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The air is crisp and cool, growing colder every day. Thanksgiving is in a couple of days, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's will be here before we know it. Can you think of a better time to curl up with a mug of cocoa and a good book? Maybe you could organize a reading party with your family during your holiday get-together... but if your family is anything like mine you'll have to wait until after the holiday festivities to sink into your favorite chair and read the night away. Here are some suggestions to get you through the short days and long nights of the holiday season. My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins Twelve stories by twelve bestselling young adult authors, including Holly Black, Rainbow Rowell, and Ally Carter! And the best part? There is a story for nearly all the December holidays - Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and New Year's! So no matter what holiday you celebrate - or absolutely LOVE - this book has a story for you. So put on your cozy socks and start reading! Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub Have you heard of the Christmas Truce of 1914? The Great War was still in its early stages and the men were weary from fighting. But amidst the conflict and strife, the Germans decided to light candles on small Christmas trees and soon men from all sides were breaking bread and celebrating the Christmas season together. They had hopes that the war would soon be over, but as we all know, it wasn't. Military historian Stanley Weintraub recreates that special, nearly-forgotten truce of 1914 in this moving book. Marley by Jon Clinch In Marley, Jon Clinch reimagines A Christmas Carol by Lewis Carroll, focusing closely on the relationship between Jacob Marley and Ebenezer Scrooge. If you remember, Jacob Marley is already dead in A Christmas Carol. In Marley, Clinch goes back in time to when Scrooge and Marley met at Professor Drabb's Academy for Boys. Marley has a strong influence on Scrooge - teaching him the art of extortion. The boys form a bond that lasts into adulthood, and they establish a lucrative shipping business. But Marley has his eyes on Scrooge's sister, Fran, playing emotional games just to toy with her. For the first time, the men find themselves at odds and start a shady war with each other, full of lies, deceit, and murder. Cosy: The British Art of Comfort by Laura Weir In a country known for its rainy days and afternoon teas, cosy is just part of the culture. But we all know that life isn't always cosy. This book examines the small things that give us pleasure and how more people are choosing simple, cosy lives over adventurous, busy ones. Laura Weir acknowledges the overwhelm of modern life while offering advice on embracing the simple. It's specifically written for folks in the U.K., but its principles can be applied to people around the world. What better way to spend the holidays than learning the importance of being cosy/cozy? Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory What kind of holiday reading list would this be without a little bit of romance? This book is technically number four in The Wedding Date series, but don't be afraid to start with this book - you won't get lost, I promise. Vivian Forest has only left the country once, so she's thrilled for the opportunity to tag along on her daughter's work trip to England. Spending the holidays sight-seeing in Europe? Yes, please! Shortly after arriving, Vivian finds herself instantly attracted to Malcolm Hudson, one of the Queen's private secretaries. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he is instantly attracted to her as well. They make excuses just to spend time together and when they find themselves under the mistletoe they finally share a kiss. Almost instantly they are engaged in a full-fledged fling - with New Year's Day looming around the corner and the end of Vivian's time in England, will they be able to say good-bye? Did you like this list? Want more book recommendations? Let us know at infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org

With Halloween and Día de los Muertos just around the corner, I thought I’d share some of the scariest books that have been released this year. Are you ready for psychological thrillers, dystopian settings, and seriously chilling stories? If not, take a bathroom break, mentally prepare yourself, and come back for a seriously twisted book recommendation. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig One morning, Shana wakes up and notices something strange – her little sister appears to be sleepwalking, unable to be woken. Even more disturbing is Shana’s sister seems to be walking toward an unknown destination. Concerned for her sibling, Shana follows to make sure she remains unharmed. Before long Shana and her sister are joined by other sleepwalkers and their caretakers – “shepherds” – all walking toward the same unknown destination. But mass sleepwalking isn’t the only strange thing about this new world – an ultraviolent military has sprung up targeting the sleepwalkers. It’s up to the sleepwalkers and shepherds to figure out the cause and cure for this epidemic. Five Midnights by Ann Davila Cardinal At the beginning of the summer, Lupe arrives in Puerto Rico to spend time with her Uncle Javier, the local police chief. The two don’t always get along, but when Javier’s friends start dying in gruesome ways, Javier and Lupe must work together to solve the mystery. Some claim it’s el Cuco, a mythical beast, but could it