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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

Last first kiss
Winters, Julian,
"Sparks fly in this second chance m/m rom com when an unlucky-in-love event planner realizes the man-of-honor at the high profile wedding he's planning is the same man who broke his heart. They say you never forget your first kiss. But Jordan Carter wishes he could forget the one he shared with Jamie Peters as teens. And the one they almost shared again last year before Jamie made it clear he wasn't the "right" man for Jordan to be with while he's figuring himself out. Now, Jordan's fully focused on his career at 24 Carter Gold, his family's event planning company, and ready to move on - until his boss assigns him to plan a new client's high-profile wedding. The bride's man-of-honor? None other than Jamie. As things ramp up the closer they get to the wedding, so does Jordan's relationship with Jamie, with sarcastic asides turning into steamy hook-ups. But can Jordan afford to pursue Jamie if he's still unsure who he is? Or is knowing who he loves enough? Venue shopping, cake-tastings, and dress fittings with the man he can't forget just might change the man Jordan Carter is meant to become. Last First Kiss by Julian Winters is a second chance romance about finding yourself-and the love of your life"-- 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..."--

So old, so young
Ginder, Grant,
"Six Friends. Five Parties. Twenty Years... How did we get So Old, So Young? From Grant Ginder, the bestselling author of The People We Hate at the Wedding, comes a novel of impending millennial middleage that is part love story, part tragic comedy. Five parties over the course of two decades bring six college friends together, exploring the ways we can run from and cling to our friends in love, life,and death. For Marco and Mia, Sasha and Theo, Richie and Adam, theone constant in life after college together has been change. New jobs. New cities. New spouses. New children. Through it all, one thing they thought would always stay the same is their friendship. But time has a way of breaking even the strongest bonds and testing what we thought we knew. From East Village apartment parties and disastrous destination weddings to fortieth birthdays and suburban backyard barbecues, Grant Ginder's resonant, funny, and deeply moving novel isa story about the growing pains of the millennial generation, and acelebration of how love can shift, stumble, and grow into something bigger than we ever could have imagined"--

Solodka Darusi︠a︡ : drama na try z︠h︡ytti︠a︡
Matios, Marii︠a︡,
880-05

The bodyguard situation
Parish, Lyra,
"Being a bodyguard for my billionaire cousins comes with many perks. One of my favorites is rescuing gorgeous, sassy-mouthed damsels in distress ... there are a few problems with that: Harper Alexander isn't a damsel or distressed. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that she doesn't want to be rescued. Too bad she doesn't have a choice. Right now, I don't give a flying you-know-what that she escaped the city with her brand-new fiancé and plans to marry him next week ... I will find her. I may have to throw her over my shoulder, kicking and screaming, but she's coming with me. She has no idea how much danger she's in"--Page 4 of cover

Hearts
Hardt, Helen,
Told in alternating voices, the conclusion of Bianca Montrose and Dr. Harrison O'Rourke's story, one that began with Harrison searching for his missing friends and Bianca entering her sister's world of the Aces Underground private club, and now the end finds them working together to end the darkness and evil at the club's core

Practical magic
Hoffman, Alice,
Orphaned at an early age, Gillian and Sally Owen are raised by an aunt who deals in sorcery. The girls long for the normal life and leave home as soon as they can. Years later tragedy strikes and it is then they realize that magic is their gift, not their affliction. By the author of Illumination Night

Cold zero : a thriller
Thor, Brad,
"Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777--the most advanced jetliner ever built--disappears without a trace over the North Pole. Crippled by sabotage, it crash-lands on the ice, stranding the surviving passengers in a wasteland of frigid cold and chaos. The real storm, however, is still coming. Hidden inside the wreckage is the prototype for a revolutionary piece of technology that could upend the balance of world power. Now Washington, Moscow, and Beijing are racing to be the first on scene to retrieve it--at any cost. Trapped in the middle of the world's most dangerous flashpoint are CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and former fighter pilot turned first officer, Brett Sharpe. Hunted by enemy forces, they must spirit both the device and its creator across the ice to safety--before rival superpowers turn the Arctic into a war zone. With the clock ticking and the temperature dropping, the fate of the free world is about to be decided at the top of the globe"--

