Am I a Mutant, or What? by Bill Amend, 128 pages

 Realism lends humr and relevance to the story lines enacted by ubernerd Jason Fox and his family in the enormously successful syndicated comic strip FoxTrot. Unafraid to tackle timely topics of the day, FoxTrot finds wry humor in such issues as SARS, video game violence, boy bands, Internet music piracy, and a multitude of pop culture themes. In fact, FoxTrot is so inextricably intertwined with pop culture that creator Bill Amend was interviewed in the premiere issue of The Lord of the Rings Fan Club Official Movie Magazine, thanks to a series of strips about Jason's fanatical excitement over the movie trilogy. And not only does FoxTrot incorporate pop culture into its story lines, the strip has actually become a pop culture icon: It has been used as a question on the game show Jeopardy! and as an answer in the New York Times crossword. Am I a Mutant, or What! is the newest FoxTrot collection, featuring strips that ran from late 2002 through mid 2003. Amply documented as a favorite with readers, FoxTrot runs in more than 1,000 newspapers, and previous FoxTrot books have sold more than two million copies.

His Code Name Was the Fox by Bill Amend, 128 pages

 It's perceptive. It's irreverent. But, more than anything, FoxTrot is reliably funny year after year, strip after strip. FoxTrot Collection is the latest collection of strips featuring the funny and flawed Fox family. It marks the 23rd collection of this comic strip staple that can be found in more than 1,000 newspapers worldwide every day. FoxTrot Collection is the latest chronicle of the chaotic Fox family-parents Roger and Andy, teenagers Peter and Paige, and ten-year old Jason and his pet iguana, Quincy. This book finds Roger behind his keyboard struggling to write a spy novel, prompting helpful writing advice from Jason such as "the 'on' switch is that little round one." The others add to the insanity, with Jason battling video games, Paige searching for a personal assistant, Peter eating and eating, and Andy stressing through it all.Everyone experiences day-to-day turmoil in their family life, which is why Bill Amend's FoxTrot Collection is sure to resonate with readers across the globe. 

Nine Years Under: Coming of Age in an Inner-City Funeral Home by Sheri Booker, 267 pages

 Sheri Booker was only fifteen years old when she started working at Wylie Funeral Home in West Baltimore. She had no idea that her summer job would become nine years of immersion in a hidden world. Reeling from the death of her beloved great aunt, she found comfort in the funeral home, and soon has the run of the place, from its sacred chapels to the terrifying embalming room.

With AIDS and gang violence threatening to wipe out a generation of black men, Wylie was never short on business. As families came together to bury one of their own, Booker was privy to their most intimate moments of grief and despair. But along with the sadness, Booker encountered moments of dark humor: brawls between mistresses and widows, and car crashes at McDonald’s with dead bodies in tow. While she never got over her terror of the embalming room, Booker learned to expect the unexpected and to never, ever cry.

This vibrant tour of a macabre world reveals an urban funeral culture where photo-screened memorial T-shirts often replace suits and ties and the dead are sent off with a joint or a fifth of cognac. Nine Years Under offers readers an unbelievable glimpse into an industry in the backdrop of all our lives.

The Adventuress by Carole Nelson Douglas, 402 pages

 Diva/detective Irene Adler and her bridegroom, handsome barrister Godfrey Norton, are honeymooning in Paris when they become embroiled in an investigation: a drowned sailor's body has been recovered from the Seine, and on his chest is a tattoo. A tattoo like one Irene once saw in London-- on another sailor's chest, while the corpse lay upon Bram Stoker's dining room table. This clue will lead Irene to the first beautiful blond American princess of Monaco, political and matrimonial treachery, and a sword duel as she and her new friend Sarah Bernhardt unravel the mystery-- with, of course, the help of Godfrey, Irene's faithful chronicler Miss Penelope Huxleigh, and Sherlock Holmes himself.

Death By Field Trip by Bill Amend, 128 pages

 It's indisputable at this point: FoxTrot is one of the most loved strips to ever hit the funny pages. Creator Bill Amend's FoxTrot collection, Death by Field Trip, adds to the strip's great legacy.