be human? Javier and Lupe step into the shadows hoping to find answers. The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling Gyre Price is desperate to find her mother, so she has no trouble lying her way into a high-paying cave-diving job off-planet. What could go wrong? Perhaps minor gear-malfunctions, but she’ll have a highly skilled surface team monitoring her right? Unfortunately, Gyre is paired with Em. Em has questionable morals when it comes to caring for her employee, using drugs to control Gyre and withholding information about the expedition. Problems start surfacing as Gyre moves deeper underground. Tensions between Gyre and Em force them apart, and when Gyre finds herself lost in the cavernous depths, she must find a way to overcome the terrain, a creature called the Tunneler, and the ghosts within her own mind. She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge It’s a hot summer night in the early 1980s – the perfect night for a campout. A group of bright teenagers heads to the woods for an evening of fun and adventure beneath the stars. Throughout the night the teens drink, dance, sneak off to kiss, and explore. It's a typical night until the next morning when the teens discover the youngest member of their group – Aurora – is missing. Local police launch an investigation, but no one can find Aurora. The book skips forward 30 years when Aurora’s body is finally found buried in a hiding place only known to the original group of teens. Jonah Sheens, a local police officer who started with the force over 30 years ago, takes charge of the case. He knows all the players involved and is determined to find out what happened the night Aurora went missing. Confronting the past proves difficult for everyone involved, and the future isn’t looking good for the perpetrators. Spare Room by Dreda Say Mitchell Lisa is troubled, but she’s trying to improve her life, which is why she’s ecstatic to find an affordable room for rent in a beautiful home. The owners are welcoming and easy-going. Everything seems to be great until Lisa finds a suicide note from the previous tenant hidden in her room. Even more disturbing is the owner’s reaction to the note; they claim Lisa is the first and only occupant. Lisa has doubts about her mental state but is determined to find out more about the note writer, the man who lived in the room before her. As she delves further into her research, strange and terrifying things start happening. Finding herself trapped in a hall of mirrors, Lisa tries desperately to hold onto her sanity and find the truth. Did you like this list? Want more book recommendations? Let us know at infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org

When you hear the phrase “banned book” what do you think of? I’m willing to bet you don’t think of Captain Underpants or Skippyjon Jones. Yet both of those series ended up on the American Library Association’s list of top 11 challenged books in 2018. Yes, I know the books were not technically “banned,” but someone in the U.S. took offense to them and, in an effort to protect themselves and/or their children, filed a formal complaint with the owning library. “Okay, Marina, why does this matter to me?” Excellent question! While this may not seem like a big deal, it could very easily become one. In 2018 alone, the American Library Association tracked 347 challenges that requested 483 books be removed from shelves – and that’s just the reported challenges! If these books were taken off the library shelves, they would be unavailable for people in the community to access. Of course, you could probably find the book in your local bookstore or on Amazon, but let’s not forget that not everyone can afford to buy every book they want to read. I know I sure can’t! As someone who reads 50+ books every year, I greatly appreciate being able to use books for free from my library, and I believe everyone should have equal access to those materials. “But what if it’s a terrible book – one that no one should read ever!” Well, I can see where you’re coming from, but who gets to decide what is terrible and what is acceptable? In the United States, we are promised certain freedoms, including access to information. That’s why librarians, authors, publishers, and others have been celebrating Banned Books Week at the end of September since the 1980s. “Okay, Marina, I guess I can see where you’re coming from.” Great! We don’t have to agree about the appropriateness of a particular book, but I hope we can agree that each of us should be able to decide what is appropriate for ourselves. So, what books made the top 11 most challenged last year? (It’s usually the top 10, but two books tied for the #10 spot.) Here’s the list and the reasons the books were challenged or removed: “Wait, did I just read that two of those books were BURNED? In 2018?” Yep, that’s what you read. There was a book-burning incident in Orange City, Iowa last October – you can read more about it here, and the outcome of the man’s hearing here. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. Banned Books Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about book challenges and to celebrate our freedom to read and view a wide variety of material. Librarians stand in opposition to attempts to censor materials, but we also understand our users concerns. If you do have concerns about a book at the library, you can ask your librarian for a “Request for Reconsideration” form and we’ll review your request. For more information about Banned Books Week, check out the American Library Association’s website.