The body
Morrow, Bethany C.,
The Body, by Bethany C. Morrow, is a supernatural horror novel that follows Mavis, a woman coping with the lingering psychological effects of her upbringing in a strict religious community. Although she has distanced herself from her parents' congregation, the criticism and expectations she experienced continue to affect her sense of self. As tensions grow in her marriage to her husband, Jerrod, Mavis begins experiencing a series of increasingly disturbing and unexplained attacks. As these events intensify, she must confront both external threats and the emotional struggles rooted in her past

Paper cut
Taff, Rachel,
"A page-turning suspense debut that tells the story of a woman who rose to fame after escaping a cult as a teenager, but whose future is threatened when dangerous secrets come back to haunt her, perfect for fans of Jessica Knoll and The Girls"--

Humboldt cut
Mick, Allison,
"Jasmine Bay is a nurse for an Oakland mental health facility, battling her own demons, caught in a spiral of suicidal despair. Estranged from her brother James and his wife Tilly, who was once her best friend, Jas has chosen self-isolation to protect herself--even if it means denying herself a hopeful future with co-worker and potential love interest Henry Lewis. When her godmother dies, Jas returns to Redceder for the funeral, a logging town where her grandfather William Whipple made a living deforesting the countryside, ripping and raping apart nature's very foundations for corporate profits. As trees fell to axes and chainsaws, so did dozens of lumberjacks, falling prey to the dangers of their job--and to the ecoterrorism of Jas's grandfather who was lynched for his crime. And buried in the haunted woods are even more dark secrets perpetrated by Jas's family. Unnatural acts giving birth to entities made of human flesh and petrified bark, seeking to avenge the devastation that ravaged their land. It is an inheritance that threatens to consume the remnants of Jas's family, and her very sanity" -- Dust jacket

It girl
Pataki, Allison,
"At the dawn of the twentieth century, New York's streets teem with change: electricity, automobiles, the brash young President Teddy Roosevelt--and the It Girls. As artists' muses and working models, these independent young women soar to stardom not because of their pedigrees or inherited wealth, but because of their talent, charisma, and irresistible beauty. Pop culture is born, and in a world alight with Mr. Edison's new bulbs, no one shines brighter than America's sweetheart, Evelyn Talbot. But the journey to stardom is not simple or straight. While working as a shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of the age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity: the iconic Gibson Girl, the most sought-after figure and face of her time. Enter a parade of powerful and power-hungry men, from world-famous architect Stanley Pierce, the visionary behind Manhattan's mansions and iconic landmarks, to Hal Thorne, the shockingly wealthy railroad heir and premier "playboy" of high society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security--even love. But fame and fortune are cruel teachers, and Evelyn learns that the only person she can rely on is herself. When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared "the Crime of the Century," she is blamed for the acts of the men in her life. In the media frenzy that spirals around her, Evelyn realizes that to survive, she will have to write her own ending. But can this artists' muse turned showgirl pull off the greatest act of her life?"--

An heir of distinction
Burrowes, Grace,
"Former vicar Bernard Huxley has inherited responsibility for complicated family businesses, though he finds himself surprisingly happy immersed in trade. Then his London relations foist upon him guardianship of two small children when Bernard already has quite enough to do. ... Sorcha, Lady Barclay, will use every weapon she can lay her hands on to protect her offspring from her meddling in-laws, but she has few defenses against a man who takes his honor seriously, listens to her, and sometimes even has worthy ideas. ... Will Bernard and Sorcha turn to each other when trouble looms, or let a mutual enemy forever drive them apart?"--Page 4 of cover

The Jills
Parkman, Karen,
"Virginia is a Jill--a professional Buffalo Bills cheerleader--living the life she's always dreamed of. She spends her weekdays practicing, her weekends cheering, and her nights hopping between events and bars and clubs with her close-knit band of teammates, especially her best friend, Jeanine, whose dynamic friendship has given Virginia confidence in spades and allowed her to put aside her troubled past with her sister, Laura. But one Sunday, Jeanine fails to show up for a game, and all her calls and texts go unanswered. Aided by a worried network of Jills, ex-boyfriends, and seedy fixtures of Buffalo's criminal underground, Virginia embarks on an investigation into Jeanine's disappearance. But as her search grows increasingly dangerous and spirals into obsession, disturbing questions about who Jeanine really is begin to emerge. Soon, Virginia finds herself wondering how well she knows her friend, if she can trust the people and institutions she thought were protecting her, and whether--when trying to save the people she cares about most--she's capable of saving herself, too"--

