May Books
FICTION
The Kingdoms, by Natasha Pulley
With a little time travel, a little altered history, a little humor, a prophetic postcard and a narrator with an untrustworthy memory, there’s just something for everyone in The Kingdoms. For anyone who loved Matt Haig’s Midnight Library or Alex Landragin’s Crossings, Pulley’s The Kingdoms is a book you will not want to stop reading, and then not want to stop thinking about.
Local Woman Missing, by Mary Kubica
In a thrilling and satisfying read, the New York Times bestselling author and master of suspense takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried. From the heart-pounding first chapter to the twists and turns that come together at the very end, this is Kubica’s best yet.
The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, by Colleen Oakley
Piper’s husband has died, but she continues to act as if he’s still here, and everyone on Frick Island pretends along with her. A small-town journalist shows up for an “island life” story and discovers Piper and her “husband” Tom, and decides Piper’s story could be the making of his career. Oakley, a USA Today bestselling author, delivers an unforgettable love story about an eccentric community, a grieving widow, and an outsider who slowly learns that sometimes faith is more important than facts.
Mary Jane, by Jessica Anya Blau
In a coming-of-age tale set during the mid-’70s, Mary Jane is brought up in a strict, staid, traditional, run-like-clockwork household. At 14, she’s hired as a nanny in a completely unorthodox situation. Her task is to take care of the adorable 5-year-old daughter of a psychiatrist and his free-spirited wife. A glamorous movie star and her rock star husband move in with them so that he can be treated for addiction. What follows is an unforgettable summer when Mary Jane finds her stride.
The Newcomer, by Mary Kay Andrews
Letty Carnahan is kind and not much like her wild sister, Tanya. When her sister joined her in New York and had a lovely child, Maya, with the wealthiest man they knew, she told Letty if anything ever happened to her to take her child and run for their lives. When Letty finds Tanya dead, she does just that. They end up in a charming motel full of older snowbirds who have been there for years. Letty has to find out what happened to her sister and fast, but who can she trust? The motel owner’s son is a hot cop who is hot on her trail in a book full of twists and turns that.
Magic City, by Jewell Parker Rhodes
When Joe Samuels, a young Black man with dreams of becoming the next Houdini, is accused of rape, he must perform his greatest escape by eluding a bloodthirsty mob. Meanwhile, Mary Keane, the white, motherless daughter of a farmer who wants to marry her off to the farmhand who viciously raped her, must find the courage to help exonerate the man she accused with her panicked cry. Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921, Magic City evokes 20th century Jim Crow America while painting an intimate portrait of the heroic but doomed stand that pitted the National Guard against a small band of Black men determined to defend the prosperous town they had built.
The Cave Dwellers, by Christina McDowell
In a compelling family saga that takes place in the powerful social scene of Washington, D.C., teenagers and their parents live in an unspoken hierarchy inextricably linked by wealth, family longevity, political offices, scandals and secrets. Their circle is closed to outsiders until those inside society choose to open their eyes to the invisible divisions erected by exploitation over generations. Gone are the days when inherited wealth can continue without naming the evil that created it. A new generation becomes the one shining a light on themselves.
NONFICTION
Chasing the Thrill: Obsession, Death and Glory in America’s Most Extraordinary Treasure Hunt,
by Daniel Barbarisi
When Forrest Fenn was given a fatal cancer diagnosis, he came up with a bold plan: He would hide a chest full of jewels and gold in the wilderness and publish a poem that would serve as a map leading to the treasure’s secret location. But he didn’t die, and after hiding the treasure in 2010, Fenn instead presided over a decade-long gold rush that saw many thousands of treasure hunters scrambling across the Rocky Mountains in pursuit of his fortune. Full of intrigue, danger and break-neck action, Chasing the Thrill is a riveting tale of desire, obsession and unbridled adventure.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Always by My Side, by Jennifer Black Reinhardt
The most dedicated friend a child will ever have is their woobie, their blankie, their stuffie. They share in joys, sorrows, worries and triumphs, and maybe, just maybe, the little people mean just as much to the stuffies as the stuffies mean to the little people. The perfect gift for a new baby or a graduate, Always by My Side is a celebration of friendship. (Ages 2-5.)
Something’s Wrong!, by Jory John
Jeff is having one of those days. He knows something’s wrong, but just can’t quite put his finger on it, so off he goes to find a friend to help. What he finds is not only a true friend, but also a hilarious solution to his problem. This giggle-inducing read-aloud is sure to become a bedtime favorite.
(Ages 3-6.)
Bear Can’t Wait, by Karma Wilson
Waiting is so hard when you’re planning something exciting for a friend, and patience is a virtue Bear just can’t seem to muster in this newest installment of the delightful “Bear” series. (Ages 3-6.)
The Poop Song, by Eric Litwin
Everybody does it, so why not sing about it? Fun for potty trainers or just for some little kid silly time, the poop song is sure to make everyone giggle. (And yes . . . it will get stuck in your head.) (Ages 2-5.)
Golden Gate, by James Ponti
Adventure, STEM and a bit of spy-thriller action combine to make the “City Spies” series the perfect choice for kids looking for a fast-paced new series. With team members from around the world joining forces and sharing their unique gifts in a magical CIA-type organization, readers won’t be able to put Golden Gate down. (Ages 9-12.)
Where the Heart Is, by Jo Knowles
It’s the first day of summer and Rachel’s 13th birthday. With a summer job caring for the neighbor’s farm animals, her best friend, Micah, nearby and weeks of warm weather and fun to look forward to, Rachel is living the dream. But when bad news threatens all she loves, Rachel must make some difficult decisions about who and what are really important in her life. At once sweet, silly, sad and ultimately satisfying, Where the Heart Is is the perfect summer read. (Ages 11-14.) PS
Compiled by Kimberly Daniels Taws and Angie Tally.
