The World's Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne, 291 pages

 Josh Hanagarne couldn't be invisible if he tried. Although he wouldn't officially be diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome until his freshman year of high school, Josh was six years old and onstage in a school Thanksgiving play when he first began exhibiting symptoms. By the time he was twenty, the young Mormon had reached his towering adult height of 6'7" when — while serving on a mission for the Church of Latter Day Saints — his Tourette's tics escalated to nightmarish levels.

Determined to conquer his affliction, Josh underwent everything from quack remedies to lethargy-inducing drug regimes to Botox injections that paralyzed his vocal cords and left him voiceless for three years. Undeterred, Josh persevered to marry and earn a degree in Library Science. At last, an eccentric, autistic strongman — and former Air Force Tech Sergeant and guard at an Iraqi prison — taught Josh how to "throttle" his tics into submission through strength-training.

Today, Josh is a librarian in the main branch of Salt Lake City's public library and founder of a popular blog about books and weight lifting—and the proud father of four-year-old Max, who has already started to show his own symptoms of Tourette's.

The World's Strongest Librarian illuminates the mysteries of this little-understood disorder, as well as the very different worlds of strongman training and modern libraries. With humor and candor, this unlikely hero traces his journey to overcome his disability — and navigate his wavering Mormon faith — to find love and create a life worth living.

My Ex-Boyfriend's Brothers by Ruby Bloom, 291 pages

 I'm Maggie, and according to my ex, I'll never be "perfect" enough. Too curvy, too messy, too… me. So when he asks me to plan his wedding, I should've said no. Instead, my bank account screamed yes—and now I'm stuck planning his perfect day alongside his three sinfully HOT older brothers.

There's Jackson, the tattooed bad boy whose touch makes my common sense vanish. Luke, the broody billionaire who gets everything he wants. And Ryan, the globe-trotting charmer whose dimpled grin makes me burn up in places that would scandalize the mother-of-the-bride.

I swore I'd keep things professional. Really, I did. But when Jackson pins me against the venue wall, Luke's late-night meetings turn unprofessional, and Ryan's pre-wedding photoshoot ends with me in my birthday suit... Let's just say my ex's wedding is the least of my problems. Between hiding hickeys from my ex, becoming besties with his bride-to-be, and trying to remember which brother left which mark, I'm in way over my head.

And if my groom-zilla ex finds out? I could lose more than just my career—I could lose the three men who finally make me feel like I'm everything.

Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas, 291 pages

 An atmospheric debut novel set on the gritty streets of Victorian London, Some Danger Involved introduces detective Cyrus Barker and his apprentice, Thomas Llewelyn, as they work to solve the gruesome murder of a young scholar.

When a student bearing a striking resemblance to artists' renderings of Jesus Christ is found murdered -- by crucifixion -- in London's Jewish ghetto, 19th-century private detective Barker must hire an assistant to help him solve the sinister case. Out of all who answer an ad for a position with "some danger involved," the eccentric and enigmatic Barker chooses downtrodden Llewelyn, a gutsy young man whose murky past includes recent stints at both an Oxford college and an Oxford prison.
As Llewelyn learns the ropes of his position, he is drawn deeper and deeper into Barker's peculiar world of vigilante detective work, as well as the dark heart of London's teeming underworld. Together they pass through chophouses, stables, and clandestine tea rooms, tangling with the early Italian mafia, a mad professor of eugenics, and other shadowy figures, inching ever closer to the shocking truth behind the murder.

How to be Eaten by Maria Adelmann, 291 pages

 This darkly funny and provocative novel reimagines classic fairy tale characters as modern women in a support group for trauma.

In present-day New York City, five women meet in a basement support group to process their traumas. Bernice grapples with the fallout of dating a psychopathic, blue-bearded billionaire. Ruby, once devoured by a wolf, now wears him as a coat. Gretel questions her memory of being held captive in a house made of candy. Ashlee, the winner of a Bachelor-esque dating show, wonders if she really got her promised fairy tale ending. And Raina's love story will shock them all.

Though the women start out wary of one another, judging each other’s stories, gradually they begin to realize that they may have more in common than they supposed . . . What really brought them here? What secrets will they reveal? And is it too late for them to rescue each other?

Dark, edgy, and wickedly funny, this debut for readers of Carmen Maria Machado, Kristen Arnett, and Kelly Link takes our coziest, most beloved childhood stories, exposes them as anti-feminist nightmares, and transforms them into a new kind of myth for grown-up women.

The Gift of the Magpie by Donna Andrews, 291 pages

 The 28th book and the seventh Christmas mystery in the Meg Langslow series, The Gift of the Magpie is yet another wonderfully merry and funny book from New York Times bestselling author Donna Andrews.

Meg’s running Caerphilly’s Helping Hands for the Holidays project, in which neighbors help each other with things they can’t do and can’t afford to have done. Her hopes for a relatively peaceful (if busy) Christmas vanish when someone murders Harvey the Hoarder, whose house the Helping Hands were decluttering. Was there any truth to the rumor that he had something valuable hidden beneath all his junk? Was one of his friends, neighbors, or relatives greedy enough to murder him for the rumored treasure? And what about the magpie that has been bringing her family bits of tinsel and costume jewelry—does the bird’s latest gift hold a clue to solving the crime?

Full of intrigue, this Christmas mystery will take readers home to Caerphilly, where the suspense falls as thick as the snow.

