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News & Stories
Throughout 2026, we'll be sharing stories from our community that showcase the impact our library has had throughout the decades.
The library is pleased to share the 2025 Impact Report, a collection of Stories of Impact from throughout last year.
On Saturday, July 4, more than 50 members of the Arlington Heights community joined the library in the Frontier Days Fourth of July Parade.
Your Next Great Read

A great act of love
Rose, Heather, 1964-
"Van Diemen's Land, 1839. A young woman of means arrives in Hobart, Australia, with a boy in her care. Leasing an old cottage next to an abandoned vineyard, Caroline Douglas must navigate an insular colony of exiles and opportunists and invent a new life on this island of extreme seasons and wild beauty. But Caroline is carrying a secret of such magnitude that it has led her to cross the world. It will take all she is made of to bring it into the light. A Great Act of Love is a spellbinding story that soars from the French Revolution to London and New York on an epic voyage to Tasmania. Here is a story of a family with champagne in their blood, and an enterprising woman determined to rewrite their legacy. The lives of Caroline, her father, and the residents of the island will collide in devastating and profound ways."--Amazon

Everyday movement
Leung, Gigi, 1976-
"On a weekend morning, college roommates Ah Lei and Panda wake up with very different reactions to the night before. They have been chased and tear-gassed in the streets of their city after joining tens of thousands of others to protest a national security law that would effectively spell the end of democracy in Hong Kong. Ah Lei can't get out of bed, her heart heavy with the lingering images of the police and the violence on the streets, and her worries about the future of her hometown. Panda, whose resistance is no less ardent, puts on a sundress, lines her eyes, and urges Ah Lei to join her for brunch. While the demonstrations rage, the routine of life also persists for Ah Lei, Panda, and people in their orbits. They attend family gatherings, fight with their mothers, try and fail to focus at work on Mondays, and make time for dinner dates and app hookups. But the looming political tension and anxiety for the future transform such everyday encounters. In the span of a few months, life as they know it seems to become a mirage: the comfort of air-conditioned shopping malls is disrupted by bloodshed; tear gas and the sounds of rubber bullets amid neon signs strangely evoke happier memories of summer night fireworks."--Amazon

Saltwash
Hurley, Andrew Michael, 1975-
Tom Shift & Oliver Keele are pen-pals. They were introduced through their cancer clinics. From reading Oliver's letters, Tom has deduced that Oliver is lonely & somewhat nomadic. He appears to live hand to mouth at a series of cheap B&Bs. When Oliver suggests they meet up, Tom agrees. Neither of them have long left. While Saltwash seems an unlikely kind of place for a holiday, he goes with it. The Castle Hotel is one of the few places still open in an off-season seaside town that has definitely seen better days but it's surprisingly busy. It becomes clear that the guests are all there for some kind of reunion, & that they know Oliver. Little by little it becomes clear that all the guests have dark & troubled histories. They are drawn to the hotel not just for the company & nostalgia but for the opportunity to win the lottery. Which for them, is the chance to have the memories of their wrongs to be eradicated

Daggermouth
Wolfe, H. M.,
In the city of New Found Haven, divided into rings of privilege and poverty, mercy is weakness and love outside your class is a death sentence. Greyson Serel, the flawless heir to the presidency, and Shadera, a mercenary raised to kill, are forced into a dangerous political marriage. Bound together by circumstance and secrets, their union becomes a battlefield of loyalty, betrayal, and forbidden desire. As they navigate the city's ruthless elite, Greyson and Shadera must choose: destroy each other-or ignite a revolution that could consume them both

That's what friends are for
Rouse, Wade,
"Theodore Copeland has created a fabulous life in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, where he shares a fabulous pink mid-century home with three fabulous friends: Barry, a former actor still clinging to his youth, his hair, and the memory of the dream role that killed his career; Ron, an uprooted Christian from the Midwest with a big heart but no one to give it to; Sid, who, after coming out late in life, has never found love. Teddy is the caustic, unspoken leader of "The Golden Gays"--the foursome's monthly drag tribute to The Golden Girls. Despite their foibles and bickering, they have turned their golden years into a golden era. But the harmony of their desert enclave becomes a carousel of emotional baggage when Teddy's estranged sister, Trudy, shows up on their doorstep, her dramatic teenage granddaughter in tow. While Teddy keeps Trudy at arm's length, she manages to wheedle her way into the lives of the Golden Gays, until the real reason for her visit is revealed and the secrets they've all been keeping from each other unravel faster than a hastily stitched hemline."--Amazon

The dark time
Petrie, Nick (Novelist),
"Katelyn Thorsen, known as KT to her friends, is an independent journalist tracking down the story of her career -- a group of white nationalists who have infiltrated the local political culture of the Pacific Northwest. But these are not people to be trifled with and the story of her career may quickly turn out to be the last story of her life. Fortunately, Peter Ash has arrived in town to look out for KT at the request of his girlfriend, June Cassidy. From the moment of his arrival, he's thrown into a maelstrom of violence trying to protect KT and her daughter. Peter's a man who's always risen to every challenge, but this one may be too much for even him" -- Provided by publisher

Clutch
Nemens, Emily,
"Clutch follows a group of five friends as they navigate the biggest challenges of their lives, asking: When you're hanging on by your fingernails, how can you extend a hand to the ones you love? As undergrads, Gregg, Reba, Hillary, Bella, and Carson formed the kind of rare bond that college brochures promise--friendship that lasts a lifetime. Two decades later, the women are spread across the country but remain firmly tethered through their ever-unfurling group chat. They've made it through COVID and childbirth and midcareer challenges, but no one can anticipate what's coming down the pike. The five women converge on Palm Springs for a long overdue reunion: Gregg, who has forged a path as a progressive Texas legislator, is facing a huge decision about her political future. Reba, who moved back to the Bay Area after decades away, is deep in IVF treatments while caring for her aging parents and navigating a San Francisco she hardly recognizes. Hillary's medical career in Chicago is going great--but at home, her husband's struggles with addiction have derailed their life. In New York City, Bella faces the biggest case in her career as a litigator while her home life crumbles around her, and across the river in Brooklyn, Carson is working on a new novel as well as forging a possible relationship with the father she's never met. Twenty years into their shared friendship, the stakes are higher than ever, and they must help one another reconcile professional ambition with personal tumult. Clutch is a big, beautiful, and deeply absorbing novel that asks how much space and heart we can give to our friends and our families, and what space we can save for ourselves." -- (dust jacket)

Once and again
Serle, Rebecca,
"Lauren has spent a lot of her life waiting. She spent her childhood on her surfboard, waiting to catch the perfect wave. She waited a long time for her husband Leo. Now she and Leo are together waiting for those two lines on a pregnancy test that will tell Lauren she's finally pregnant. But many women wait for those things. Lauren has also spent her life waiting to use the gift that only the women in her family have: the opportunity, just once, to turn back time and reverse a bad decision, or a moment of catastrophic luck. When Lauren was fifteen, her mother Marcella reversed the car crash that killed Lauren's father, and ever since then, both Marcella and Lauren have been extra cautious around Dave, and perhaps extra brittle with each other. Even though Dave is alive and healthy, and out on the Malibu waves every day. Lauren and Leo's marriage has been rock-steady for the three years they've been married, but their fertility journey is starting to wear on both of them. When Leo takes a six-week job in New York, Lauren temporarily moves back to her childhood house. She'll spend time with her dad, spend time on the water, and try not think about the relationship with her mother she wishes she had. What Lauren doesn't expect is to run into the love of her youth: fellow surfer Stone, back home for the first time in ten years. Since he left and broke Lauren's heart. Now Lauren's thinking about all the choices that have brought her to this moment in her life--and wondering if one of them should be undone." --

Whidbey
Madden, T Kira,
"Birdie Chang didn't know anything about Whidbey Island when she chose it, only that it was about as far away as she could get from her own life. She's a woman on the run, desperate for an escape from the headlines back home and the look of concern in her girlfriend's eyes--and from Calvin Boyer, the man who abused her as a child and who's now resurfaced. On her way, she has an unnerving encounter with a stranger on the ferry who offers her a proposition, a sinister solution and plan for revenge. But Birdie isn't the only girl Calvin harmed back then. There's also Linzie King, a former reality TV star who recently wrote all about it in her bestselling memoir. Though the two women have never met, their stories intertwine. Once Birdie arrives on Whidbey, she finally cracks the book's spine, only to find too much she recognizes in its pages. Soon after, on the other side of the country, Calvin's loving mother, Mary-Beth, receives a shocking phone call from the police: her only son has been murdered. Calvin's death sets into motion a series of events that sends each woman on a desperate search for answers..."--Provided by publisher

The conditions of will
Hastings, Jessa,
"From the author of the Magnolia Parks universe and the Never series comes a fresh family drama with a heavy dose of romance and a twist of mystery. When estranged savant Georgia returns to South Carolina for her father's funeral, she finds he left a significant property to someone her family has never heard of. Georgia is determined to uncover the story..."--

Woodworking
St. James, Emily,
"What happens once we disappear into the woodwork? Erica Skyberg is thirty-five years old, recently divorced -- and trans. Not that she's told anyone yet. Mitchell, South Dakota, isn't exactly bursting with other trans women. Instead, she keeps to herself, teaching by day and directing community theater by night. That is, until Abigail Hawkes enters her orbit. Abigail is seventeen, Mitchell High's resident political dissident and Only Trans Girl. It's a role she plays faultlessly, albeit a little reluctantly. She's also annoyed by the idea of spending her senior year secretly guiding her English teacher through her transition. But Abigail remembers the uncertainty -- and loneliness -- that comes with it. Besides, Erica isn't the only one struggling to shed the weight of others' expectations. As their unlikely friendship evolves, it comes under the scrutiny of their community. And soon, both women -- and those closest to them -- are forced to ask: Who are we if we choose to hide ourselves? An incisive and joyous debut about the awkwardness of growing up and the greatest love story of all -- that between us and our friends -- Woodworking is a tonic for the moment and a celebration of womanhood in all its multifaceted joy" -- Jacket flap

