AUBURN — The following are new acquisitions at Auburn Public Library.
Fiction
“Bombshell (An FBI Thriller)” by Catherine Coulter. FBI Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith, who has an uncanny ability to track criminals, is recruited by Dillon Savitch for a special Washington D.C. unit. On his way to D.C. he stops off to see his sister only to find that she has been the victim of an attempted murder. Meanwhile at headquarters their hands are full with the murder of the grandson of the former chairman of the Federal Reserve. Will Hammersmith be able to use his unique ability to solve both crimes?
“Blood and Beauty: the Borgias; a Novel” by Sarah Dunant. In a compelling literary masterwork of biofiction Dunant breathes life into one of history’s most infamous families – the Borgias. In late 15th century Italy Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia buys his way into the papacy as Pope Alexander VI and uses his illegitimate children, especially Cesare and Lucrezia, to expand and consolidate political power.
“Death Angel” by Linda Fairstein. When the body of a young woman is found in the lake in New York’s Central Park Assistant DA Alex Cooper and Detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace are called in to solve the crime. Is the park a sanctuary for the thousands of New Yorkers and tourists who visit it each day or is it a fertile hunting ground for a deranged psychopath? As an added bonus much of the little known history of the park is revealed in this shocking page-turner.
“The Lemon Orchard” by Luanne Rice. In the five years since visiting her aunt and uncle’s ranch in Malibu Julia’s life has been turned upside down by the death of her daughter. Accompanied by her dog Bonnie she travels back to house-sit hoping only to find peace and comfort. Unexpectedly, she finds herself drawn to the handsome Mexican man who tends the ranch’s lemon orchard and she soon learns that they share a special connection. He too lost his daughter but she was never found and he still longs for the day of her return.
“The English Girl: a Novel” by Daniel Silva. The adventures of art-restorer and master Israeli spy Gabriel Allon continue when he is thrust into the midst of a case involving a beautiful English girl who vanishes on the island of Corsica which in turn threatens the destruction of a prime minister’s career.
Nonfiction
“On the Noodle Road,” by Jen Lin-Liu. Travel the Silk Road with the author as she travels from China throughout the Middle East and across the Mediterranean exploring the history of the region’s food and learning about the secrets of life and love from the people she meets along the way.
“Topsy,” by Michael Daly. “Topsy” is the story of one fateful day at Coney Island with P.T. Barnum, Thomas Edison and Topsy (the elephant) which ended in tragedy. Rich in period Americana, and full of circus tidbits and larger than life characters — both human and elephant — Topsy is a touching tale.
“Dogtripping,” by David Rosenfelt. “Dogtripping” is a moving and funny account of a cross-country move from California to Maine and the beginnings of a dog rescue foundation. This cross-country trek sounds normal until you add in the 25 rescued dogs they care for.
“The Astronaut Wives Club,” by Lily Koppel. This is the true story of a group of women who became overnight celebrities all because their husbands were the first astronauts in U.S. history. See how they bonded through the amazement, glamour, love and loss as their husbands participated in one of America’s greatest achievements: conquering outer space.
“Do Cool Sh*t,” by Miki Agrawal. Miki tells us all how to “quit your day job, start your own business and live happily ever after.” Miki has started many varieties of successful businesses and in these pages shares her secrets. Learn how to turn your crazy idea into reality with some hard work and Miki’s advice.
Young adult
“Boy Nobody” by Allen Zadoff. Boy Nobody is just that – nobody. Brainwashed by The Program, a government organization which uses kids like him to carry out counter-espionage operatives, his mission is clear. He goes to a new high school, blends in, makes friends and stays until a member of one of his friends’ family dies of so-called “natural causes.” It is on his most recent assignment, however, that memories and questions begin to surface, making him doubt his mission. It is at this point where he decides he wants a real life with connections and purpose. But does he want it badly enough to sabotage The Program’s next mission?
“The Moon and More” by Sarah Dessen. Emaline and Luke have a great relationship, until Theo, an out of town filmmaker, comes to Colby, Emaline’s home town. He makes Emaline doubt herself and her relationship with Luke; Theo thinks that Emaline is too smart and sophisticated for Colby. This view is shared by Emaline’s father, who wants an Ivy-league education for her. Emaline is very attached to her family, her friends and her hometown. Is it possible to stay connected to home while moving forward?
“Winger” by Andrew Smith. Ryan Dean West, or Winger as he’s known due to the position he plays on the rugby team, is a 14-year-old junior at a private boarding school. The story is narrated by Ryan, who describes himself as a “loser.” The primary plot of the book deals with his crush on his beautiful best friend, Annie, who is two years older than he. The subplots address bullying and his friendship with Joey, a teammate on the rugby team who also happens to be gay.
