New Books for February 12
Above all else
Levy, Dana Alison, author
2020
"Eighteen-year-olds Rose and Tate are best friends and climbing buddies, and now they are embarking on the greatest climb of all--Mount Everest; but as the climbers encounter physical and emotional challenges the higher they go, the expedition starts to slide toward disaster, testing the teens' courage, determination, and their feelings for each other."--Provided by publisher.
Always brave, sometimes kind : a novel
Bickell, Katie, author
2020
Set in the cities, reserves, and rural reaches of Alberta, this novel is told in a series of stories that span the years from 1990 to 2016, through cycles of boom and bust in the oil fields, government budget cuts and workers rights policies, the rising opioid crisis, and the intersecting lives of people whose communities sometimes stretch farther than they know. We meet a teenage runaway who goes into labour at the West Edmonton Mall, a doctor managing hospital overflow in a time of healthcare cutbacks, a broke dad making extra pay through a phone sex line, a young musician who dreams of fame beyond the reserve, and a dedicated hockey mom grappling with sense of self when she’s no longer needed—or welcome—at the rink. Always Brave, Sometimes Kind captures a network of friends, caregivers, in-laws, and near misses, with each character’s life coming into greater focus as we learn more about the people around them. Tracing alliances and betrayals from different perspectives over decades, Bickell writes an ode to home and community that is both warm and gritty, well-defined and utterly complicated.
By any means necessary
Montgomery, Candice, author
2019
College freshman Torrey receives word that the bee farm his beloved uncle Miles left him after his tragic death is being foreclosed on, a situation that forces him to choose between his obligation to his family and his obligation to himself.
Chance : escape from the Holocaust
Shulevitz, Uri, 1935- author
2020
"The first middle-grade book from a picture book master-a harrowing, heartrending, illustrated account of his childhood escape from the terrors of war"-- Provided by publisher.
Charming as a verb
Philippe, Ben, author
2020
Henri 'Halti' Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, the dutiful first-generation Haitian son, and the trusted dog walker for his wealthy New York City neighbors. But his easy smiles mask a burning ambition to attend his dream college, Columbia University. There is only one person who seems immune to Henri's charms: his 'intense' classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henri's less-than-honest dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at school. Henri agrees, seeing a potential upside for himself. Soon what started as a mutual hustle turns into something more surprising than either of them ever bargained for. This is a sharply funny and insightful novel about the countless hustles we have to keep from doing the hardest thing: being ourselves.
Christmas at Holiday House
Thayne, RaeAnne, author
2020
This New Year will bring widowed nurse Abigail Powell a fresh start in a different city. Excited about the chance to create an unforgettable Christmas for her young son in picturesque Silver Bells, Colorado, Abby has been hired to take care of her dear friend's recuperating grandmother. But sprightly senior Winnie insists she doesn't need looking after. What she does need is help decorating her historic mansion, Holiday House, for a seasonal town fundraiser. Abby warms to the festive task, but she'll have to contend with her own personal Grinch: Winnie's prickly grandson, Ethan Lancaster. Ethan Lancaster is good at a lot of things. Relationships surely aren't one of them. His ex-fiancée convinced Ethan he was incapable of love, and he believes her…up until the moment he impulsively kisses Abby. What is it about this vibrant woman and her sweet son that knocks his world off-kilter? He knows they're leaving town after Christmas. He just didn't expect they’d be taking a little of his heart with them. But as he and Abby work together on the magical Holiday House through the record cold weather, visions of a different future dance in his head...one filled with warmth, love and a new beginning for them both.
The devouring gray
Herman, Christine Lynn, author
2019
Four teenagers have the power to protect their town from a monster, but only if their families' secrets do not destroy them first.
The exact opposite of okay
Steven, Laura, author
2019
When she is caught in a scandal involving the son of a politician, eighteen-year-old Izzy finds her quiet life upended as she is constantly bullied and shamed.
The folly and the glory : America, Russia, and political warfare, 1945-2020
Weiner, Tim, author
2020
"With vivid storytelling and access to insider accounts, Weiner sets out to trace the roots of Russian-American political warfare--conflict waged without weapons--over the last seven decades to understand how a president landed in the White House with the help of an expansive, covert Russian campaign. Russia's modern revival of Soviet-era intelligence operations constitutes one of the most significant threats to democracy in the United States and around the world, and yet the US has not engaged its own political warfare methods in defense, even as our own justice department has concluded unequivocally that Russia influenced the 2016 election. To get to the heart of what's at stake and find potential solutions, Weiner examines long-running twentieth century CIA operations, political machinations by the Soviet KGB around the world, the erosion of American political warfare after the Cold War, and why twenty-first century Russia has returned to the practice while the US has not. Weiner takes us behind closed doors and into the deliberation rooms of past and present Russian and American intelligence operations that directly led to-and help illuminate-the current administration and the future of American democracy."-- Provided by publisher.
The invisible life of Addie LaRue
Schwab, Victoria, author
2020
France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever - and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.