Gabby Greene knows whodunit
Tschida, Sam, 1979-
"Gabby Greene: Secret agent. Mother of two. Figuring it out as she goes along. After her divorce, Gabby never expected that she'd be this close to having it all. Spying with a hot handler who's an expert in after-hours under-the-covers work was not on her current bingo card. But balancing romance, espionage, and school lunches is a job for a magician, not a secret agent. Gabby will just have to keep dreamy Markus at arms-length . . . Easier said than done. Her next mission, should she choose to accept it: Pretend to be Markus's fiancée so they can infiltrate a Power Couples Retreat to see whether the group is selling national security secrets (in addition to questionable beauty products). To avert a national crisis, Gabby and Markus will need to look like they're in love, planning their wedding-and enjoying the honeymoon cottage. Faking a relationship with the perfect man without actually falling for him? Piece of calorie-free cake, right?"-- Provided by publisher

When justice comes
Coble, Colleen,
"Hez and Savannah Webster have survived storms that would bury others without a love as strong as theirs -- but can they withstand the final battle in the deadly Legare-Willard feud that threatens to sweep away everything they've fought for? Hezekiah "Hez" Webster and his fiancée, Savannah, stand on the brink of a new life, but their dreams are haunted by specters of the past. Just as they're getting ready to adopt her nephew, two other petitioners also file for custody -- both of whom only want Simon for their own gains. Between the financial company that Hez outmaneuvered to save the university from ruin and the bad blood from the head of the Willard family, it's hard to say who wants them out of the way more. Hez and Savannah's quest for justice leads them through a labyrinth of family law, where loyalties are tested and trust is a dangerous luxury when every decision could be their last. With the clock ticking, Hez and Savannah must confront the ghosts of their past and their deepest fears to secure a future for Simon. But with every secret revealed, the stakes grow higher. Can they build the family they've always dreamed of, or will their enemies succeed in tearing them apart forever?" --

Laws of love and logic
Curtis, Debra, 1963-
"In the serene town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Lily Webb is deeply in love with a charismatic boy, a college-bound quarterback whose spectacular athletic talents are matched only by his fierce devotion. But their dreams of a life together are cut short when his passionate protectiveness leads to an irrevocable choice--one that tears them apart and leads Lily down a path of heartbreak from which she may never recover. Lily already knows the sting of loss, beginning with the death of her mother, a tragedy that left deep scars on both her and her gifted younger sister, Jane. ...As the years pass, Lily buries her twin griefs deep in her heart, finding solace and a new beginning with Marshall Middleton, a renowned ornithologist whose love is as steadfast as the migration patterns he studies. Yet the shadows of her past linger. When the boy who was once everything to Lily reappears in her life, she struggles with questions around that terrible night in high school. Can she reconcile the wild wonderment of her first love with the comfort and safety of her second?"-- Dust jacket

A crown of stars
Abé, Shana,
This historical novel portrays the final voyage and sinking of the RMS Lusitania through the perspective of a young actress whose life intersects with prominent figures of the early twentieth-century theater world. Set in England, continental Europe, and the United States in the years leading up to World War I, the narrative follows Marguerite Jolivet, who adopts the stage name Rita and pursues a theatrical career in London, New York, and the emerging film industry. Her professional path brings her into contact with theatrical producer Charles Frohman. As war intensifies in Europe, she travels aboard the Lusitania, whose 1915 torpedoing by a German submarine became a significant event in the history of World War I. Blending fictionalized biography with historical events and real-life figures, the novel explores themes of family, ambition, performance culture, and the impact of war on transatlantic society

The war within a war : the Black struggle in Vietnam and at home
Haygood, Wil,
An examination of the relationship between the Vietnam War and the civil rights struggle in the United States, focusing on the experiences of African Americans during the 1960s and 1970s. Drawing on the lives of soldiers, medical personnel, journalists, activists, artists, and political leaders, the work explores how military service in Vietnam intersected with domestic movements for racial equality. Through individual narratives and broader historical context, the book analyzes the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped the era and assesses the war's impact on race relations in the United States

The blood countess : murder, betrayal, and the making of a monster
Puhak, Shelley,
There have long been whispers, coming from the castle, from the village square and from the dark woods. The great lady--a countess, from one of Europe's oldest families--is a vicious killer. Some even say she bathes in the blood of her victims. But despite claims that Elizabeth Bathory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Bathory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? With the breathlessness of a whodunit, drawing upon new archival evidence and questioning old assumptions, Shelley Puhak traces the Countess's downfall, bringing to life an assertive woman leader in a world sliding into anti-scientific, reactionary darkness--a world where nothing is ever as it seems

Celebración! : traditional Mexican recipes for festive feasts and family gatherings
Regalado, Claudia,
In Cooking con Claudia: Celebración!, Claudia Regalado returns with deliciously tried and true Mexican recipes, each bearing the hallmark of tradition with a creative twist. Having immigrated from Mexico to the United States at the age of 5, Claudia intimately understands the challenges of retaining her cultural identity. During difficult times, one thing helped her stay connected to her roots: food. Through her culinary journey, she found solace and connection, anchoring her family's traditions in the flavors of home. Today, Claudia has a family of her own and has preserved these traditions to share with her husband and children, giving them the chance to cherish the authentic tastes of Mexico. And now she is sharing these family favorites with you! In her latest cookbook, Claudia presents diverse recipes that span all things Mexican celebration. You'll find dishes such as Chocolate Abuelita, Calabacitas a la Mexicana, Tacos de Papa, Ensalada de Elote, and Sopa de Lentijas, all intertwined with captivating stories and anecdotes from Claudia's life. Whether you share similar experiences or simply want to explore Mexican cuisine, Claudia welcomes you to her home and to her table. Bienvenido!

Art therapy for every day : 365 tools & exercises to help you create, heal & grow
Paredes, Nadia,
"Art is the best medicine--and by tapping into our creativity regularly, we can develop tools to help us feel better, calmer, and more resilient. Art Therapy for Every Day features 365 accessible and engaging exercises, each designed to help you develop self-awareness,explore your emotions, and find relief from stress and trauma. Eachexercise focuses on a specific intention, can be completed with everyday art supplies, and is designed to fit easily into your day. Whether you want to better regulate your emotions, find joy in the creative process, or simply seek a meaningful and hopeful alternative toidle online scrolling, Art Therapy for Every Day unlocks the simpleyet transformative power of self-expression, day after day."--Provided by publisher

Chain of ideas : the origins of our authoritarian age
Kendi, Ibram X.,
"Recall the words chanted in Charlottesville, Virginia: 'You will not replace us!' Recall the string of mass shooters across the globe--in Oslo, Christchurch, Buffalo, El Paso, and Pittsburgh--who claimed their crimes were a defense against 'White genocide.' Recall business and media figures cultivating anxiety and furor over demographic change. These incidents only scratch the surface: Popular and ruling politicians in every region of the world have expressed some version of great replacement theory, eroding democratic norms in the name of preventing demographic change. The term was coined in 2011 by a French novelist who argued that Black and Brown immigrants were "invading" Europe, brought by shadowy elites to "replace" the White population. From there, politicians and theorists in the United States and elsewhere repackaged it as a story of "globalists" welcoming "migrant criminals" and promoting diversity to take away the jobs, cultures, electoral power, and very lives of White people. Over time, great replacement theory has expanded those under threat to include citizens, men, Jews, Christians, heterosexuals, and ethnic majorities in countries as distinct as Russia, El Salvador, Brazil, Italy, and India, all targeted with the message that they are facing an existential attack that only a strongman can prevent. In Chain of Ideas, internationally bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi offers an unsettling but indispensable global history of how great replacement theory brought humanity into this authoritarian age--and how we can free ourselves from it."--

Christianity in the crosshairs : ruling class and radicals find a common enemy
Donohue, William A., 1947-
"In Christianity in the Crosshairs, Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, shows how the ruling class allied with the radical left to fundamentally transform America. But patriotic and independent-minded Americans--particularly faithful Catholics--are impeding their progress. As a result, these defenders of faith and family have become the targets of an ongoing campaign of persecution. Donohue analyzes at length the many fronts of this war on Christianity and then calls upon his listeners to fight back. The ruling class, argues Donohue, has teamed up with radicals to remake American cultural institutions and weaken civil liberties guaranteed in the Constitution. Seduction and control are what motivates elites, especially those who occupy the command centers in the political arena. More than anything else they want the creation of a compliant citizenry. Unlike the tyrants of old, today's ruling class opts for democratic despotism, the soft version of totalitarianism. They are no less a threat to freedom. The elite class and their radical allies are willing to do anything to accumulate more power and control. Despite their efforts, however, Donohue reminds Christians of how we can battle effectively "against the world rulers of this present darkness."" --

A world appears : a journey into consciousness
Pollan, Michael,
"When it comes to the phenomenon that is consciousness, there is one point on which scientists, philosophers, and artists all agree: that it feels like something to be us. Yet the fact we have subjective experience of the world remains one of nature's greatest mysteries. How is it that our mental operations are accompanied by feelings, thoughts, and a sense of self? What would a scientific investigation of our inner life look like, considering we have as little distance and perspective on it as fish do of the sea? In A World Appears, Michael Pollan traces the unmapped continent that is consciousness, bringing radically different perspectives-scientific, philosophical, literary, spiritual and psychedelic-to see what each can teach us about this central fact of life. When neuroscientists began studying consciousness in the early 1990s, they sought to explain how and why three pounds of spongy grey matter could generate a subjective point of view-assuming that the brain is the source of our felt reality. Pollan takes us to the cutting edge of the field, where scientists are entertaining more radical (and less materialist) theories of consciousness. He introduces us to "plant neurobiologists" searching for the first flicker of consciousness in plants; scientists striving to engineer feelings into AI, and psychologists and novelists seeking to capture the felt experience of our slippery stream of consciousness. In Pollan's dazzling exploration of consciousness, he discovers a world far deeper and stranger than our everyday reality. Eye-opening and mind-expanding, A World Appears takes us into the laboratories of our own minds, ultimately showing us how we might make better use of the gift of awareness to more meaningfully connect with our deepest selves"-- Provided by publisher

