Recommended Reads

THE HOUSEMAID is a wildly entertaining thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, based on the best-selling book. From director Paul Feig, the film plunges audiences into a twisted world where perfection is an illusion, and nothing is as it seems. Trying to escape her past, Millie (Sweeney) accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous -- a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power. Behind the Winchesters' closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.

As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family--forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

From the creator of Ooko, take a walk on the wild side with pampered pooch Ruthie in this fetching and brilliantly silly picture book for fans of Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio and Christian Robinson.

Ruthie is a prince (a dog) who has it all: a bone, a fish, and a piece of cake he’s been saving for three years. He lives in a castle (a house), is beloved by his queen (his owner), and enjoys beauty-naps, butterberry pancakes and staying squeaky clean with a daily bubble bath. But still, Ruthie longs to explore beyond the castle walls.

When a chance to escape presents itself, Ruthie soon finds exploring isn't all it's cracked up to be. He is cold, hungry and worst of all: STINKY! Ruthie's royal subjects (forest animals) do their best to help, but nothing is as perfect as it was in his castle and, worst of all, he misses his queen. Will Ruthie ever be able to find his way home? And will he be able to make some friends along the way? 


In this delightful companion book to Ooko that stands all on its own, Esmé Shapiro tells Ruthie’s side of this topsy-turvy story -- and a hilarious, heartfelt tale about breaking free of and longing for home.

From a beloved New York Times bestselling author comes a terrific picture book (for all ages!) that says a heartfelt goodbye to a friend, a neighbor, or a loved one. The perfect going-away gift!



"You're going away. It's sad, but it's true. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do..."



So begins this heartfelt goodbye book, voiced by a particularly poetic lizard. (We all have our strengths.) Written and illustrated by the beloved and bestselling Sandra Boynton, Iguana Miss You! is the perfect going-away present for a much-valued friend or relation of any age.

Experience the world of DreamWorks Gabby's Dollhouse in this sensational scratch-and-sniff storybook!

Go on a sweet-smelling adventure through Cakey Cat's kitchen in this scratch-and-sniff paperback to find out what Cakey's cooking up today! From Sticky Kitty Paws to sprinkle-riffic donuts and cat-errific cupcakes, there's something for everyone on Cakey's meow-mazing menu. With over a dozen scents to discover, readers will find all kinds of surprises waiting for them in this sensational storybook!

From Mo Willems Workshop, the team behind the #1 bestselling Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, comes this hilarious and engaging alphabet early-learning concept board book with touch-and-trace features throughout.



The Pigeon won't say the ABCs! He has at least 26 reasons and excuses why not! From absolutely no way to zero chance!



The Pigeon WON'T Say the ABCs! is part of a collection of original board books featuring the beloved character: The Pigeon.



Ideal for babies, toddlers, and fans of the picture book series.



 

Two starred reviews!

An orphan races to uncover a killer—who may have come from the sea—when she and her beloved orcas fall under suspicion in this “atmospheric…beguiling” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) historical gothic mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl, Stacey Lee.

1918. Orcas Island, Washington.

Lucy Nowhere has spent her eighteen years working on the vast estate of the eccentric shipbuilder who took her in after she washed ashore in a green canoe as a baby. But she has long wished for a life off the island, and in a matter of days, she is set to leave for college—and, for the first time, choose her own future.

Then she finds her employer’s severed head on the beach. Rumors swirl that a mischievous spirit and its minions, the sea wolves, have struck again. Lucy doesn’t believe in myths. She knows that a human—a human murderer—killed him. And when she is unexpectedly named heiress to the estate, she understands the next target is her.

Her closest friend, the estate’s vigilant young guard, begs her to escape while she can. But Lucy knows the only way she can discover who she is, and free the island of its curse, is to find the real killer—before she becomes the next victim.

The Secret Life of Pets meets Ranger in Time in this humorous, historic, and mildly haunted illustrated chapter book series featuring a service dog who thinks he's British, tasked with chasing the unsolved ghost stories of the Southwest.

