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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

The Calvin and Hobbes portable compendium
Watterson, Bill,
"Calvin and Hobbes is unquestionably one of the most popular comic strips of all time. The imaginative world of a boy and his real-only-to-him tiger first appeared in 1985 and could be read in more than 2,400 newspapers when Bill Watterson retired on January 1, 1996. This compact, portable new format is designed to introduce the timeless adventures of Calvin and Hobbes to a new generation of readers, and will fit easily into backpacks as well as on the collector's shelf. Featuring archival slipcase and cover art selected by the author, The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium pays tribute to the strip's origin in newspapers while appealing to both new and existing fans of Calvin and Hobbes." -- Publisher's website

All carry
Wojciechowski, Gene,
"After the discovery of some old golf clubs at a garage sale, a down-on-his luck reporter discovers they suddenly make him hit perfectly. With the help of disgraced caddy, he competes at the Masters"-- Provided by publisher

When I kill you
Paris, B. A.,
"The multimillion-copy and New York Times bestseller B. A. Paris returns with a triumphant, unsettling new suspense novel. Who is watching Nell Masters? Nell Masters is certain someone is following her. The hairs on the back of her neck rise when she travels to and from work, there are silent calls to her office, and a huge bouquet of flowers arrives without a card. And Nell has a reason to be looking over her shoulder, because she has a secret that she's hiding from everyone in her life, including her new partner, Alex. But Alex also has secrets of his own. Fourteen years earlier, when Nell went by the name Elle Nugent, she witnessed a student, Bryony Sanders, getting into a stranger's car. When Bryony was found murdered, Elle became obsessed with finding the person responsible. She was convinced she knew who it was and her fixation with Brett Parker, the man she accused, led her down a dangerous path . . . Now, Nell tries to convince herself that this unnerving feeling of being watched is all in her mind. Has someone from her past discovered her new identity? Has the stalker become the stalked? Or is there something even more deadly at play?"--

Ashland
Simon, Dan,
Ashland is a novel set in Ashland, a former mill town in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, during the late twentieth century. The narrative is presented through six perspectives, including Carolyn, a young writer confronting personal and creative decisions; Gordon and his wife Edith, later-life residents of the town; Andy, a local youth; Geoff, a writing instructor at Plymouth State University; and Jennie, Carolyn's aunt. The novel explores themes of personal development, mentorship, family relationships, and community life, with the town itself serving as a central presence in the story

I will kill your imaginary friend for $200
Brockway, Robert, 1980-
"To bright and anxious eight-year-old Kay Washington, the worst thing in the world is being alone with the quiet. That's why Eddie Video makes the perfect imaginary friend: He's smart, he's loud, he loves pulling pranks, and he's always there to chase away the silence. To mid-forties, down-on-his-luck Ivan, the worst thing in the world happened when he lost his imaginary friend. Now cursed with the ability to see everyone else's, Ivan makes a living by killing the imaginary friends of adults who couldn't let go. But when one of Eddie Video's "pranks" goes too far, Ivan agrees to make an exception and help Kay. Only Ivan will soon learn that Eddie Video is nothing like the talking ostriches, star bears, and goblin princesses he's encountered in the past, and it's going to take a lot more than clumsy haymakers and steak knives to bring him down. A balance of comedy and catharsis, this dual-narrative tackles both the fear of growing up and the scars our childhood leaves behind"--Amazon

A lie for a lie
DeStefano, Ren,
"A deadly game of cat and mouse unfolds when a housewife with a secret life takes on a tech billionaire with secrets darker than her own . . . from the author of How I'll Kill You. Margaux leads a double life that would make most people dizzy. By day, she's a seemingly ordinary interior decorator with a picture-perfect marriage. By night, she works for a mysterious employer known only as Mr. X. Her specialty: infiltrating the lives of dangerous targets, gaining their trust, and ultimately exposing their crimes. Her latest assignment: Bertram Casimir, a ruthless tech CEO with an empire built on questionable foundations. His own sister is demanding retribution-alleging he stole a groundbreaking app and may be responsible for the suspicious disappearance of an ex-girlfriend. The job seems straightforward, but Margaux quickly discovers Bertram is no ordinary mark. He sees through her carefully constructed facade, matching her move for move. As the lines between hunter and prey blur, Margaux finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Bertram. They share more than she'd like to admit-a dangerous intelligence, a taste for high-stakes manipulation. When the evidence begins to shift, threatening to unravel everything she knows, Margaux realizes this is far more than just another job. Her secrets-and her life-are now on the line. One lie remains, and it might just save her"-- Provided by publisher

