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Reading is often thought of as a solitary act -- no surprise there -- but a good book (or bad book!) also brings people together. When I finish a book, one of the first things I want to do is talk about it with fellow readers! Reading is a springboard to a good conversation, because “What did you think about that book?” is actually a pretty personal question. Sharing answers to this question leads to a richer, fuller reading experience for all concerned, because you can borrow from one another's personal background and how it informed their approach of the book. If you are looking to chat about books, consider joining one of our book clubs -- click here for details -- or simply stop by the library to share your experience. -- Catherine
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The perfect alibiby Phillip MargolinTwo rape cases at the same bar are complicated by a prominent athlete's threats, baffling DNA evidence, suspicious attacks on case lawyers and a D.A.'s resolve to prosecute a killing in self-defense.Genre: Legal thrillersCharacter: FlawedStoryline: Intricately plotted
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The stranger diaries by Elly GriffithsA first stand-alone mystery by the author of the Ruth Galloway series finds a high-school English teacher chronicling her suspicions about the murder of a colleague before discovering a sinister message in her own diary.Genre: Gothic fiction; Multiple perspectives; MysteriesThemes: Books about books; Small town policeStoryline: Intricately plottedTone: AtmosphericWriting Style: Engaging
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Chocolate cream pie murder by Joanne FlukeThe filming of a television special at brokenhearted Hannah Swensen's bakery is complicated by her shifty ex, an intrusive gang of bodyguards and an untimely murder that compels her alliance with an old flame. Genre: Cozy mysteries; Culinary mysteries; Gentle reads Tone: Upbeat
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The love factoryby Elaine ProctorAnna is a writer whose small but perfectly formed novels just don't sell. When she falls on hard times and tries her hand at erotic fiction, she faces an uncomfortable truth. Though she's a wife and mother of two, her stories fail to fly because she's never experienced true sexual desire. For her tales to truly sizzle, she needs to find a proper love of her own.Genre: Contemporary romancesCharacter: Well-developedTone: SteamyWriting Style: Engaging
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Nineteen lettersby Jodi PerryWhat would you do if the love of your life had no memory of you? A man tries to win back the love of his life after an accident has her in a coma in this emotional, romantic drama. Genre: Australian fiction; Contemporary romances Themes: Childhood sweethearts; Unforgettable love
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Untouchable by Jayne Ann KrentzEngaging in deep meditation therapy to navigate the darkness of his work as a cold-case arson investigator, FBI consultant Jack Lancaster is targeted by a returned Quinton Zane, who has resolved to eliminate Anson Salinas's foster sons. Genre: Romantic suspenseTone: Steamy; SuspensefulWriting Style: Engaging
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Under the table by Stephanie EvanovichThe best-selling author of Big Girl Panties presents a modern adaptation of My Fair Lady in the story of a canny young divorcee who makes over her socially awkward millionaire client, with unexpected results.Genre: Chick litCharacter: LikeablePace: Fast-pacedTone: Amusing; Steamy
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Grace after Henry by Eithne ShortallWhen her fiancé, Henry Walsh, is killed in a freak biking accident, Grace feels like she's lost her own shadow. In his absence, Grace picks up the pieces of her life: She moves into the dream house they bought together, she returns to work as a chef, she watches TV with her nosy elderly neighbor, but through it all she's ever aware of the Henry-shaped hole in her life. Until his long-lost twin brother knocks on her door...Genre: Mainstream fiction, Women's lives and relationshipsCharacter: RelatableTone: Moving; Strong sense of placeWriting Style: Engaging; Thoughtful
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I owe you one by Sophie KinsellaStruggling to hold her late father's business together in spite of her less-motivated siblings, Fixie Farr cashes in an IOU from a handsome stranger to find employment for her childhood crush.Genre: Adult books for young adults; Chick litCharacter: LikeableTone: Funny; HeartwarmingWriting Style: Engaging; Witty
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The Raven tower by Ann LeckieThe Hugo- and Nebula Award-winning author of the Ancillary series presents a debut work of fantasy involving gods that speak to mortals, usurped thrones and world-changing stakes.Genre: Epic fantasy; Multiple perspectives; Themes: Rightful heirCharacter: Large cast of charactersTone: DramaticWriting Style: Compelling; Stylistically complex; Thoughtful
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The city in the middle of the night by Charlie AndersA reluctant revolutionary survives exile by forging an unusual, world-changing bond with a family of ice creatures that live outside the human confines of their dying planet.Genre: Science fiction; Social science fictionThemes: Chosen family; For the resistanceCharacter: Complex; Strong femaleStoryline: World-buildingPace: Leisurely pacedWriting Style: Descriptive; Lyrical
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The ruin of kings by Jenn LyonsRaised on storybook tales of royal adventure, Kihrin discovers his identity as the illegitimate son of a treasonous prince and is rendered a pawn in the royal family's power schemes before embracing his anti-hero destiny.Genre: Epic fantasyThemes: Laws of magicCharacter: Large cast of charactersStoryline: Intricately plotted; World-buildingPace: Fast-paced
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The hiding placeby C. J. TudorA teacher with a hidden agenda returns to a school he once attended to settle old scores only to uncover a secret with dark, unimaginable consequences.Genre: Psychological suspenseThemes: Sad small towns; Unreliable narratorCharacter: UnlikeableTone: Creepy; Darkly humorous; Menacing; SuspensefulWriting Style: Compelling; Gritty; Stylistically complex
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My lovely wife by Samantha DowningA seemingly typical suburban husband discloses the secret ways that his wife of 15 years and he keep their marriage alive and chase away domestic boredom by orchestrating creative ways to get away with murder.Genre: First person narratives; Psychological suspenseThemes: Suburban malaise; Unreliable narratorCharacter: TwistedPace: IntensifyingTone: Disturbing; Suspenseful
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The mansionby Ezekiel BooneThe rich and successful head of a multi-billion-dollar tech company reconnects with an embittered ex-partner for help when a failed program they created together begins causing sinister accidents.Genre: HorrorStoryline: Intricately plottedTone: Creepy; Menacing; SuspensefulWriting Style: Compelling
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A tale inspired by the life of Winston Churchill's scandal-marked American mother follows the experiences of a wealthy and fiercely independent New Yorker whose whirlwind romance with a duke's son sweeps her disruptively into British royalty and politics.
Genre: Biographical fiction; Historical fiction Character: Complex Storyline: Sweeping Tone: Atmospheric Writing Style: Engaging; Stylistically complex
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Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidWhen singer Daisy Jones meets Billy Dunne of the band The Six, the two rising 70s rock-and-roll artists are catapulted into stardom when a producer puts them together, a decision that is complicated by a pregnancy and the seductions of fame.Genre: Historical fiction; Literary fictionCharacter: ComplexStoryline: Character-driven; UnconventionalTone: Strong sense of placeWriting Style: Compelling
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The island of sea women by Lisa SeeWhile working as divers with the all-female diving collective on a small Korean island, Mi-ja and Young-sook find their friendship challenged by their differences and forces outside their control.Genre: Historical fiction; Multiple perspectivesStoryline: SweepingTone: Atmospheric; Thought-provokingWriting Style: Lyrical; Richly detailed
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