Edmund, a goldendoodle and seizure-alert dog of esteemed lineage (at least according to him) is destined for life in a palace. Buckingham Palace, to be precise.

He is an expert at all things British--from tasty kidney pies to the cozy mysteries of Jessica Fletcher--and thus he believes he is meant to be a Royal Guard, serving the King of England.

But when Edmund's beloved owner dies, he gets adopted by a veteran called Wild West Willy, an aspiring ghosthunter. Willy aims to travel to the Grand Canyon, where he'll uncover the truth behind the disappearance of a couple who went missing in 1928. Little does Willy know that Edmund can actually see ghosts!

Should Edmund help out and solve the mystery, even though it isn't quite as grand as serving in the Royal Guard? Maybe his destiny is closer to home than he realized. . . .

From the award-winning, bestselling author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus comes a funny new chapter book series that captures the heartwarming bond between man and his best friend--even when his best friend is a bit delusional.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard travels to England’s windswept coastline to investigate a murder in a place where, several years after the end of WWI, the memory of the war still runs strong . . .

July, 1921: England is suffering a heatwave and the coast of Northumberland, just across the border from Scotland, is filled with holiday-makers bird watching and enjoying the beaches. Pilgrims also come to visit the home of Saints Cuthbert and Aiden—the founders of Christianity in England—located on the “Holy Island” of Lindisfarne, accessible by a causeway at low tide. When the murdered body of a local man washes ashore just south of Lindisfarne, the government and the Church of England are concerned about protecting both the reputation of the Church and the sacred sites that are a destination for hundreds of pilgrims at this time of year.

With his ability to move in the highest social and political circles, Rutledge is sent by Scotland Yard to solve this crime and dispel any association with the Church. Upon arrival, Rutledge finds himself pulled between two coastal fishing villages, scarred by home front battles and coastal bombardment from the German Navy, where animosity towards Germany still runs high even years after the war. This, combined with a constabulary in the process of being consolidated to form a countywide police force, with local militias still wielding a great deal of power, means Rutledge must tread with care. Facing a puzzling case and a cast of locals that don’t take kindly to outsiders, the newly promoted Rutledge meets one of the most challenging cases of his career. To solve it, he’ll also have to confront his own demons left over from his time in the war.

Learn about the story of William Shakespeare, the incredible playwright and poet who shaped the world of literature.

Little William grew up during the Tudor era, a time long before TV or movies. But then, as now, there was storytelling, and William loved to create new stories. After getting married to his wife, Anne, William moved to London to seek his fortune. He joined a theater there and acted on stage alongside writing his own plays.

His work is some of the most famous literature of all time, loved and performed across the world to this day. From the romance of Romeo and Juliet and the drama of Macbeth, to the farce of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the comedy of Much Ado About Nothing, his works explore an enormous range of emotion, each with its own lessons about the human experience.

As the book follows Shakespeare’s journey, young readers will see how his imagination and curiosity helped him to write incredible tales. They will learn of the challenges he faced in pursuing his dreams, the joy of performing, and the excitement of seeing his plays come alive on stage. The story also highlights his creativity in capturing different human emotions, from love and jealousy to humour and magic, showing how he became the storyteller we still celebrate today.

A truly timeless, iconic figure, William Shakespeare forever changed language and culture with his incredible gift for literature. This powerful book is complete with captivating illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline and a detailed profile of his life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Select praise for the New York Times Bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series:

“…cute and quirky…”—USA Today, in praise of Dolly Parton
“…address[es] not only setbacks but also their strength to persevere and reach their goals.”—Buzzfeed, in praise of RuPaul
“…introduc[es] kids to important figures in Latinx history.”—Good Housekeeping, in praise of Frida Kahlo
“…[an] extraordinary series…”—TheEverymom, in praise of Mindy Kaling
“…a fabulous way to teach little ones about the extraordinary lives of influential people…”—Town & Country, in praise of Vincent Van Gogh
“...handled in an age appropriate way…”—Parents.com, in praise of Amanda Gorman
“…particularly great for this age…”—NY Magazine, in praise of Prince
“…encourages kids to dream big to ‘achieve incredible things.’”—Rolling Stone, in praise of Kamala Harris

What do you do when something you’ve done really, really upsets someone? With gentle warmth and humor, this picture book companion to How to Cheer Up a Friend shows how Elephant learns to say “I’m sorry.”

