Starling House (Hardcover)

By Alix E. Harrow

$26.09

There are many reasons to read Alix E. Harrow’s Starling House, for it is both resoundingly entertaining and profound. The psychological underpinnings of haunted houses and cursed communities are dealt with powerfully without veering into allegory. The book’s monsters are tethered to forces that strongly echo within and surprising narrative choices will keep the reader on their literary toes.

 

Maine Home Cooking: 175 Recipes from Down East Kitchens (Paperback)

By Sandra Oliver

$33.26

Food historian Sandra Oliver, has produced a terrific new cookbook which is based on submissions sent to her by readers of her Bangor Daily News column "Taste Buds." Oliver selected the recipes, arranged them thematically, and then added the history behind the food. Fine photographs complete this truly exceptional book.

 

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide (Hardcover)

By Rupert Holmes

$25.20

This book will delight anyone who enjoys a good helping of farce or dark humor. Reminiscent of Evelyn Waugh, Murder Your Employer spins a tale rooted in the literary and cultural norms of the era in which it is set, the 1950's, and yet it is subtly imbued with a more modern moral compass and sense of power dynamics. A source of great pleasure, Murder Your Employer is in fact not in the least bit dangerous. Why, I've noticed that two of my booksellers have been reading it avidly and nothing untoward has ensu... (Meg and Isabelle here. Unfortunately, Kenny was unable to finish writing this summary due to some exquisitely foreseen circumstances.)

 

The Lost Library (Hardcover)

By Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass

$16.19

Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead—the creators of Bob, that wonderful novel for young readers—  have teamed up again!  Their latest, The Lost Library, is another tale of surprise, wonder, imagination, and growth.  When a little free library appears out of nowhere, its books open up a mystery that eleven -year-old Evan is drawn into solving. Brimming with warmth and discovery, The Lost Library is a book that every child will love finding themselves in this holiday season! 

 

In Every Life (Hardcover)

By Marla Frazee, Marla Frazee (Illustrator)

$17.09

In Every Life is a singular treat!  The structure is a universal idea written above a group of illustrations, followed by a breathtaking, unifying illustrative spread.  It seems impossible for this idea to be entirely new, but in my many years of picture book buying I have not seen it before. The freedom accorded to readers of all ages is magnified by the impact of the images gathered together and then reimagined as singular. Truly it must be held in hand to be appreciated.

 

Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens (Hardcover)

By David Mitchell

$29.25

How much fun is the history of British monarchs in David Mitchell's witty and incisive hands? Edifying and entertaining,  Unruly is an absolute treasure, and the perfect gift for anyone inclined to appreciate history and all the peculiar foibles attendant on ordained power. 

 

Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas (Hardcover)

By Matt Tavares, