Ann Cleeves, author of the Vera and Shetland series (both of which are hit TV shows), presents The Rising Tide, the stunning tenth Vera Stanhope novel.

"The ending will take your breath away. My knuckles were white, nails dug into my palms as I read, then just when I thought it was all over…BAM. A totally unexpected ending. It’s what puts Cleeves in a league of her own among crime writers."

–Patricia Uttaro, library director

Ann will be in conversation with Paula Munier, literary agent and author of the Mercy Carr mysteries.

Rita Zoey Chin, author of the memoir Let the Tornado Come, joins us to discuss The Strange Inheritance of Leah Fern, a luminous novel about a fiercely lonely young woman's quest to uncover the truth behind her mother’s disappearance. Rita will be in conversation with E.B. Bartles, author of Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter.

Matthew E. Henry (aka MEH) joins us to discuss his debut collection of poetry, the Colored page.

"In a debut where no one is left unaddressed, Matthew E. Henry poetically investigates issues of the modern world including conversations with Marxists, ‘well actually’ guys, the odd questions from coworkers, and racism of all forms. This is a collection of advocacy where educators are seen and the thoughtless are forced to reflect. In the Colored page, MEH manages to capture all of our collective rage and grievances at a time where the world is ablaze." –Chris L. Butler, author of Sacrilegious: Poems & Prose

Anthony Horowitz presents The Twist of a Knife, his fourth literary whodunit following The Word is Murder, The Sentence Is Death, and A Line to Kill. This time around, Horowitz becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation—and only one man can prove his innocence: his newly estranged partner in solving crime, Detective Hawthorne.

Anthony will be in conversation with Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door and Not a Happy Family.

This remarkable book is a Best of 2022 for me. Achingly poignant and conceptually fascinating, it weaves together the lives of a woman, Afong Moy, and her descendants over 200 years. Their experiences are passed down epigenetically, or as such powerful interactions as to alter DNA; and we see both the whispers of similarities and direct warping of time and space to connect one woman to another. It is compelling, devastating, haunting, and ultimately a hopeful story about the power of inheriting trauma, but also the capacity to survive, thrive, and love.

So much love for this little gem of a book set in an independent bookstore in 2017! Sophie, the owner of the store, has grown weary of the day-to-day workings of her bookstore and lacks the enthusiasm needed to do her job well. An author event scheduled with a controversial author who has recently been cancelled only adds to her desire to want to sell the store and retreat quietly from her life as a small business owner. A wide and mostly lovable cast of characters supports Sophie: her events coordinator Clemi, her aspiring yoga teacher son Michael, and a handful of booksellers with their own quirks and idiosyncrasies. The book is set shortly after the Charlottesville car attack and the author nimbly weaves in references to those horrific events to give the reader a sense of how fraught the energy is during the week the story takes place. Bonus points for the end of day reports issued by the bookstore manager and filled with largely useless information such as, "We briefly lost internet." This book will you make you smile, giggle, nod, and shake your head. Booksellers and non-booksellers alike will enjoy this one equally.

Funny, fierce and full of heart! This fantasy reads like a memoir. "Scientific research" will fuel the reader's belief in the existence of female dragons who have risen above sexist oppression to excel in all areas--but mostly to help raise independent, loving and successful younger generations.

*Jean Ralphio voice* Laugh-out-loud funny, vibrant illustrations, a page-turning mystery, pirates???, this picture book has it all. My Pet Feet will keep the entire family entertained and asking to be read to again and again.

Middle-Grade Monthly is our subscription service for kids ages 8-12! Each month our children's book buyer Lauren and school liaison Cassie select a newly-released chapter book. Get your hands on the newest and soon-to-be coveted books of the year. We offer monthly and yearly subscriptions, and you can pick up your book at the store or have it mailed to you. Click on the link below for FAQs about the program.

The August 2022 pick is Tumble by Celia C. Pérez. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.

A Child's Library is our subscription service for children ages 0-5! Lauren and Cassie select one newly-released picture book each month to be sent or picked-up from the store. The goal of A Child's Library is to help foster a love for books within the child's home. It makes a great baby shower gift!

The August 2022 pick is The More You Give by Marcy Campbell & Francesca Sanna. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.