Just for the cameras
Quinn, Meghan,
"Graydon St. John doesn't do drama--or public appearances. The brooding defensive end for the San Francisco Foghorns prefers silence, solitude, and avoiding headlines. But when a league-wide PR scandal forces him into a media stunt at the city zoo, he's suddenly face-to-face with squawking birds, nosy fans, and the zookeeper who seems to hate his guts on sight. Maple Baker loves her flamingos. Loud, pink, messy? Sure. But they're hers. And the last thing she needs is a grumpy football player stomping into her sanctuary with a bad attitude and a bigger ego. Unfortunately, they've been paired for the zoo's new public outreach program, and the cameras are already rolling. The banter is sharp. The tension is electric. And the more they pretend to play nice for the press, the more their fake flirtation starts to feel like something dangerously real. But when family secrets, viral fame, and a PR romance gone off-script threaten everything Maple's worked for, Graydon must decide if he's willing to fight for love--or let it slip away to protect her." --

Pendergast : the beginning
Preston, Douglas J.,
"The Agent Pendergast origin story: a golden opportunity for longtime fans and new readers to learn about Agent Pendergast's strange and shocking first case"--

A certain hunger
Summers, Chelsea G., 1962-
"Food critic Dorothy Daniels loves what she does. Discerning, meticulous, and very, very smart, Dorothy's clear mastery of the culinary arts make it likely that she could, on any given night, whip up a more inspired dish than any one of the chefs she writes about. Dorothy loves sex as much as she loves food, and while she has struggled to find a long-term partner that can keep up with her, she makes the best of her single life, frequently traveling from Manhattan to Italy for a taste of both. But there is something within Dorothy that's different from everyone else, and having suppressed it long enough, she starts to embrace what makes Dorothy uniquely, terrifyingly herself. Recounting her life from a seemingly idyllic farm-to-table childhood, the heights of her career, to the moment she plunges an ice pick into a man's neck on Fire Island, Dorothy Daniels show us what happens when a woman finally embraces her superiority."--Provided by publisher

Nowhere burning
Ward, Catriona,
In Nowhere Burning, Catriona Ward presents a dark, contemporary novel about two siblings who flee an unstable home and seek refuge at an isolated, abandoned ranch in the Colorado Rockies. The ranch has become a gathering place for runaways, but its community is marked by secrecy and control. As the protagonist adjusts to the new environment, she becomes aware of underlying dangers connected to the location's past. The narrative explores themes of survival, belonging, trauma, and group dynamics within an isolated setting

Just watch me
Torenberg, Lior,
Fleabag meets Big Swiss in this bold debut about a charismatic misfit who livestreams her life for seven days and nights to raise money to save her comatose sister--a poignant and darkly funny exploration of grief, forgiveness, and redemption. Dell Danvers is barely keeping it together. She's behind on rent for her studio apartment (formerly a walk-in closet), she's being plagued by perpetual stomach pain, and her younger sister, Daisy, is in a coma at a hospital that wants to pull the plug. Freshly unemployed and subsisting on selling plants to trust fund kids, Dell impulsively starts a 24-hour livestream under the username mademoiselle_dell to fundraise for private life support for Daisy. Dell is her stream's dungeon master, banishing those who don't abide by her terms and steadily rising up the platform's ranks with her sympathetic story and angry-funny screen presence. Once she discovers she has a talent for eating spicy food, her streaming fame explodes and her pepper consumption escalates from jalapeño to ghost to the hottest pepper on the Carolina Reaper. Dell is finally good at something--but as her behavior becomes riskier and a shadowy troll threatens to expose her dark past, Dell must reckon with what her digital life ignores, and what real redemption means. Narrated in seven taut chapters, one for each day of Dell's livestream, Just Watch Me careens through a week in the life of this charismatic misfit with a heart of gold. Voyeuristic and visceral, audacious and outrageous, Lior Torenberg's debut is both a razor-sharp tragicomedy about the internet economy and a surreptitiously moving tale about the desire to be watched, and the terror of being seen

Cleopatra
El-Arifi, Saara,
"Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic from the bestselling and award-winning author of Faebound and The Final Strife. You know my name, but you do not know me. Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall. Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves. Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children. How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, and divinely blessed to rule. Death will silence me no longer. This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived"--

