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...

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.

Forgotten Murders from Alaska's Capital by Betsy Longenbaugh, 135 pages

 Former Alaska newspaper reporter Betsy Longenbaugh brings to life 10 stories of murder that occurred between 1902 and 1959. Learn about Alaska's first serial killer, a Polish Jewish prostitute who met her end in the town of Douglas, and a World War I vet whose greed led to a double homicide.

Cursed Princess Club, Volume 1 by Lambcat, 288 pages

 Meet Gwendolyn – living proof that princesses don’t always have it all. See, although she lives in a castle and her father is the King, Gwendolyn isn’t like a movie princess, or even a fairly-tale princess. She’s got a big heart, but isn’t particularly attractive and doesn’t have a Disney-quality singing voice. But one night, she accidentally stumbles upon the twisted world of the Cursed Princess Club, and her life will never be the same. Hexed and cast out, the ladies of the club are just the people Gwendolyn needs to show her that just because she doesn’t “fit the mold” does not mean she’s any less of a princess.

Village School by Miss Read, 238 pages

 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.

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!

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.

Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics #270, 225 pages

 

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.

Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics #268, 185 pages

 BRAND NEW LEAD STORY: “Who’s Chicken Now?” When Veronica’s nervous about her new job at her father’s chicken fast food franchise, Betty offers to be her wing woman—but even with Betty’s help, can Veronica make it, or will she get fried?

Tough Guy by Rachel Reid, 300 pages

 Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

Betty and Veronica Double Digest Comics #263, 196 pages

 BRAND NEW LEAD “Now You ‘Sea’ Me!” Betty and Veronica hit the high seas for Spring Break. But it’s not all fun and play as the girls start performing alongside the cruise ship illusionist—will they be able to work some magic on his terrible act?

Portable Magic: A History of Books and Their Readers by Emma Smith, 352 pages

 Stephen King once said that books are “a uniquely portable magic.” Here, Emma Smith takes readers on a literary adventure that spans centuries and circles the globe to uncover the reasons behind our obsession with this captivating object.

From disrupting the Western myth that the Gutenberg Press was the original printing project, to the decorative gift books that radicalized women to join the anti-slavery movement, to paperbacks being weaponized during World War II, to a book made entirely of plastic-wrapped slices of American cheese, Portable Magic explores how, when, and why books became so iconic. It’s not just the content within a book that compels; it’s the physical material itself, what Smith calls “bookhood”: the smell, the feel of the pages, the margins to scribble in, the illustrations on the jacket, its solid heft. Every book is designed to influence our reading experience—to enchant, enrage, delight, and disturb us—and our longstanding love affair with books in turn has had direct, momentous consequences across time.

Bite By Bite: Amerrican History Through Feasts, Foods and Side Dishes by Marc Aronson, 164 pages

 Explore the fascinating history of America as told through the lens of food in this illustrated nonfiction middle grade book that lays out the diverse cultures that have combined to create the rich and delicious tapestry of the American country and cuisine.

As American as apple pie. It’s a familiar saying, yet gumbo and chop suey are also American! What we eat tells us who we where we’re from, how we move from place to place, and how we express our cultures and living traditions.

In twelve dishes that take readers from thousands of years ago through today, this book explores the diverse peoples and foodways that make up the United States. From First Salmon Feasts of the Umatilla and Cayuse tribes in the Pacific Northwest to fish fries celebrated by formerly enslaved African Americans, from “red sauce” Italian restaurants popular with young bohemians in the East to Cantonese restaurants enjoyed by rebellious young eaters in the West, this is the true story of the many Americas—laid out bite by bite.

Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics #261, 196 pages

 BRAND NEW LEAD STORY: "Movie Mix-Up!" Archie gets a taste of his own medicine when Betty and Veronica double-book dates for the same night as a movie outing with Archie!

Mystery of Crodile Island by Carolyn Keene, 180 pages

 In a response to a friend's call for help, Nancy's father, a lawyer, asks her to travel to mysterious Crocodile Island with her friends Bess and George to study the reptiles and try to uncover a group of suspected poachers.

Upon their arrival in Florida, the girls are kidnapped but cleverly escape to pursue their detective work. Dangers mount as they cope with reptiles, enemy boats, and exciting chases after the men who are responsible for a sinister racket that involves many unsuspecting victims. In the end, Nancy makes a bold move to untangle the mass of clues. She and Ned become imprisoned in the enemy's submarine and are held for ransom!