The cost of quiet : how to have the hard conversations that create secure, lasting love
Fehr, Colette Jane,
"An empowering, healing guide that reveals the true cost of avoidant behavior in a relationship-disconnection, disengagement, and divorce-and shows how we can instead learn to speak up and start connecting with the ones we love most. "I wish I had spoken up sooner." People think relationships fail because of deal breakers like infidelity, finances, or parenting problems. But the real culprit is often much less dramatic: emotional disconnection after years of staying silent and avoiding conflict. We're afraid to say what we need because we worry about what will come next. Avoidant behavior-the need to "keep the peace" rather than dealing with conflict head on-isn't our fault. Our ingrained attachment wiring urges us to sidestep day-to-day disputes and brush lingering problems under the rug. But silence is a losing proposition in the long term, leading us to self-abandon and essentially "quiet quit" our relationships. We can make another choice. In The Cost of Quiet, licensed marriage and family therapist Colette Jane Fehr shines a light on the epidemic of avoidant behavior and how to overcome it. Drawing from the latest attachment science and evidence-based therapies she's used to repair the bond between hundreds of couples, Fehr gives us the tools to approach those we love with openness, honesty, and vulnerability. The ultimate goal: a securely attached relationship that engages with conflict productively, and the confidence that comes from speaking up and being heard-because a good relationship is worth fighting for"--

Oślizgłe macki, wiadome siły : historia Ameryki w teoriach spiskowych
Tarczyński, Piotr, 1983-
"Kto stał za zatopieniem Titanica? W jakim celu CIA podawała LSD wojskowym i więźniom? Dlaczego Jackie Kannedy tylko w Dallas dostała czerwone róże, choć wszędzie indziej otrzymywała żółte. Przypadek? Nie sądzę! Jedyna w swoim rodzaju, pasjonująca podróż przez historię USA ukazaną przez pryzmat teorii spiskowych, na których został zbudowany ten kraj. Piotr Tarczyński, amerykanista i historyk, współtwórca popularnego i nagradzanego "Podkastu amerykańskiego" wnikliwie analizuje bardziej i mniej popularne teorie spiskowe od iluminatorów przez Watergate, po QAnon - i pokazuje na ile nierozłącznie związane są z nimi kultura i popkultura. Z erudycją i humorem opowiada o tym, jak Amerykanie tłumaczą sobie rzeczywistość. Cała prawda o teoriach spiskowych, które zbudowaly Amerykę."--Page 4 of cover

Cultivating native plants for pollinators : a comprehensive guide to attracting birds, bees, and butterflies
Yoest, Helen,
Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators is a comprehensive guide to attracting and supporting butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees, and honeybees in your home garden or community space. Environmental expert and gardening educator Helen Yoest outlines the best native plants and practices for creating thriving pollinator habitats in every U.S. region. Learn how to build sustainable pollinator lawns, design vibrant wildlife-friendly gardens, and help combat habitat loss with practical steps. Whether you're new to native planting or ready to deepen your impact, this book makes it easy to garden with purpose

Azure fundamentals (AZ-900) study guide : in-depth guidance & practice for aspiring cloud engineers
Lee, Jack (Computer consultant),
"Cloud computing is no longer just a buzzword but a crucial skill set for today's professionals. The ability to navigate the complexities of cloud technologies and understand the Azure environment is a significant advantage. Whether you're starting your tech journey or looking to solidify your foundational knowledge, this study guide is your essential resource for mastering these critical concepts and achieving Azure certification. Author Jack Lee will thoroughly prepare you for the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals exam. Going beyond the exam material, you'll become immersed in the world of Azure, acquiring the tools to understand and effectively utilize cloud and Azure foundational concepts. From exploring key cloud principles like high availability and scalability to delving into Azure's core services and management tools, this book provides both detailed explanations and key insights."--

One bad mother : in praise of psycho housewives, stage parents, momfluencers, and other women we love to hate
Dickson, Ej,
"We all have an idea what it means to be a good mom: little screen time, kids hitting their milestones, endless patience and understanding, and self-sacrifice on behalf of one's children. But what does it mean to be a "bad mom" in modern society? Women as wide-ranging as Meghan Markle, Hannah Neelman (of Ballerina Farm), and anyone giving birth over forty, have been labeled "bad moms." In a world where the rules are constantly changing, it feels like women simply cannot win. With this in mind, in her first book, Ej Dickson takes a sharp, provocative look at one of society's most polarizing labels: the "bad mom." What makes a mother "bad," and why? Through the lens of pop culture and American history, Ej Dickson explores how this trope has evolved--from Victorian "angels in the house" to the infamous Mommie Dearest, from Instagram influencers like EmRata and Mormon momfluencers to fictional icons like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Each chapter dives into a different archetype of so-called bad motherhood--like the Stage Mom, the Tiger Mom, the MILF, the MLM hun--challenging us to rethink our assumptions about femininity, parenting, and societal expectations. Drawing on insightful analysis and interviews, Dickson unpacks why our culture is obsessed with vilifying moms and how issues of race and class shape these narratives. Are bad moms truly "bad," or do they simply defy norms we don't fully understand--or fear?"--

They bloom because of you : poems on the infinite love, growth, and magic of motherhood
Urlichs, Jessica,
Sunday Times bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood--the hard, the magic, and the fleeting. The love you have for your children Only deepens as they grow . As poet Jessica Urlichs emerged from the beautiful chaos of new motherhood and watched her children grow, she felt her breathing slow and a more intimate appreciation for life develop--as a mother, wife, daughter, and friend. In They Bloom Because of You, Jess lays bare the surprising triumphs, sorrows, evolving love, empathy, and slightly subdued chaos that occurs as our children bloom and become alongside us. Reflecting on motherhood into school age, Jess offers a much-needed exhale, a hand to hold during this precious and fleeting time, and an often-forgotten acknowledgment of just how far we've come. A balm for the soul, Jess's poems poignantly remind us of what once was (our beautiful babies) while tenderly planting us in the now (our growing children) and looking toward a hopeful future, together

Clearing the air : a hopeful guide to solving climate change in 50 questions and answers
Ritchie, Hannah, 1993-
"We can't afford to delay climate action, but with all the shouting and disagreement it's hard to know where to turn. In her new book, bestselling environmental star Hannah Ritchie answers 50 key climate questions once and for all, clearing the air so we can get on and fix things. With so many conflicting headlines out there, it's tough to sort fact from fiction when it comes to climate change and the solutions we need for a cleaner future. The first piece of good news is that data scientist Hannah Ritchie is here with the answers and the steps we need to take now. Using simple, clear data, she tackles questions such as, 'Is it too late?', 'Won't we run out of minerals?' and 'Are we too polarized?'. The second piece of good news- the truth is way more hopeful than you might think. We're at a critical moment for our planet, and getting the facts straight is step one. But even more crucial is feeling hopeful about what we can do next. The third piece of good news? We already have many of the solutions we need to create a more sustainable planet for future generations. Clearing the Air is your essential guide whenever you're feeling lost or overwhelmed about climate change. Dive in, get informed and be part of building a better world for everyone"--publisher's description

LSAT logical reasoning prep

Troubled : a memoir of foster care, family, and social class
Henderson, Rob Kim,
"Rob Henderson, a doctoral candidate in social psychology at Cambridge, reflects on his childhood in foster care, how he narrowly escaped a broken system, and the only hope for disenfranchised kids across America: family"--

Fireproof : memoir of a chef
Duffy, Curtis,
"Fireproof charts Chef Curtis Duffy's rise in spite of trauma, to being mentored by and recognized among the world's top chefs. Amid childhood chaos in rural Ohio, a young Duffy first found refuge in Home Ec class, then at one of Columbus's best restaurants. His passion ignited, Duffy was dead set on leaving Ohio and breaking the Duffy family curse, but the tragic deaths of his parents jeopardized his promising trajectories. Duffy ate pain, graduated culinary school, and moved to Chicago to work in Charlie Trotter's kitchen - a hotbed of talent. Duffy's meteoric rise cost him a marriage - the price of ambition, focus, and Grace restaurant. Grace earned three Michelin stars four years in a row - but in a heartbreaking act of defiance, Curtis walked out after disputes with Grace's owner. Unstoppable, Duffy created Ever restaurant, earned two Michelin stars and became one of the '50 Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining'"-- Dust jacket

Mothercare : an autobiographical essay
Tillman, Lynne,
"When a mother's unusual health condition renders her entirely dependent upon you, your sisters, caretakers, and companions, the unimaginable will become daily life. In Mothercare, Lynne Tillman writes an honest and straightforward account of doing the impossible: handling her mother as if she were a child; navigating the unnavigable medical world, and confronting her own emotions regarding a suddenly, forever changed relationship to mother and care. In late 1994, Lynne Tillman's mother became ill. For about 11 years this unexpected event changed the focus of three daughters, various caretakers, doctors, and aides. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is an unusual condition that's difficult to accurately diagnose. From one day to the next, Tillman's mother went from someone she knew to someone else, becoming entirely dependent on her children in the process. Finding out what happened, and how to cure or treat the condition meant seven surgeries; several misdiagnoses and incorrect prescriptions; confrontations with doctors; and complications associated with memory loss. MOTHERCARE is at once a cautionary tale, and also a reverential invitation for any caretaker who can relate to suddenly becoming responsible for the life management practices of a parent, loved or not. This story may be helpful, informative, consoling, or upsetting, and it never fails to underscore how impossible it is to get the job done completely right"--

Bernie's mitten maker : a memoir
Ellis, Jen,
"Bernie's Mitten Maker is a raw and honest account of the joy, stress, and shock of sudden internet fame. Told with captivating storytelling, this memoir explores the many roads that led to the Bernie Sanders mitten meme sensation that followed the 2021 presidential inauguration. Jen Ellis's debut publication reads like an intimate conversation with an old friend. Vermont teacher, mother, and crafter, Ellis weaves the stories of her life together with humor and thoughtful insight. She shares her struggles with childhood trauma, infertility, and homophobia and shows us how crafting can build community and generosity can bring joy."--Amazon.com