Death by Field Trip follows the humorous exploits of teenagers Peter and Paige and their imaginative little brother, Jason, as they balance the pressures of the modern world with the daily complexities and clashes of family life. Parents Roger and Andy round out the Fox family five and try to referee the sibling squabbling that never quite fully subsides.

Encyclopedias Brown and White by Bill Amend, 128 pages

 From master cartoonist Bill Amend comes his newest collection of FoxTrot favorites. From hilarious sibling rivalry to marital disagreements over spending habits, FoxTrot has amassed a religious following of fans of all ages.

Assorted Foxtrot by Bill Amend, 250 pages

 FoxTrot has built its considerable appeal with its sincere depiction of the hilarious clashes seen in everyday family life without getting too sticky sweet. Fans of all ages can find something in creator Bill Amend's work with which they're familiar, from the outrageous sibling rivalries between ten-year-old Jason and his teenage siblings, Peter and Paige, to marital squabbles over golf between parents Roger and Andy.

FoxTrot's appeal, in large part, comes from Amend's talent for finding humor in contemporary topics and issues. Readers enjoy a delightful ride as the Fox family members give their takes on the latest in pop culture. It's sometimes surprising and always entertaining to see just how different members of the same gene pool can be.

Murder in the Secret Garden by Ellery Adams, 294 pages

 There is a hidden garden bordering the grounds of Jane Steward’s book-themed resort—a garden filled with beautiful but deadly plants such as mandrake and nightshade. Tucked away behind ivy-covered walls and accessible only through a single locked door, as described in the pages of Frances Hodges Burnett's classic novel, the garden is of special interest to Jane’s current group of guests, The Medieval Herbalists. But when one of them turns up dead, Jane must discover whether a member of the group has come to Storyton Hall to celebrate their passion for plant lore or to implement a particularly cruel means for murder.

 
With thousands of books at her disposal, Jane believes she has the proper materials to solve this deadly problem. If she’s wrong, however, she may lose something far more precious than the contents of Storyton’s secret library...

Crap at My Parents' House by Joel Dovev, 208 pages

 Crap at My Parents’ House is a laugh-out-loud celebration of all the weird, odd, and unfathomably tacky stuff that our moms and dads accumulate without our knowledge or consent. Comedian Joel Dovev has compiled and commented upon the best (or would that be worst?) items submitted by folks from around the globe in a very funny—but fair—way, revealing all those dirty secrets that range from deer hoof bottle openers and plush Oscar Meyer Wienermobiles to soccer-playing Jesus ceramics and grizzly bear toilet paper holders. Whether you’re 15 or 65 and still shaking your head at your mom and dad’s decorating choices, Crap at My Parents’ House is a reason to be thankful for parents being so unintentionally hilarious.

Come Closer, Roger, There's a Mosquito On Your Nose by Bill Amend, 128 pages

 What makes FoxTrot such a refreshing jolt of humor? Maybe because it seems to be written by an ingenious kid who's looking for a few good ways to get into trouble. Maybe someone just like Jason Fox himself!

In fact, cartoonist Bill Amend has perfectly captured the adolescent sensibility in his cartoon strip FoxTrot. Portraying the family-oriented adventures of one wild suburban household, Amend addresses situations kids encounter--both serious and fanciful--with a deftly on-target, humorous touch.

In Come Closer, Roger, There's a Mosquito on Your Nose, the Fox family is in full comical force. The family's lead instigator, 10-year-old Jason, continues to contrive skirmishes involving his 14-year-old sister, Paige, but he also spends ample time with his computer and his pet iguana, Quincy.

Paige, the unwitting target of Jason's jokes, survives in style, heading off to the mall or plotting a major flirtation in cahoots with her friend, Nicole. Elder son, Peter, 16, has his own interests: cramming for a test, wooing his girlfriend, Denise, and helping his dad with a chore or two. Through it all, parents Roger and Andy strive to hold down the fort while dealing with their own challenges, from work to weight loss to the computer.

Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch: The Definitive Account of the Best Little Whorehouse by Jayme Lynn Blaschke, 334 pages

 Thanks to the classic Dolly Parton film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and ZZ Top’s ode “La Grange,” many people think they know the story of the infamous Chicken Ranch. The reality is more complex, lying somewhere between heartbreaking and absurd. For more than a century, dirt farmers and big-cigar politicians alike rubbed shoulders at the Chicken Ranch, operated openly under the sheriff’s watchful eye. Madam Edna Milton and her girls ran a tight, discreet ship that the God-fearing people of La Grange tolerated if not outright embraced. That is, until a secret conspiracy enlisted an opportunistic reporter to bring it all crashing down on primetime television. Through exclusive interviews with Milton, former government officials and reporters, Jayme Lynn Blaschke delivers a fascinating, revelatory view of the Ranch that illuminates the truth and lies that surround this iconic brothel.

Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter by Brea Grant, 144 pages

 Angsty teenager Mary Shelley is not interested in carrying on her family’s celebrated legacy of being a great writer, but she soon discovers that she has the not-so-celebrated (and super-secret) Shelley power to heal monsters, just like her famous ancestor, and those monsters are not going to let her ignore her true calling anytime soon.

The Shelley family history is filled with great writers: the original Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, the acclaimed mystery writer Tawny Shelley, cookbook maven Phyllis Shelley…the list goes on and on. But this Mary Shelley, named after her great-great-great-great-great grandmother, doesn’t want anything to do with that legacy. Th2020en a strangely pale (and really cute) boy named Adam shows up and asks her to heal a wound he got under mysterious circumstances, and Mary learns something new about her family: the first Mary Shelley had the power to heal monsters, and Mary has it, too. Now the monsters won’t stop showing up, Mary can’t get her mother Tawny to leave her alone about writing something (anything!), she can’t tell her best friend Rhonda any of this, and all Mary wants is to pass biology.

Strange History: Mysterious Artifacts, Macabre Legends, Bonehead Blunders & Mind-Blowing Facts by the Bathroom Readers' Institute, 416 pages

 The fifth book in the popular Uncle John’s Briefs series contains the strangest short history articles from over 30 Bathroom Readers—along with 50 all-new pages. From the 20th century to the Old West, from the Age of Enlightenment to the Dark Ages, from ancient cultures all the way back to the dawn of time, Strange History is overflowing with mysterious artifacts, macabre legends, kooky inventions, reality-challenged rulers, boneheaded blunders, and mind-blowing facts. Read about…

*The curse of Macbeth
*Stupid history: Hollywood style
*The secret LSD experiments of the 1960s
*In search of the lost “Cloud People” of Peru
*The Swedish queen who declared war on fleas
*Unearthing the past with the Outhouse Detectives
*The Apollo astronaut who swears he saw a UFO
*How to brew a batch of 5,000-year-old beer
*The brutal bloodbaths at Rome’s Coliseum
*Ghostly soup from ancient China
*The bathroom of the 1970s

And much, much more!

Cursed Objects: Strange But True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items by J. W. Ocker, 271 pages

 They're lurking in museums, graveyards, and private homes around the world. Their stories have inspired countless horror movies, reality TV shows, campfire tales, books, and even chain emails. They're cursed objects, and in order to unleash a wave of misfortune, all they need...is you. As a culture, we can't seem to get enough of cursed objects. But never before have the true stories of these infamous real-life items been compiled into a fascinating and chilling volume.

