The Rope: an Anna Pigeon Novel by Nevada Barr. In this visit to Anna’s past, it is 1995 and Anna has taken a seasonal job at Glen Canyon National Recreational Area.  When she disappears on her day off, everyone thinks that she has moved on. But Anna wakes up trapped at the bottom of a dry well naked and without supplies and no clear memory of how she got there.

Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich (and Kelly Dorien). Kate Appleton finds her life in a shambles.  Unemployed and alone, all she wants to do is return to her parent’s summer house the “Nutshell” in Keene’s Harbor, Michigan to open a Bed and Breakfast.  In order to raise the necessary cash she takes a job from brewery owner Matt Culhane to find the employee who is sabotaging his business.

Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George. Inspector Thomas Lynley returns for the 17th time when he is sent undercover by the wealthy Bernard Fairclough to investigate the death of his nephew Ian Cresswell.  By all appearances it seems to be an accidental drowning but with the help of Lynley’s friends Simon and Deborah St. James the veneer is stripped from the Fairclough family.

Gun Games: a Decker/Lazarus Novel by Faye Kellerman. LAPD Lieutenant Peter Decker and his wife Rina Lazarus return with a case involving a secret society of some of LA’s most wealthy and vicious teens.  Gregory Hesse, a student at one of the city’s most exclusive prep schools appears to have committed suicide but his mother refuses to believe it. She convinces Decker to investigate and what he uncovers leads his team down a shifting alley of twisted allegiances and violence.

Private:#1 Suspect by James Patterson (and Maxine Paetro). Former Marine Jack Morgan, the founder of Private, the world’s most effective investigation firm, is himself under suspicion.  A former lover is found murdered in his bed and all leads point to him.  While trying to clear himself the mob strong-arms him into recovering $30 million of stolen pharmaceuticals and a beautiful hotel owner persuades him to investigate a string of murders on her properties. 

How to Walk a Puma: And Other Things I Learned While Stumbling Through South America by Peter Allison. On his nineteenth birthday, Peter Allison flipped a coin. One side would take him to Africa and the other to South America.  Sixteen years after spending his time as a safari guide in Africa, he makes his way to Santiago, Chile, ready to seek out the continent’s best, weirdest, and wildest adventures.

Howard Cosell: The Man, The Myth, and the Transformation of American Sports by Mark Ribowsky. As Mark Ribowsky's biography vividly notes, Cosell helped change the face of televised sports with his Monday Night Football press-box dynamics and his ongoing dialogue with Muhammad Ali (a.k.a. Cassius Clay). For any sports fan, this well-researched book will enhance your memories.

Albatross and the Fish: Linked Lives in the Open Seas by Robin W. Doughty and Virginia Carmichael. Humans are threatening the legendary albatross to such an extent that it is currently the most threatened bird group in the world. In this extensively researched, highly readable book, Robin W. Doughty and Virginia Carmichael tell the story of a potentially catastrophic extinction that has been interrupted by an unlikely alliance.

American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle. Chris Kyle racked up the most confirmed sniper kills in the history of the United States during a ten-year stint covering four deployments, also earning seven medals, including two Silver Stars. Here he tells not only his story but that of SEAL Team 3, also offering space for wife Taya to reveal the strains of a military marriage.

Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots by Thomas Kidd. Kidd skillfully traces Henry’s rise from a young farm boy in Virginia to a political figure whose passionate support of liberty won him the friendship of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, among others.  Kidd’s passionate biography offers compelling new insights into the life of one of America’s beloved figures.

Mastiff: A Tortall Legend by Tamora Pierce.  Beka’s life takes an unexpected turn when her fiancée dies. Beka is illed with mixed emotions particularly because she was planning to break off the engagement. Now at her door stands Lord Gershom and suddenly Becka is thrust into world of criminals and learns of deep-seated political corruption.

Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay. Marcie has been dragged away from her friends in Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire and she is not happy. As the summer ends Marcie realizes that this “summer vacation” has become permanent. Her spirits rise when a cute boy brings her breakfast and romance begins.

Black Boy, White School by Brian F. Walker. Anthony “Ant” Jones has never been out of his rough East Cleveland neighborhood when out of the blue he is awarded a scholarship to the elite Belton Academy in Maine. Everyone thinks he is from Brooklyn and plays basketball. His new friends are shocked when he rebels as Anthony struggles with figuring out how to deal with his new “home.”

The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten. After a summer apart from her boyfriend, Lucy is looking forward to reuniting with her boyfriend except he has decided to break up with her. She becomes friends with three girls who through magic can distill the tears of brokenhearted boys. They tell her she must fall in love with a boy and then break his heart in seven days. All Lucy wants is her ex back.

How To Save A Life by Sarah Zarr. Ever since Jill McSweeney’s father died she has been isolating herself from all of her friends and her boyfriend. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby Jill becomes very upset. How can her mother replace her dad with a new baby? Then she meets pregnant teen Mandy Kalinowski and somehow they become friends and face their hardships together.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst. Now in its 10th printing, The Invisible String still provides reassurance to children experiencing separation anxiety. At first, twins Jeremy and Liza don’t believe their mother when she tells them they are connected by an invisible string. The story illustrates in a way young children can understand the strength of love even if people are separated. This is an uplifting and encouraging story for any child experiencing loneliness and separation.  This book is written for children in kindergarten through second grade.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Carmen Agra Deedy & Randall Wright. In this amusing animal fantasy, a cheese loving cat named Skilley, finds a home in a19th century tavern frequented by Charles Dickens.  Black and white graphite illustrations from renowned illustrator Barry Moser bring the whimsical cast of characters to life. A great way to introduce younger children to the world of Charles Dickens. Ages 8-12.

Flyaway by Lucy Christopher. Isla and her father watch the swans every year. This year her father has fallen in the field as they were chasing the swans. Isla is afraid for her father. While at the hospital she meets Harry, a boy who understands her love of the swans. But Harry is sick too. Can she find a way to save them both?  This hopeful story will surely appeal to anyone who has worried about a sick loved one or friend. For children in grades 4-6.

Seven Little Mice Have Fun on the Ice by Kazuo Iwamura. This is the perfect picture book for a winter’s day. Charming illustrations add to the charm of this family winter story about a family of mice, ice skating, ice fishing and a surprise about Mama-“The Ice Fishing Princess”.  This book is best for kids in pre-school through grade 2.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. Brian Selznick brings us another stunning and unique book. Ben and Rose both dreamers are each searching for something to make their lives different. Their stories are told throughout the book, Ben’s in words and Rose’s in pictures; are interwoven in ways that will surprise and delight the reader. While written for children in grades 4-6, this book will also appeal to adults.