Parisian lives : Samuel Beckett, Simone de Beauvoir, and me : a memoir
Bair, Deirdre,
"National Book Award-winning biographer Deirdre Bair explores her fifteen remarkable years in Paris with Samuel Beckett and Simone de Beauvoir, painting intimate new portraits of two literary giants and revealing secrets of the biographical art. In 1971 Deirdre Bair was a journalist and recently minted Ph.D. who managed to secure access to Nobel Prize-winning author Samuel Beckett. He agreed that she could write his biography despite never having written--or even read--a biography herself. The next seven years of intimate conversations, intercontinental research, and peculiar cat-and-mouse games resulted in Samuel Beckett: A Biography, which went on to win the National Book Award and propel Deirdre to her next subject: Simone de Beauvoir. The catch? De Beauvoir and Beckett despised each other--and lived essentially on the same street. While quite literally dodging one subject or the other, and sometimes hiding out in the backrooms of the great cafes of Paris, Bair learned that what works in terms of process for one biography rarely applies to the next. Her seven-year relationship with the domineering and difficult de Beauvoir required a radical change in approach, yielding another groundbreaking literary profile. Drawing on Bair's extensive notes from the period, including never-before-told anecdotes and details that were considered impossible to publish at the time, Parisian Lives is full of personality and warmth and give us an entirely new window on the all-too-human side of these legendary thinkers"--

Inside the Star Wars empire : a memoir
Kimberlin, Bill,

Rising from the dead
Humphries, Suzanne,

Kutchinsky's egg : a family's story of obsession, love, and loss
Kutchinsky, Serena,
"When she was eleven years old, Serena Kutchinsky's life changed completely. Her father Paul, who owned the high-end jewelry company the House of Kutchinsky, set out to build the world's largest jeweled egg-one to rival Fabergé's creations. He succeeded, but at a ruinous price. When the Argyle Library Egg was unveiled, it was astonishing: it stood two feet tall, made of solid gold and dripping with pink diamonds. But when Paul was unable to secure a buyer, the House of Kutchinsky collapsed, his marriage fell apart, and he sank into a spiral of drink and drugs. Within ten years he was dead. As for the egg, it was seized by creditors and disappeared without a trace. For thirty-five years its location has been unknown. Over time the mystery of the egg began to eat away at Serena. Why did her father risk everything for the pursuit of this outlandish dream? And where in the world was his decadent, ill-fated creation, valued by some modern estimates at £100 million? Desperate for answers, she set out in search of the egg-and an elusive understanding of her late father. The journey begins in the slums of London's East End where her great-great-grandparents arrived as Jewish immigrants from Russia-and ends in the most unexpected of places. Echoing the intimacy of The Hare with Amber Eyes, Kutchinsky's Egg is a spellbinding historical mystery that delves into the glittering yet shadowy world of high-end jewelry, the rise and fall of a family empire, and the complex bond between a father and daughter"-- Provided by publisher

White robes and broken badges : infiltrating the KKK and exposing the evil among us
Moore, Joe (FBI undercover agent),
A former FBI informant reveals what he learned infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan in Florida, uncovering details about the hate group's structure and its far-right modern spinoffs pursuing the same goal: a second civil war

1967 : how I got there and why I never left
Hitchcock, Robyn
"1967: HOW I GOT THERE AND WHY I NEVER LEFT explores how that pivotal slice of time tastes to a bright, obsessive-compulsive boy who is shipped off to a hothouse academic boarding school as he reaches the age of thirteen--just as Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited starts to bite, and the Beatles's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band explodes. When he arrives in January 1966, Robyn Hitchcock is still a boy pining for the comforts of home and his family's loving au pair, Teresa. By December 1967, he's mutated into a 6'2? tall rabid Bob Dylan fan, whose two ambitions in life are to get really high and fly to Nashville. In between--as the hippie revolution blossoms in the world outside--Hitchcock adjusts to the hierarchical, homoerotic world of Winchester, threading a path through teachers with arrested development, some oafish peers, and a sullen old maid--a very English freak show. On the way he befriends a cadre of bat-winged teenage prodigies and meets their local guru, the young Brian Eno. At the end of 1967, all the ingredients are in place that will make Robyn Hitchcock a songwriter for life. But then again, does 1967 ever really end?"--Front flap of cover

Gathering blossoms under fire : the journals of Alice Walker 1965-2000
Walker, Alice, 1944-
"For the first time, the edited journals of Alice Walker are gathered together to reflect the complex, passionate, talented, and acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winner of The Color Purple. She intimately explores her thoughts and feelings as a woman, a writer, an African-American, a wife, a daughter, a mother, a lover, a sister, a friend, a citizen of the world. In an unvarnished and singular voice, she explores an astonishing array of events: marching in Mississippi with other foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement, led by Martin Luther King, Jr.; her marriage to a Jewish lawyer, defying laws that barred interracial marriage in the 1960s South; an early miscarriage; writing her first novel; the trials and triumphs of the Women's Movement; erotic encounters and enduring relationships; the ancestral visits that led her to write The Color Purple; winning the Pulitzer Prize; being admired and maligned, sometimes in equal measure, for her work and her activism; and burying her mother. A powerful blend of Walker's personal life with political events, this revealing collection offers rare insight into a literary legend"--

The threat : how the FBI protects America in the age of terror and Trump
McCabe, Andrew (Andrew George), 1968-
The former deputy director of the FBI recounts his career; discusses how law enforcement battles terror threats, Russian crime, and attacks by the White House itself on the U.S. Constitution; and offers details of the events leading up to his firing by Donald Trump

Darkness visible : a memoir of madness
Styron, William, 1925-2006

Manboobs : a memoir of musicals, visas, hope, and cake
Aijazuddin, Komail, 1984-
"What do you do when you're too gay for Pakistan, too Pakistani to be gay in America, and you're ashamed of your body everywhere? How can you find happiness despite years of humiliation, physical danger, and a legion of Brooklyn hipsters who know you only as a queer from Whereveristan? How do you summon the courage to be yourself no matter where you are? Even as a young child in Lahore, Komail Aijazuddin knew he was different--no one else at his all-boys prep school was pirouetting off their desks, or bullied for their "manboobs," or spontaneously bursting into songs from The Little Mermaid. Aijazuddin began to believe his only chance at a happy, meaningful life would be found elsewhere: America, the land of the free, the home of the gays. But the hostility of a post-9/11 world and society's rejection of his art, his desires, and his body would soon teach him that finding happiness takes a lot more than a plane ticket. Searching for his place between two worlds while navigating a minefield of expectations, prejudice, and self-doubt, Aijazuddin discovered, sometimes painfully, sometimes hilariously, that there are people and places he'd need to let go of to move forward. Manboobs is Aijazuddin's riotous yet intelligent memoir of searching for love, seamlessly blending humor, politics, pop culture, and the bravery required to be yourself. Aijazuddin confidently announces himself as a sharp new voice in humor with his moving, wickedly funny reexamination of the American Dream and our search for home"--

Ultramarathon man : confessions of an all-night runner
Karnazes, Dean, 1962-
Karnazes is an ultramarathoner: a member of a small, elite, hard-core group of extreme athletes who race 100 miles and longer. They can run forty-eight hours and more without sleep. They can scale mountains, in brutally hot or cold weather, pushing their bodies, minds, and spirits well past what seems humanly possible. Karnazes has run 226.2 miles nonstop; he has completed the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon across Death Valley in 130-degree weather; and he is the only person to complete a marathon to the South Pole in running shoes. With an insight and candor rarely seen in sports memoirs, he reveals how he merges the solitary, manic, self-absorbed life of hard-core ultrarunning with a full-time job, a wife, and two children, and how running has made him who he is today.--From publisher description

Ghostways : two journeys in unquiet places
Macfarlane, Robert, 1976-
"A hauntingly beautiful diptych of works inspired by Robert Macfarlane's travels with celebrated collaborators to two eerie corners of England. In Holloway, "a perfect miniature prose-poem" (William Dalrymple), Macfarlane, artist Stanley Donwood, and writer Dan Richards travel to Dorset, near the south coast of England, to explore a famed "hollowed way"-a path used by walkers and riders for so many centuries that it has become worn far down into the soft golden bedrock of the region. In Ness, "a triumphant libretto of mythic modernism for our poisoned age" (Max Porter), Macfarlane and Donwood create a modern myth about Orford Ness, the ten-mile-long shingle spit that lies off the coast of East Anglia, which the British government used for decades to conduct secret weapons tests"--

American poetry. The twentieth century

The immortal soul salvage yard : poems
May, Beth,

Woman without shame : poems
Cisneros, Sandra,
"A bold new collection of poems from Sandra Cisneros, the best-selling author of The House on Mango Street"--

The gift of animals : poems of love, loss, and connection
"This unique collection of poems from diverse contemporary voices offers a range of perspectives on humans' complex relationship with animals, celebrating and bearing witness to the lives of animals both wild and domestic. The Gift of Animals includes poems by some of today's most beloved poets, including Ellen Bass, Lucille Clifton, Michael Collier, Toi Derricotte, Rita Dove, Camille Dungy, Mark Doty, Nick Flynn, Jorie Graham, Joy Harjo, Terrance Hayes, Yusef Komunyakaa, Ada Limón, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Craig Santos Perez, Paisley Rekdal, and more" --

Beowulf : a new translation
Headley, Maria Dahvana, 1977-
"A new, feminist translation of Beowulf by the author of the much-buzzed-about novel The Mere Wife"--

There are still woods
Ratzabi, Hila,
"This book is a radiant appraisal of life at the precipice of climate crisis and a haunting elegy for all we stand to lose. Through alternating lenses, from the speculative to the spiritual, from motherhood to science to mythology, Hila Ratzabi looks out at our wounded but vibrant planet and the animal experience of living on it. These poems bear witness to the force and fragility of the natural world and grapple with the complexities of being a human in that landscape: being implicated, vulnerable, humbled, dazzled. These poems are ways of framing and enduring loss, personal and collective and cultural, real and potential and anticipated. They impart a heightened appreciation for the solid and fleeting beauty that surrounds us. Here is an ode to the earth, a vision of its end, a celebration of its endurance, an aching and eloquent plea for intercession on its behalf. Ratzabi's first collection is a howl, a prayer, a premonition, a reawakening, and an urgent call to action." --Amazon

Flower crowns & fearsome things
Lovelace, Amanda,
"In her new standalone poetry collection, flower crowns & fearsome things, bestselling & award-winning poetess amanda lovelace explores the complexity of femininity through alternating wildflower & wildfire poems. within these pages, you will find that each of us has the ability to be both soft & fierce at the same time. there is no need to choose one or the other."