Evil genius
Oshetsky, Claire,
"In this sly, darkly funny novel, a young woman becomes increasingly obsessed with tales of love and death, and begins subconsciously plotting to murder her abusive husband"--

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

Well, this is me : a cartoon collection from the New Yorker's Asher Perlman
Perlman, Asher,
"Well, This Is Me is the debut cartoon collection from Asher Perlman (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), who NPR's Scott Simon calls "one of today's great New Yorker cartoonists." A blend of Asher's classics and never-before-seen material, this collection gives the people what they want: universal health care. Okay, not that, but something almost as important: a delightful book, chock-full of over 150 cartoons about everything from a dog's encounter with a genie to the Tin Man's trip to Jiffy Lube."--

Lake Michigan's aircraft carriers
Somers, Paul M

I told you so! : scientists who were ridiculed, exiled, and imprisoned for being right
Kaplan, Matt, 1977-
"An energetic and impassioned work of popular science about scientists who have had to fight for their revolutionary ideas to be accepted-from Darwin to Pasteur to modern day Nobel Prize winners. For two decades, Matt Kaplan has covered science for the Economist. He's seen breakthroughs often occur in spite of, rather than because of, the behavior of the research community, and how support can be withheld for those who don't conform or have the right connections. In this passionately argued and entertaining book, Kaplan narrates the history of the 19th century Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis, who realized that Childbed fever-a devastating infection that only struck women who had recently given birth-was spread by doctors not washing their hands. Semmelweis was met with overwhelming hostility by those offended at the notion that doctors were at fault, and is a prime example of how the scientific community often fights new ideas, even when the facts are staring them in the face. In entertaining prose, Kaplan reveals scientific cases past and present to make his case. Some are familiar, like Galileo being threatened with torture and Nobel laureate Katalin Karikó being fired when on the brink of discovering how to wield mRNA-a finding that proved pivotal for the creation of the Covid-19 vaccine. Others less so, like researchers silenced for raising safety concerns about new drugs, and biologists ridiculed for revealing major flaws in the way rodent research is conducted. Kaplan shows how the scientific community can work faster and better by making reasonably small changes to the forces that shape it"-- Provided by publisher

Badass manifesting : how to manifest abundance, success, and the joyful life of your dreams
Block, Jenny,
We all have a badass inside of us, someone who stands up for themselves and others. Someone who gets shit done. Someone who knows what they want and makes it happen and doesn't let anyone--or anything--stand in our way. The trouble is, sometimes that badass is deep inside of us and struggles to get out. Fear all too often keeps us from being our true badass selves. Depression and anxiety can make that actualization tough, too. Jenny Block's Badass Manifesting guides her audience to find their badass confidence and resilience through a series of powerful and passionate mantras

Bookish crafts : 40 fun, easy projects for book lovers
Butler, Kanlin,
Enter a world of bookish, crafty creations with artist Kanlin Butler's charming collection of projects designed for every type of book lover. Readers can make their own bookmarks, book-themed gifts, and redesign their own book covers-- whether it's a Majestic Dragon Wings bookmark for their favorite fantasy novel, fore-edge painting of a Sunset Sky to bring life to one's bookshelf, or a Book Bouquet to gift to a close friend, this lineup of projects is perfect for every devoted reader or the fellow bookworm in their life. As literature is at the heart of this guide, Kanlin also includes a guide to annotating fiction so that readers can adopt a new skill to bring with them to each new read. This book also prioritizes variety by including several art mediums like watercolor paint or felt tip pens so that crafters can explore a myriad of aesthetic possibilities. With 45 projects to choose from, an accessible materials list, and step-by-step instructions, any reader or crafter will have endless opportunities to create literary crafts that they'll love for a lifetime

Big trust : rewire self-doubt, find your confidence, and fuel success
Zahrai, Shadé,
"Self-doubt. It's the silent force that undermines potential, eats away at confidence, and traps even the most capable in overthinking. You can't outperform it, but you can rewire it. Drawing on leading research, over a decade of work with Fortune 500 companies, and experience educating millions of professionals worldwide, Dr. Shadé Zahrai reveals a proven system for breaking the cycle of self-doubt and building deep, unshakable self-trust. In Big Trust she shares her proven framework -- the Four A's: Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability -- and shows you how to take control of your inner world so you can thrive in the outer one. With insights from her self-diagnostic quiz and actionable exercises throughout, you'll learn to: Reframe the beliefs that hold you back, Break free from people-pleasing and perfectionism, Quiet comparison and imposter thoughts, Stretch your comfort zone and reclaim your power, Channel emotion into clarity and conviction. Whether you're second-guessing a big decision, overthinking in high-stakes moments, or feeling stuck despite knowing you're capable of more, Big Trust offers practical steps that lead to powerful, lasting results. Everything you aspire to, and the strength to realize it, begins with Big Trust." --