The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson, 291 pages

Charlotte Gorman loves her job as an elementary school librarian, and is content to experience life through the pages of her books. Which couldn’t be more opposite from her identical twin sister. Ginny, an Instagram-famous beauty pageant contestant, has been chasing a crown since she was old enough to enunciate the words world peace, and she’s not giving up until she gets the title of Miss American Treasure. And Ginny’s refusing to do it alone this time.

She drags Charlotte to the pageant as a good luck charm, but the winning plan quickly goes awry when Ginny has a terrible, face-altering allergic reaction the night before the pageant, and Charlotte suddenly finds herself in a switcheroo the twins haven’t successfully pulled off in decades.

Woefully unprepared for the glittery world of hair extensions, false eyelashes, and push-up bras, Charlotte is mortified at every unstable step in her sky-high stilettos. But as she discovers there’s more to her fellow contestants than just wanting a sparkly crown, Charlotte realizes she has a whole new motivation for winning.

Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding by Rhys Bowen, 291 pages

Georgie is finally able to plan for her wedding in the summer. It is going to be a summer of weddings: her mother is marrying Max, her German beau; Georgie's grandfather is marrying his next door neighbor, Mrs. Huggins; and Darcy's father is getting up the courage to ask the princess to marry him. Georgie is staying at the princess's London house when she receives a letter from one of her mother's former husbands, Sir Hubert Anstruther. Georgie is now his sole heir, and he's offering her the use of his lovely country house. He suggests she move in right away to keep an eye on the place because all might not be well since his butler died.

Georgie talks this through with her husband-to-be, Darcy, who is off to Europe again, this time to Berlin. They decide that she will take Sir Hubert up on his offer. However, when Georgie arrives, it becomes clear that she is definitely not wanted in the house. Strange things are happening, including a lively ghost and a less than friendly reception from the new butler. When a body shows up, Georgie realizes that Sir Hubert's invitation may not have been entirely altruistic and begins to wonder if she'll even make it to her wedding day.

The Crims by Kate Davies, 291 pages

The Addams Family meets Despicable Me in the first book of this new trilogy, perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Pseudonymous Bosch!

The Crim family is full of notorious criminals. Notoriously inept, that is. Uncle Knuckles once tried to steal a carnival. Great-Uncle Bernard held himself hostage by accident. Aunt Drusilla died slipping on a banana peel. But Imogen is different. She was born with a skill for scandal. A knack for the nefarious. A mastery of misdemeanors.

Despite her natural talent for all things unlawful, Imogen got out of the family business years ago. But when the rest of the Crims are accused of pulling off a major heist—which seems doubtful, to say the least—Imogen is forced to step in to clear their names. Because only a truly skilled criminal can prove the bumbling family’s innocence….

Darkness Creeping by Neal Shusterman, 291 pages

Imagine being trapped forever in someone else’s nightmare, with no means of escape. Or caught on one of the most terrifying roller coasters of all time, when suddenly the tracks ahead just disappear. Enter the world of Darkness Creeping, where hollow-eyed skulls arrive in the mail and nothing is as it seems. Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winner and beloved author Neal Shusterman walks on the dark side with this classic collection of masterfully creepy stories so horrifying, you may have to read them twice to remind yourself they’re not real.

A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer, 291 pages

Winter is big business in small town Snowflake, Vermont. Tourists arrive to hit the ski slopes-and what could be more satisfying after a chilly day of carving powder than a steaming bowl of soup?
When Lucky Jamieson inherits her parents' soup shop, By the Spoonful, she realizes it's time to take stock of her life. Should she sell her parents' house or move in herself? Does she really want to run a restaurant business? And what about her grandfather Jack, who seems to be showing signs of Alzheimer's?
But her life decisions are moved to the back burner after an icy blonde tourist is found frozen to death behind the soup shop. And Lucky is bowled over when her soup chef, Sage DuBois, is led out of the kitchen by the police. As suspicion and speculations snowball, Lucky decides that the only way to save her employee and her business is to find out herself who iced the tourist-and landed her chef in the soup...

The Bloodied Cravat by Rosemary Stevens, 291 pages

I really enjoy this historical mystery series featuring Beau Brummell as the main character. After reading a ton of Regency romances that had him as a secondary character, it's nice that someone has placed him front and center. I'm thinking now I'm going to have to find a good biography about him to learn more. He was a fascinating character in his own right.

Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions Gorilla Tactics by Sheila Grau, 291 pages

What's an evil villain without their minions? But where do you find a well-trained minion, except at a school for minions. This is a fun juvenile series, looking at students at a minion school.

Ornaments of Death by Jane K. Cleland, 291 pages

I've been reading the Josie Prescott Antiques mysteries from the very beginning. I've really enjoyed them over the years, but I haven't found myself loving the last few for some reason. With this book, I finally figured it out. The fact that Josie seems to have a perfect life, i.e., parents who adored her, the perfect man who loves her, an amazing business, and friends who dote on her, make her books almost a slap in the face for those of us who don't have such an amazing life. I'll keep reading the mysteries but not with such an eager attitude.

Unnatural Habits by Kerry Greenwood, 291 pages

Oh no, this is the next to last book so far. What will I do?

A Deadly Measure of Brimstone by Catriona McPherson, 291 pages

I really appreciate the character development in these books over the series. I learn a little bit more about Scotland and it's history each book, and they're just good mysteries. Keep them coming Catriona!

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Brabenstein, 291 pages

Imagine winning a contest to get to spend opening night in a brand new, state of the art, library with a contest involved. Finding clues using the Dewey Decimal system, your knowledge of authors and books, and ability to solve riddles are part of the game. AWESOME!!! This book was read not only by my 11-year-old daughter, but also by my husband and myself. We all loved it and wished we could have participated. A great read for book nerds.