Madhuśālā
Baccana, 1907-2003,

Meister Eckhart's book of the heart : meditations for the restless soul
Sweeney, Jon M., 1967-

100 essential American poems
This compilation of great American poetry contains some of the most fondly remembered works of all time. Representing the earliest days of the Nation through the golden age of the 19th century and up to the present day, this classic collection also includes the lyrics of canonical songs, from "The Star-Spangled Banner" to "This Land is Your Land." Each poet's work is preceded by an introduction.--From publisher description

A life in poems
Koerner, Julie (Poet),
A collection of poems and selected essays by Julie Koerner, capturing Koerner's life and times, accompanied by a few poems by Pete & Harry Blake as well as a few songs by Jamie Koerner

Japanese death poems = Jisei : written by Zen monks and Haiku poets on the verge of death / compiled and with an introduction by Yoel Hoffmann

Loves of our lives : poems for hopeful hearts
Balka, Josie, 1993-
"From TikTok star and author of I Hope You Remember--which John Stamos called a "gift to the world"--Josie Balka comes this evocative collection of over eighty poems about the different types of love. From the coziness of lifelong friendship to the aching intensity of lost love, Loves of Our Lives is a poetic journey through the heartfelt relationships that make us human. In her highly anticipated second collection, social media sensation Josie Balka masterfully puts words to the indescribable, weaving her signature blend of raw emotion and vivid imagery into poems that speak straight to the soul. Featuring eighty poems, some already beloved by her followers and others exclusive to this collection, Loves of Our Lives explores six types of love--familial, toxic, romantic, friendship, self-love, and lost love--and invites reflection, offering solace and celebration in equal measure in this love letter to love itself"--

Owls and other fantasies : poems and essays
Oliver, Mary, 1935-2019

Into the uncut grass
Noah, Trevor, 1984-
"In the tradition of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse comes a gorgeously illustrated fable about a young child's journey into the world beyond the shadow of home, a magical landscape where he discovers the secrets of sharing, connection, and finding peace with the people we love. Infused with the author's signature wit and imagination, in collaboration with visionary artist Sabina Hahn, it's a tale for readers of all ages--to be read aloud or read alone"--

How to be okay when nothing is okay : tips and tricks that kept me alive, happy, and creative in spite of myself
Lawson, Jenny, 1973-
"Warm, insightful, and witty, the first book of advice from New York Times-bestselling author Jenny Lawson-aka the Bloggess Jenny Lawson is full of contradictions. She's a celebrated author but battles self-doubt, paralysis, and anxiety. She's an award-winning humorist but struggles with treatment-resistant depression. The question she's most often asked by people is "How do you do it? How do you keep going even when it feels impossible? How do you keep creating?" This book is her answer. In How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay, Jenny shares one hundred humorous, heartfelt, and genuine tools and tricks that she relies on to keep her going even when her brain isn't working properly due to depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She also offers tips to stay passionate and focused on creative endeavors, especially when everything around you is saying to give up. With chapters like "Wash Your Brain More Than You Wash Your Bra" (sleep, you beautiful human), "Work on Easy Mode" (asking for accommodations is okay!), "Celebrate Good Times, Come On!" (make it a habit to celebrate the good things), and many more, How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay is a balm and companion, reminding us all that we are not alone. It's for anyone who struggles with self-doubt, guilt, motivation, and mental blocks and wants to rekindle their passion for creating. Funny, simple, empathetic, and inspirational, it will encourage you not to just survive but to find and curate joy in the face of difficult times"-- Provided by publisher

Hell's heart
Hall, Alexis J.,
"Gideon the Ninth meets Moby-Dick in USA Today bestselling author Alexis Hall's thrilling SF debut, Hell's Heart! They are monsters, legends, gods. They are our prey. Earth is dead. Which leaves us stuck living in atmospheric domes on planets that will kill us if we blink wrong, or run out of fuel. And by "fuel" I mean "the cerebrospinal fluid of gargantuan, quasi-psychic space monsters". I joined the hunt hoping to get paid and maybe laid, but mostly paid. Instead, I followed a captain chasing abominations in the skies of Jupiter. We battled the Möbius Beast itself, there in the red eye of the world. Spoiler: we lost"--

The dark lord's guide to dating (and other war crimes)
Hunt, Tiffany,
When Dark Lord Kazimir Blackrose kidnaps Lady Arabella for a forced marriage, he expects an obedient, trembling bride. What he gets is a knife to the throat and a furious woman with her own terms. He may need her heroic bloodline to achieve ultimate dominion, but she's not about to make this easy for him. Arabella has already survived her father's tower prison and a lifetime of being treated like property. Being abducted by the realm's most notorious villain is just another Tuesday. If she must be married to the infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) Dark Lord, she'll do it on her terms: freedom within his fortress, hands strictly to himself, and complete honesty about his plans. But when his plans go awry, Kazimir faces his most terrifying challenge yet. He must actually date his own wife. Between magical training sessions, playing golf with the eyeballs of his enemies, and aphrodisiac dinners gone spectacularly wrong, his villainous seduction plans are failing at every turn. As they navigate magical explosions and jealous exes, they discover a far more terrifying prospect than war or magical catastrophe: They might actually be falling for each other

Is this a cry for help?
Austin, Emily (Emily R.),
"Darcy's life turned out better than she could have ever imagined. She is a librarian at the local branch, while her wife Joy runs a book binding service. Between the two of them, there is no more room on their shelves with their ample book collections, various knickknacks and bobbles, and dried bouquets. Rounding out their ideal life is two cats and a sun-soaked house by the lake. But when Darcy receives the news that her ex-boyfriend, Ben, has passed away, she spirals into a pit of guilt and regret, resulting in a mental breakdown and medical leave from the library. When she returns to work, she is met by unrest in her community and protests surrounding intellectual freedom, resulting in a call for book bans and a second look at the branch's upcoming DEI programs. Through the support of her community, colleagues, and the personal growth that results from examining her previous relationships, Darcy comes into her own agency and the truest version of herself."--Provided by publisher

Half his age
McCurdy, Jennette, 1992-
Waldo is ravenous. Horny. Blunt. Naive. Wise. Impulsive. Lonely. Angry. Forceful. Hurting. Perceptive. Endlessly wanting. And the thing she wants most of all: Mr. Korgy, her creative writing teacher with the wife and the kid and the mortgage and the bills, with the dead dreams and the atrophied looks and the growing paunch. She doesn't know why she wants him. Is it his passion? His life experience? The fact that he knows books and films and things that she doesn't? Or is it purer than that, rooted in their unlikely connection, their kindred spirits, the similar filter with which they each take in the world around them? Or, perhaps, it's just enough that he sees her when no one else does. Startlingly perceptive, mordantly funny, and keenly poignant, Half His Age is a rich character study of a yearning seventeen-year-old who disregards all obstacles--or attempts to overcome them--in her effort to be seen, to be desired, to be loved

The mimicking of known successes
Older, Malka, 1977-
"Every once in a while, a book comes along that is both a comfort read and a rousing, fist-pumping adventure, and The Mimicking of Known Successes absolutely is both of those things. An utter triumph."-Charlie Jane Anders The Mimicking of Known Successes presents a cozy Holmesian murder mystery and sapphic romance, set on Jupiter, by Malka Older, author of the critically-acclaimed Centenal Cycle. On a remote, gas-wreathed outpost of a human colony on Jupiter, a man goes missing. The enigmatic Investigator Mossa follows his trail to Valdegeld, home to the colony's erudite university--and Mossa's former girlfriend, a scholar of Earth's pre-collapse ecosystems. Pleiti has dedicated her research and her career to aiding the larger effort towards a possible return to Earth. When Mossa unexpectedly arrives and requests Pleiti's assistance in her latest investigation, the two of them embark on a twisting path in which the future of life on Earth is at stake--and, perhaps, their futures, together.--

Love by the book
George, Jessica, 1994-
"Friendship is the love story you can count on. Remy is lucky. Her debut novel, based on her three best friends, became an instant bestseller when it was released, and her agent and publisher are clamoring for a follow-up. But just as Remy's creative inspiration seems to leave her, so too do her friends: one moves to New York, one gets pregnant, and one gets back together with her (awful) boyfriend. After an ill-advised one-night stand complicates matters further, Remy is left deeply alone--and unable to find her next book idea. Simone is successful. A Kindergarten teacher with a passion for kids, and a well-paying side hustle that affords her all the material comforts she desires, she doesn't have time for a robust social life. All Simone needs is her close-knit family--but after the true nature of her work is revealed, they cut her off, and she realizes for the first time just how isolated she is. When Simone and Remy bump into each other (literally) in a bookstore, it isn't exactly soulmates at first sight. Simone is guarded and prickly, Remy is insecure and heartbroken, and each woman is harboring a secret. And yet they might just be the missing piece the other has been searching for--if only they can let each other in. Can Simone help Remy make one of the most important decisions of her life--and can Remy help Simone recover all that she's lost? In Jessica George's heartwarming, funny, and soulful second novel, she explores the restorative nature of female friendship and the life-changing power of platonic love." --

Small towns U.S.A. : 100 must-see getaways across the United States
Darling, Brenna,
"Explore the United States, a nation of small towns"-- Provided by publisher

Everyone in the group chat dies
Chilton, L. M.,
Kirby Cornell needs a break from everything: her crumbling apartment, her dead-end job, her sleazy landlord, her messy roommates, and, most of all, the terrible thing they all did. Luckily, that hasn't caught up with her just yet. Until a new message on their old group chat pops up: "Everyone in the group chat dies". It's the first text her ex-roommate Esme has sent for ages, but that's not the really weird thing. The really weird thing is that Esme died twelve months ago.