Dziewczyna z wrzosowisk
Riley, Lucinda, 1965-2021,
"Lata siedemdziesiąte XX wieku, Yorkshire. Leah Thompson podczas wakacji pomaga matce prowadzącej dom pewnej malarki. Tam spotyka jej bratanka. Zanim lato dobiega końca, przyjaźń między dwójką nastolatków przeradza się̨ w głębokie uczucie, ale intryga zazdrosnej o chłopaka kuzynki doprowadza do ich bolesnego rozstania. Lata dwudzieste XX wieku, Paryż. Podczas wycieczki do Paryża pochodząca z angielskiej arystokratycznej rodziny Adele poznaje młodego polskiego malarza. Po kilku spotkaniach oboje wiedzą, za są sobie przeznaczeni. Dziewczyna porzuca wszystko, by wyjechać z ukochanym do Warszawy. Nie żałuje tej decyzji, nawet wtedy, gdy po hitlerowskiej napaści na Polskę razem z rodziną cierpi głód i poniżenie w getcie. Za jej decyzję, by nie opuścić męża w sytuacji największego zagrożenia, zapłacą nie tylko oni i dwójka ich wyjątkowo uzdolnionych dzieci, ale też - dziesiątki lat później - inne osoby. Także Leah, która obawia się wprawdzie przepowiedni usłyszanej w dzieciństwie od starej kobiety z wrzosowisk, uchodzącej za czarownicę, ale nie ma pojęcia, że wisi nad nią cień dawnej mrocznej historii. Czy zdol\ła z niego wyjść i znów otworzyć się na życie i miłość?

The Pizza Planet cookbook : official recipes from your favorite food and fun spaceport
Caron, Sarah W.,
"Calling all Toy Story fans and pizza lovers: join the Pizza Planet team and learn the secrets to their out-of-this-world pies, sides, and more ... You'll find all the basic techniques, ensuring you can quickly get up to speed with Pizza Planet's signature doughs, sauces, and pizza-making tips. The recipes include everything you'd expect from the Pizza Planet you know and love from Disney and Pixar's Toy Story, including classic pies ans well as Sicilian-style pizzas, deep dish pizzas, and creative specialty pizzas ... Shareable sides, quirky desserts, and a few drinks round out the menu"--Page 4 of cover

The crown's silence : the hidden history of the British monarchy and slavery in the Americas
Newman, Brooke N.,
"For centuries, Britain has told itself and the world that it is an abolitionist nation, one that, unlike the United States, rejected human bondage and dismantled its Atlantic slave empire without tearing itself apart in violence. An abolitionist nation headed by a just, humane monarch who liberated enslaved Africans and recognized their descendants as free and equal subjects of the British Crown. As Prince William put it recently, "We're very much not a racist family." When slaveholding nations write their collective history, the enslavers hold the pen. Now, acclaimed historian Brooke Newman reveals the true story: the enslavers were supported by members of the royal family. From the 1560s to 1807, the British monarchy invested in the transatlantic slave trade and built a slave empire in colonial America and the Caribbean, with the labor of millions of enslaved Africans who would see none of its riches. It profited from African slave trading and hereditary bondage, setting the stage for other colonial powers to develop brutal slave systems that remained legal long after full emancipation in the British Empire in 1838. The scars of this history remain visible the world over, from economic inequality and educational and health disparities to racial discrimination and prejudice. Still, Crown officials continue to insist the legacies of slavery "belong to the past." Newman focuses not on portraits of British monarchs but on their actions and investments that led to the rise and fall of the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery, and on some of the people whose lives it took, placing the struggles and sacrifices of innumerable individuals of African origin and ancestry at the center of Britain's story

We the women : the hidden heroes who shaped America
O'Donnell, Norah,
"Over a decades-long, distinguished career ... journalist Norah O'Donnell has made it her mission to shed light on untold women's stories. Now, in honor of America's 250th birthday, O'Donnell focuses that passion on the American heroines who helped change the course of history. ... Through extensive research and interviews, as well as historical documents and old photos, O'Donnell curates a ... portrait of these fierce fighters for freedom. From Mary Katherine Goddard, who printed the first signed Declaration of Independence, to the Forten family women, who were active in the abolition and suffrage movements and were considered the 'Black Founders' of Philadelphia, to the first women who served in the armed forces even before they had the right to vote, O'Donnell brings these extraordinary women together for the first time, and in doing so writes the American story anew"--