Entries include:

• Annabelle the Doll, a Raggedy Ann doll which inspired the acclaimed horror franchise The Conjuring
• The Tomb of Tutankhamen, the discovery of which kicked-started media hysteria over a rumored "Curse of the Pharaohs"
• The Ring of Silvianus, a Roman artifact believed to have inspired J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit
• The Hope Diamond, which was owned by kings and inspired the Heart of the Ocean in James Cameron's Titanic
• The Dybbuk Box, which was sold on eBay and inspired the horror film The Possession

Whether you believe in curses or not, the often tragic and always bizarre stories behind these objects will fascinate you. Many of them have intersected with some of the most notable events and people in history. But beyond Hollywood and beyond the hysteria, author J. W. Ocker suggests that cursed objects are simply objects which have been witness to great human tragedy, and thereafter operate as mechanisms for remembering and retelling those stories. Cursed Objects will be equally appealing to true believers as well as history buffs, horror fans, and anyone who loves a good spine-tingling tale. 

Wildly Foxtrot by Bill Amend, 256 pages

 Everyone with a brother or sister knows about sibling rivalry, but when it involves Peter, Paige, and Jason Fox, the chaos that ensues is hilariously one of a kind. In Bill Amend's comic strip, FoxTrot, the three kids continuously push each other's buttons while parents Roger and Andy try somehow to keep up. Amend's insightful peek inside the Fox family provides fans with recognition and laughs.

Wildly FoxTrot featuers all the cartoons (including full-color Sunday's) from the best-sellers, May the Force Be With Us, and Take Us to Your Mall, and includes a special illustrated story.

Enormously Foxtrot by Bill Amend, 256 pages

 Anyone who's ever experienced the turmoils of family life will relish this FoxTrot treasury, Enormously FoxTrot. A wild and witty compendium comprising the best-selling collections Bury My Heart at Fun-Fun Mountain and Say Hello to Cactus Flats, this colorful saga of the Fox family will inspire laughs and instant recognition.

From the endurance test of together-time vacations to the always chaotic goings-on at work, home, and school, the Fox family exhibits the day-to-day lunacy that comes with family life--a life that includes the trials of dad Roger's computer ineptitude and mom Andy's culinary adventures. The Fox siblings--Peter, Paige, and Jason—display a recognizable, albeit quirky, look into the real world of growing up.

Cartoonist Bill Amend, who was referred to by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the nation's best young cartoonists," bolsters this realistic portrayal by keeping his characters in the real world of Nintendo and Barney, Super Bowls and tofu casseroles, overdue book reports and overly painful trips to the mall. The personalities and humor of FoxTrot are timeless. We all know these people.

FoxTrot reveals the humorous side of family trials and tribulations like no other comic strip in America. With Enormously FoxTrot, readers will be able to enjoy the engaging Fox family more than ever!

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, 430 pages

 The wild rush of action in this classic frontier adventure story has made The Last of the Mohicans the most popular of James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales. Deep in the forests of upper New York State, the brave woodsman Hawkeye (Natty Bumppo) and his loyal Mohican friends Chingachgook and Uncas become embroiled in the bloody battles of the French and Indian War. The abduction of the beautiful Munro sisters by hostile savages, the treachery of the renegade brave Magua, the ambush of innocent settlers, and the thrilling events that lead to the final tragic confrontation between rival war parties create an unforgettable, spine-tingling picture of life on the frontier. And as the idyllic wilderness gives way to the forces of civilization, the novel presents a moving portrayal of a vanishing race and the end of its way of life in the great American forests.

May the Force Be With Us, Please by Bill Amend, 128 pages

 FoxTrot is a comic strip with attitude, wit and a big dose of reality. Bill Amend's brilliant understanding of sibling rivalry and generational struggles comes to life in a refreshing blend of humor and truth.

Readers of all ages will love this glimpse into family life with the FoxTrot gang. Come and laugh with Roger and Andy, and their kids Peter, Paige and Jason.

The Undoing by Shelly Laurenston, 374 pages

 A risk worth taking…

 
No one would ever accuse Jace Berisha of having an easy life—considering her husband…you know…killed her. But that was then! Now she fights for mighty Viking gods with the spectacular and vicious Crows.
 
But things are turning very bad, very quickly because a vengeful, ancient goddess has come into the world with just one thing on her mind—ending it. And the only way they can hope to stop her is if the Crows join forces with their one-time enemies, the Protectors. A Viking Clan created to do nothing but kill every Crow they see.
 