The homemade pie cookbook : 100 pie, tart, and galette recipes for every season
Klynstra, Laura,
"This beautiful and accessible cookbook offers 100+ sweet and savory pie recipes and gives bakers the confidence and skills to make delicious pies to enjoy with those they love. Includes full-color photos of each recipe"--

Missed connections
Runyan, Aimie K.,
"Sabrina Sorensen is 37, single, and just lost a fabulous job as manager of a posh Parisian restaurant. She heads home to California for her younger sister's engagement party, and it's an open door for her mother and siblings to chide Sabrina for her inability to commit to any of her previous jobs and relationships. What they don't know is that Sabrina, for fifteen long years, has been building her résumé in hopes of becoming an inspector for the famed MICHELIN guides--a path that has required keeping her ambitions hidden, even from her family. And, with the job loss, all she's worked for is in jeopardy. After her mother's final clumsy attempt to fix her up with the charming "boy next door," Sabrina leaves the party and retreats to the Burbank Airport. The problem? She has nowhere to go. She arrives at the airport, resolved to put the family conflict behind her and focus on her work, but now her mother's critical voice fills her with doubts. Has she been wasting her life? Faced with the enormity of her next decision, Sabrina breaks down at the ticket counter. The ticket agent pulls her aside and offers her the life-altering opportunity to revisit some of her key life choices, both personal and professional. Sabrina suddenly is given the rare chance to answer the burning question: has she been foolish to sacrifice so much for her dream of becoming a Michelin inspector? And will a spark with an aspiring Danish chef change her priorities altogether?" --

Play mahjong! : an all-levels guide to American mahjong
Gross, Alyssa,
Mahjong is an intellectually stimulating game of strategy that can sharpen the minds of people of all ages as it brings them together. Play Mahjong! is your comprehensive guide to the American version of the game, packed with interactive step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, tricks, and fun facts designed to enhance your playing experience. This entertaining and immersive look into mahjong also explores the rich history and cultural significance of the game and its ability to build a community among players

Where they wait
Carson, Scott, 1982-
"Recently laid-off from his newspaper and desperate for work, war correspondent Nick Bishop takes a humbling job: writing a profile of a new mindfulness app called Clarity. It's easy money, and a chance to return to his hometown for the first time in years. The app itself seems like a retread of old ideas--relaxing white noise and guided meditations. But then there are the "Sleep Songs." A woman's hauntingly beautiful voice sings a ballad that is anything but soothing--it's disturbing, and more of a warning than a relaxation--but it works. Deep, refreshing sleep follows. So do the nightmares. Vivid and chilling, they feature a dead woman who calls Nick by name and whispers guidance--or are they threats? And her voice follows him long after the song is done. As the effects of the nightmares begin to permeate his waking life, Nick makes a terrifying discovery: no one involved with Clarity has any interest in his article. Their interest is in him."--Amazon

And now, back to you
Borison, B. K.,
"Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally inspired romance, from New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison. Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have had their fair share of run-ins over the years, often ending in disaster. While Jackson thrives on routine and organization from the comfort of his radio booth, Delilah loves the spontaneity and adventure out in the field. When they're partnered against their will to cover the snowstorm of the century, they find themselves scrambling to figure out how to work together. Eager to be taken seriously as a journalist, Delilah offers Jackson a deal. If he can help her ace this assignment, she'll help him rediscover his long-lost fun side. With an undiscovered chemistry burning beneath their clashes, the unlikely partnership quickly tumbles into an easy and surprising friendship. But when other feelings start to enter the equation, can Jackson and Delilah withstand the storm? Or does what happens in the mountains, stay in the mountains?"-- Provided by publisher

Literary journeys : mapping fictional travels across the world of literature
A beautifully illustrated guide to over seventy-five important journeys in world literature, spanning more than thirty countries and twenty-five hundred years. From Homer's Odyssey, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and Cervantes's Don Quixote to Melville's Moby-Dick, Kerouac's On the Road, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah, some of the most powerful works of fiction center on a journey. Extending to the ends of the earth and spanning from ancient Greece to today, Literary Journeys is an enthralling book that takes you on a voyage of discovery through some of the most important journeys in literature. In original essays, an international team of literary critics, scholars, and other writers explore exciting, dangerous, tragic, and uplifting journeys in more than seventy-five classic and popular works of fiction from around the world. Chronologically arranged and gorgeously illustrated throughout with paintings, engravings, photographs, and maps in full color, this captivating book will appeal to readers who have travelled widely, who are planning a trip, or who love armchair travel

A pair of aces
Benedict, Marie,
"A gripping novel about two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law--a prosecutor and a madam--who team up to bring down notorious gangster Lucky Luciano, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the million-copy bestseller The Personal Librarian. Eunice Carter, assistant district attorney for the City of New York and Manhattan's first Black female prosecutor, has her sights set on the one and only Lucky Luciano, head of New York City's five largest organized crime families. Other prosecutors have tried to bring down Lucky, but they've all focused on the crime syndicate's traditional businesses-bootlegging, gambling, loan sharking, and drug dealing-or tax evasion. No one has thought to approach the mob through its hand in prostitution. Until Eunice. But she can't get Luciano alone. Polly Adler has worked long and hard to build up her high-class brothel business. Her client list is filled with well-known names, both the famous and the infamous, who all know her booze is top-notch, her music first-rate, her food exquisite, and her girls the best. But Lucky has gone too far, putting her girls in danger, and Polly finally sees the chance to end his reign once and for all. Together, Eunice and Polly fashion a case utilizing a network of women. Bridging the enormous divide between them and risking their own lives, they assemble evidence bit by bit, under the nose of the man they're trying to convict. It is this very alliance-of two women from vastly different worlds-that launches the most sensational trial New York City has ever seen"-- Provided by publisher

Audrey Lane stirs the pot
Hall, Alexis J.,
"A charming new LGBTQIA+ romcom from the bestselling author of BOYFRIEND MATERIAL. Audrey Lane is perfectly fine. Really. So what if she left her high-powered job as a Very Important Journalist-and her even higher-powered long-term girlfriend-to live a quiet life as a reporter for the second-biggest newspaper in Shropshire? And so what if she keeps hearing that same higher-powered long-term now-ex-girlfriend in her head night and day, constantly judging just how small Audrey's allowed her life to become? She's fine. She's happy. She's perfectly within her groove. Do not-in-their-groove people get weekday drunk and impulsively apply for the UK's most beloved baking show? All right, so maybe she's not completely fine, but being on Bake Expectations is opening her world again in ways she never anticipated. First through fellow contestant Doris, whose personal story of queer love during WW2 captures Audrey's heart, imagination and journalistic interest like nothing has in ages. Then through Jennifer Hallet, the most foul-tempered (and fouler-mouthed) producer, woman, and menace Audrey has ever met. Jennifer should be off-limits, but her fire lights something unexpected inside of Audrey, making her want to burn back a million times brighter. A million times hotter. A million times more herself than she's been in a long, long time"-- Provided by publisher

Crochet how : simple stitches, patterns, and tips
Fernandes, Meghan,
The perfect learn-to-crochet book for beginners, from the creators of the premier knit and crochet brand Pom Pom. Crochet How takes new crocheters through the basics so they can develop their skills and increase their crochet confidence with each new project. The book's friendly teaching style, clear instructions, and easy to make patterns are specifically designed to make starting out fun and to inspire new crocheters to stick with the craft. Following in the footsteps of Knit How, Pom Pom's classic beginning knitting guide, Crochet How demonstrates key first stitches and helps readers build their skills while progressing at their own pace. With 15 trendy and fun patterns, and endless possibilities for customizing, Crochet How keeps readers motivated and inspired as they stitch their way through the projects and master a new craft. Pom Pom is well-known for their exciting use of color, and these new crochet designs do not disappoint. Start with an easy throw blanket, scarf, or tote, then complete your new crocheted collection by stitching up a cute hat, a sweet cowl, pullover, crop top, and granny square creations galore

The house of hidden letters
Broom, Isabelle, 1979-
"Skye MacKinnon is desperate for an escape. When she wins a lottery to buy a run-down cottage on a Greek island for only one euro, Skye jumps at the chance to get out of England and start over. As she unlocks the tattered blue door of her whitewashed new cottage, the sun-kissed sea glinting in the bay outside her windows, Skye immediately feels like she's found her true home. Skye and the other lottery winners--the first residents in these houses since the 1940s--form a tight-knit group, finding in one another the strong relationships they'd been missing in their own lives. When Skye and local contractor Andreas discover a set of mysterious letters, they begin to unravel the history of the prior residents and the truth about life on Folegandros during the Second World War"-- Provided by publisher

The let them theory : a life-changing tool that millions of people can't stop talking about
Robbins, Mel, 1968-
"If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other people. Two simple words--Let Them--will set you free. Free from the opinions, drama, and judgments of others. Free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you. The Let Them Theory puts the power to create a life you love back in your hands--and this book will show you exactly how to do it. [Robbins] teaches you how to stop wasting energy on what you can't control and start focusing on what truly matters: YOU. Your happiness. Your goals. Your life. Using the same no-nonsense, science-backed approach that's made The Mel Robbins Podcast a global sensation, Robbins explains why The Let Them Theory is already loved by millions andhow you can apply it in eight key areas of your life to make the biggest impact"--

