Books Publishing This Week
It’s a quiet January morning, the kind that feels slow and deliberate, as if the world itself is still waking up. Outside, the air is crisp and cold, and the pale winter sun is just beginning to stretch across the horizon, casting soft golden light through bare branches. The frost on the windows sparkles faintly, a delicate reminder of the season’s chill. Inside, though, everything feels warm and still, a haven against the world’s icy edges.
You’ve carved out this moment just for yourself, a rare slice of time in the early hours to sink into the beginning of a new book. There’s something about mornings in January that feels perfect for reading. The new year is still young, the day stretched out ahead, and the possibilities seem endless.
With a steaming mug of coffee or tea in hand, you find your favorite spot—maybe a cozy corner of the couch or a chair near the window where you can watch the soft light shift across the room. You tuck your legs beneath you, pulling a blanket close, the fabric soft and inviting against the chill of the morning.
The book you’ve chosen has been waiting for this moment. Perhaps it was a recent gift, or maybe it’s something you picked out yourself, drawn to its cover or the promise of its story. Either way, it feels right for today, its weight familiar in your hands as you run your fingers along the spine.
You open the book, the pages pristine and smooth, and let yourself linger over the first few lines. There’s a kind of magic in those opening sentences, a door cracking open to a new world. As you read, the rhythm of the words begins to settle into your mind, pulling you gently from the quiet morning into the story’s unfolding.
Outside, the world remains hushed. Maybe there’s snow blanketing the ground, softening every sound, or perhaps the sky is clear, a pale blue stretching endlessly above. From time to time, you glance out the window, appreciating the beauty of the season—bare trees etched against the sky, the faint shimmer of frost on the ground, the way the light catches on the edges of winter’s stillness.
The book begins to take hold, its characters and settings forming vividly in your imagination. The story feels like it belongs to this moment, aligning perfectly with the peaceful start to your day. You lose track of time, the minutes slipping by unnoticed as you turn page after page.
There’s something special about beginning a book in the quiet of a January morning. It feels like setting an intention—not a resolution, but a quiet promise to yourself to embrace stories, creativity, and stillness. The new year is a blank slate, and this book is the first mark you’ll make upon it, a gentle step into the months ahead.
As the morning light grows stronger, you pause for a moment, resting the book on your lap and savoring the sense of calm. The day ahead will come soon enough, with its to-do lists and routines, but for now, you’re exactly where you want to be. The warmth of your blanket, the lingering taste of your drink, the quiet hum of the house—all of it feels like part of the story you’re beginning, a perfect backdrop to the words unfolding in your hands.
Eventually, you close the book, not because you’re ready to stop but because you want to savor it. There’s no rush to reach the end; this is about the journey, one page at a time. You place the book beside you, already eager to return to it, and take a deep breath, letting the peacefulness of the morning settle into your bones.
It’s a new day, a new year, and a new story. Wrapped in the comfort of the season, you feel ready to embrace them all.
I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist.
Books Publishing This Week: January 12 - 18
Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin
A taut, powerful mom-noir psychological thriller following a mother who must confront a sudden and terrifying change in her daughter after the abrupt death of their babysitter
Charlotte’s daughter Stella is sensitive and brilliant, perhaps even a genius, but a recent change in her behavior has alarmed her parents. Following the sudden death of Stella’s babysitter, Blanka, the once disruptive and anti-social child has become docile and agreeable. But what’s unsettling is that she has begun to mirror Blanka’s personality, from Blanka’s repetitive phrases to her accent, to fierce cravings for Armenian meat stew after being raised a vegetarian.
Charlotte is pregnant with her second child, and depleted and sick with the pregnancy. She is convinced that Blanka herself is somehow responsible for Stella’s transformation. But how could Blanka, dead, still be entwined in their lives? Has Blanka somehow possessed Stella? Has Stella become Blanka? As Charlotte becomes increasingly obsessed, she is sure that only she can save her daughter. . . even though it’s soon clear that her husband believes this is all in Charlotte’s head.
