FICTION
A better man by Louise Penny. Catastrophic spring flooding, blistering attacks in the media, and a mysterious disappearance greet Chief Inspector Gamache as he returns to the Sûreté du Québec.
Bloomland by John Engelhard. This explores how the origin and aftermath of a shooting impacts the lives of 3 characters. As a community wrestles with the fallout, the story interrogates social and cultural dysfunction in a nation where mass violence has become all too familiar.
Cold storage by David Koepp. A wild and terrifying adventure about 3 strangers who must work together to contain a highly contagious, deadly organism.
The cold way home by Julia Keller. The sleuths are easy to like and the murder story is moving, but the object of fascination here is Wellwood, a state-run mental institution with a dark history as a repository for “rebellious, unruly women.”
The dearly beloved by Cara Wall. Two married couples’ intricate bonds of faith & friendship, jealousy and understanding, are tested by the birth of an autistic child.
Gamechanger by L.X. Beckett. Necromancer meets Star Trek Sci-Fi.
Going Dutch by James Gregor. A directionless grad student finds himself at the center of a bisexual love triangle in this charming Brooklyn rom-com. Of course his double life must come crashing down, which it does spectacularly.
The grammarians by Cathleen Schine. At the heart of this comic novel about super-smart, language-obsessed sisters are profound questions about how close two human beings can be.
Haunted house murder by Leslie Meier. Tricks and treats keep the Halloween spirit alive in coastal Maine, but this year the haunted house theme is getting carried away a little too far.
The institute by Stephen King. A group of kids with special talents must play along with the rules at the evil institution where they’re being detained or face an even scarier fate.
The last good guy by T. Jefferson Parker. P.I. Roland Ford hunts for a missing teenager and uncovers a dark conspiracy in his most personal case yet.
The nanny by Gilly Macmillan. Suspense novel with delicious British suspense tropes on display – rural resentment of the local rich people, closets full of skeletons, shady business dealings, false memories, and fake identities. Who could ask for more?
Old bones by Douglas Preston. The story of the ill-fated Donner party has new life in this thrilling blend of archaeology, history, murder, and suspense.
The Oracle by Jonathan Cahn. A traveler discovers mysteries hidden behind seven locked doors.
The passengers by John Marrs. In the near future, government-mandated self-driving cars become the norm in Britain – until they prove susceptible to a sophisticated terrorist hack.
Quichotte by Salman Rushdie. A dazzling Don Quixote for the modern age.
The retreat by Sherri Smith. This shows the dark side of the self-care and wellness industry with twisting suspense that asks: how well do you really know your friends?
A single thread by Tracy Chevalier. An immersive, moving story of a woman coming into her own at the dawn of the second World War.
The testaments by Margaret Atwood. This sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale picks up the story 15 years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of 3 female narrators from Gilead.
Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh. What if the serial killer isn’t on trial but is a member of the jury?
This tender land by William Krueger. A magnificent novel about 4 orphans on a life-changing odyssey during the Great Depression.
Vendetta in death by J.D. Robb. Eve Dallas looks into the misdeeds of a wealthy businessman while a vigilante named Lady Justice uses disguises to avenge women who were wronged.
What Rose forgot by Nevada Barr. A grandmother in her 60s emerges from a mental fog to find she’s trapped in her worst nightmare.
NEW DVDs
Rocketman (2019) starring Taron Egerton and Jamie Bell
Life in Pieces : the complete first season starring Diane Weist and James Brolin
Summer of ’42 (1971) starring Gary Grimes and Jennifer O’Neill
Zorba the Greek (1964) starring Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates
NONFICTION
All the powers of earth by Sidney Blumenthal. Lincoln’s incredible ascent to power in a world of chaos is newly revealed through a great biographer’s extraordinary research and literary style.
Audience of one by James Poniewozik. Donald Trump, television, and the fracturing of America – this is both a fascinating look at the ways TV has changed and shaped the U.S., and a compelling lens through which to look at how we got to 11/8/16.
But where do I put the couch? by Melissa Michaels. 100 REAL decorating FAQs answered.
Country music: an illustrated history by Dayton Duncan. Lucid, jam-packed, richly illustrated companion to the Ken Burns documentary series. Country music is America’s music – which is to say, music from every culture and ethnicity.
Healing with CBD by Eileen Konieczny. Learn how cannabidiol can transform your health without the high.
Homegrown by Alex Speier. The captivating story of the historic 2018 Boston Red Sox, as told through the assembly and ascendancy of their talented young core.
Inconspicuous consumption by Tatiana Schlossberg. This urgent call to action will empower you to stand up to climate change and environmental pollution by making simple but impactful everyday choices.
My life on the line by Ryan O’Callaghan. The New England Patriot gives a riveting account of life as a closeted professional athlete against the backdrop of depression and opioid addiction.
100 things to do in Portland, Maine before you die by Robert Witkowski. Start your engines…. Ready. Set. Go!
Talking to strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. The author offers a powerful examination of our interactions with strangers – and why they often go wrong.
When you find my body by D. Dauphinee. The disappearance of Geraldine Large on the Appalachian Trail in Maine and the search for her body.
Will my cat eat my eyeballs? by Caitlin Doughty. A mortician answers real questions from kids about death, dead bodies, and decomposition.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
PICTURE BOOKS
Hannah’s tall order : an A to Z sandwich by Linda Vander Heyden
Lionel and the lion’s share by Lou Peacock
Looking for yesterday by Alison Jay
Miss Jaster’s garden by N M Bodecker
One shoe two shoes by Caryl Hart
The right one for Roderic by Violeta Noy
Where do speedboats sleep at night by Brianna Caplan Sayres
NON-FICTION
Day and night by Crystal Sikkens
Dolphins! : strange and wonderful by Laurence Pringle
The four seasons by Crystal Sikkens
Helen Oxenbury : a life in illustration by Leonard Marcus
The life cycle of a rabbit by Crystal Sikkens
Map and track oceans by Lauren Ishak
Mike Trout by Anthony Hewson
Mookie Betts by Derek Moon
Patrick Mahomes by Kevin Frederickson
Tom Brady by Kevin Frederickson
Notes from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, and New York Times Book Review.