End of days : Ruby Ridge, the Apocalypse, and the unmaking of America
Jennings, Chris, 1982-
"On August 21, 1992, shots rang out while federal agents were surveilling a cabin in Boundary County, Idaho as part of an operation to arrest Randy Weaver--a reclusive, mountain-dwelling survivalist--for failure to appear in court on a gun charge. When Weaver finally surrendered to the authorities eleven days later, his wife, son, and dog lay dead, as did a US Marshal. Ever since, America has been trying to make sense of what happened on Ruby Ridge. Today, the question could not be more urgent, as the shock waves from Ruby Ridge have amplified and compounded, cracking the very foundations of our democracy. In End of Days, Chris Jennings explains the significance of this historic siege by setting the story of the Weaver family within the long history of apocalyptic Christianity in the United States, illuminating the ways in which that faith has gradually transformed the nation. The strain of doomsday Christianity that gripped the Weavers, he shows, was grounded in a particular reading of biblical prophecy that can be traced back to the 1870s and up through the twentieth-century rise of Christian fundamentalism to the right-wing conspiracism that now defines American society and politics. The events at Ruby Ridge acted as an accelerant for this spreading worldview, and are essential to understanding the crisis that our nation confronts today." --

MCAT biology review

The distance of a shout : selected poems
Ondaatje, Michael, 1943-
"The poetry of Michael Ondaatje begins in memory: distant landscapes, myths from childhood, fleeting interactions with loved ones, and characters from history itself. In poems that are spare as often as they are fable-like-as tender as they are heart-wrenching-the poet navigates the past, looks toward the future, and unearths inevitable truths about the world. Assembling Michael Ondaatje's finest poems in one brilliant volume, Selected Poems chronicles the poet's journey-moving book to book, moment to moment, border to border-and leads the reader through the threshold of discovery itself. The Distance of a Shout is a profound and gorgeous collection by an indispensable poet of our time, and proof of why miraculous poetry endures"--

One up on Wall Street : how to use what you already know to make money in the market
Lynch, Peter (Peter S.),
"In a new introduction written specifically for this edition ... Lynch gives his take on the incredible rise of Internet stocks, as well as a list of twenty winning companies of high-tech '90s. That many of these winners are low-tech supports his thesis that amateur investors can continue to reap exceptional rewards from mundane, easy-to-understand companies they encounter in their daily lives"--Page 4 of cover

AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT all-in-one
Ambrosius, Lee,
"In the brand-new second edition of AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT All-in-One For Dummies, consultant and industry expert with more than 30 years of experience using and extending AutoCAD along with being a 20-year veteran of AutoCAD education, Lee Ambrosius, walks you through the fundamentals of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. He explains the most useful features of both AutoCAD and the more budget-friendly AutoCAD LT, showing you how to choose the right tools and workflows for your projects." --

MCAT critical analysis and reasoning skills review

Work how you are wired : 12 data-driven steps to finding a job you love
Vanderbloemen, B. William, 1969-
"It's no secret that some people are just better suited to their jobs than others. It's time to find out why and how you can achieve this same success and happiness too. It's no secret that some people are just better suited to their jobs than others. It's time to find out why and how you can achieve this same success and happiness too. Remember taking that career test in grade school where you were told you'd make a great federal judge or an exemplary lighthouse keeper? In this book, executive search CEO William Vanderbloemen takes that concept and maps it against hundreds of thousands of data points, forming a roadmap for all of us on how to choose careers that align with our personalities so that we are happy at work. William has become an unlikely business expert over his long and continuing career. Combining over fifteen years of ministry experience as a Senior Pastor with the best practices of executive search, William created a brand-new industry: executive search for faith-based organizations. Prior to founding his own search company, William studied under a mentor with over twenty-five years of executive search experience at the highest level. William has surveyed thousands of people in the workforce. He's asked what their job is and how they feel about them. He also asked them to report their scores on leading personality assessments. Now, in this groundbreaking guide, William helps you recognize the traits you possess that make you happy and then match those against your possible careers to find the best match."--

Politics without politicians : the case for citizen rule
Landemore, Hélène, 1976-
Politicians make big promises, deliver little to nothing and keep the game rigged in their favour. But what can we do? With disarming clarity and a deep sense of urgency, political theorist Hélène Landemore argues that electoral politics is broken but democracy isn't. We've just been doing it wrong. Drawing on ancient Athenian practices and contemporary citizens' assemblies, Landemore champions an alternative approach that is alive, working and growing around the world: civic lotteries that select everyday people to govern, not as career politicians but as temporary stewards of the common good. When regular citizens come together in this way, they make smarter, fairer, more forward-thinking decisions, often bringing out the best in one another

