Don't miss these book happenings - including new materials at our library, featured recommendations, and more! Click on any of these book covers to get your hold placed.

New Materials

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird Though born into bondage in MO, Cathy Williams' mother never allowed to consider herself a slave. Her chance at freedom comes with the arrival of Union general Phillip Henry Sheridan who takes her into service. At war’s end, having tasted freedom, Cathy refuses to return to servitude and makes the monumental decision to disguise herself as a man and join the Army’s legendary Buffalo Soldiers. Inspired by the true story of Private Williams, this American heroine comes to life in a tale about one woman’s fight for freedom, respect and independence.

Heartbreaker by Claudia Dey It’s 1985. Pony Darlene Fontaine has lived all her 15 years in “the territory,” a settlement founded decades ago by a charismatic cult leader. Pony’s family lives in the bungalow at the farthest edge of town, where the territory borders the rest of the wider world—a place none of the townspeople have ever been. Except for Billie Jean Fontaine, Pony’s mother. One night, Billie Jean grabs her truck keys and vanishes. Billie Jean was the first person to be welcomed into the territory. Will she be the first person to leave it too?

The Boy at the Keyhole by Stephen Giles 9-year-old Samuel lives alone in a once-great estate in Surrey with the family’s housekeeper, Ruth. His father is dead and his mother has been abroad for months, purportedly tending to her late husband’s faltering business. She left in a hurry one night while Samuel was sleeping and did not say goodbye. Beyond her sporadic postcards, Samuel hears nothing from his mother. As rumors in town begin to swirl, Samuel wonders whether something more sinister is afoot. Perhaps his mother did not leave but was murdered—by Ruth.

The Secret History of Magic by Peter Lamont & Jim Steimmeyer Behind the smoke and mirrors lies the real story of magic.   It's a history of people from humble roots, who made and lost fortunes. They managed to survive in a world in which a series of technological wonders appeared, which previous generations would have considered magical. Even today, when we now take the most sophisticated technology for granted, we can still be astonished by tricks that were performed hundreds of years ago.    The Secret History of Magic  reveals how this was done. It is about why magic matters in a world that no longer seems to have a place for it, but which desperately needs a sense of wonder.

Featured Ditto

Check out one of MPL's featured dittos, where we let you know what else you might like to read based on a popular item. Click on the image to get to our catalog and start searching!

May We Suggest...

Zach Berkley, Adult Services Librarian here at MPL, recently read All Systems Red by Martha Wells. He really liked it, and thinks you would too if you like Science Fiction, so check it out!

Kim Schimmel, Library Associate in Technical Services here at MPL, recently read My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh. She liked the book because it was a smart, unique read with an unbalanced protagonist. She thinks you should give it a try.

Anita Mehuys, Adult Services Librarian here at MPL, recently read The Last Hours by Minette Walters. She loved this book set around the Black Death entering England. She's an avid reader of historical fiction, especially ones featuring a plague of some sort. Read it!

Click on any of these book covers to get your holds placed!