Thankfully, Protector Ski Eriksen is a peace loving kind of guy. Because the woman he is desperately trying to get close to is the beautiful and not-very-chatty Jace. Battling Nordic clans? Unkillable goddesses? Jace’s mean-spirited dog? None of these things would ever get in the way of a true Viking!

Bury My Heart at Fun-Fun Mountain by Bill Amend, 128 pages

 FoxTrot is a comic strip with attitude, wit and a big dose of reality. Bill Amend's brilliant understanding of sibling rivalry and generational struggles comes to life in a refreshing blend of humor and truth.

Readers of all ages will love this glimpse into family life with the FoxTrot gang. Come and laugh with Roger and Andy, and their kids Peter, Paige and Jason.

The Gateway Arch: A Biography by Tracy Campbell, 217 pages

 The surprising history of the spectacular Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the competing agendas of its supporters, and the mixed results of their ambitious plan

Rising to a triumphant height of 630 feet, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is a revered monument to America’s western expansion. Envisioned in 1947 but not completed until the mid-1960s, the arch today attracts millions of tourists annually and is one of the world’s most widely recognized structures. By weaving together social, political, and cultural history, historian Tracy Campbell uncovers the complicated and troubling history of the beloved structure. This compelling book explores how a medley of players with widely divergent motivations (civic pride, ambition, greed, among others) brought the Gateway Arch to fruition, but at a price the city continues to pay.

Campbell dispels long-held myths and casts a provocative new light on the true origins and meaning of the Gateway Arch. He shows that the monument was the scheme of shrewd city leaders who sought to renew downtown St. Louis and were willing to steal an election, destroy historic buildings, and drive out local people and businesses to achieve their goal. Campbell also tells the human story of the architect Eero Saarinen, whose prize-winning design brought him acclaim but also charges of plagiarism, and who never lived to see the completion of his vision. As a national symbol, the Gateway Arch has a singular place in American culture, Campbell concludes, yet it also stands as an instructive example of failed urban planning. 

Fox Trot by Bill Amend, 128 pages

 Bill Amend uses a keen sense of family dynamics to distill present-day life in this comic collection. A look at living through the eyes of the Fox family and their pet iguana.

The Road out of Hell: Sanford Clark and the True Story of the Wineville Murders by Anthony Flacco with Jerry Clark, 285 pages

 From 1926 to 1928, Gordon Stewart Northcott committed at least 20 murders on a chicken ranch outside of Los Angeles. His nephew, Sanford Clark, was held captive there from the age of 13 to 15, and was the sole surviving victim of the killing spree. Here, acclaimed crime writer Anthony Flacco—using never-before-heard information from Sanford’s son Jerry Clark—tells the real story behind the case that riveted the nation.  

Forced by Northcott to take part in the murders, Sanford carried tremendous guilt all his life. Yet despite his youth and the trauma, he helped gain some justice for the dead and their families by testifying at Northcott’s trial–which led to his conviction and execution. It was a shocking story, but perhaps the most shocking part of all is the extraordinarily ordinary life Clark went on to live as a decorated WWII vet, a devoted husband of 55 years, a loving father, and a productive citizen.

In dramatizing one of the darkest cases in American crime, Flacco constructs a riveting psychological drama about how Sanford was able to detoxify himself from the evil he’d encountered, offering the ultimately redemptive story of one man’s remarkable ability to survive a nightmare and emerge intact.

The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters, 432 pages

 In Amelia's seventh adventure, she and Emerson take passage on a boat travelling up the Nile, enjoying a second honeymoon while they search for Nefertiti's tomb. On the other hand, they might be heading towards murder. An exotic slave woman, a Siamese cat and a den of conspirators unite to snatch away Amelia's happiness unless she reveals a certain secret...and at the remote dig in Amarna what she uncovers is a shocking present-day peril: the loss of treasures far more precious than any antiquity - her husband's love or both their lives!

How Y'all Doing? Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived by Leslie Jordan, 198 pages

 Viral sensation and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Jordan regales fans with entertaining stories about the odd, funny, and unforgettable events in his life in this unmissable essay collection that echoes his droll, irreverent voice.