Last April, the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors stated that graphic novels have been steadily increasing in popularity. As a reference librarian and a mother of a tween, I can attest to the appeal of a graphic novel – pictures help break up the words on the page and add to the intensity of the book – what’s not to love? (And if it means my son is reading – I’m all for it!) Plus, many graphic novels are lightweight and easy to carry to all your destinations – school, work, vacations, sporting activities, etc. So, whether you’re interested in trying graphic novels for the first time, or you’re a seasoned reader and just want to know what’s new – this list is for you. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Prince Sebastian must prepare to be a ruler and that means finding a suitable bride – or so his parents think. Sebastian isn’t particularly interested in finding a wife because he’s harboring a secret known only to himself and his best friend, Frances, a dressmaker. What is the secret? Prince Sebastian loves dresses and the world of fashion – so much so that at night he dons a dress and becomes Lady Crystallia, a fashionista. This life seems to work for Sebastian, but Frances has big dreams and being a part of Sebastian’s secret is preventing her from achieving them. How long will the secret last? Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia When a tragic accident takes the life of Raven Roth’s foster mom – and Raven’s memory – she moves to New Orleans to live with her foster mother’s family and finish high school. Starting over in a new place is never easy, and while Raven remembers how to do everyday tasks, she can’t recall what her hobbies used to be or what she’d do in her free time. When weird and seemingly impossible things start happening, Raven wonders whether she wants to find out who she was before the accident. Can she handle the truth? Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki Laura Dean is most popular and beautiful girl in high school – Frederica Riley (Freddy) believes they’re in love, but there on and off relationship is becoming hard to handle. IN order to gain some closure from one of the break-ups, Freddy’s friend Doodle suggests talking to a medium. The medium tells Freddy plainly that she needs to break up with Laura. Of course, Freddy doesn’t like that answer, and Laura and her keep getting back together. Their relationship is turbulent, and when Freddy starts losing her friends as well, she wonders – is she the problem? Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson The critically acclaimed, award-winning, modern classic Speak is now a stunning graphic novel. At Merryweather High, the students are encouraged to speak up and told that their voices matter, but Melinda isn’t buying it. Barely a freshman, she has been a social outcast since she called the cops and busted a party she attended. Friendless and traumatized, Melinda uses her art to come to terms with what happened to her and figure out how to deal with the person who hurt her and remains a threat. Bloom by Kevin Panetta Ari is a recent high school graduate eager to leave his family’s hometown and his job at his father’s bakery. He dreams of the big city and a chance to make it big with his band. In order to take the plunge, Ari must find a replacement at the bakery. During his interviews, he meets Hector – a man who loves baking and is eager to gain a position in the bakery. As Ari trains Hector to take over for him, his attraction to Hector grows into something that might be considered love. Can Ari make this work, or will his dreams of the big city ruin this shot at love? Want more book recommendations? Send an e-mail to infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org and tell us what we should write about next!