“The Originals” by Cat Patrick. Lizzie, Ella and Betsey grew up as triplets but as they reached school age, they discover they are, in fact, clones. Through the years, they have functioned as one – Elizabeth – hidden from the government, taking turns attending school, social activities and other public events. But when Lizzie meets Sean, she discovers that she is unique and wants to build a life of her own. This threatens to expose the life they have worked so hard to conceal.
“Thousand Words” by Jennifer Brown. Ashleigh’s boyfriend, Kaleb, is headed to college in the fall, leaving Ashleigh, two years his junior, behind. When they begin to drift apart during the summer, Ashleigh fears she is losing him. Her friends suggest that she take a nude photo of herself and text it to him; something to make her unforgettable. Following a nasty break up, Kaleb shares that photo with the baseball team and before too long most everyone in Ashleigh’s high school has seen the picture. But this story is about the fallout: how Ashleigh’s decision to take the photo impacts her life, how Kaleb’s life is changed by his decision to share the photo and the effect all of this has on Ashleigh’s father, who is the superintendent of the school district.
Children
“The 13- Story Treehouse” by Andy Griffiths. If you would like an imaginative-wacky adventure to complete your day, get aloft in Andy and Terry’s super-sized and wicked-cool treehouse that houses everything conceivable, such as a movie theatre, a swimming pool and a bowling alley for starters. In “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” graphic novel flair, get ready for a page-turning, bizarrely abstract novel that twists and turns to encompass a race to meet a publisher’s deadline writing spree, strewn with a funky cast of characters. Appropriate for ages 7-11.
“Hiding out at the Pancake Palace” by Nan Marino. Marino molds some unique and relatable characters in this current novel that sparks open dialogue between interested readers. Music sensation Elvis Ruby manages to get on the super-hot reality TV show TweenStar, only to tweak and forget how to do everything. He escapes the paparazzi and lands in New Jersey to work the summer inconspicuously at Piney Pete’s Pancake Palace while remaining on the down-low following his terrible performance. There he encounters spunky and quirky characters. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
“The Beatles Were Fab (and They Were Funny)” by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer. If your parents or grandparents sway to “Yellow Submarine” or nod and smile to “Octopus’ Garden,” grab this book and discover why they dig this music by the casual fab foursome with the funky hairdos. You’re sure to crack a smile at the upbeat chronicles depicting their personal history, hilarious stories and some of their more clever and memorable anecdotes. Appropriate for ages 7 and up.
“The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf” by Mark Teague. Teague presents a classic tale with a twist. Introduced into the tale are three pigs that vary in sensibilities, as demonstrated by their life choices. The wolf also becomes familiar to the reader and to the other characters in the book, as his “bad reputation” precedes him. This book provides the reader the opportunity to learn and to discuss how some decisions are better than others. Appropriate for ages 4-8.
“Nobody Asked the Pea” by John Warren Stewig. Care to find out what Patrick the Pea thinks about the kingdom, the princess, the queen and the whole situation of being squished for an entire night under a squirmy Princess and her many mattresses? Take advantage of this great learning opportunity with your children or students to illustrate character points of view and other vantage points that further clarify the many threads of a story. Appropriate for ages 7 and up.
Movies
“Hitchcock.” Watch Anthony Hopkins’ perfect portrayal of Alfred Hitchcock in the story of how one of the greatest horror movies, “Psycho,” came to film in 1959.
“Jack the Giant Slayer.” Revisit the childhood story of Jack and a handful of beans that open up a world of giants and trouble.
“Phantom.” This movie gives a possible scenario to the events of a downed Russian sub during the cold war. It is a tense thriller with performances by Ed Harris and David Duchovny among others.
“Quartet.” Actor Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut is a sure hit with veteran actors Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Michael Gambon. In a retirement home for classical musicians on the verge of their annual tribute to Verdi, a new arrival upsets the planned program as well as the incumbent residents.
Audiobooks
“The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” written and performed by Neil Gaiman. Returning to his childhood home for his father’s funeral, the narrator finds himself remembering his childhood, the evil that threatened it and his unusual friend Lettie, who, along with her mother and grandmother, protected him.
“The Light in the Ruins,” Chris Bohjalian. In the waning years of World War II, Francesca and Christina Rosati are surprised when a Nazi officer appears at their Italian estate. More Germans follow, and the villa, once a sanctuary, becomes a prison. Twelve years later, a serial killer targets the Rosati family, and the investigation brings to light the tragic events that followed.
“Life after Life,” Kate Atkinson. Ursula is born in 1910 — or is she? Given an extraordinary ability to relive her life until she gets it right, she navigates the dangers of the 20th century. An amazing journey, as small changes make a big difference — or no difference at all.
Music
New music includes “Life on a Rock” by Kenny Chesney, “Kinky Boots” by Cyndi Lauper, and “Magnetic” by Goo Goo Dolls.
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