When actor Leslie Jordan learned he had “gone viral,” he had no idea what that meant or how much his life was about to change. On Instagram, his uproarious videos have entertained millions and have made him a global celebrity. Now, he brings his bon vivance to the page with this collection of intimate and sassy essays.

Bursting with color and life, dripping with his puckish Southern charm, How Y’all Doing? is Leslie doing what Leslie does best: telling stories that make us laugh and lift our spirits even in the darkest days. Whether he’s writing about his brush with a group of ruffians in a West Hollywood Starbucks, or an unexpected phone call from legendary Hollywood start Debbie Reynolds, Leslie infuses each story with his fresh and saucy humor and pure heart.

How Y’all Doing? is an authentic, warm, and joyful portrait of an American Sweetheart— a Southern Baptist celebutante, first-rate raconteur, and keen observer of the odd side of life whose quirky wit rivals the likes of Amy Sedaris, Jenny Lawson, David Rakoff, and Sarah Vowell. 

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik, 320 pages

 Lesson One of the Scholomance: Learning has never been this deadly.

A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance, a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death (for real) — until one girl, El, begins to unlock its many secrets.

There are no teachers, no holidays, and no friendships, save strategic ones. Survival is more important than any letter grade, for the school won’t allow its students to leave until they graduate… or die! The rules are deceptively simple: Don’t walk the halls alone. And beware of the monsters who lurk everywhere.

El is uniquely prepared for the school’s dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out millions. It would be easy enough for El to defeat the monsters that prowl the school. The problem? Her powerful dark magic might also kill all the other students. 

The Semi-Attached Couple by Emily Eden, 287 pages

 The worst thing to happen to the season’s perfect couple: marriage

When the young and gorgeous Helen Eskdale met the wealthy aristocrat Lord Teviot, everything clicked. This was a couple that was meant to be—the match of the year, if not the ages. But in the rush to the altar, there was no time for bride and groom to actually get to know each other. Now the question is: Can they keep their marriage from falling apart?

The Semi-Attached Couple explores the upstairs-downstairs intrigues and comic misunderstandings central to the classic English romance with all the wit, style, and charm of a Jane Austen novel.

The Semi-Detached House by Emily Eden, 256 pages

 The Semi-Detached House (1859)

Jane Austen fans will adore Emily Eden's comic novels. As The Semi-Detached House begins, beautiful newlywed Lady Blanche Chester, now pregnant,, is moving to a suburban home while her husband is away. She finds intrigue and annoyance as she encounters her new friends and villagers.

The Semi-Attached Couple (1860)
Another witty novel in the style of Jane Austen, although the books are set after the couples are married rather than before. In this book, Emily Eden skewers the social climbing of young married couple, including one woman who is determined to learn everyone’s secret.

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman, 390 pages

 Though American by birth, Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, has adapted admirably to the quirks and traditions of the British aristocracy. On August twelfth each year, otherwise known as the Glorious Twelfth, most members of the upper class retire to their country estates for grouse-shooting season. Frances has little interest in hunting—for birds or a second husband—and is expecting to spend a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily, until the throng returns.

Instead, she’s immersed in a shocking mystery when a friend, Mary Archer, is found murdered. Frances had hoped Mary might make a suitable bride for her cousin, Charles, but their courtship recently fizzled out. Unfortunately, this puts Charles in the spotlight—along with dozens of others. It seems Mary had countless notes hidden in her home, detailing the private indiscretions of society’s elite. Frances can hardly believe that the genteel and genial Mary was a blackmailer, yet why else would she horde such juicy tidbits?
 
Aided by her gallant friend and neighbor, George Hazelton, Frances begins assisting the police in this highly sensitive case, learning more about her peers than she ever wished to know. Too many suspects may be worse than none at all—but even more worrying is that the number of victims is increasing too. And unless Frances takes care, she’ll soon find herself among them.