An Irish country welcome
Taylor, Patrick, 1941- author
2020
In Ballybucklebo, Ireland, young doctor Barry, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first child, and his fellow physicians, including a fledgling doctor, deal with a range of medical issues while still finding time to share the comforting joys and pleasures of this very special place.
Last pick. 1
Walz, Jason, author, illustrator
2018
Three years ago, aliens invaded Earth and abducted everyone they deemed useful. The only ones spared were those too young, too old, or too "disabled" to be of value. Living on Earth under the aliens' harsh authoritarian rule, humanity's rejects do their best to survive. Twins Sam and Wyatt are ready to chuck their labels and start a revolution. It's time for the kids last picked to step into the game.
Last pick. 2, Born to run
Walz, Jason, author, artist.
2019
A galaxy away from her twin brother Wyatt, Sam must find a way to resist her captors and hold onto her humanity, while Wyatt leads a ragtag army to bring the fight straight to the alien overlords.
Last pick. 3, Rise up
Walz, Jason, author, illustrator
2020
"Earth's last hope are also the last picked, in this thrilling conclusion of Jason Walz's dystopian graphic trilogy, Last Pick: Rise Up. Wyatt is now the reluctant leader of the "last picked"--the disabled, the elderly, and those deemed too young to be useful for hard labor by their alien captors. But how can he and his ragtag allies take down an entire alien federation? Meanwhile, Wyatt's twin sister Sam and her girlfriend Mia are creating chaos all over the galaxy in an attempt to rescue Sam's parents. But even if the family is reunited, can they stay alive long enough to see the end of the alien regime?"-- Provided by publisher.
My hero academia. Vol. 25, Tomura Shigaraki : origin
Horikoshi, Kōhei, 1986-, author, illustrator
2020
"What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called 'Quirks'? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless? Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn't got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny... Tomura and Re-Destro, the leader of the Meta Liberation Army, battle for supremacy, as Tomura reflects upon the terrifying incident when his Quirk manifested."--Provided by publisher.
The return
Sparks, Nicholas, author
2020
A dilapidated cabin Trevor Benson inherited from his grandfather seemed as good a place to regroup as any from his return from Afghanistan. Trevor isn't prepared to fall in love - and yet his connection with Natalie Masterson can't be ignored. Trevor also meets 19-year-old Callie who was once befriended by his grandfather and may shed light on the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather's death. In his quest to unravel Natalie and Callie's secrets, Trevor will learn the true meaning of love and forgiveness - and that in life, to move forward, we must often return to the place where it all began.
The silvered serpents
Chokshi, Roshani, author
2020
Returning to the dark and glamorous world of The Gilded Wolves, Roshani Chokshi dazzles us with another riveting tale as full of mystery and danger as ever. Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but victory came at a terrible cost - one that still haunts all of them. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumored to grant its possessor the power of God. Their hunt lures them far from Paris, and into the icy heart of Russia where crystalline ice animals stalk forgotten mansions, broken goddesses carry deadly secrets, and a string of unsolved murders makes the crew question whether an ancient myth is a myth after all. As hidden secrets come to the light and the ghosts of the past catch up to them, the crew will discover new dimensions of themselves. But what they find out may lead them down paths they never imagined. A tale of love and betrayal as the crew risks their lives for one last job.
Spy x family. 2
Endo, Tatsuya, author, illustrator.
2020
Master spy Twilight is unparalleled in going undercover on dangerous missions for the betterment of the world. But when he receives the ultimate assignment- to get married and have a kid - he may finally be in over his head! He must infiltrate the prestigious Eden Academy to get close to his target Donovan Desmond, but has he ruined his daughter Anya's chances with his outburst during the admissions interview? Perhaps the truly impossible mission this time is making sure Anya becomes an exemplary student and befriends Donovan's arrogant son Damian.
The tower of Nero
Riordan, Rick, author
2020
Lester's demigod friends at Camp Jupiter just helped him survive attacks from bloodthirsty ghouls, an evil Roman king and his army of the undead, and the lethal emperors Caligula and Commodus. Now the former god and his demigod master Meg must follow a prophecy uncovered by Ella the harpy. Lester's final challenge will be at the Tower of Nero, back in New York. Will Meg have a last showdown with her father? Will this helpless form of Apollo have to face his arch nemesis, Python? Who will be on hand at Camp Half-Blood to assist? These questions and more will be answered in this book that all demigods are eagerly awaiting.
Umineko when they cry. Episode 8, Twilight of the Golden Witch. 3
Ryukishi07, author
2020
Though none may know the truth about what happened the day of the Rokkenjima massacre, Ange has come to understand the players were neither devils nor angels, merely people - her flawed, complicated, ultimately loving family. Now battling against every kind of cruel theory that's been leveled at the Ushiromiyas since the tragedy, those who remain in the cat box fight to preserve the memory of their humanity. Armed with this truth, Ange strides forth to reclaim her future!
Willow
Hoban, Julia, author
2010
Sixteen-year-old Willow, who was driving the car that killed both of her parents, copes with the pain and guilt by cutting herself, until she meets a smart and sensitive boy who is determined to help her stop.