of the American experience Book

Thanksgiving : the holiday at the heart of the American experience eBook

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Christmas : a biography

Christmas is all things to all people: a religious festival, a family celebration, a period of eating and drinking. In Christmas, bestselling author and acclaimed social historian Judith Flanders casts a sharp eye on its myths, legends and history, deftly moving from the origins of the holiday in the Roman empire, through the first appearance of Christmas trees in Central Europe, to what might be the origins of Santa Claus – in Switzerland – to draw a picture of the season as it has never been seen before. 

Christmas : a biography Book

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The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas by James Patterson and Tad Safran

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The Christmas Boutique by Jennifer Chiaverini

Just weeks before Christmas, severe wintry weather damages the church hall hosting the Christmas Boutique–an annual sale of handcrafted gifts and baked goods that supports the county food pantry. Determined to save the fundraiser, Sylvia Bergstrom Compson offers to hold the event at Elm Creek Manor, her ancestral family estate and summertime home to Elm Creek Quilt Camp.  

The Christmas Boutique by Jennifer Chiaverini Book

The Christmas Boutique by Jennifer Chiaverini eBook

The Christmas Boutique by Jennifer Chiaverini eAudiobook

Native American and Indigenous Authors

November is Native American Heritage Month! Take part by enjoying these books by Native American and Indigenous authors. Lovers of all genres will find something to enjoy from this list! 

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Earthdivers by Steven Graham Jones

Steven Graham Jones gained popularity with The Only Good Indians. Delve into this creative and terrifying writing with his debut into the graphic novel genre. This story follows a group of Indigenous survivors of an apocalypse and their attempt to rewrite history. 

Earthdivers by Steven Graham Jones Book

Earthdivers by Steven Graham Jones eBook

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Rediscovery of America: native peoples and the unmaking of US history by Ned Blackhawk

Curious about how Native American history differs from the history we learned in public school? This book is for you! Blackhawk is a professor of history at Yale and in this book he details 5 centuries of history between Native Americans and early settlers. 

Rediscovery of America: native peoples and the unmaking of US history by Ned Blackhawk Book

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Never Whistle at Night: an Indigenous dark fiction anthology edited by Shane Hawk & Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

There are countless mythological Indigenous stories, and this book explores many of them. Written by various different Indigenous authors, these short stories come to life and share some of the best myths that haven’t been picked up by mainstream media. 

Never Whistle at Night: an Indigenous dark fiction anthology edited by Shane Hawk & Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. Book

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VenCo by Cherie Dimaline

If you want a warm, fuzzy, witchy tale, this is the book for you. This book combines Métis heritage, capitalism, sisterhood, and witchiness into a laugh-out-loud road trip novel. The perfect combination you never knew you needed! 

VenCo by Cherie Dimaline Book

VenCo by Cherie Dimaline eBook

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The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

This historical fiction and mystery novel will immerse you in Maine in the 1960’s. It follows a family when their daughter goes missing. Fans of The Vanishing Half and Woman of Light will enjoy this book. 

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters Book

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters eBook

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters eAudiobook

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Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom

This historical fiction follows the accounts of Goes First (later renamed Mary) and the Cypress Hills Massacre. Grissom did extensive research for this novel and it shows in how immersive the novel is! 

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom Book

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Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina

If you want to read some Indigenous folklore mixed with mystery and thriller aspects, this is the book for you! There’s an ancient monster stalking the town and women going missing—find out why by picking up this book! 

Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina Book