Personal branding for introverts
Chan, Goldie,
"To build a career, you need a personal brand to showcase your distinct skills, experience, and expertise. Building that brand can feel daunting--particularly for introverts. Conventional wisdom holds that introverts should fake extroversion in order to succeed, advice that can be terrifying for anyone who finds social interaction exhausting. Personal branding expert and introvert Goldie Chan says it doesn't have to be this way. Chan empowers introverts to create memorable and recognizable personal brands without feeling the pressure to become someone else. With examples from everyday introverts to introvert celebrities like Taylor Swift and LeVar Burton, Chan shows how introversion can be a superpower when building a personal brand. She shares strategies for goal setting, navigating in-person networking events, building online and offline communities, partnering effectively with extroverts, and sustaining energy for the long run. This book is essential reading for any introvert looking to level up a career or community without sacrificing authenticity."

Code red : the left, the right, China, and the race to control AI
Hall, Wynton, 1976-
Today, 99% of Americans use AI--even if most of us don't realize it. For conservatives, this is a Code Red moment. Big Tech is quietly hard-coding left-wing ideology into the algorithms that now govern daily life. The Left is already weaponizing AI while conservatives sleepwalk straight into calamity, unless they're ready for what's coming. In Code Red, Breitbart social media director Wynton Hall exposes where that power hides, how it operates, how conservatives can navigate the AI political battlescape, avert its landmines, and turn peril into promise. AI decides what you see and what gets censored. It's quietly rewiring our whole way of life. The solution? Americans need a "code": a set of principles and solutions rooted in the red political worldview to navigate the upheaval and stay ahead

Community : going back to school with television's best sitcom
Giannini, Erin, 1974-
"A fun and engaging overview of the popular television series Community as the show fulfills its own prophecy of concluding with six seasons and a movie"-- Provided by publisher

Boss Lincoln : the partisan life of Abraham Lincoln
Pinsker, Matthew,
A biography of Abraham Lincoln that examines his career-long political strategies and coalition-building skills. Drawing extensively on Lincoln's private correspondence and historical records, the book emphasizes his mastery of party politics, from his early career as a Whig in Illinois to his leadership of the Republican Party during the Civil War. It explores Lincoln's decision-making style, relationships with aides and political allies, and efforts to secure reelection while navigating the challenges of wartime leadership and emancipation. Includes illustrations and contextual analysis of Lincoln's political influence and strategies

Better at home : recipes for big nights in
Henry, Colu,
Better at Home is the essential cookbook that makes every meal feel special, perfect for food lovers yet approachable for any home cook. Colu Henry's life, split between Hudson, New York, and Nova Scotia, always revolves around gathering friends at the table. Her cooking is about joyful, stress-free meals that never sacrifice sophistication. After years in the hospitality industry, she's learned one thing: Most meals are simply better at home. Inside, you'll find playful twists on cocktails like Fizzy Negroni Pompelmos and Amaro Spritzes; snackable bites such as Italian Shrimp Toast, Fried Sausage-Stuffed Olives, and Roasted Eggplant Dip with Toasted Seeds; and deeply satisfying vegetarian sides like Butter Rice with Roasted Tomatoes and Herbs, Braised Snap Peas with a Bit of Cream, and Golden, Crispy Leeks with Melted Gruyère. --Amazon

Eat to hustle : 75 high-protein plant-based recipes
Arzón, Robin,
"From pre-workout smoothies to comfort-food dinners, Peloton's Robin Arzón serves up 75 protein-rich dishes designed to fuel your grind and satisfy your cravings."--

The contemporary cottage garden : climate-friendly, mindful methods for growing flowers and food
Hubbard, Pamela,
In The Contemporary Cottage Garden, longtime gardener Pamela Hubbard expertly walks the gardener through what it takes to grow in the cottage garden style--where flowers and vegetables are intermingled in a casual display of colorful brilliance--while also meeting the needs of the modern world in an era of increased weather extremes. An abundance of beautiful photos by Rob Cardillo highlights Hubbard's cottage garden in Pennsylvania, where she has integrated invaluable techniques for cottage gardening in a contemporary way