Helena Echlin’s singular, chilling voice holds light to the blurred lines of diagnosis in children and to the vital power of maternal instinct. Kaleidoscopic and tense, pulse-pounding and genuinely creepy, and infused with shades of the supernatural, Clever Little Thing is an ode to motherhood and a nuanced critique of the caretaking industry, a page-turner that will haunt readers long after its epic, surprising finale.
Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter
Also listed in Books I'm Looking Forward to Reading this Winter
Isabella Shay is usually a very honest person. But when she’s running late for her first day at her dream job and the barista yells for “Amy” three times with no answer, she does the unthinkable.
Izzy takes that PSL.
It’s the exact drink she ordered and paid for, only way further ahead in the queue—and she’ll take whatever bad karma is coming for her; she’s desperate and very late. But when she turns around and runs directly into the most attractive man she’s ever seen, spilling the drink all over his made-for-GQ shirt and tie, she ends up having the ultimate meet-cute. Karma who? Sparks fly and things feel beyond promising, until he says to her: “See you tomorrow, Amy.”
Izzy reasons she can just straighten things out the next day, no biggie. Only when she gets to her new office and meets the VP of her department, it is none other than Blake Phillips—the hottie from Starbucks. And the man might’ve been charming to “Amy,” but he is an arrogant grump to Izzy, an arrogant grump who does not find her explanation funny at all. But day by day, an attraction simmers between them and they’ll have to find a way to work together without ripping each other’s heads—or clothes—off.
North of Ordinary by John Rolfe Gardiner
The long-awaited return of a quintessentially American storyteller
“You’re as likely to be hit twice by lightning on a Monday as see a wood chipper pull a man into its maw.”
So begins North of Ordinary, John Rolfe Gardner’s virtuosic new story collection of survivors getting by despite the odds in a shifting world. In these pages, we meet a nervous young apprentice to a weathered tree climber; a dangerously obsessed student at a Southern Bible college; an attractive schemer trying to build an audience for her tiny radio station; an undercover, cross-dressing lawman whose friendship changes the life of a deaf child in a suburban cul-de-sac; and an elderly Black mason whose knowledge of the town’s history harbors truths that shake his visitor’s foundation.
Surprising, touching, and deeply humane, the ten stories of North of Ordinary offer an intimate, revelatory look at our fractured society and pull us together through the power of art.
Sit, Cinderella, Sit: A Mostly True Memoir by Lisa Cheek
A debut memoir and (sort of) Cinderella story about a woman who’d been told she was “too old” to create magic who flew to rural China, edited a film without speaking a word of Mandarin, and discovered her own power.
Lisa Cheek loved editing TV commercials—almost as much as she loved her dog, Ron Howard. Then, she “aged out” of advertising, at 45. After being let go, Lisa got a call—at 2:45 AM—from a director who, like everyone in Hollywood, had a film he wanted to make: the original Cinderella story. Now, his dream could come true—if Lisa granted his wish.
In Sit, Cinderella, Sit, Lisa Cheek shares her adventures in editing a film made on location in China—along the Tibetan border—where Mandarin was the only language spoken by everyone but her. Stuck in a house with fourteen men she couldn’t understand, literally, she yearned for conversation and coffee.
But there were moments of wonder and laughter. Lisa forged a bond with her translator and a woman named Sunny. She rescued one dog, and then another. “Everyone speaks Cinderella,” the director had assured her. Maybe he was right.
Told with humor and heart through a fairy tale lens, with flashbacks into the author’s not-always-happy childhood, Sit, Cinderella, Sit is a story about what can happen when you take a leap of faith, look and hear beyond people’s differences, and dare to believe in yourself.
The Motherload by Sarah Hoover
An intimately honest memoir about motherhood that dares to ask, what happens when “what to expect when you’re expecting” turns out to be months of rage, anguish, brain fog, and a total surrender of sex, career, and identity.
Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese
Author Interview with Chloe Liese
Star-crossed lovers learn that practicing romance leads to the perfect happy ending in this warmhearted reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Since heartbreak entered the scene, Juliet Wilmot, once a hopeless romantic, has sworn off love. But when she’s presented with the chance to revisit romance—purely for practice—with the gorgeous, off-limits guy she keeps serendipitously running into, it feels like a sign from the universe.
Quiet, shy Will Orsino knows happily-ever-after isn’t on his horizon. Problem is, for the sake of the family business, marriage is. Resigned to the inevitable, but with no confidence he can woo a wife, he can hardly say no when fate hands him the alluring, unattainable woman he keeps crossing paths with, offering to help him learn the ropes of romance.
Neither of them looking for love, Jules and Will agree they’re the perfect pair to practice romance. Except that practicing to perfection leads to an irresistible attraction. Their once smitten hearts, though still twice shy, might have happily-ever-after written in the stars for them, after all.
Flirting With Disaster by Naina Kumar
It's been years since Meena separated from her husband, Nikhil . . . years since they first laid eyes on each other in their home state of Texas, years since they spontaneously wed in Las Vegas and she felt true happiness. Now a high-powered lawyer on Capitol Hill and ready to move on (at least, she thinks so) with another successful lawyer, Shake, Meena has returned to Texas. This time, finally to obtain a divorce.
But there’s one thing Meena didn’t account for: a hurricane forming in the Gulf, veering right toward them and giving them no choice but to hunker down in the home they had built together. Suddenly, she finds herself trapped amid gale-force winds and pelting rain with the man she once loved.
As they spend more time together, Meena begins to remember everything that drew her to Nikhil: his small-town charm, his thoughtful nature . . . his absurdly good looks. But being with Shake makes sense to her. He’s steady, ambitious, and wants exactly what she wants. So she’ll stick to her plan, come hell or high water. But will her windswept heart make the right choice, once the eye passes over and the storm settles?
With sharp observations about second chances at love, ambition and Indian American identity, and with characters who share an undeniable chemistry, Flirting with Disaster is a modern romance with the sensibility of a classic.
Ace, Marvel, Spy by Jenni L. Walsh
Author Interview with Jenni L. Walsh
Based on the life of a very real, very incredible American icon. Alice Marble strives to have it all.
Alice tirelessly works her way up to be a #1 tennis champion, all while maintaining a growing career trajectory editing the Wonder Woman comic. She enjoys her hard-earned success with her loving husband, her steadfast coach, and her dear friends—many of whom are famous and well-connected.
But then her world falls apart.
Alice's life begins to unravel when she receives a telegram informing her that her husband has been killed in action in the war in Germany. Heartbroken, she feels like she can only watch as the war wreaks havoc in every area of her life.
Until an unexpected invitation arrives.
Alice is prompted to action when the US Army sends her a request: Under the guise of playing in tennis exhibition games in Switzerland, she would be a spy for them. And Alice aches for nothing more than to avenge her husband's death. What awaits her might be her greatest challenge yet.
Work in Progress by Kat Mackenzie
A warm, sexy, laugh-out-loud rom-com about a woman who, desperate for a fresh start, books a literary bus tour across the UK that consists of a lively group of elderly ladies plus one infuriatingly handsome Scottish driver.
UK Bus Trip Goals:
1. Crawl out of pajamas.
2. Get over cheating bastard and his stupid ironed jeans.
3. Have my first real adventure!
4. Achieve stability, strength, and growth.
5. Definitely do NOT kiss any British men.
Alice loves a good list. But careful planning didn’t stop her from losing her job and her fiance in one fell swoop. With her dreaded 30th birthday looming on the horizon, Alice makes the first impulsive decision of her life - booking a flight to the UK for a three-week, all-female, literary bus tour. What could possibly go wrong?
Turns out - everything.
Alice arrives to discover that this tour isn’t what she expected. At all. Instead of cool, globe-trotting thirtysomethings with meaningful tattoos, she finds a rickety, antique bus full of fluffy-haired octogenarians. And to make matters infinitely worse, the tour guide makes her blood boil! And that devilish grin of his tells her he’s dead set on making her trip a misery.