Mystery fiction is a wide-ranging and beloved genre of novels that has been used since the early 19th-century. In general, books in the mystery genre involve a death or serious crime with no clear resolution. YA mystery takes this elements and uses teens and young adults (age 13-23) to develop stories that appeal to a wide audience. Check out this librarian-curated list of must-read young adult mystery novels. Sadie by Courtney Summers Sadie has been raising her younger sister, Mattie, and trying to provide a normal life for them in a small, isolated town. So when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world is flipped upside down. The local police department botches their investigation, and Sadie can't rest until she brings the killer to justice - she has a good idea who the murderer is and what her next steps are. When a local radio personality hears about Sadie's story, he creates a Serial-like podcast tracking Sadie's journey and trying to find her before it's too late. Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson Claudia and Monday are inseparable best friends getting ready to begin their 8th grade year. Claudia shows up to the first day of class, but Monday isn't there - which isn't like her. Monday doesn't show up the next day, or the next. After a couple of weeks go by, Claudia tries to find out what happened to her best friend. No one will give her a straight answer - not Monday's mom or Monday's sister. No one seems to remember the last time they saw Monday. It's as though she vanished without a trace. Claudia doesn't buy that, and she's determined to find out what happened. Time Bomb by Joelle Charbonneau Time bomb follows six very different teens - a Congressman's daughter, a star quarterback, a clarinet player, an orphaned rebel, a religious boy, and an "invisible" kid - during a lockdown at their school. Early in the morning, during a regular school day, the teens find themselves closed in their school building with an timed bomb - and the unidentified bomber. Is the bomber one of them, or someone else? Time is ticking, and they need to find the killer before it's too late. One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus (One of Us is Lying #1) Breakfast Club meets Clue in this teen murder mystery. One Monday afternoon, five students are sent to detention - Bronwyn - a model student well on her way to Yale, Addy - the popular girl destined to be homecoming queen, Nate - the bad boy drug dealer, Cooper - the school's shining baseball all-star, and Simon. Simon's an outcast, and he created a gossip app for his school - revealing juicy secrets about his fellow classmates. All seems well until detention ends and only four students walk out alive - Simon is dead, a day before he planned to reveal very deep secrets about the other four students in detention. Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper are all suspects for the murder - but was it really one of them, or is the killer still on the loose? A Lite Too Bright by Samuel Miller Arthur Louis Palmer III may be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He's sent away to live with his aunt and uncle after losing his college scholarship. While at his aunt and uncle's house, Arthur discovers a journal of his paternal grandfather, Arthur Louis Palmer I. Arthur I went missing during the last week of his life and was found dead hundreds of miles from home. Years later there are still a lot of unknowns about his disappearance. But with the discovery of his journal, Arthur III sets out to unravel the mystery of his grandfather's disappearance and subsequent death. He traces the steps his grandfather took during his last week of life in order to uncover the truth. Want more book recommendations? Send an e-mail to infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org and tell us what we should write about next!

Science fiction is a broad genre that encompasses all books within the realm of future scientific possibility, such as time travel, life on other planets, and advanced virtual reality. Although science fiction books are usually lumped together with fantasy novels, fantasy deals with magic, or impossible, elements, whereas science fiction is more realistic, or plausible. As we see technology continue to improve and expand, the science fiction novels we read will become more real. If you're looking for recent and outstanding young adult science fiction books to read, you've come to the right place! Scythe by Neal Shusterman (Arc of a Scythe #1) Can you picture a perfect utopian world - without hunger, disease, or war? Scythe is set in the distant future - humanity has conquered all the modern woes of society and is now ruled by an artificial intelligence computer system called "Thunderhead." The Scythedom - separate from the Thunderhead - have been tasked with curbing overpopulation. The scythes are the only ones allowed to kill, and they are mandated to do so regularly. Two teens, Citra and Rowan, are apprenticed to a scythe - though neither are enthusiastic about it - and must learn the art of killing or lose their own lives. Once & Future by Cori McCarthy and Amy Capetta (Once & Future #1) We all know the legend of King Arthur right? He pulled the sword, Excalibur, from the stone and trained with the wise wizard, Merlin. But what if King Arthur was reincarnated in a future world as a teenage girl? Ari Helix - a girl from another world - crash-lands on old