MCAT general chemistry review

Eleanor : a 200-mile walk in search of England's lost queen
Loxton, Alice,
In 1290, England mourned the death of a queen, Eleanor of Castile, beloved wife of King Edward I. Her body was carried on a 200-mile journey from Lincoln to London, a solemn procession that would become immortalized in stone. To mark the places where her cortege rested, a heartbroken Edward commissioned twelve magnificent Eleanor Crosses. More than seven centuries later, historian Alice Loxton set herself an epic challenge: following in history's footsteps by walking the entire 200-mile funeral route on the corresponding dates. As Alice journeys in search of England's forgotten queen, over ancient paths and modern motorways, history comes alive in surprising ways

The weekend gardener : weekend projects & everyday inspiration for the busy gardener
Agg, Henry,
From laying a paved terrace to creating plant supports, this illustrated guide explores ideas for creating your dream space while balancing a busy schedule

Cabin : off-the-grid adventures with a clueless craftsman
Hutchison, Patrick (Journalist),
"A memoir of the author's journey from an office job to restoring a cabin in the Pacific Northwest, based on his wildly popular Outside Magazine piece. Wit's End isn't just a state of mind. It's an address, for a run-down off-the-grid cabin, 120 shabby square feet of fixer-upper Patrick Hutchison purchased on a whim in the mossy woods of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state. To say Hutchison didn't know what he was getting into is no more an exaggeration than to say he's a man with nearly zero carpentry skills. Well, used to be. You can learn a lot over 7 years or renovations. CABIN is the story of those renovations, but it's also a love story; of a place, of possibilities, and of the process of renovation, of seeing what could be instead of what is. It is a book for those who know what it's like to bite off more than you can chew, or who desperately wish to"--

Rescue story : faith, freedom, and finding my way home
Williams, Zach,
"In this powerful and poignant memoir, two-time GRAMMY Award winner Zach Williams shares his personal Rescue Story as he reflects on his childhood and the prophecy that kept his parents from giving up hope, his descent into substance abuse which held him captive for so long, and ultimately the rescue he didn't think was possible but embraced with open arms"--

Girl on a wire : walking the line between faith and freedom in the Westboro Baptist Church
Phelps, Libby,

The lucky ones : a memoir
Chowdhary, Zara, 1986-
"A moving memoir by a survivor of anti-Muslim violence in contemporary India that delicately weaves political and family histories in a tribute to India's vibrant multiethnic society and the resilience of its women and minorities, especially in the face of growing religious extremism. In 2002, Zara Chowdhary was sixteen years old and living with her family in Ahmedabad, one of India's fastest-growing metropolises, when a gruesome anti-Muslim pogrom upended her world. Instead of taking her school exams, she is put under a three-month lockdown with thousands of others, fearing for their community and their lives. The chief minister in the state at the time Narendra Modi, accused of fomenting anti-Muslim violence, would become prime minister of India and lead a government committed to eroding the rights of India's 220 million Muslims. In The Lucky Ones, Chowdhary weaves the past and the present of her multigenerational Muslim family, juxtaposing the horrific violence of rising fascistic forces on the streets with the more mundane violence of patriarchal Indian joint families at the dinner table. Through the stories of sisters, daughters, and mothers raising each other, Chowdhary shows how women hold this world together with their ability to forgive, find laughter, and offer grace even as the world they know, and their place in it, is falling apart. With lyrical clarity and intimacy, The Lucky Ones is a poetic remembrance of how a country's promise of a multi-ethnic secular democracy can so easily dissolve and descend into extremism. Chowdhary's story is a protest against the erasure of India's Muslims, a testimony of a lost girlhood, and a testament to her family and country's entwined lives"--

A silent treatment : a memoir
Vanasco, Jeannie,
"Jeannie Vanasco's mother starts using the silent treatment not long after moving into the renovated apartment within Jeannie's home. The silences begin at any perceived slight. Her shortest period of silence lasts two weeks. Her longest, six months. As Vanasco guides us through her mother's childhood, their shared past, and the devastating silence of their present, she paints a layered, complicated portrait of a mother and daughter looking, failing, and continuing to try-in big and small ways-to understand each other. In the margins of her research, at her kitchen table with her partner, in phone calls to friends, and in delightful "hey google" queries, Vanasco explores the loneliness and isolation of silence as punishment, both in her own life and beyond it, and confronts her greatest fear: that her mother will never speak to her again"-- Provided by publisher