The Mapmaker's Daughter by Katherine Nouri Hughes, 345 pages

 A novel of the Venetian girl who became the most powerful woman in the Ottoman Empire—perfect for fans of Netflix’s Magnificent Century.

 
The Ottoman Empire was at the height of its power during the sixteenth century when Cecilia Baffo Veniero was kidnapped from her Venetian homeland and chosen to be the wife of Selim II, successor to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. She would be known as Nurbanu.
 
The Mapmaker’s Daughter vividly imagines the confession of Nurbanu as she lies on her sickbed narrating the spectacular story of her rise to the pinnacle of imperial power, determined to understand how her extraordinary destiny was shaped. With unflinching candor, Nurbanu reviews the desires and motives that have both propelled and harmed her, as she considers her role as a devoted yet manipulative mother, helping to orchestrate her son’s succession to the throne. Serving as the appointed enforcer of one of the empire’s most crucial and shocking laws, Nurbanu confronts the consequences of her loves and her choices—right up to one last shattering revelation.

Close to Home Unplugged by John McPherson, 224 pages

 Offers a humorous view of family life as portrayed in the comic strip Close to home.

Backstage at the Strips by Mort Walker, 311 pages

 “I think comic strips are an important element in our society. Besides just being a source of entertainment, they comment on our lives, they contain philosophy and political comment and often help children learn to read. They are a wonderful way to study history.”—Mort Walker

Backstage at the Strips is a compilation of Walker's obvious passion for this truly American art form and the business that runs it. He invites us in to show us the process and the history behind it. We also get to meet the funny people that draw the comics we dearly love to read, the fans that make them so popular and man that gives us this delightful glimpse.

Pleasure For Pleasure by Eloisa James, 404 pages

 Fueled by the knowledge that notoriety is better than failure, witty, unconventional Josie does what no proper young lady should--she challenges fate. She discards her corset and flirts outrageously. She attends the horse races and allows an arrogant rakehell to whisk her behind the stables for a surreptitious kiss . . . and is caught!

She doesn't want to marry the young hellion--but who's to help? Her chaperone keeps disappearing for mysterious appointments; her guardian is on his wedding trip; and his friend the Earl of Mayne is too busy staring into the eyes of his exquisite French fiancée.

Can a marriage forced by stuffy convention and unwilling desire become the match of the season?

Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter, 196 pages

 "Pollyanna Grows Up" is a 1915 children's novel by Eleanor H. Porter. It is the first of many sequels to Porter's best-selling "Pollyanna" (1913), but is the only one written by Porter herself; the numerous later additions to the Pollyanna franchise were the work of other authors. Pollyanna, now cured of her crippling spinal injury, spends her time teaching the "glad game" to her new town, and a very bitter woman. Along the way she makes new friends, and is courted by two childhood friends, Jimmy and Jamie.

Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams, 294 pages

Controversy erupts in Miracle Springs, North Carolina, when the owner of the local bookstore tries to play peacekeeper—but winds up playing detective instead...

Nora Pennington is known for her window displays, and as Halloween approaches, she decides to showcase fictional heroines like Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Madeline Miller’s Circe. A family-values group disapproves of the magical themes, though, and wastes no time launching a modern-day witch hunt. Suddenly, former friends and customers are targeting not only Nora and Miracle Books, but a new shopkeeper, Celeste, who’s been selling CBD oil products.

Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are doing their best to put an end to the strife—but then someone puts an end to a life. Though the death is declared an accident, the ruling can’t explain the old book page covered with strange symbols and disturbing drawings left under Nora’s doormat, a postcard from an anonymous stalker, or multiple cases of vandalism.

The only hope is that Nora can be a heroine herself and lead the Secret, Book, and Scone Society in a successful investigation—before more bodies turn up and the secrets from Celeste’s past come back to haunt them all . . .

Betty and Veronica Double Digest #13, 256 pages

 

Betty and Veronica Double Digest #11, 256 pages

 

Betty and Veronica Double Digest #6, 256 pages

 

Betty and Veronica Double Digest #10, 256 pages