Thursday, July 2, 2026

The Prison Cookbook by Peter Higginbotham, 256 pages

 This copiously illustrated book takes the lid off the real story of prison food. Including the full text of an original prison cookery manual compiled at Parkhurst Prison in 1902, it examines the history of prison catering from the Middle Ages (when prisoners were expected to pay for their own board and lodging whilst inside) through the Newgate of the Victorian age and on to the present day. With sections on prison life, punishments, the food on board transportation vessels and floating prison hulks, and the work of reformers such as John Howard and Elizabeth Fry, who vastly improved the conditions of those who were put behind bars, this evocative and unique book shows the reader exactly what 'doing porridge' entailed.




Village Diary by Miss Read, 251 pages

 The enchanting follow-up to Village School, Miss Read's beloved first novel, Village Diary once again transports us to the picturesque English village of Fairacre. Each chapter describes a month in the life of the village school’s headmistress, Miss Read. As the villagers prepare for their country pageant, Fairacre welcomes many newcomers, such as the headstrong Amy, Mr. Mawne (whom the villagers would like to see the reluctant Miss Read marry), and the earnest new infants' teacher, Miss Jackson.




Archie and Me Volume 2, 224 pages

 ARCHIE AND ME VOL. 2 is the second of a chronological collection of titles featuring the classic series. This is presented in the new higher-end format of Archie Comics Presents, which offers 200+ pages at a value while taking a design cue from successful all-ages graphic novels.


For 161 issues, Archie's craziest interactions with Riverdale High principal Mr. Weatherbee were showcased in this classic series. Now the first dozen are collected here!



Saturday, June 27, 2026

The Cat Who Sang for the Birds by Lilian Jackson Braun, 260 pages

 As early spring comes to Moose County, Jim Qwilleran is looking forward to the peaceful beauty of nature's rebirth. What he gets instead is a chorus of noisy birds that constantly wakes him from a sound sleep...especially when Koko insists on joining in with his own feline version of birdcalling. But soon Qwill is wondering whether Koko is trying to say more than just "tweet tweet" because a series of strange events—starting with an act of vandalism and culminating in a mysterious chain of death and disappearance—has Pickax in a similar uproar. It seems that this spring, a cat's fancy may turn to crime solving...




Friday, June 26, 2026

Trouble for My Troll by Honey Phillips, 158 pages

 Her troll mechanic is determined to get her engine revving!

Alison is looking forward to finally settling down in Fairhaven Falls. Surely a town full of monsters will make it easier to guard her vulnerable heart. When she runs into a truck driven by a massive troll with a charming smile, she realizes it might not be so easy after all. Despite her attempts to avoid him, he keeps coming to her rescue.

Will isn’t happy about returning to his small hometown to take over the family business. The sooner he can escape a job he doesn’t want in a place he doesn’t want to be, the better. The curvy little female who collides with him can’t be more than a distraction - so why does his inner troll want to carry her off to his den and keep her forever? He doesn’t even have a den!

Can a male who doesn’t want to stay and a woman who doesn’t want to leave find happiness together?



Betty and Veronica Double Digest #275, 196 pages

 “What If?” This story explores an unusual scenario… What if Jughead was the guy both girls were after?!




Oddball by Sarah Andersen, 108 pages

 Strange poses! Random noises! Becoming extremely fixated on your latest topic of choice! And who needs the mundane when you could talk all day about true crime and supernatural entities?

Join Sarah and her pets as she navigates her latest chapter, ranging from classic adult growing pains to summoning demons. Life is beautiful as an oddball.