Life after death
Echols, Damien
In 1993 three teenagers, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Miskelley Jr. were arrested and charged with the murders of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. The ensuing trial was rife with inconsistencies, false testimony and superstition. Echols was accused of, among other things, practising witchcraft and satanic rituals, a result of the "satanic panic" prevalent in the media at the time. Baldwin and Miskelley were sentenced to life in prison. Echols, deemed the ringleader, was sentenced to death. He was eighteen years old. In a shocking reversal of events, all three were suddenly released in August 2011. This is Damien Echols' story in full: from abuses by prison guards and wardens, to descriptions of inmates and deplorable living conditions, to the incredible reserves of patience, spirituality, and perseverance that kept him alive and sane for nearly two decades. In these pages, Echols describes the terrors he experienced every day and his outrage toward the American justice system, and offers a firsthand account of living on Death Row in heartbreaking, agonizing detail

Mott Street : a Chinese American family's story of exclusion and homecoming
Chin, Ava,
"Mott Street follows Chinese American writer Ava Chin, who grew up estranged from her father, as she seeks the truth about her family history-and uncovers a legacy of exclusion and resilience that speaks to the American experience past and present. Chin's ancestors became lovers, classmates, sworn enemies, and, eventually, through her birth, kin-all while converging at a single Chinatown address"--

Still standing... : my journey from streets and saloons to the stage, and Sinatra
Dreesen, Tom,
From shining shoes in dark saloons on the south side of Chicago to traveling the country as the opening act for Frank Sinatra, this is the story of Tom Dreesen's unlikely journey to a fifty-plus year career as a pioneer of stand-up comedy and a legend of the entertainment industry

Dear Senthuran : a Black spirit memoir
Emezi, Akwaeke,
"A full-throated and provocative memoir in letters from the New York Times-bestselling author of The Death of Vivek Oji, "a dazzling literary talent whose works cut to the quick of the spiritual self" (Esquire). "I want to write as if I am free," Akwaeke Emezi declares in the opening of this utterly original spiritual and creative memoir. In the novels Freshwater and The Death of Vivek Oji, Emezi introduced the landscape of Nigerian childhood through the medium of fiction. Now, the award-winning author lifts the veil of invention to reveal the harrowing yet inspiring truths of their personal, spiritual, and artistic journey--from the social constraints of childhood in Aba, Nigeria, through a lifetime of discoveries involving sexuality, storytelling, and self, to their determination to carve their way through the thorny labyrinth of the publishing world. Interweaving candid, intimate letters to friends, lovers, and family, Emezi reveals the raw pain of their journey as a spirit in the human world, the perils of all-consuming love and intimacy, and the hard-earned reward of achieving both literary recognition and a peaceful, joyous home. Electrifying and radically honest, animated by the same voracious intelligence that distinguishes their fiction, Dear Senthuran is a revelatory account of what it means to embody multiple spirits, to fight for survival, and to bend the world to one's will"--

Owner of a lonely heart : a memoir
Nguyen, Beth,
"From the award-winning author of Stealing Buddha's Dinner, a powerful memoir of a mother-daughter relationship fragmented by war and resettlement. At the end of the Vietnam War, when Beth Nguyen was eight months old, she and her father, sister, grandmother, and uncles fled Saigon for America. Beth's mother stayed--or was left--behind, and they did not meet again until Beth was nineteen. Over the course of her adult life, she and her mother have spent less than twenty-four hours together. Owner of a Lonely Heart is a memoir about parenthood, absence, and the condition of being a refugee: the story of Beth's relationship with her mother. Framed by a handful of visits over the course of many years--sometimes brief, sometimes interrupted, sometimes with her mother alone and sometimes with her sister--Beth tells a coming-of-age story that spans her own Midwestern childhood, her first meeting with her mother, and becoming a parent herself. Vivid and illuminating, Owner of a Lonely Heart is a deeply personal story of family, connection, and belonging: as a daughter, a mother, and as a Vietnamese refugee in America"--