Astro herbalism : holistic wellness and self-discovery through herbalism and astrology
Rosset, Jessica,
"Explore the relationships between celestial bodies, astrological signs, and herbal remedies to embark on a journey self-discovery and holistic wellness. Astrology provides us with a roadmap of the soul, illuminating our individual strengths, challenges, and potential for growth. Herbalism invites us to commune with the plant kingdom to nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits. By combining these disciplines, we gain a deeper understanding of the role we play within the cosmic web of existence. Learn about the unique qualities of each celestial body and corresponding astrological signs -- from the radiant energy of the Sun to the transformative depths of Pluto -- and uncover the ways they shape our inner psyche and outer experiences. Discover the therapeutic properties of plants aligned with each celestial body and learn how to use them to restore balance and enhance mental and physical well-being. With illuminating insights and expert guidance, Astro Herbalism blends ancient wisdom with contemporary practices to create a practical tool for self-care." --

The healing power of resilience : a new prescription for health and well-being
Narula, Tara,
"A revolutionary, science-backed approach to living well from ABC News chief medical correspondent and cardiologist Dr. Tara Narula, that bridges the gap between our physical and mental health to show how resilience is the key to both. As the number one leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease has several common prescriptions from cardiologists, such as medication, surgery, diet, and exercise. There is, however, one treatment that is consistently overlooked: resilience. We need resilience to get us to face new diagnoses, to show up to doctor's appointments, to take those medications, to make it through surgery (and to recover from it), and to stick to that diet or new workout plan"--

Mattering : the secret to a life of deep connection and purpose
Wallace, Jennifer Breheny,
"From award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jennifer Wallace comes Mattering-a landmark book that introduces a transformative new framework to confront the loneliness, burnout, and lack of purpose so many of us face today"-- Provided by publisher

The new menopause : navigating your path through hormonal change with purpose, power, and facts
Haver, Mary Claire,
"Menopause is inevitable, but suffering through it is not! This is the empowering approach to self-advocacy that pioneering women's health advocate Dr. Mary Claire Haver takes for women in the midst of hormonal change in The New Menopause. A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, it covers every woman's needs: From changes in your appearance and sleep patterns to neurological, musculoskeletal, psychological, and sexual issues, a comprehensive A-Z toolkit of science-backed options for coping with symptoms. What to do to mediate the risks associated with your body's natural drop in estrogen production, including for diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain. How to advocate and prepare for annual midlife wellness visits, including questions for your doctor and how to insist on whole life care. The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of hormone replacement therapy. Arming women with the power to secure vibrant health and well-being for the rest of their lives, The New Menopause is sure to become the bible of midlife wellness for present and future generations"--

The new perimenopause : an evidence-based guide to surviving the zone of chaos and feeling like yourself again
Haver, Mary Claire,
"The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause explains everything a woman needs to know to thrive during the often-misdiagnosed and medically ignored perimenopausal years. "I'm just not feeling like myself!" This is the battle cry of the perimenopausal woman. Though menstrual cycle changes and the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies them are the hallmarks of the transition to menopause, many women with regular periods as young as 35 can also start to feel irregular, with symptoms that include anxiety, fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, sexual symptoms, and volatile moods. This array of symptoms can be hugely disruptive--all the more so when a doctor dismisses a woman's complaints as all in her head or prescribes unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment. In The New Perimenopause, Dr. Mary Claire Haver--the trailblazing voice behind the movement to revolutionize health care for women--sets things straight. She explains that the numerous and varied symptoms of perimenopause occur in direct response to normal endocrine changes; this is the hormonal "zone of chaos." A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, The New Perimenopause includes: Clear, science-backed explanations of what's going on in your body, from changes in your menstrual cycle to energy levels, mood, sleep, and sexual issues. How and why dealing with these changes now is preventative medicine for your later years. Checklists, questions for your doctor, and how to insist on good care. The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of progesterone therapy to help ease your hormonal transition. Whether you have symptoms or not, The New Perimenopause helps remove the mystery around this time of change, putting women in control of their health going forward." --

Eat your ice cream : six simple rules for a long and healthy life
Emanuel, Ezekiel J., 1957-
Every day brings a torrent of articles, videos, and podcasts about health and longevity. The "Wellness Industrial Complex" offers conflicting advice and promises us more time to enjoy in the future but it sure is demanding a lot of time right now. In Eat Your Ice Cream, renowned health expert Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel argues that life is not a competition to live the longest, and that "wellness" shouldn't be difficult; it should be an invisible part of one's lifestyle that yields maximum health benefits with the least work. Dr. Emanuel cuts through the noise with wit and good humor, giving readers just what they need: simple, high-impact, evidence-based guidelines to issues such as food and drink, exercise, sleep, mental acuity, and social engagement. Pairing common sense with uncommon wisdom based on his decades of expertise and experience, Dr. Emanuel helps readers decide which lifestyle changes are worth making and how to best implement them. --

A nourishing perspective : reconnect with your inner voice and harmonize your relationship with food
Cotton, Lee,
Registered dietitian and mind-body wellness expert Lee Cotton aids women in reconnecting with their bodies' natural rhythms and hunger cues. She thoughtfully dives into the complexities of women's emotional connections to food to help them undo generational patterns of disordered eating habits without resorting to fad dieting or extreme workouts. Cotton's evidence-based and personable approach provides immediate relief for women who have engaged in a cycle of restrictive and tenuous dieting regimens. With her knowledge, readers will learn to nourish their bodies throughout the various life cycles of womanhood (i.e., childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and menopause) and achieve emotional and physical harmony with food. With a warm and sincere tone, A Nourishing Perspective invites readers to learn how to set goals, identify their specific nutritional needs, and address physical changes in their bodies with love and compassion. Cotton inspires open-ended conversation that encourages the reader to connect with their own body's cues and signals, enabling them to make choices that replenish their bodies. --from Amazon

What's true about you : 7 steps to move beyond your painful past and manifest your brightest future
Thomas, Katherine Woodward,
"What if healing your past isn't enough to create the future you desire? We've been taught that healing is the key to freedom--that if we fix what's broken, we'll finally get to live the lives we long for. But while healing your past can save your life, it won't necessarily change your life. Healing and transformation are not the same. This book is the missing bridge between trauma recovery and the manifestation of your most expansive life. With wisdom and compassion,Thomas guides us through her radically effective, seven-step process to release false beliefs born of past pain and awaken the True Youthat's been wanting to emerge--clear, empowered, and capable of creating a life rooted in love, purpose, and possibility."--Provided by publisher

The cure for everything : the epic struggle for public health and a radical vision for human thriving
Williams, Michelle A. (Epidemiologist),
"Public health is an unusual discipline -- a combination of science, sociology, politics, and logistics--with a simple goal: to create the conditions for human thriving. At the moment, Americans, regardless of what macroeconomic statistics might suggest, are decidedly not thriving: from our failed covid response to our epidemics of depression and isolation to our inadequate healthcare system, Americans are in a state of deep malaise. Michelle Williams, one of the country's true innovators in public health, reaches back into the past to draw out the lessons that public health has to offer for our time and into the future. She tells the hidden history of public health in America--how radicals and renegades from WEB DuBois to Jane Addams to the activists of ACT UP helped lead what she calls "the great escape" from human suffering that is at the heart of the public health mission. As she takes readers from one dramatic story to the next, she draws out the lessons that apply to our time, and makes the compelling argument that it is public health, rather than standard economic metrics or partisan politics, that should drive our country's policies and political culture -- and that if we fail to prioritize health and well-being for everyone, we have failed as a society. She ends by pointing to the ideas and policies that have the potential to transform this country and fulfill our founding creed--to "promote the general welfare for ourselves and our posterity." Here is a dramatic, sweeping history that enables us to better understand the past--the victories, defeats, and tipping points that compelled us to take action--and what we need to do in the future to address new and novel threats, and complete the unfinished business of public health"-- Provided by publisher

Optimize : a groundbreaking 7-step plan to health and longevity through quantum biology
Clinton, Catherine, Dr,
"What if the key to better health isn't just in what you eat or how much you exercise--but in how you interact with the world around you? Optimize reveals the cutting-edge science of quantum biology, showing how light, water, sound, and even human energy directly influence your body at the cellular level. We are biologically wired to exchange energy with our environment--yet modern life has severed this essential connection. Sunlight directs hormone signaling and immune function. Electrical fields guide cellular repair. Sound waves can alter the structure of water inside our bodies. Even walking barefoot on the earth reduces inflammation. In this groundbreaking book by quantum biology expert and naturopathic physician Dr. Catherine Clinton, you'll... How to harness natural energy sources for optimal health The surprising role of light and sound in cellular function Quantum biology's impact on longevity, immunity, and vitality Simple, science-backed practices to reconnect with your body's natural intelligence Rooted in the latest research, Optimize presents a revolutionary new paradigm for wellness--one that empowers you to align with nature's forces for deep healing, increased energy, and a longer, healthier life"-- Goodreads

How to live a meaningful life : using design thinking to unlock purpose, joy, and flow every day
Burnett, Bill, 1957-
How to Live a Meaningful Life is a nonfiction self-help book by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans that explores approaches to finding meaning and purpose in everyday life. Drawing on design thinking principles developed through Stanford University's Life Design Lab, the authors examine contemporary research on well-being and personal fulfillment. The book presents practical strategies for cultivating qualities such as engagement, coherence, community, and reflection, with the goal of helping readers make intentional choices about how they live and work. Emphasizing small, actionable steps, the authors offer tools intended to support personal growth and life satisfaction

