May 2023 Shelf Talk
ADULT
Mr. Breakfast by Jonathan Carroll
Carroll takes readers on a fast-paced journey of Graham Patterson’s cross-country trip and the extraordinary events that occur after his visit to a brilliant tattoo artist. Patterson’s life is changed forever in unimaginable ways as he is given the gift of seeing three different paths, in real time, that his life can take.
Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson This national bestselling title is a bighearted novel about two misfit, loner teenagers whose paths collide one summer. These two teens combine their creativity to design a poster with a unique phase that becomes the talk of the town as the unsigned posters began to appear everywhere. This bold coming-of-age story is a “nuanced exploration of young love, identity, and the power of art.”
Let’s Do It by Bob Stanley Bringing together every musical genre, Stanley writes this book about the birth of Pop from 1900 to the mid-1950’s. From ragtime to blues and jazz, country and Broadway, Stanley features numerous larger than life musical figures throughout the pages of this essential read for all music lovers. It is considered a “delightful music history that gives pop its proper due without losing any of the fizzy fun along the way.”
Looking Up: True Adventures of a Storm-Chasing Weather Nerd by Matthew Cappucci This lively book, written by self-proclaimed weather nerd, Cappucci, combines easy to understand science and personal stories with his catchy enthusiasm. Weather affects every part of our lives and our future, Cappucci wants readers to think differently about weather in this “fun from start to finish” book.
YOUNG ADULT
Maze Cutter by James Dashner After Thomas and other immunes were sent to an island to survive the Flaretriggered apocalypse, their descendants thrived. But when a rusty old boat shows up one day with a woman bearing dark news of the mainland, everything changes. The group and their islander friends are forced to embark back to civilization where they find Cranks have evolved into a more violent, intelligent version of themselves. They are hunted by the Godhead, the Remnant Nation, and scientists with secret agendas. The islanders will have to survive long enough to figure out why they are being targeted, who is friend or foe, and what the Godhead has planned for the future of humanity.
The Saint by Adrienne Young As a boy, Elias learned the hard way what happens when you don't heed the old tales. Nine years after his lack of superstition got his father killed, he's grown into a young man of piety, with a deep reverence for the hallowed sea and her fickle favor. Now, he's mere days away from getting everything his father ever dreamed for him: a ship of his own, a crew, and a license that names him as one of the first Narrowsborn traders. But when a young dredger from the Unnamed Sea with more than one secret crosses his path, Elias' faith will be tested like never before.
Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter. After fleeing to Paris, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city's glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell. Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city — and their families — they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything — even their souls.
The House on the Brink by John Gordon Returning home through a bog late one night, sixteen-year-old Dick Dodds passes a trail that sends a chill up his spine. He feels the same inexplicable terror the next day when he explores the trail further and meets a girl, Helen Johnson, who saw something that looked like a man with no arms or legs gliding across the landscape. The mystery deepens when a local widow becomes convinced that something evil has emerged from the river near her house. What is the secret of the strange and terrifying mystery of the bog? Dick and Helen are determined to find out, but they may soon find themselves in greater danger than they ever imagined.
CHILDREN
How Much is a Million? by David Schwartz, pictures by Stephen Kellogg What is a million? A Billion? A Trillion? And, more? Let this classic picture book guide you through this amazingly complex math maze! Enjoy Schwartz’s words and Kellogg’s intricate illustrations as they help explain “higher math” to young and old alike.
13 Stories About Ayana written and illustrated by Amy Schwartz Thirteen short and shorter vignettes of family, friends and neighbors as seen through Ayana’s toddler eyes. Enjoy this child’s eye view of the world told with wit and honesty. Great for sharing among all ages!
Unbreakable: the spies who cracked the nazis’ secret code by Rebecca E.F. Barone An edge of your seat adventure is the true story of how mathematicians, naval officers, spies, soldiers and codebreakers worked to decipher the Enigma Code. Historic photos enhance the unfolding drama of the search that continues on and on as World War II continues. You will of course meet Alan Turing, but you will be introduced to many lesser-known names that helped crack the code and helped to break the German hold on Europe. Barone’s writing aims at middle school ages and at all who find history engaging.
Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm Bell is just a regular kid who has spent all eleven years of his life on planet Mars! Loving cake of all kinds as well as cats, Bell and other kids are oh so curious about the secrets the adults are keeping. Suddenly a virus hits the Mars Colony, and the adults all fall ill. Bell and the other kids must uncover the secrets in hopes of saving the whole colony. Middle grade readers will enjoy this delightful science fiction adventure.