Our fight
Rousey, Ronda,
"From the moment she burst onto the MMA scene, Ronda Rousey was unbeatable. She repeatedly strung together back-to-back flawless victories, racking up a collection of records and forever changing the face of sports as the UFC's first female champion. A superstar in her sport, she transcended athletics, appearing in blockbuster films and becoming a role model for women everywhere. Then, on November 15, 2015, it all came crashing down. In OUR FIGHT, Rousey explores the greatest challenge of her life and, ultimately, how she rebuilt her career into something better in the aftermath. She recounts how she replaced her pursuit of perfection with the pursuit of happiness and found a blessing in disguise amongst the wreckage. Following Rousey's relatable journey, OUR FIGHT is a courageous narrative of career changes, marriage, motherhood, and facing your fears"--

Dust tracks on a road : the restored text established by the Library of America
Hurston, Zora Neale
An exuberant account of Zora Neale Hurston's rise from poverty in the rural south to a prominent place among the leading artists and intellectuals of the Harlem Renaissance

The girl behind the door : a father's quest to understand his daughter's suicide
Brooks, John, 1956-
"An award-winning, candid, and compelling story of an adoptive father's search for the truth about his teenage daughter's suicide: "Rarely have the subjects of suicide, adoption, adolescence, and parenting been explored so openly and honestly" (John Bateson, Former Executive Director, Contra Costa Crisis Center, and author of The Final Leap: Suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge). Early one Tuesday morning John Brooks went to his teenage daughter's room to make sure she was getting up for school and found her room dark and "neater than usual." Casey was gone but he found a note: The car is parked at the Golden Gate Bridge. I'm sorry. Several hours later a security video was found that showed Casey stepping off the bridge. Brooks spent months after Casey's suicide trying to understand what led his seventeen-year-old daughter to take her life. He examines Casey's journey from her abandonment at birth in Poland, to the orphanage where she lived for the first fourteen months of her life, to her adoption and life with John and his wife Erika in Northern California. He reads. He talks to Casey's friends, teachers, doctors, therapists, and other parents. He consults adoption experts, researchers, clinicians, attachment therapists, and social workers. In The Girl Behind the Door, Brooks shares what he learned and asks "What did everyone miss? What could have been done differently?" He'd come to realize that Casey might have been helped if someone had recognized that she'd likely suffered an attachment disorder from her infancy--an affliction common among children who've been orphaned, neglected, and abused. This emotional deprivation in early childhood, from the lack of a secure attachment to a primary caregiver, can lead to a wide range of serious behavioral issues later in life. John's hope is that Casey's story, and what he discovered since her death, will help others. This important book is a wakeup call that parents, mental health professionals, and teens should read"--

Bad habits : confessions of a recovering Catholic
McCarthy, Jenny, 1972-
The actress and comedian recounts her Catholic upbringing and her journey from aspiring nun at an all-girls school to bestselling author and talk show host, and offers her personal reflections on faith

Having our say : the Delany sisters' first 100 years
Delany, Sarah Louise, 1889-1999

Sweet, young, & worried
Baird, Blythe,

Dream work
Oliver, Mary, 1935-2019
Dream Work, a collection of forty-five poems, follows both chronologically and logically Mary Oliver's American Primitive, which won for her the Pulitzer Prize for the finest book of poetry published in 1983 by an American poet. The depth and diversity of perceptual awareness-so steadfast and radiant in American Primitive-continue in Dream Work. Additionally, she has turned her attention in these poems to the solitary and difficult labors of the spirit-to accepting the truth about one's personal world, and to valuing the triumphs while transcending the failures of human relationships. Whether by way of inheritance-as in her poem about the Holocaust-or through a painful glimpse into the present-as in "Acid," a poem about an injured boy begging in the streets of Indonesia-the events and tendencies of history take on a new importance also. More deeply than in her previous volumes, the sensibility behind these poems has merged with the world. Mary Oliver's willingness to be joyful continues, deepened by self-awareness, by experience, and by choice

The colossus & other poems
Plath, Sylvia
From the Publisher: With this startling, exhilarating book of poems, which was first published in 1960, Sylvia Plath burst into literature with spectacular force. In such classics as "The Beekeeper's Daughter," "The Disquieting Muses," "I Want, I Want," and "Full Fathom Five," she writes about sows and skeletons, fathers and suicides, about the noisy imperatives of life and the chilly hunger for death. Graceful in their craftsmanship, wonderfully original in their imagery, and presenting layer after layer of meaning, the forty poems in The Colossus are early artifacts of genius that still possess the power to move, delight, and shock