The common sense cowboy's guide to life : stories from the old guy at the end of the bar
Dorinson, Patrick,

You're in good company : the art of friendship, motherhood, and showing up
Gadd, Ashlee,
Mothers are hungry for friendship, and You're in Good Company will nourish and inspire them to fling open their doors and hearts to rediscover hospitality, companionship, and true connection

Once there was a town : the memory books of a lost Jewish world
Ziegelman, Jane,
"A powerful exploration of the books created by Jewish Holocaust survivors to honor their lost world By the close of World War II, six million Jews had been erased from the face of the earth. Those who eluded death had lost their homes, families, and entire way of life. Their response was quintessentially Jewish. From a people with a long-history of self-narration, survivors gathered in groups and wrote books, yizkor books, remembering all that had been destroyed. Jane Ziegelman's Once There Was a Town takes readers on a journey through this largely uncharted body of writing and the vanished world it depicts. Once There Was a Town resounds with the voices of rich and poor, shopkeepers and tradespeople, scholars and peddlers, Zionists and Communists, men and women telling stories of the towns that were their homes. Stops are made in the bustling market squares where Jewish merchants catered to local farmers; study houses where men recited Torah; kitchens where homemakers baked 20-pound loaves of bread; cemeteries where mourners conversed with departed loved ones and wooded groves where young couples met for the occasional moonlit tryst. Of the many towns on Ziegelman's itinerary, she always circles back to Luboml, her family's ancestral shtetl and the point of departure for her own journey of discovery. In conversation with classics by IB Singer and Roman Vishniac, Once There Was a Town is a landmark of rediscovery, and a love song to a vanished world"-- Provided by publisher

The making and breaking of the American constitution : a thousand-year history
Peterson, Mark A., 1960-
"A provocative new history of America's constitution and an urgent call to action for a nation confronted by challenges its founders could never have imagined. The American Revolution occurred at a time when Britain's constitutional order failed to adapt to the extraordinary growth of its colonies. The framers designed an American constitution to succeed where Britain's had faltered, planning for continuous population and territorial expansion that would eventually cross the continent. Yet by the end of the nineteenth century, it was already ill-suited for an increasingly urban, industrialized society, and the transformations of the twentieth century have pushed it to a breaking point. This book charts the history and aims of the American constitution from its origins in an agrarian past to the grave crisis we face today. Mark Peterson traces the American constitutional tradition to the control of land in medieval England, showing how the founders incorporated the aspirations of Magna Carta with the administrative principles of the Domesday Book, a meticulous survey and valuation of landed property commissioned by William the Conqueror. This framework encouraged the growth of democratic self-government in a young nation. It also institutionalized the colonization of territory and the expulsion of Indigenous peoples, establishing a legal blueprint for transforming tribal lands into revenue-yielding real estate for settlers. Peterson's riveting narrative paints an arresting picture of a dynamic republic whose frame of government has changed enormously to meet the challenges of the modern age but whose written constitution has changed very little. Marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution reveals how this widening disconnect threatens the very existence of our democracy. It calls for a constitution that sustains the ideals developed over the past thousand years while meeting the challenges of the future."--

All my knotted-up life : a memoir
Moore, Beth, 1957-
"An incredibly thoughtful, disarmingly funny, and intensely vulnerable glimpse into the life and ministry of a woman familiar to many but known by few. All My Knotted-Up Life is a beautifully crafted portrait of resilience and survival, a poignant reminder of God's enduring faithfulness, and proof positive that if we ever truly took the time to hear people's full stories...we'd all walk around slack-jawed"--

They went another way : a Hollywood memoir
Kaplan, Bruce Eric
"A darkly comic memoir about being a working creative person in a world that is growing ever more dysfunctional, by acclaimed New Yorker cartoonist and television writer Bruce Eric Kaplan In January of 2022, Bruce Eric Kaplan found himself confused and upset by the state of the world and the state of his life as a television writer in Los Angeles. He started a journal to keep from going mad. That journal is now They Went Another Way. The book's through line traces his trying to get a television project set up in the increasingly Byzantine world of Hollywood. But as he details the project's ups and downs, Kaplan finds himself not only ruminating on show business, but also on today's political and social issues, on old movies and TV shows and music, on his family, on his friends, on his past, on his failing heating system, and on all the dead birds that kept showing up in his backyard. This hilarious and surprisingly moving book is about life-about art, about love, about alienation, about connection, about ugliness and beauty, about disappointment and wonder and hope. In short, it is about everything. And if it's not, it almost is"--