When Elephant mistakenly does something that upsets his friend, he’s not sure what to do. Should he run? Hide? Blame someone else?

In time, Elephant’s able to put himself in his friend’s shoes and say the two words he truly means: I’m sorry. An answer doesn’t come right away, but Elephant’s patience is rewarded when his friend invites him to play again.

With a light touch, How to Say You’re Sorry and its companion book How to Cheer Up a Friend show children ways to be kind and get along with one another.

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

* Kirkus Reviews, starred review

New York Times-bestselling author David Sedaris offers a hilariously twisted take on selfishness and greed in this picture book featuring funny (and demented!) illustrations by New Yorker artist Bob Staake that will delight readers and parents alike.

This selfish sister only thinks of herself, and she wants it all—even her brother’s kidney! Everything must belong to her! But who can possibly tell her “no”? Her family must cater to every whim--but where does that leave sister in the end?

With rhymes and illustrations David Sedaris and Bob Staake have created a sickly hysterical yet genuine romp of a read.

Frances loves horses and can't wait for her first riding lesson. It can't be all that hard, can it? From the creator of The Camping Trip, this spirited story is for kids who like horses or are trying something new.

Frances adores horses and knows everything about them--at least she thinks she does. But when she arrives at her friend Mae's house for her first horseback-riding lesson sporting a bike helmet and rain boots, Frances quickly discovers that she might not know as much as she thought she did. Barns are actually a little stinky, and it takes a lot of time to brush a horse and tack it up (what does that even mean?). Not to mention that horses are much bigger in real life, and being so far off the ground can be a little scary! Will Frances be brave enough to ride Snowball all by herself, or will it be too different from what she's imagined? Jennifer K. Mann's exuberant story encourages readers to get back in the saddle and reminds them that sometimes reality doesn't match our expectations--but usually the real thing is better!

In the heart of the Snowlands, prey and predator alike mysteriously disappear as three outcasts join forces for the adventure of a lifetime in the first book of the heart-stopping Snowlands series -- perfect for fans of Wings of Fire and Warriors!

Feba, an orphaned wolf cub, is believed to be cursed. Her rare white fur is said to be a bad omen. When a mysterious creature starts killing members of Feba's pack one by one, all eyes fall on her. She has no choice but to run away, forced to roam the perilous Snowlands all on her own ...

Until she meets Usha, a fiercely independent leopard, and Batu, a bumbling wildcat, each with their own secrets and reasons for wandering the Snowlands. Together, they form an unlikely trio, bound by fate. As these uneasy allies cross the frosty wilderness, they'll uncover a widespread danger in the mountains that threatens to destroy everything.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in A Blood Moon, the epic first book in the Snowlands series!

Poppy the Puptective is here to prevent an epic cake caper by a trio of mischievous mice in this third hilarious book in the graphic chapter book series perfect for fans of InvestiGators and Narwhal and Jelly.

Truffles hates parties, especially birthday parties. So when a trio of mice calling themselves the Cheesy Crew crash Truffles’s human’s birthday bash to steal the cheesecake, Truffles offers assistance. After all, no cake means no party, which means peace and quiet!

The would-be saboteurs should have known better than to cross the likes of Poppy the Great Puptective! Unlike Truffles, Poppy wants Sasha to have the best party ever, and the pup is on high alert! But with traps and distractions as far as she can see, will Poppy accidentally be party to the greatest caper in Cheesy Crew history?