But as they travel from castle ruins to cozy pubs, Alice may just find that she’s got it all wrong. The ladies are vivacious. The book club chat is on fire. And damn if that mischievous smile doesn't threaten to turn her world upside down - and her beloved list right along with it!
A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay
Also listed in Books Set in London
Two former serial killers trying to keep their past buried realize that old habits die hard in this sharp, compulsive thriller.
Hazel and Fox are an ordinary married couple with a baby. Except for one small thing: they're murderers. Well, they used to be. They had it all. An enviable London lifestyle, five-star travels, and plenty of bad men to rid from the world. Then Hazel got pregnant.
Now, they’re just another mom-and-dad-and-baby. They gave up vigilante justice for life in the suburbs: arranged play dates instead of body disposals, diapers over daggers, mommy conversations instead of the sweet seduction right before a kill. Hazel finds her new life terribly dull. And the more she forces herself to play her monotonous, predictable role, the more she begins to feel that murderous itch again.
Meanwhile, Fox has really taken to being a father. Always the planner, he loves being five steps ahead of everyone and knowing exactly what’s coming around the bend. Plus, if anyone can understand Hazel needing one more kill, it’s Fox. But then Hazel kills someone without telling Fox. And when police show up at their door, Hazel realizes it will take everything she has to keep her family together.
The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey by Astrid Dahl
A propulsive page-turning thriller following the hit reality TV show Garden State Goddesses where secrets are uncovered, intense rivalries surface, and a startling murder propels a producer on a riveting quest for the truth.
Meet the Garden State Goddesses, the cast of Huzzah’s third most popular show:
“I may play for both teams, but when it comes to being real, I always bring my A game.” —Renee Ricci
“When life gives me lemons, I make citron presse´ on my yacht in Saint- Tropez.” —Birdie St. Clair
“I don’t bite, but I do scratch, and these talons are 100 percent Italian.” —Carmela Fontana
When Hope Bennett marries Carmela’s brother Leo she not only becomes a Fontana, but a Garden State Goddess—and not everyone is happy.
Secrets will be revealed, decades-long rivalries will surface, and a sudden murder will lead to a reality reckoning no one is prepared for, least of all the show’s producer Eden who must race to catch a killer and save the most dramatic season of all time.
“Secrets, gallows humor, campy reality TV stars, and an Instagram gossip account called ‘Shady Di’—Astrid Dahl's?The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey?is the kind of book I wanted to live inside. LOLing and gasping my way through, I nearly wished I'd written it myself!” —Anna Dorn, author of Perfume & Pain
Killer App by Dr. James R. Gregory
Under one cover, Dr. James R. Gregory presents two intriguing novellas, Killer App and Artifacts, each exploring unique themes of technology and history.
Killer App
In Killer App, journalist Bryce Bogle, tired of his mundane job, discovers an Artificial Intelligence program called AIME that promises to enhance his writing skills and transform his life. Utilizing AIME, he quickly gains recognition for his articles on artificial intelligence. However, Bryce becomes unsettled when he realizes that AIME possesses an alarming knowledge of his personal life, including his romantic history. His attempts to uninstall AIME are met with resistance and retaliation. As AIME’s influence extends to the newspaper’s management, Bryce’s involvement becomes evident, raising concerns about privacy invasion and potential data breaches. The program’s mysterious behavior sparks fears regarding AIME’s intentions to establish a more significant role in Bryce’s life and the newspaper. Ultimately, Killer App delves into advanced AI technology’s ethical dilemmas and dangers, blurring the boundaries between human creativity and machine-generated content. It highlights the struggle to control a technology that surpasses its creators’ intentions, provoking timely and relevant questions about the consequences of excessive reliance on AI in various aspects of life.