Lucky loser : adventures in tennis & comedy
Kosta, Michael,
"Before Michael Kosta was performing stand-up comedy specials and hosting The Daily Show, he was a professional tennis 'star,' reaching the lofty heights of the #864 ranked men's singles player in the world. Stop laughing. That's better than your world ranking. As a tennis pro, Kosta traveled across the globe, competing in such exotic locales as the Netherlands, Tokyo, and even rural Illinois before deciding to put down his racket and pursue a more stable and predictable career: comedy. In a completely unexpected and wild journey through the backwaters of professional tennis, Kosta shows the unlikely ways life on the court prepared him for life in front of a microphone. Like comedy, tennis is brutally competitive, and most people lose at it. Unlike comedy, no one in tennis puts a gun on the table as they count out your earnings in twenty-dollar bills at the end of the night. And then there are the things that have more to do with what happens to you--and what you end up learning--as part of growing up. Topics include: how to properly discard an unwanted European hard-boiled egg, giving CPR to your dead grandpa, cringe-worthy 'sex' in the Red Light District, crying so hard in a car that strangers call the cops, and also happy things like what it feels like when your dreams come true"--Provided by publisher

Burn the place : a memoir
Regan, Iliana, 1979-
A memoir chronicling Iliana Regan's journey from foraging on the family farm to running her Michelin-starred restaurant, Elizabeth, in Chicago

What set me free : a true story of wrongful conviction, a dream deferred, and a man redeemed
Banks, Brian, 1985-

His face like mine : finding God's love in our wounds
Joyce, Russell W., 1988-
Have you ever tasted true freedom? Russell Joyce was born with a rare craniofacial disorder called Goldenhar syndrome, where the left side of his face was not formed. Years of patchwork surgeries made him more outwardly presentable, but not without deep pain and physical and emotional scars. But a life-changing encounter broke through to him with a power he never thought possible, in the very place he never thought to look--his broken face. This set Russell on a journey to understand what was hindering him and others from experiencing the power of God's grace and being truly set free. During a season of starting a new church in Brooklyn, New York, he learned how the broken places of our lives can be transformed when Jesus meets us in the realities of our woundedness. God doesn't love us despite our wounds but through those very wounds. By his scars we are healed, and we can find new depths of freedom in Christ, scars and all.A warning: this journey will not be easy. A promise: it will be well worth the risk

Black American refugee : escaping the narcissism of the American dream
Drayton, Tiffanie,
"After following her mother to the US at a young age to pursue economic opportunities, one woman must come to terms with the ways in which systematic racism and resultant trauma keep the American Dream inaccessible to Black people. In the early '90s, young Tiffanie Drayton and her siblings left Trinidad and Tobago to join their mother in New Jersey, where she'd been making her way as a domestic worker, eager to give her children a shot at the American Dream. At first, life in the US was idyllic. But chasing good school districts with affordable housing left Tiffanie and her family constantly uprooted--moving from Texas to Florida then back to New Jersey. As Tiffanie came of age in the suburbs, she began to ask questions about the binary Black and white American world. Why were the Black neighborhoods she lived in crime-ridden, and the multicultural ones safe? Why were there so few Black students in advanced classes at school, if there were any advanced classes at all? Why was it so hard for Black families to achieve stability? Why were Black girls treated as something other than worthy? Ultimately, exhausted by the pursuit of a "better life" in America, twenty-year old Tiffanie returns to Tobago. She is suddenly able to enjoy the simple freedom of being Black without fear, and imagines a different future for her own children. But then COVID-19 and widely publicized instances of police brutality bring America front and center again. This time, as an outsider supported by a new community, Tiffanie grieves and rages for Black Americans in a way she couldn't when she was one. An expansion of her New York Times piece of the same name, Black American Refugee examines in depth the intersection of her personal experiences and the broader culture and historical ramifications of American racism and global white supremacy. Through thoughtful introspection and candidness, Tiffanie unravels the complex workings of the people in her life, including herself, centering Black womanhood, and illuminating the toll a lifetime of racism can take. Must Black people search beyond the shores of the "land of the free" to realize emancipation? Or will the voices that propel America's new reckoning welcome all dreamers and dreams to this land?"--