Spirituality through a highly sensitive lens : an objective look at meditation methods and enlightenment
Aron, Elaine,
"Dr. Elaine Aron, world-renowned author of the groundbreaking, internationally bestselling classic The Highly Sensitive Person, gives readers everything they need to find their path toward peace, equanimity, and simply feeling okay--no matter what's happening in the world around them and how overwhelming it may be. The seeker culture of the 1960s was the catalyst for what Aron sees as a quiet spiritual revolution, like a distant supernova, visible only now. Exploring new spiritual paths, more and more people were able to shift into a state of profound inner peace, clearer focus, and nearly unshakeable calm, even amid challenging times. Those paths to enlightenment worked for them. So, how do the rest of us get there? In her most personal book yet, Dr. Aron offers the first ever objective overview of meditation methods and paths to enlightenment. Sharing practical explanations of spiritual practices as well as her own experiences from fifty-five years of meditation practice, she helps readers better understand the form of spirituality that suits them best. She also delves into the recent brain research regarding this end state, this shift that can occur. Highly sensitive people, with their natural depth of thinking and feeling, as well as their greater need for inner peace, are instinctively drawn to such a spiritual journey, but this is a book for everyone. With Dr. Aron's signature empathy and profound caring, as well as her attention to science, this one-of-a-kind guide will help all of us embark on our own spiritual journey"--

Humor me : how laughing more can make you present, creative, connected, and happy
Duffy, Chris (Comedian),
Chris Duffy, a comedy writer and podcast host, examines the role of humor in personal well-being, creativity, and social connection. Drawing on personal experiences, including his time as a schoolteacher, as well as observations from comedy, psychology, and the social sciences, Duffy explores how humor can be developed as a skill rather than treated as an innate trait. The book combines autobiographical anecdotes with practical guidance on recognizing humor in everyday situations, taking social risks to foster connection, and using comedic principles to navigate challenges. It presents humor as a tool for resilience, communication, and self-reflection in contemporary life

Enough : your health, your weight, and what it's like to be free
Jastreboff, Ania M.,
"For her entire adult life, Oprah Winfrey has struggled with her weight. She never thought in her lifetime, medicines would provide hope, health, and healing for people like her. But as her conversations with Dr. Ania Jastreboff from the Yale School of Medicine reveal, we've learned that having obesity is not a choice. It's not a question of willpower. Obesity is a disease. It's a question of biology, created by our bodies' need to survive and the environment we created and now live in. And it's treatable. The new medications can lower our body fat set point (our brain's "Enough Point"), so that we lose weight without battling biology with willpower. Dr. Jastreboff describes strategies to optimize health and manage side effects all with the reassuring perspective of decades of experience treating patients with obesity and leading studies with these medications. Many of her patients say the "food noise" that plagued them for years has evaporated. They describe a new freedom from intrusive, persistent, and disruptive thoughts about food. With treatment they begin a journey of healing with self-compassion, devoid of the shame and blame they've endured from society for decades. Oprah says she's learned so much from Dr. Jastreboff about how, when it comes to weight, our bodies work with us--and also against us. How each of our struggles are different and each of our choices in living with obesity may also be different. Dr. Jastreboff's groundbreaking research offers a new way forward, not only for obesity treatment, but also for overall health, with significant implications for the prevention and reversal of hundreds of related diseases. As she demonstrates in this book, when science meets empathy, real healing becomes possible. Yes, there is a path to healing and leading the life you have always wanted, when your brain is reassured that you have "enough." -- Provided by the publisher

How to be okay when nothing is okay : tips and tricks that kept me alive, happy, and creative in spite of myself
Lawson, Jenny, 1973-
"Warm, insightful, and witty, the first book of advice from New York Times-bestselling author Jenny Lawson-aka the Bloggess Jenny Lawson is full of contradictions. She's a celebrated author but battles self-doubt, paralysis, and anxiety. She's an award-winning humorist but struggles with treatment-resistant depression. The question she's most often asked by people is "How do you do it? How do you keep going even when it feels impossible? How do you keep creating?" This book is her answer. In How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay, Jenny shares one hundred humorous, heartfelt, and genuine tools and tricks that she relies on to keep her going even when her brain isn't working properly due to depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She also offers tips to stay passionate and focused on creative endeavors, especially when everything around you is saying to give up. With chapters like "Wash Your Brain More Than You Wash Your Bra" (sleep, you beautiful human), "Work on Easy Mode" (asking for accommodations is okay!), "Celebrate Good Times, Come On!" (make it a habit to celebrate the good things), and many more, How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay is a balm and companion, reminding us all that we are not alone. It's for anyone who struggles with self-doubt, guilt, motivation, and mental blocks and wants to rekindle their passion for creating. Funny, simple, empathetic, and inspirational, it will encourage you not to just survive but to find and curate joy in the face of difficult times"-- Provided by publisher

Be your own bestie : a no-nonsense guide to changing the way you treat yourself
Brown, Misha,
"You deserve happiness. You deserve hope. And you deserve a sassy best friend who can help you learn not to settle for less. It's time to start loving yourself radically. And Misha Brown-you may know him as @yourbestiemisha-is here to guide you along your journey of self-discovery, accountability, and most importantly, self-love. With his no-nonsense (but always loving) approach, Misha shares stories from his own life, encounters with others, and the wisdom gleaned from them to help you release the patterns, relationships, and beliefs that have kept you from stepping into your full fabulousness. With equal parts hilarity and heart, Misha's S.A.S.S. Method to glowing up your life consists of: S - Self-reflection: Turn your focus inward to push away what's been holding you back A - Affirmations: Reshape the way you speak to and about yourself S - Standing your ground: Set boundaries and stop apologizing S - Sculpting the life you want: Take bold steps toward your own happily ever after No matter where you are today, now is the time to begin showing up for yourself as your own best friend. Because you deserve it, bestie!" --

Empire of madness : reimagining western mental health care for everyone
Kidia, Khameer,
"In Empire of Madness, Dr. Khameer Kidia re-evaluates the Western approach to mental health, which medicates symptoms instead of changing the structures that harm the human psyche. A physician and researcher whose own family suffers from the psychological effects of colonialism, Kidia highlights the limitations of the Western mental health model by reporting from the front lines of mental health crises at home, in the clinic, and during a decade of fieldwork." -- Amazon.com

The new rules of women's health : your guide to thriving at every age
Rabbitt, Meghan,
"A vital guide to the most pressing health concerns women face-including fertility, menstrual health, chronic pain, menopause, and beyond. The medical field has long ignored women's unique health needs, assuming our bodies are the same as men's. But this couldn't be further from the truth. Based on the latest solely women-centered research and insights from the world's top female health experts, The New Rules of Women's Health is the accurate, comprehensive, and empowering resource you need to take charge of your wellbeing. It covers everything you should know to make the best decisions for your health, including: - How to tell if your period symptoms are "normal"-or when they're a sign of an underlying condition - The underrecognized signs of hormonal imbalance and what you need to do to regulate - Science-backed strategies to preserve your fertility and prepare your body for pregnancy if decide to start a family - What to expect during perimenopause-including the health conditions women are at increased risk for after menopause-and how to manage your symptoms so you can navigate this transition feeling stronger and more confident than ever - The important differences in how various diseases develop in women-from why we're more susceptible to autoimmune disease and tend to feel pain more intensely, to why we suffer from heart disease and Alzheimer's in disproportionate rates-and the best tips for prevention - What the newest science says about optimizing your health and diet before disease strikes, from how to get better quality sleep to what workouts you should be doing at every age - How to find women-focused healthcare providers you trust The time is now to take charge. The New Rules of Women's Health is your resource for life"-- Provided by publisher

Heal faster : unlock your body's rapid recovery reflex
Maizes, Victoria,
"Drawing on forty years of medical experience and cutting-edge research, Dr. Maizes shows that recovery may be possible for a wide range of conditions when you know how to support your body's natural healing processes. From short-term ailments like colds and sprains to chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes to recovering from surgery, this book offers evidence-based strategies to heal faster and more completely"--Flap page 1 of dust jacket

The 30-day inflammatory reset : a complete guide to healing your immune system
Redd, Josh,
The 30-Day Inflammatory Reset presents a structured program focused on understanding and managing chronic inflammation. Drawing on clinical practice, the book outlines a 30-day plan that includes lifestyle activities, physical exercises, self-care approaches, dietary changes, and therapeutic strategies. It examines both potential causes and effects of inflammation, including physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. The text also discusses how inflammation may affect multiple body systems and offers methods for identifying individual inflammation triggers. Included are 94 anti-inflammatory recipes designed to support long-term dietary changes. The book is intended for general readers interested in health maintenance, chronic condition management, and preventive wellness

The power of real optimism : a practical, science-based guide to staying resilient, curious, and open even when life is hard
Chopra, Deepika,
"Optimism isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's about staying open and flexible-especially when it's not. In this fresh, science-backed debut, professional psychologist and media expert Dr. Deepika Chopra shows us how to build the kind of optimism that can actually withstand real life"--

Sun Tzu the art of war for health & longevity : the warrior's way to wellness
Yang, Y. Tony,
"Use Sun Tzu's timeless strategies to battle illness and promote health and wellness! This innovative guide applies the ancient wisdom of Sun Tzu's The Art of War to personal health and wellness. Y. Tony Yang, a public health and policy expert, transforms the general's five pillars into specific battle plans centered on nutrition, exercise, self-care, work-life balance and prevention. We all know to eat well and exercise, but our forces need to be built up in more definable and actionable ways. Reduce inflammatory markers? Improve sleep efficiency? Increase stress resilience? That's the start of a customized health-centered battle plan, all supported by: Case studies laying out specific regimens: stability training, strength exercises and cardiovascular options Charts presenting each chapter's key points and posing essential questions for formulating your battle plan Personal risk factor assessments and adaptable nutrition programs offering models to integrate "The five factors are not separate matters," Sun Tzu wrote. "The wise general sees them as a single integrated reality." Wise generals never go to war with their own bodies but defend instead their most valuable territory, the body and its sustained health success"--

Born to flourish : how new science and ancient wisdom reveal a simple path to thriving
Davidson, Richard J.,
"In a world pulling our thoughts and emotions in so many directions, Born to Flourish offers a way to turn stress and anxiety into clarity and calm. Renowned neuroscientists and contemplative teachers Richard J. Davidson and Cortland Dahl bring us a powerful program rooted in decades of research from the Center for Healthy Minds and the non-profit Humin. Focusing on four transformative practices, they bring us key tools to help train our brains to overcome depression, despair, and loneliness."--Amazon
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