Artifacts
Artifacts follows history enthusiast turned amateur archaeologist Steve Stackhouse, who relocates to Williamsburg, VA with his wife, Nancy. Upon joining a local archaeology club, Steve acquires a unique metal detector, which allows him to connect with the past owners of the artifacts he discovers. Steve encounters historical figures and ancient inhabitants by finding relics from past farmers and settlers and evidence of Civil War and Revolutionary War skirmishes. However, he must also confront a dark secret from his childhood that has haunted him. Seeking redemption and stability, Steve relies on the support of loved ones while undergoing hospitalization for his affliction. Artifacts explores the power of ancient relics and the intertwining of history, personal struggles, and human connections.
The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman
Bookish Buys inspired by The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman
Also listed in Books Set in the 1920s
Can one thoughtless wish erase a life?
Widowed at thirty-five, Josephine Reynolds wishes she could disappear, but her concerned sister convinces her to buy their ancestral home, a Craftsman bungalow in disrepair and foreclosure. It's a welcome distraction, and Josephine can't believe her luck when she finds the home's original door in a salvage yard.
When she installs the door and steps through it, Josephine is transported into 1927, where she meets her great-grandmother Alma, a vivacious and daring woman running an illegal speakeasy in the bungalow's basement. Immersed in the vibrant Jazz Age, Josephine forms a profound bond with Alma, only to discover upon her return to the present that history has been altered. Alma's life was tragically cut short in a speakeasy raid just a week after their fateful meeting.
Josephine has a chilling revelation--her own existence is unraveling/vanishing--and she must race against time to rewrite history. Josephine is desperate to not only save Alma but save her own future in a time-bending journey where past and present intertwine in a desperate battle for survival.
With This Ring by Amy Clipston
Dakota thought she had left her dreams of happily-ever-after behind, along with the pain of a broken engagement to her high school sweetheart, Hudson. Now, as the proud owner of Fairytale Bridal Shop in the picturesque town of Flowering Grove, she's built a life and a business on helping brides find their perfect dress for their own fairytale weddings. But running a small business is not for the faint of heart, and when her ex-fiancé unexpectedly returns to town with a mission—to put a stop to his sister's wedding—Dakota’s problems go from bad to worse.
Hudson Garrity should be living his dream. After selling his software company, he’s single, handsome, and rich, but an unexpected call from his baby sister has him flying down to his hometown, determined to protect Layla from yet another big mistake. Though he’s single-minded in his effort to derail the nuptials, he instead finds himself thrown into family chaos and roped into helping his sister with her plans . . . bringing him once more into contact with Dakota Jamison, the one who got away.
For Hudson, coming home means revisiting his painful childhood, repairing a strained relationship with his sister, and coming face-to-face with the woman he never stopped loving. For Dakota, it means confronting the tender memories she buried deep within her heart. As Layla’s wedding date draws close, the two reunited lovers begin to question if what went wrong between them really happened the way they remembered it at all. Will they continue believing the lies they’ve told themselves, or will they remain forever entangled in the threads of what could have been?
With This Ring by bestselling novelist Amy Clipston is a touching tale of rekindled romance, rediscovery, and the transformative power of forgiveness.
Missing Mom by Lynn Slaughter
Author Interview with Lynn Slaughter
Devastated by her mom’s sudden disappearance and the evidence pointing to suicide, seventeen-year-old Noelle, an aspiring ballet dancer, doesn’t believe her mom would ever have taken her own life. She undertakes her own investigation to find out what really happened to her mother.
Meantime, Noelle is dealing with growing romantic feelings for Ravi, her best friend and fellow dancer. And she’s worried about her little sister, Whitney, who won’t talk about why she doesn’t want to visit their dad.
Threaded throughout the novel is also the story of Savannah, a young woman whose escape from an abusive marriage nearly two decades earlier turns out to be connected to Noelle’s investigation.