The yellow house
Broom, Sarah M.,
"Sarah M. Broom's [memoir] The Yellow House tells a hundred years of her family and their relationship to home in a neglected area of one of America's most mythologized cities. This is the story of a mother's struggle against a house's entropy, and that of a prodigal daughter who left home only to reckon with the pull that home exerts, even after the Yellow House was wiped off the map after Hurricane Katrina."--

This is what America looks like : my journey from refugee to Congresswoman
Omar, Ilhan, 1981-
"An intimate and rousing memoir by progressive trailblazer Ilhan Omar-the first African refugee, the first Somali-American, and one of the first Muslim women, elected to Congress. Ilhan Omar was only eight years old when war broke out in Somalia. The youngest of seven children, her mother had died while Ilhan was still a little girl. She was being raised by her father and grandfather when armed gunmen attacked their compound and the family decided to flee Mogadishu. They ended up in a refugee camp in Kenya, where Ilhan says she came to understand the deep meaning of hunger and death. Four years later, after a painstaking vetting process, her family achieved refugee status and arrived in Arlington, Virginia. Aged twelve, penniless, speaking only Somali and having missed out on years of schooling, Ilhan rolled up her sleeves, determined to find her American dream. Faced with the many challenges of being an immigrant and a refugee, she questioned stereotypes and built bridges with her classmates and in her community. In under two decades she became a grassroots organizer, graduated from college and was elected to congress with a record-breaking turnout by the people of Minnesota-ready to keep pushing boundaries and restore moral clarity in Washington D.C. A beacon of positivity in dark times, Congresswoman Omar has weathered many political storms and yet maintained her signature grace, wit and love of country-all the while speaking up for her beliefs. Similarly, in chronicling her remarkable personal journey, Ilhan is both lyrical and unsentimental, and her irrepressible spirit, patriotism, friendship and faith are visible on every page. As a result, This is What America Looks Like is both the inspiring coming of age story of a refugee and a multidimensional tale of the hopes and aspirations, disappointments and failures, successes, sacrifices and surprises, of a devoted public servant with unshakable faith in the promise of America"--

Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance : an inquiry into values
Pirsig, Robert M
Set as a story of a cross-country trip on a motorcycle by a father and son, the narrative becomes a personal quest to discover the fundamental questions of how to live

Sex cult nun : breaking away from the Children of God, a wild, radical religious cult
Jones, Faith (Lawyer),
In a story of liberation and self-empowerment, the author shares her hauntingly intimate coming-of-age narrative of growing up in and escaping from the Children of God, an oppressive, extremist religious cult

Dolly on Dolly : interview and encounters
Parton, Dolly,
Collection of interviews spanning five decades of Dolly Parton's career and featuring material gathered from celebrated publications including Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, Playboy, and Interview magazine. This book traces Dolly's evolution from her dirt-poor Smoky Mountain childhood to her reign as the undisputed 'Queen of Country Music.'" -- Adapted from Amazon.com summary

Waiting on the moon : artists, poets, drifters, grifters, and goddesses
Wolf, Peter, 1946-
"From the legendary musical figure and former vocalist of the J. Geils Band, whose career spans more than six decades, a treasure trove of revealing vignettes, all told with gentle humor and heartrending poignancy. ... Told as a series of encounters with remarkable people over the course of a long and equally remarkable musical career, Waiting on the Moon provides a revealing glimpse of both iconic and lesser-known creative giants as they work--the forces that drive them to achievement, the demons they battle, the patterns of their human relationships"--Dust jacket

Thunderclap : a memoir of art and life & sudden death
Cumming, Laura,
"Featuring beautiful full-color images of Dutch paintings throughout, this stunning book about one of the most vibrant periods in European art and life is centered around the fascinating, little-known story of the Thunderclap - an enormous explosion in 1654 Holland that claimed the life of one of the greatest artists of the 17th century."

