Discover January’s Library Reads

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Great stories often spring from the question "What if?"  What if a failed presidential candidate became an amateur sleuth? What if an exclusive rehab hospital held deadly secrets? What if a free-spirited young woman fell in love with her gloomy landlord?

These are just a few of the great stories you'll discover in January's Library Reads-- ten new releases chosen each month by librarians across the country as their favorites. Browse the books here, or stop by the Main Library, where recent Library Reads picks can be found on the square shelf beside the New Releases display.

Read something you loved? Leave a review in Beanstack! Log into your account, click Add A Review, and share your thoughts. Did you have a favorite character, or scene? Did it make you laugh, cry, or afraid to turn off the lights? Let us know! We'll feature some of your reviews here on the Adult Services page, and in library social media!

There's still time to join the fun of  2023 Winter Reading,  Get Yeti To Read. Sign up on Beanstack, or stop by the Adult Services desk for a YETI Bingo card.  Score four in row with fun activities and reading suggestions, to win fun prizes and coupons from local businesses. Winter Reading runs through January 26.

 

Mystery

Cover of the Busy Body by Kemper DonovanThe Busy Body by Kemper Donovan - Former Senator Dorothy Gibson is the most talked-about person in the country right now, though largely for the wrong reasons. As an independent candidate for President of the United States, Dorothy split the vote and is being blamed for the shocking result. After her very public defeat, she's retreated to her home in rural Maine, inviting her ghostwriter to join her.

Her collaborator is impressed by Dorothy's work ethic and steel-trap mind, not to mention the stunning surroundings (and one particularly gorgeous bodyguard). But when a neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances, Dorothy is determined to find the killer in their midst. And when Dorothy Gibson asks if you want to team up for a top secret, possibly dangerous murder investigation, the only answer "Of course!"

The best ghostwriters are adept at asking questions and spinning stories . . . two talents, it turns out, that also come in handy for sleuths. Dorothy's political career, meanwhile, has made her an expert at recognizing lies and double-dealing. Working together, the two women are soon untangling motives and whittling down suspects, to the exasperation of local police. But this investigation-much like the election-may not unfold the way anyone expects.

Suspense

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - Evie Porter has everything a nice, Southern girl could want: a perfect, doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, a fancy group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.

The identity comes to Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the target: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job.

Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job will be different. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes--especially after what happened last time.

Because the one thing she’s worked her entire life to keep clean, the one identity she could always go back to—her real identity—just walked right into this town. Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there’s still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher--but then, Evie has always liked a challenge...

Literary Fiction

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid - From the celebrated New York Times bestselling author of Such a Fun Age comes a fresh and provocative story about a residential assistant and her messy entanglement with a professor and three unruly students.

It's 2017 at the University of Arkansas. Millie Cousins, a senior resident assistant, wants to graduate, get a job, and buy a house. So when Agatha Paul, a visiting professor and writer, offers Millie an easy yet unusual opportunity, she jumps at the chance. But Millie's starry-eyed hustle becomes jeopardised by odd new friends, vengeful dorm pranks and illicit intrigue. A fresh and intimate portrait of desire, consumption and reckless abandon, Come and Get It is a tension-filled story about money, indiscretion, and bad behavior.