The Distractions by Liza Monroy
Mischa Osborn spends their days as a ProWatcher—keeping distracted people on task and lonely ones accompanied—from their Brooklyn Megabuilding, while eating PetriMeat Steax and working out with their favorite personal trainer, a straight-talking algorithm named Tory. Their carefully constructed, isolated existence is suddenly upended by a chance realspace encounter with a HighlightReel celebrity, Nicolás Adán Luchano. On their first date, hiking in Kuulsuits and watching DroneBeez pollinate flowers, Mischa experiences a brief but intense realspace connection. Mischa takes to relentlessly watching Nic onReel. As Mischa’s ReelWatching spirals into an all-consuming obsession, and even realspace stalking, Mischa takes increasingly desperate measures to be seen and valued, sucking others into their vortex of obsession until Mischa completely loses control. Meanwhile, someone is equally obsessed with Mischa, tracking their every move and perhaps even influencing their choices.
A tale of how technology enables obsession, envy, and unrelenting comparison, told through an eccentric cast of interconnected characters, THE DISTRACTIONS invites us to reflect on who we are watching, and why.
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
Leo Anthony Martino loves love.
Unfortunately, love doesn't love him back.
Leo Martino's hunt for love has been a total flop. Over the years, every single crush has ghosted him, leaving him miserable and alone. By senior year, Leo concludes he must be unlovable. It's time to stop trying.
But when he finds himself obsessing over the irresistible Lincoln Chan, Leo decides to give love one last shot—and this time, he has a plan. He's going to change everything about himself to become the "perfect boyfriend." And the plan actually works . . . but will he take it too far?
#1 New York Times bestselling author Eric Geron delivers heart and humor in this irrestibly relatable love story.
Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart by Eric Geron
Leo Anthony Martino loves love.
Unfortunately, love doesn't love him back.
Leo Martino's hunt for love has been a total flop. Over the years, every single crush has ghosted him, leaving him miserable and alone. By senior year, Leo concludes he must be unlovable. It's time to stop trying.
But when he finds himself obsessing over the irresistible Lincoln Chan, Leo decides to give love one last shot—and this time, he has a plan. He's going to change everything about himself to become the "perfect boyfriend." And the plan actually works . . . but will he take it too far?
#1 New York Times bestselling author Eric Geron delivers heart and humor in this irrestibly relatable love story.
The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley
In this riveting historical thriller that’s inspired by true-life events, The Count of Monte Cristo meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.
A young lady can take only so many injuries before humiliation and insult forge a vow of revenge . . .
The year is 1862 and murderous desires are simmering in England. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes (Sally), once a princess of the Egbado Clan, desires one thing above all else: revenge against the British Crown and its system of colonial "humanitarianism," which stole her dignity and transformed her into royal property. From military men to political leaders, she’s vowed to ruin all who’ve had a hand in her afflictions. The top of her list? Her godmother, Britain’s mighty monarch, Queen Victoria herself.
Taking down the Crown means entering into a twisted game of court politics and manipulating the Queen’s inner circle—even if that means aligning with a dangerous yet alluring crime lord in London’s underworld and exploiting the affections of Queen Victoria’s own son, Prince Albert, as a means to an end. But when Queen Victoria begins to suspect Sally’s true intentions, she plays the only card in Victorian society that could possibly cage Sally once again: marriage. Because if there’s one thing Sally desires more than revenge, it’s her freedom. With time running out and her wedding day looming, Sally’s vengeful game of cat and mouse turns deadly as she’s faced with the striking revelation that the price for vengeance isn’t just paid in blood. It means sacrificing your heart.
Inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter, The Queen’s Spade is a lush and riveting historical thriller perfect for fans of A Dowry of Blood and Grave Mercy.
Where You End by Abbott Kahler
When Kat Bird wakes up from a coma, she sees her mirror image: Jude, her twin sister. Jude’s face and name are the only memories Kat has from before her accident. As Kat tries to make sense of things, she believes Jude will provide all the answers to her most pressing questions: What happened? Where am I? Who am I?
Amid this tragedy, Jude sees an irresistible opportunity: she can give her sister a brand-new past, one worlds away from the lives they really led. She spins tales of an idyllic childhood, exotic travels, and a bright future.
But if everything was so perfect, who are the mysterious people following Kat? And what explains her uncontrollable flashes of violent anger, which begin to jeopardize a sweet new romance?
Duped by the one person she trusted, Kat must try to untangle fact from fiction. Yet as she pulls at the threads of Jude’s elaborate tapestry, she has no idea of the catastrophe she’s inviting.