How Nancy and Ned are saved and the tables turned on the owners of Crocodile Island are left for the reader to discover.

Betty and Veronica Comics Double Digest #258, 196 pages

 In the BRAND NEW Christmas story "The LAST Noelle," Santa's daughter Noelle wants to experience normal high school life -- but if Betty & Veronica interfere, will Santa put them on his naughty list?

Death at a Firefly Tea by Laura Childs, 447 pages

 As fireflies dazzle like tiny glowing lanterns, tea maven Theodosia hosts an elegant evening tea on the patio of the Tangled Rose B and B. But in this gentle darkness an intruder has made their way in and slipped deadly drugs into the baked Alaska of Mrs. Van Courtland, one of Charleston’s local grande dames. Shocked by this brazen act, urged on by Mrs. V’s grieving son, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. Soon, she finds herself at odds with a greedy developer, the questionable residents of Honey Badger House, a vengeful ex-daughter-in-law, ne’er do well relatives, and a housekeeper who knows all the secrets. As Theodosia hosts a Moulin Rouge Tea and a Queen Victoria Tea, her tea sommelier Drayton is assaulted by a masked stranger and the fiancé of Mrs. V’s son is kidnapped. It’s only at the Starry Starry Night black tie ball that Theodosia stumbles upon the killer and gets pulled into a dramatic life and death chase.

Nobody Told Me Dragons Use Libraries by Lindsey Devin, 412 pages

 Nobody told her dragons use libraries.

Or that one of them would ruin her filing system and her entire life plan.

She's the head librarian who alphabetizes her trauma.
He's the dragon alpha who crash-landed into her carefully ordered world ten minutes before closing.

Neither expected a thunderstorm, an ancient mystery, or feelings too big to fit on an index card.

Perfect for readers who love: cozy chaos, grumpy/sunshine energy, nerd x nerd fated mates, and dragons who say "please" when they destroy your cataloguing system and for all the AuDHD readers, pattern-brained people, and anyone who organises their feelings into a spreadsheet.

Barbarian's Touch by Ruby Dixon, 312 pages

 When I wake up on the ice planet, I’m scared of everything: this place is cold, silent, and the locals look more like blue devils than aliens. To make matters worse, one of the strangers decides I’m going to be his girlfriend and kidnaps me away from my sister. I’m completely and utterly alone. What’s a girl to do?

Well, this girl escapes. 

Of course, that means I go from frying pan into the fire, and my situation gets even more dangerous. Just when I have no hope left, a new hero appears. Sure, he’s blue, horned, and has a tail. He’s also fierce, protective, makes me purr... and thinks I'm perfect.

But is what we have real or just a mating instinct? 

Father Material by Alexis Hall, 512 pages

 First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...what was that, exactly?

Luc and Oliver have been through it all: fake dating to save Luc's career, I-guess-this-is-actually-for-real dating when all of that blew up spectacularly, (briefly) breaking up over irreconcilable differences, (definitively) getting back together over perfectly reconcilable everything else, (almost) getting married, (finally) moving in together, and ultimately celebrating years of perfect domestic bliss.

But as all their very grown-up-now friends begin reaching new life milestones, advancing careers and having babies, Luc and Oliver decide it's time to open their hearts and lives to something new: a tiny, squirming, adorable bundle of furry joy named Spud.

And maybe now that hearts-and-lives are already open, there's room for someone else. Something more. Something that may require them to find in themselves a little father material.

Spy x Family, Volume 14 by Tatsuya Endo, 200 pages

 Master spy Twilight is unparalleled when it comes to going undercover on dangerous missions for the betterment of the world. But when he receives the ultimate assignment—to get married and have a kid—he may finally be in over his head!

The midterm exams—with stella stars and tonitrus bolts on the line—are over. Has Anya’s hard work studying classical language paid off? Also, in hopes of advancing her plan B at the class gala, Anya asks Damian to be her dance partner!

Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #255, 256 pages

 BRAND SUMMER NEW STORY! In "SUMMER BREAKDOWN," B & V decide to go on a road trip to Florida, but things go awry when Veronica's car breaks down and the BFFs are stranded in a weird town!