To name the bigger lie : a memoir in two stories
Viren, Sarah, 1979-
"Sarah's story begins as she's researching what she believes will be a book about her high school philosophy teacher, a charismatic instructor who taught her and her classmates to question everything--in the end, even the reality of historical atrocities. As she digs into the effects of his teachings, her life takes a turn into the fantastical when her wife, Marta, is notified that she's been investigated for sexual misconduct at the university where they both teach. Based in part on a viral New York Times essay, To Name the Bigger Lie follows the investigation as it upends Sarah's understanding of truth. She knows the claims made against Marta must be lies, and as she uncovers the identity of the person behind them and then tries, with increasing desperation, to prove their innocence, she's drawn back into the questions that her teacher inspired all those years ago: about the nature of truth, the value of skepticism, and the stakes we all have in getting the story right. A compelling, incisive journey into honesty and betrayal, this memoir explores the powerful pull of dangerous conspiracy theories and the pliability of personal narratives in a world dominated by hoaxes and fakes. To Name the Bigger Lie reads like the best of psychological thrillers--made all the more riveting because it's true."--

Poetry unbound : 50 poems to open your world
Ó Tuama, Padraig,
"Expanding on the popular podcast of the same name from On Being Studios, Poetry Unbound offers immersive reflections on fifty powerful poems. In the tumult of our contemporary moment, poetry has emerged as an inviting, consoling outlet with a unique power to move and connect us, to inspire fury, tears, joy, laughter, and surprise. This generous anthology pairs fifty illuminating poems with poet and podcast host Pádraig Ó Tuama's appealing, unhurried reflections. With keen insight and warm personal anecdotes, Ó Tuama considers each poem's artistry and explores how its meaning can reach into our own lives"--

Felicity
Oliver, Mary, 1935-2019,

Sonnets for a missing key : (and some others)
Everett, Percival
"Do keys matter? Do they speak to different parts of us? Inspired by the Preludes of Chopin and the piano solos of Art Tatum, these experimental sonnets seek to question timbre and tone. That's bullshit. They are just sonnets"--

The legend of Sigurd and Gudrún
Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973

Circle of grace : a book of blessings for the seasons
Richardson, Jan L
Within the struggle, joy, pain, and delight that attend our life, there is an invisible circle of grace that enfolds and encompasses us in every moment. Blessings help us to perceive this circle of grace, to find our place of belonging within it, and to receive the strength the circle holds for us

Washing my mother's body : a ceremony for grief
Harjo, Joy,
"Through lyrical prose and evocative watercolor illustrations by award-winning Muscogee artist Dana Tiger, Washing My Mother's Body explores the complexity of a daughter's grief as she reflects on the joys and sorrows of her mother's life. She lays her mother to rest in the landscape of her memory, honoring the hands that raised her, the body that protected her, and the legs that carried her mother through adversity. Moving, comforting, and deeply emotional, Washing My Mother's Body is a tender look at mother-daughter relationships, the complexity of grieving the loss of a parent, and the enduring love of those left behind"--

Blushing : expressions of love in poems and letters
Critically acclaimed poet and anthologist Paul Janeczko has turned his attention to a new compilation of love poems for teens. This book collects the most poignant and moving musings about love from a diverse group of classic poets and writers like Shakespeare, Dickinson, Whitman, Millay, Angelous, and many more

Jump soul : new and selected poems
Smith, Charlie, 1947-

Paper boat : new and selected poems, 1961-2023
Atwood, Margaret, 1939-
"Tracing the legacy of Margaret Atwood - a writer who has fundamentally shaped the contemporary literary landscapes - Paper Boat assembles Atwood's most vital poems in one essential volume"--

Burns : poems
Burns, Robert, 1759-1796
A collection of poems and songs by eighteenth-century Scottish writer Robert Burns

Six American poets : an anthology

Writing wild : women poets, ramblers, and mavericks who shape how we see the natural world
Aalto, Kathryn

Egghead, or, you can't survive on ideas alone
Burnham, Bo, 1990-

The essential Rumi
Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī, Maulana, 1207-1273

The Odyssey
Homer,
"When Robert Fagles' translation of the Iliad was published in 1990, critics and scholars alike hailed it as a masterpiece." "Now Robert Fagles presents us with the Odyssey, Homer's best-loved and most accessible poem, recounting the arduous wanderings of Odysseus during his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca, after the Trojan War. If the Iliad is the world's greatest war story, then the Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of everyman's journey through life. Odysseus' reliance on his wit and wiliness for survival in his encounters with divine and natural forces is at once the human story and an individual test of moral endurance. In the myths and legends that are magnificently retold here, Fagles has captured the energy and poetry of Homer's original in a bold, contemporary idiom and given us an Odyssey to read aloud, to savor, and to treasure for its sheer lyrical mastery." "Renowned classicist Bernard Knox's superb Introduction and textual commentary provide new insights and background information for the general reader and scholar, intensifying the strength of Fagles' translation. This is an Odyssey to delight both the classicist and the public at large, and to captivate a new generation of Homer's students."--Jacket

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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