The first novel in the beloved Fairacre series, Village School introduces the remarkable schoolmistress Miss Read and her lovable group of children, who, with a mixture of skinned knees and smiles, are just as likely to lose themselves as their mittens. This is the English village of Fairacre: a handful of thatch-roofed cottages, a church, the school, the promise of fair weather, friendly faces, and good cheer -- at least most of the time. Here everyone knows everyone else's business, and the villagers like each other anyway (even Miss Pringle, the irascible, gloomy cleaner of Fairacre School). With a wise heart and a discerning eye, Miss Read guides us through one crisp, glistening autumn in her village and introduces us to a cast of unforgettable characters and a world of drama, romance, and humor, all within a stone's throw of the school. By the time winter comes, you'll be nestled snugly into the warmth and wit of Fairacre and won't want to leave.
Joplin Loves 2 Read
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
The Djinn Falls in Love & Other Stories, 278 pages
A fascinating collection of new and classic tales of the fearsome Djinn, from bestselling, award-winning and breakthrough international writers.
Imagine a world filled with fierce, fiery beings, hiding in our shadows, in our dreams, under our skins. Eavesdropping and exploring; savaging our bodies, saving our souls. They are monsters, saviours, victims, childhood friends.
Some have called them genies: these are the Djinn. And they are everywhere. On street corners, behind the wheel of a taxi, in the chorus, between the pages of books. Every language has a word for them. Every culture knows their traditions. Every religion, every history has them hiding in their dark places. There is no part of the world that does not know them.
They are the Djinn. They are among us.
With stories from: Nnedi Okorafor, Neil Gaiman, Helene Wecker, Amal El-Mohtar, Catherine King, Claire North, E.J. Swift, Hermes (trans. Robin Moger), Jamal Mahjoub, James Smythe, J.Y. Yang, Kamila Shamsie, Kirsty Logan, K.J. Parker, Kuzhali Manickavel, Maria Dahvana Headley, Monica Byrne, Saad Hossein, Sami Shah, Sophia Al-Maria and Usman Malik.
Betty and Veronica Double Digest #271, 196 pages
“Arch-addin and the Magic Lamp!” – This riff on the classic fairytale Aladdin has an unexpected twist—you’ll never guess who the princess and the genie are in this version!
Friday, June 19, 2026
Fatal Enquiry by Will Thomas, 304 pages
Brimming with wit, atmosphere, and unforgettable characters, FATAL ENQUIRY reintroduces private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewellyn, and their unforgettable world of Victorian London.
Some years ago, Cyrus Barker matched wits with Sebastian Nightwine, an aristocrat and sociopath, and in exposing his evil, sent Nightwine fleeing to hide from justice somewhere in the far corners of the earth. The last thing Barker ever expected was to encounter Nightwine again—but the British government, believing they need Nightwine's help, has granted him immunity for his past crimes, and brought him back to London. Nightwine, however, has more on his mind than redemption—and as Barker and Llewellyn set out to uncover and thwart Nightwine's real scheme, they find themselves in the gravest danger of their lives.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Cupcakes For My Orc Enemy by Honey Phillips, 152 pages
When Elara flees corporate life to open a coffee shop in the small southern town of Fairhaven Falls, the last thing she is looking for is a relationship. But when she meets Grondar, the gruff orc owner of the bakery next door, sparks fly. Literally.
Grondar has been burned by human females before. He has no intention of letting the feisty little female next door get under his skin - no matter how attractive he finds her. And it certainly doesn’t mean he’s going to let her get away with sabotaging his business.
Despite their disastrous first meeting, Elara still finds herself having inappropriately heated thoughts about the massive orc next door. The attraction seems to be completely one-sided - until he reluctantly comes to her rescue and she discovers a very different side to the grumpy male.
Can they overcome their initial animosity, their ongoing rivalry, and their very obvious differences to find a future together?
Blood Will Tell by Dana Stabenow, 260 pages
Kate Shugak's family becomes involved in a murder investigation in Blood Will Tell.Fifty thousand square miles of untouched Alaskan forest is definitely a prize... but is it worth killing for?Ekaterina Moonin Shugak, tribal elder and community leader, is a fierce friend and an even fiercer foe. So when she arrives unannounced at Kate Shugak's homestead asking for her granddaughter's help, Kate knows there must be something seriously amiss in town. And her suspicions are confirmed when she arrives in town to find that two people are dead.It could be a coincidence, but Kate Shugak doesn't like coincidences; especially where family are concerned.