January: New Release Notables

The end of January is already here! And here in NC, we’ve had 70 degree days and also snow (thank you polar vortex). So whether spring flowers or more winter flurries, what’s better a few January releases that should make their way on to your reading list…but hurry because we promise that February is also bringing some great new books. Books, so many books – and we can’t wait! Happy reading 🙂

What better place to find painfully funny material than in growing up gay, gifted, and ambitious in the heart of the Bible belt? And that’s just the 1st cut: From partying to parenting, from Sunday school to getting sober, these slices of Ham will have you laughing and wiping away salty tears in equal measure with their universal and down-to-earth appeal.

When a 6-year battle with brain cancer ultimately stole David’s vision, memory, mobility, and—most tragically of all—his ability to continue teaching, he was devastated by the thought that he would no longer have the chance to impact his students’ lives each day. Based on a beloved teacher’s most popular lesson, The Priority List is a bold, inspirational story of learning, love, and legacy that challenges us to ask: What truly matters in life?

In the riveting follow-up to her acclaimed debut novel, The Affair, Colette Freedman explores the aftermath of infidelity from 3 perspectives–husband, wife, and mistress. Over the course of one tumultuous Christmas Eve, Kathy Walker confirmed her suspicions about her husband’s affair, confronted his mistress, and saved her marriage but the end of the affair may only be the beginning…

In her debut novel, Rachel Louise Snyder chronicles the 24-hours following a mass burglary in a Chicago suburb and the suspicions, secrets, and prejudices that surface in its wake. What We’ve Lost is Nothing illuminates the evolving relationship between American cities and their suburbs, the hidden prejudices that can threaten a way of life, and the redemptive power of tolerance in a community torn asunder.

A fast and fun read – this romantic comedy is a look at being single and being in the dating pool from the vantage point of a woman on the verge of hitting the big 4-0. Molly is savvy and smart, and has learned some hard truths about the odds of finding “the one”. With wit, charm, whip-smart humor, Molly learns to open her heart and suppress her cynicism in this bright, achingly funny novel.

A YA debut novel A girl, who was born on the day her brother Bird died, has grown up in a house of silence and secrets and when she meets John, a mysterious new boy in her rural Iowan town, those secrets start to come out. Entrenched secrets, mysterious spirits, and an astonishing friendship weave together in this extraordinary and haunting debut.

 

Jumpstart Your January: New Releases

It’s just the start of the new year and there are some amazing new books coming out this month! If this is how 2014 starts, we can’t wait to see what’s in store! We are going to go ahead and warn you now that productivity levels may decrease as you find yourself wanting to stay in bed all day and read! But hey, we can’t blame you and we kind of encourage it but shhh – don’t tell! 🙂

 

This debut thriller is a must read for any international thriller fan. Garrett Reilly is that perfect anti-hero, a Wall Street numbers geek with a chip on his shoulder; and soon the only person who realizes that two hundred billion dollars’ worth of U.S. Treasury bonds are being sold around the world at a terrific pace. A thriller spanning from Wall Street to Vegas to the Chinese countryside, you won’t be able to put this one down.

In this stunning new novel, acclaimed author, Ellen Marie Wiseman, of The Plum Tree merges the past and present into a haunting story about the nature of love and loyalty—and the lengths we will go to protect those who need us most. If you’re looking for your next book club book, here’s our recommendation!

A complex, suspenseful psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. Lana Granger accepts a babysitting job caring for a mentally unstable but brilliant boy named Luke. When Lana’s best-friend Beck goes missing, questioning eyes begin to look more closely towards Lana and all the secrets she has long sought to keep hidden. Told from alternating points-of-view, we learn about both Luke and Lana’s troubled pasts which lead to a surprising and harrowing conclusion.

Artis Henderson’s beautiful memoir, Unremarried Widow, takes its title from the dry, official military designation she receives after her husband’s Apache helicopter crashes in Iraq. Artis reveals her complex marriage, the strangeness of military life, and the pain of loss with us in gorgeous, intimate prose with a fresh and unyielding perspective. A beautiful, revelatory read.

With a cover like that, how can you resist? As someone who was raised by a child psychiatrist, Lamb-Shapiro was always fascinated by the self-help industry, wondering if all these books, seminars, posters, t-shirts, etc. really helped people. In the name of research and to answer this question, she forced herself to face her own phobias by becoming a guinea pig to many self-help practices and the result is an honest, well-researched, deeply personal, and at times hilarious look at this billion dollar industry.

An uplifting novel of one woman’s journey to healing and the surprising soul mate that helps guide her there. Lila survives a traumatic incident and Grace, a formerly abused golden retriever help each other in getting past their mutual horror’s and learn to trust again. Rich in warmth and humor,  An Unexpected Grace is a story of compassion and connection and of finding that what truly makes us whole again may be the love we give away. Dog lovers, this one’s for you.

True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy. If you’re a YA fan, the unexpected twists and thrilling action make this ending one for the books.

This cold weather is just what’s needed to cozy up, dive right in, and turn the page on these great new titles. Happy reading!