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown delivers a new signature sexy suspense about a detective seeking justice for his murdered wife with the help of a psychotherapist ... while fighting an undeniable attraction to her.



Two years ago, Detective Mitch Haskell lost his wife to a vicious act of retribution, and has since attributed her murder to two men: Roland Malone and the unidentified mastermind of the crime known only as Oz. Malone, a ruthless executioner and drug dealer who fronts as a restaurant owner, neutralizes so cleanly that he doesn't leave a trace. And he performs his handiwork at the biddings of Oz, the faceless kingpin of a drug trafficking operation whose name alone evokes terror.



Obsessively vowing to avenge his late wife's murder, Mitch has been on a downward spiral, jeopardizing his closest relationships and drinking excessively to numb his pain. After going one step too far, Detective John Bowie, his former best friend and now his boss, has forced Mitch to get therapy to sort himself out.



Dr. Dylan Reede is immediately empathetic to the pain she senses beneath Mitch's cavalier attitude and wisecracking. She's determined to make the most of his mandated sessions. But from the moment Mitch breezes into her office, Dylan finds it a struggle to maintain the professional and personal boundaries that keep her own tragic past at a safe distance.



As Mitch begins to close in on Oz and Malone's operation, they're prepared to stop him by any means necessary. And when it's revealed that Dylan might hold the key to bringing them to justice, Mitch and Dylan's irresistible attraction to each other may not only compromise both of them professionally, but place them in Oz's bullseye.

Ten heists. Ten suspects. A murder mystery only Ernest Cunningham can solve in this delightfully clever and twisty new novel in Benjamin Stevenson's bestselling series--perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz.

I've spent the last few years solving murders. But a bank heist is a new one, even for me. I've never been a hostage before.

The doors are chained shut. No one in or out. Which means that when someone in the bank is murdered, everyone is a suspect.

THE BANK ROBBER

THE MANAGER

THE SECURITY GUARD

THE KID

THE FILM PRODUCER

THE PRIEST

THE RECEPTIONIST

THE PATIENT

THE CAREGIVER

ME

Turns out, more than one person planned to rob the bank today. You can steal more from a bank than just money.

Who is stealing what? Are they willing to kill for it? And can I solve the crime before the police kick down the door and rescue us?

A Lifelong Love for Quilting Starts in 1967, Arthur, Illinois



Despite the best efforts of Emma Bontrager's mother, Emma hasn't learned much of anything that will prepare her to be an Amish wife. Therefore, she's sent to Arthur, Illinois, to be taught by her paternal grandmother. Though she would rather be fishing, hiking, or playing baseball, Emma finally listens to her grandmother and even finds she enjoys working on a Tree of Life quilt. Having met a nice young man, she now feels more prepared for marriage. But rumors swirl around his character, and it looks like she'll be returning to Indiana with a broken heart. Even so, her time in Illinois has ignited a new passion for quilting that will last for years.



- A stand-alone prequel to The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical.

Can forgiveness and love overcome a tattered legacy? 

When dedicated philanthropist Judith Stanford receives a summons from her estranged grandfather ordering her to come to Minneapolis to prove herself worthy of his inheritance, she is hesitant but can't ignore the potential of her grandfather's fortune to benefit her causes. And the only man to interest her since her husband's death lives in Minneapolis, leaving her hoping their paths will cross.

Roman Turner, a local physician with a heart for the poor, harbors a grudge against Judith's grandfather. Years ago, his unethical actions ruined Roman's family forever. When Roman meets Judith again, he is shocked to learn the woman he's thought about all these years is related to the one man he can't forgive. 

As Judith tries to overcome the complicated history between the two families and disentangle her grandfather's tainted legacy, she begins to form a plan for reparation. But when it becomes clear someone else has nefarious intentions for the money, Judith's dreams of a new legacy are at risk.

From acclaimed author Tracie Peterson comes a stirring historical romance series opener set in 1870 Minneapolis, weaving themes of family legacy, faith, and redemption for fans of Janette Oke and Lauraine Snelling.