Vita nuova
Dante Alighieri, 1265-1321,
"Part love story, part instruction manual, part spiritual journey, Dante's "little book," the Vita Nuova, has had a profound and far-reaching influence on global culture and is considered by many to be the perfect expression of the medieval ideal of courtly love, as well as an essential precursor to Dante's sublime poetic apotheosis, the Divine Comedy. Now Joseph Luzzi, celebrated author of books about Italian literature and culture and a lifelong lover and teacher of Dante's poetry, gives us a version of the Vita Nuova that is fresh, contemporary, and approachable--as vital and vivid as Dante's original Tuscan dialect--rendered in a voice that will entice a new generation of readers to swoon over one of the most heartbreaking stories of unfulfilled love in all of world literature." --

Felicity
Oliver, Mary, 1935-2019

A collection of poems
Frost, Robert, 1874-1963,
The poetry of Robert Frost is praised for its realistic depiction of rural life in New England during the early twentieth century, as well as for its examination of social and philosophical issues. Through the use of American idiom and free verse, Frost produced many enduring poems that remain popular with modern readers. A Collection of Poems by Robert Frost contains all the poems from his first four published collections: A Boy's Will (1913), North of Boston (1914), Mountain Interval (1916), and New Hampshire (1923), including classics such as "The Road Not Taken," "Fire and Ice," and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

Fear less : poetry in perilous times
Smith, Tracy K.,
"Drawing on deep passion and personal experience, former US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith demystifies the art form that has too often been mischaracterized as "inaccessible," "irrelevant," or "intimidating." She argues that poetry is rooted in fundamentally human qualities innate to our capacities to love, dream, question, and cultivate community. Lifting the veil on her own creative process, Smith shows us how reading and writing poetry allows us to better confront life's many uncertainties and losses, build camaraderie with strangers, and understand ourselves more fully. In six insightful chapters, she grounds readers in the technical elements of the craft and provides close readings of the works of contemporary poets such as Joy Harjo, Danez Smith, and Francisco Márquez, alongside classic poems by Dickinson, Keats, Millay, and others. By reimaging and reexamining the age-old art form, Fear Less is a warm invitation to find meaning, consolation, and hope through poetry for poetry fans and newcomers to the art form"--

Date & time
Kaye, Phil,
"Phil Kaye's debut collection is a stunning tribute to growing up, and all of the challenges and celebrations of the passing of time, as jagged as it may be. Kaye takes the reader on a journey from a complex but iridescent childhood, drawing them into adolescence, and finally on to adulthood. There are first kisses, lost friendships, hair blowing in the wind while driving the vastness of an empty road, and the author positioned in the middle, trying to make sense of it all. Readers will find joy and vulnerability, in equal measure. Date & Time is a welcoming story, which freezes the calendar and allows us all to live in our best moments."--Amazon.com

You better be lightning
Gibson, Andrea (Poet),
A queer, political, and feminist collection guided by self-reflection. The poems range from close examination of the deeply personal to the vastness of the world, exploring the expansiveness of the human experience from love to illness, from space to climate change, and so much more in between. One of the most celebrated poets and performers of the last two decades, Andrea Gibson's trademark honesty and vulnerability are on full display in You Better Be Lightning, welcoming and inviting readers to be just as they are

Roots to the earth
Berry, Wendell, 1934-

Trumpty Dumpty wanted a crown : verses for a despotic age
Lithgow, John, 1945-
"Following the great success of his New York Times bestseller DUMPTY, comes award-winning actor and national bestselling author John Lithgow's next book of satirical poetry chronicling Trump and his administration-with poems of the impeachment and beyond"--

She's strong, but she's tired
Sin, R. H.,
"A poetic documentation of pain, loneliness, courage, and triumph" --

Eating salad drunk : haikus for the burnout age by comedy greats
"Jokes and haikus have a common goal: to pack the greatest punch in the most succinct way possible. In Eating Salad Drunk, today's biggest names in comedy come together to do just that, with hilarious, poignant, and (sometimes) dirty haikus about living and coping in our modern "burnout age." *All author proceeds go towards Comedy Gives Back, a nonprofit that provides mental health, medical, and crisis support resources for comedians"--

Good poems, American places
An anthology of poetic works celebrates the American landscape with diverse selections by such contributors as Nikki Giovanni, William Carlos Williams, and Naomi Shihab Nye

Scattered snows, to the North
Phillips, Carl, 1959-
"An arresting study of memory, perception, and the beauty and finitude of the human condition from Pulitzer Prize winner Carl Phillips"--

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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