Earth and pulls Excalibur from it's resting place - making her the reincarnation of King Arthur. She meets up with Merlin - who has aged backward since the days of the original King Arthur and is now a teenager. Merlin and Ari are determined to end the curse of King Arthur's continual reincarnation by defeating a tyrannical government and bringing equality to all mankind. Will they succeed? Renegades by Marissa Meyer (Renegades #1) The Renegades are a group of humans with extraordinary abilities who banded together and created a peaceful society from the ruins of a previous community. They have been in power for a while and continue to be a beacon of hope and stability for almost everyone. Yet, there are still some who seek revenge against the Renegades - and Nova is one of them. As Nova tries to carry out her vengeful mission, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy, who makes her question her beliefs and her desire for revenge. Warcross by Marie Lu (Warcross #1) Fans of Ready Player One will love this book about Warcross, a virtual game. When the novel opens, Warcross has been a widespread obsession for the last decade, with nearly everyone on Earth plugged in for one reason or another. Emika Chen, the novel's protagonist, works as a bounty hunter in the game to make ends meet. But it's a competitive field, and Emika needs cash ASAP. In an attempt to make some quick cash, she hacks into the Warcross Championships and finds herself glitched into the game. She quickly becomes a worldwide sensation, but instead of punishment, the creator of Warcross contacts Emika and asks her to be a spy at the Tournament. What she finds during her spy experience could threaten the entire Warcross empire. The Rule of One by Ashley & Leslie Saunders (The Rule of One #1) In a not-so-distant future United States, federal law mandates one child per family. This rule is strictly enforced, and the punishment for breaking it is severe. But the Goodwins have kept a dangerous secret for 18 years - they have two twin daughters: Ava and Mira. Ava and Mira have lived as one person (Ava), exchanging places day by day. But nothing good can last forever, and eventually their charade is exposed. Fearful for their father's life, Ava and Mira go on the run, living as traitors and fugitives and trying to survive in an unforgiving world. Want more book recommendations? Send an e-mail to infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org and tell us what we should write about next!

Fantasy is considered one of the oldest genres around. The stories are based in alternate realities containing magical, mythical, and supernatural creatures. Check out this list of Young Adult fantasy novels that will have you yearning for more! King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo (Nikolai Duology #1) Return to the Grishaverse - think Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone - for King Nikolai Lantsov's battle against his personal demons. Nikolai wrestles with the events of the past civil war and tries to maintain peace in his kingdom as another war brews both within and outside of him. Crown of Feathers by Nicki Preto (Crown of Feathers #1) There once was a grand empire, built by Phoenix Riders - fabled heroes who flew on wings of fire - and ruled by relentless queens, but animosity between two sisters tore the empire apart. Nearly two decades later, Veronyka, a war orphan, follows her dream to become a legendary Phoenix Rider. The Phoenix Riders have gone underground, hiding from the rulers of the new empire while trying to protect their kingdom. However, when Veronyka's sister shows up, and the empire discovers the Phoenix Riders have resurfaced, nothing will be the same. The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm by Christopher Paolini (Tales from Alagaësia #1) After a year away from Alagaësia to find a suitable place train other dragon riders, Eragon has returned. This book features three short stories about the trials Eragon faces and the unexpected surprises he encounters. You'll also find an excerpt from the memoir of Angela the herbalist, written by Angela Paolini, the inspiration for the character. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Legacy of Orïsha #1) When a malevolent king takes power in the land of Orïsha, he vows to destroy all magic. Years later, Zélie Adebola relishes the time when magic hummed through the earth, and majis wielded their specialized magic. Now Zélie's people struggle for their very survival, and she has a chance to bring back magic and reignite hope in her people. But Zélie must learn how to manage her own powers and grapple with the feelings she develops for her sworn enemy. Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean In Honoku, a new empress is chosen for each generation with a famed and difficult contest. All citizens are allowed to participate, except for the yōkai, magical non-humans, loathed and hunted by the human emperor. But Mari, a yōkai, has spent her life training to be empress. Her life depends on her ability to hide her identity and win the empress contest. Along the way, she will meet Taro, the reluctant prince who is next in line for the throne, and Akira, a half-human, half-yōkai outcast. Can they balance their desires with their duties? Want more book recommendations? Send an e-mail to infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org and tell us what we should write about next!