That's What Friends are For by Wade Rouse, 344 pages

 Theodore Copeland has created a fabulous life in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, where he shares a fabulous pink mid-century home with three fabulous friends: Barry, a former actor still clinging to his youth, his hair, and the memory of the dream role that killed his career; Ron, an uprooted Christian from the Midwest with a big heart but no one to give it to; Sid, who, after coming out late in life, has never found love. Teddy is the caustic, unspoken leader of “The Golden Gays”—the foursome’s monthly drag tribute to The Golden Girls. Despite their foibles and bickering, they have turned their golden years into a golden era.

But the harmony of their desert enclave becomes a carousel of emotional baggage when Teddy’s estranged sister, Trudy, shows up on their doorstep, her dramatic teenage granddaughter in tow. While Teddy keeps Trudy at arm’s length, she manages to wheedle her way into the lives of the Golden Gays, until the real reason for her visit is revealed and the secrets they’ve all been keeping from each other unravel faster than a hastily stitched hemline.

Oh, Bother: Winnie-the-Pooh is Befuddled, Too by Jennie Egerdie, 84 pages

 Welcome back to the Hundred Acre Wood (or at least what's left of it with the encroaching big box stores) as Winnie-the-Pooh and friends acclimate to the joys and worries of the 21st century in this heartfelt parody. 

The world has changed a great deal in the 100 years since A. A. Milne first created the loveable Winnie-the-Pooh, but that doesn't mean he and his friends can't adapt. With warmth and a wry sense of humor, Jennie Egerdie, author of Frog and Toad Are Doing Their Best , taps into everyday struggles, offering support and plenty of laughs along the way. Like the rest of us, Pooh worries about what the dwindling bee population will do to his beloved honey, while Owl discovers how far too easily misinformation can spread online. Kanga hopes she can have a night off from raising Roo, and Eeyore is finally taking care of his mental health with the help of Dr Festinker, the neighborhood therapist (and skunk). The world around these animals may not always make sense, but they're determined to keep on going, day by day and smackeral by smackeral.

Betty and Veronica Comics Double Digest #254, 125 pages

 SUMMER FUN MONTH continues with "Vacation Vexation!" The Coopers are taking an RV across the country. Betty invites Veronica, but camping isn't Veronica's thing. But when Veronica gets so lonely without her BFF, she helicopters her way to their location!

A Curious Cage: Life in a Japanese Internment Camp 1943-1945, by Peggy Abkhazi, 168 pages

 Peggy Pemberton-Carter was one of many Europeans living in Shanghai immediately prior to World War II. Until the Japanese invasion Europeans and Americans lived comfortable, almost idyllic lives, protected from the social upheavals of a changing China by their extra-territorial rights. When the Japanese took control of Shanghai in 1941, all foreigners lost these rights and became Enemy Subjects. Freedom of movement was curtailed, some foreigners were arrested, money was devalued and homes and possessions were confiscated. In 1943 all foreigners were interned in camps where they remained until the end of the war. A Curious Cage records Peggy Pemberton-Carter s life in Shanghai from the Japanese invasion until the war s end. Written in defiance of Japanese orders, the journal portrays a bleak world brightened only by the author s unfailing belief in humanity. Originally released in 1981, this new edition of A Curious Cage has been updated with information about Peggy s life after internment and specifically about her world famous garden, Abkhazi Garden. After the war Peggy Pemberton-Carter came to British Columbia and bought property in Victoria, her chosen refuge and sanctuary, where she married Prince Nicholas Abkhazi an exiled Georgian Prince. They began a new adventure together-building a home and creating the extraordinary garden that she referred to as their child. Over the years starting with the first public garden tour in 1949, thousands of visitors had the opportunity to view and be inspired by the Abkhazis efforts. After Princess Abkhazi s death in 1994, the garden was purchased by The Land Conservancy of British Columbia to save it from destruction by developers.

Betty and Veronica Double Digest #252, 225 pages

 STORYBOOK MONTH rolls on! In "Thumbelonica," Princess Betty finds a little girl living between the petals of a rose. But the tiny creature's bothersome ways drive the princess crazy, especially when it's discovered that the little one also has magical powers!

Betty and Veronica Double Digest #251, 196 pages

 Join the world-famous Betty & Veronica for some fabulous fun and fantastic fashion in this comics double digest featuring an ALL NEW LEAD STORY! In "Give My Regards to Brigitte," songstress Brigitte Reilly makes her Broadway debut -- but a rude Veronica in the audience creates a scene that will be tough for Brigitte to overcome!