Book Buzz: Marshy Intrigue, Wrecked Houses, Baked Inheritances, Modern Family Sagas, Avian Theft, and Thriller Audiobooks

Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For January, we’re looking at a literary mystery set in the Florida wetlands, a novel that explores the fallout of an act of vandalism, modern sagas about Caribbean and Native American/Hispanic families, true crime about a falcon thief, and an audiobook about nice couples who may not be so nice after all.

Book Buzz: 20th Century Family Sagas, Mysterious Thrillers, Short Story Collections, Native American Nonfiction, and Westerns Galore

Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For December, we’re looking at a family saga set on the cusp of WWII, a thriller about mysterious disappearances in an Appalachian resort town, a short story collection about veterans, a Western from Geronimo’s perspective, a history centered on Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, and an audiobook about a Chinese woman’s saga in the 19th century American West.

Book Buzz: Problematic Siblings, Foodie Friends, Intergenerational Trauma, Talented Monsters, Courtroom Drama, and Derailed Safaris

Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For September, we’re looking at historical fiction about one of America’s most infamous families, a sweet tale of food-based friendship, a magical realism family saga, an atmospheric Victorian gothic fantasy, a well-researched chronicle of legal battles over agricultural pollution, and an audiobook thriller.

Book Buzz: Scottish Fantasy Islands, Commuting, the Weather, Old West Crime, Seafaring Tales, and Housewife Thrillers

Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For August, we’re looking at an atmospheric fantasy romance set in Scotland, a celebration of friendship among commuters, a cute romance set at a news station, an engrossing anthology of Westerns with a side of mystery, two fascinating tales of real-life adventure on the high seas, and an audiobook thriller about catty rich housewives.

What a Wonderful World: Hot Chocolate Brown

This year, our theme at the library is What A Wonderful World. We’re focusing on a different color for each month, and December’s is hot chocolate brown. To that end, we’re highlighting books at the library with that color (or something close to it) on the cover!

Book Buzz: Historic Scandals, Dancing Visions, Suburban Thrillers, WWII Heroes, and Willie Nelson

Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For November, we’re looking at an infamous romance in literary history, a thought-provoking YA romance, an unsettling new thriller, a nonfiction history of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and an audiobook courtesy of the one and only Willie Nelson.

Book Buzz: Treasure Hunts, Mysterious Games, Nostalgic Rivers, and Awkward Vacations

Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For September, we’re looking at a caper mystery surrounding artifacts, an inspirational novel about a treasure hunt in the hills of West Virginia, a fun cozy mystery series, a memoir/family history companion piece to A River Runs Through It, and an audiobook thriller about a destination wedding gone very wrong.

Book Buzz: Beach Reads, the Gritty, the Breezy, and the Literary

Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For July, we’re celebrating beach reads of all varieties. Even if you can’t make it to a beach to read them. We’re looking at a haunting true crime story, a suspenseful thriller, a clever romance, an intergenerational family mystery, a new cozy mystery, and some literary fiction set in Hawaii.

Romy Hausmann’s Dear Child (2020)

Carol Ann has given me a lot of great book recommendations over the years, so I was immediately intrigued when she recommended this recent German thriller to me. The premise–that the story of an abduction doesn’t really start until after the victim has escaped–was an unusual one, and I was excited to give the book a try. And I’m so glad I did! It’s an excellent book. Thanks so much for another great recommendation, Carol Ann!

Book Buzz: Neuroscience Researchers, Strange Train Encounters, Magical Boarding Schools (No–Not That One), and Naval Military History

Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For March, we’re looking at a searing fictional examination of addiction and grief, a suspenseful new thriller, a new series about magic school shenanigans, and an audiobook history of how Allied forces defeated the German navy during WWII.