While I enjoy almost everything that I read, and I tend to read a variety of genres, I am always drawn to non-fiction, particularly biography and autobiography. There is something about hearing a story that is as close to true events as you can get that really inspires me. Biography and autobiography showcase humanity in a way that is honest, vulnerable, and thought-provoking. It also reminds me that we are all capable of extraordinary things and yet, none of us are perfect. Being willing to challenge ourselves and see things in a new perspective has allowed many people to accomplish incredible things, even while facing adversity. These three picks are just a few of many that are available at the library. Blowing the Bloody Doors Off, and Other Lessons in Life by Michael Caine All the ways that an incredible acting career requires you to challenge your performance skills is baffling. The amount of research that can be put into a role to perfect the portrayal of a character: mannerisms, accents, stage presence, speed and tone of voice, body language…it takes dedication. Michael Caine was fortunate enough to meet helpful people in Hollywood, and he shares his advice in this book. You'll also find the encounters and mishaps Caine has had on screen and with fellow actors and actresses over the last sixty years in this autobiography. I won’t say much more, because the book is worth reading from front to back! Rock and Roll Woman: The 50 Fiercest Female Rockers, by Meredith Ochs Pursuing a dream of rock and roll is a hard road for anyone, and every musician's story is different. This book combines stories of 50 amazing female rockers, and the stories are all incredible. They offer interesting insights into the struggles and determination of the female rock star. All the women express themselves in various ways: through fashion, powerful lyrics, incredible vocals, and their talent as musicians. Not a single story is boring, and when compiled together in one book full of beautiful photographs and stories, the reader is left knowing that there is not only one way to be a rock star! Gandhi: The Years that Changed the World by Ramachandra Guha Ramachandra Guha has written quite a lot about Mohandas Gandhi, and this book is about the most influential years of Gandhi’s life. This is no light read, containing almost 900 pages and covering the years 1914 to 1948. With a passion for social reform and the capability to influence and challenge a long legacy of established rule, this book covers Gandhi’s dedicated years to his work and vision. Guha has provided substantial research, using over sixty different archival sources to create a compelling and engaging historical account of the life and work of Mohandas Gandhi. Look no further to see how much can be accomplished by commitment and determination. (This post was written by Monique Gaddy, Adult Services.) Want more book recommendations? Send an e-mail to infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org and tell us what we should write about next!

In 1841, Edgar Allan Poe released the short story "The Murders at the Rue Morgue" - thus the modern detective story was born. The mystery/thriller/crime genre is one of the most popular genres in the United States - and why shouldn't it be? Who doesn't love a good mystery? Half the fun of mystery novels is trying to figure out "Whodunit?" before the fictional detective. It's also an incredibly diverse category of fiction. There are political, legal, and psychological thrillers, historical mysteries, cozy mysteries, classic mysteries, British crime thrillers . . . basically, there's something for everyone when it comes to mysteries. I could spend hours talking about books and series that fall within this genre, but for today I'm going to highlight the first books in three of my favorite mystery/thriller series', all of which fall into different sub-categories. First up is a truly creepy set of tales from the delightfully twisted mind of Jana Deleon. The Shaye Archer series takes place in New Orleans - always a good choice for a creepy setting. Shaye Archer was found beaten in an alley when she was 15, with no memory of what happened to her or where she came from. Fast forward nine years, and she's a licensed private detective with a goal - getting answers for her clients at all costs. The first book in the series, "Malevolent," finds Shaye freshly moved into her own apartment and ready to tackle her first big case - that of Emma Frederick who is being stalked and tormented by someone who also has a goal - seeing Emma dead. This book will keep you up well past your bedtime as you follow Shaye to the resolution, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. Now in it's seventh book, this series has gotten even more thrilling and wicked with age. If heart-pounding suspense thrillers are your thing, look no further - you've found a gem in Jana Deleon's Shaye Archer series. Next up, we have something on the lighter side. Classified as a cozy mystery series, this one comes to us from the mind of Carol J. Perry. The Witch City Mysteries take place in Salem, Massachusetts - another good and creepy setting for a mystery series! This series stars Lee Barrett, her delightful Aunt Ibby, and their cat-who-may-be-a-witch's-familiar, O'Ryan. The first book, "Caught Dead Handed," has Lee moving back to her hometown of Salem to interview for a job as a field reporter at WICH-TV. She ends up instead with the role of call-in psychic for the station's late horror movie show after the previous host, Ariel Constellation, ends up dead. Lee, Ibby, and O'Ryan set out to reveal Ariel's killer - with the help of detective, Pete Mondello - before Lee herself becomes a victim. This book has all the markings of a good cozy - suspense, humor, and a dash of romance. There's also a bit of a supernatural aspect, which adds to the fun. The Witch City Mysteries have become one of my all-time favorite cozy mystery series, with book eight being released just a few weeks ago. Last but definitely not least, we're going old school classic with Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series. The first book, " The Mysterious Affair at Styles," introduces us to the intrepid Detective Poirot as he sets out to solve one of the greatest locked room mysteries ever. There is no shortage of suspects, but who actually poisoned wealthy Emily Inglethorpe? How did the killer get into and out of her locked bedroom? Read this book to find out! No one is better at clues and red herrings than Dame Agatha, and I guarantee you won't regret spending time with any of her books! With over 60 novels and short stories starring the dashing Poirot, you will have endless hours of reading enjoyment brought to you by the world's grande dame of mystery fiction. (This post was written by Sara Sherman, Adult Services.) Check back for further recommendations in this and other genres. You can also send an email to infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org. We love to hear from readers and chat about our mutual love of books, so please don't hesistate to reach out!

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time and fix your mistakes? Or maybe you'd like to see the world during the swinging 1920s or visit Ancient China? Time travel isn't possible in the real world - yet, but in a novel it is! Here are some great time travel novels to help you get your time travel fix. 1) Oxford Time Travel Series by Connie Willis (1992-2010) Follow the time travel exploits and mishaps of different Oxford historians as the travel back and forth through time to learn about and save history. In the first book, Doomsday Book, historian, Kivrin Engle makes a trip to the Middle Ages, but accidentally shows up in the middle of the Black Death epidemic in the 14th century. 2) Kindred by Octavia Butler (2004) Credited as the first science fiction novel to be written by a black woman, Kindred is considered a cornerstone of black american literature. Twenty-six year old Dana lives in California in 1976 when she is inadvertently wrenched into antebellum Maryland. Dana is jerked back and forth between the present and the past in order to save the life of a young man who plays an important role in her family's history. 3) Version Control by Dexter Palmer (2016) Overcome by a general feeling of wrongness, Rebecca Wright struggles to explain her uneasiness with her husband, physicist, Philip Steiner. Philip has been working on a machine similar to a time machine, but not the same - it warps the space-time continuum in unexpected ways, and may be the cause of Rebecca's growing unease. 4) The Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor (2015-2018) Members of the St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research travel through time to "thwart time-traveling terrorists and investigate major historical events." (NoveList) The first book in the series is titled "Just One Damned Thing After Another" - it follows Madeleine Maxwell as she becomes a member of the St. Mary's Institute and engages in an epic time travel adventure to save the Institute she loves. 5) Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon (1991-2017) When Claire Randall steps through a circle of standing stones she is swiftly transported to 18th century Scotland. Claire finds love and hardship during the Jacobite uprising of 1745, and throughout the novels she travels back and forth between the present (1940s) and the past. The books were also made into a popular television series in 2014. (This post was written by Marina Rose, Adult Services.) Want more book recommendations? Send an e-mail to infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org and tell us what we should write about next!