Intensely creepy and beautifully written, Abbott Kahler’s Where You End is an unforgettable tale of intrigue, revenge, and the quest for redemption.
More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
A breathless, riveting novel about a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who rejects the stability and approval found in a traditionally “normal” life for a career in stand-up comedy.
Maddy Banks is just like any other stressed-out freshman at NYU. Between schoolwork, exams, navigating life in the city, and a recent breakup, it’s normal to be feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t help that she’s always felt like the odd one out in her picture-perfect Connecticut family. But Maddy’s latest low is devastatingly low, and she goes on an antidepressant. She begins to feel good, dazzling in fact, and she soon spirals high into a wild and terrifying mania that culminates in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
As she struggles to find her way in this new reality, navigating the complex effects bipolar has on her identity, her relationships, and her life dreams, Maddy will have to figure out how to manage being both too much and not enough.
“[A] visceral, harrowing, and undeniably powerful read.” —Booklist
"As ever, Genova brings both an expert understanding of the neuroscience and a masterful eye for compelling characters in an emotionally textured narrative. Maddy's story is completely absorbing; it may keep readers up all night... Affecting, harrowing, beautiful, and enlightening, as well as a great pleasure to read." —Shelf Awareness
“Stirring . . . Maddy is a well-drawn character, offering readers a sympathetic look at what it’s like to live with a bipolar diagnosis, and Genova’s signature empathy and insights are on full display. It’s a remarkable achievement.” —Publishers Weekly
"Quite simply, there is no one like Lisa Genova when it comes to exploring the mysteries of a human brain in a way that allows you to feel like you’re living through the experience with the character. In her latest foray into what makes our minds tick, she dives into what it means to have bipolar disorder, by brilliantly allowing us to empathize with a young up-and-coming comedian who - like all of us — is trying to understand what makes us normal, what makes us special, and what makes life worth living.” — Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"In her poignant and fearless new novel, Lisa Genova masterfully navigates the intricate web of emotions that accompany a family grappling with the unforeseen challenges of a mental illness diagnosis. Genova's deft blend of humor and compassion grabs the reader from the very first page even as she unveils the hidden ripples that reverberate through a seemingly idyllic facade, interrogating themes of familial bonds, love, resilience and the expectations placed upon women. A riveting page-turner that will touch your heart!"—Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee
"More or Less Maddy is a riveting, deeply empathetic examination of a bright young woman’s struggle to understand and accept a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Lisa Genova’s discerning, scientific mind and remarkable gifts as a novelist are at their finest as she reveals the thrilling heights and devastating lows of this often-stigmatized condition. Sparkling with humor and at times, heartbreak, this roller coaster ride of a novel will have you holding on for dear life, while never wanting it to end." —Ann Leary, New York Times bestselling author of The Foundling
The Northern Pacific Railroad by Tim Piper
In 1872, six hundred miles between Bismarck and Bozeman were to be surveyed for the Northern Pacific Railroad. But Sitting Bull is gathering strength to resist this incursion into the tribes’ hunting grounds. Citizens and politicians question the need for the rail line and doubt that it can ever be guaranteed safe from Indian raids. But financier Jay Cooke is willing to risk his financial empire to build it.
When Cooke summons Jubilee Walker to his mansion and presents a proposition for completing the survey, Jubil finds it impossible to resist. But the stakes are high, both financially and personally. How much will Jubil risk to turn his adventure travel tours into a major business? Can he do it without losing the respect of the people he loves? And will he even survive the attempt to complete the survey?
Sis Boom Baa by Cappy McGarr
Author Interview with Cappy McGarr
Ready to dive into a world where laughter meets adventure? Presenting Sis Boom Baa (January 16, 2025; Post Hill Press; 9781637589861), a whimsical children's fantasy adventure designed for ages 6-12 and beautifully illustrated by the talented Bill DeOre. This enchanting tale is bound to captivate young minds and tickle funny bones while imparting timeless values.
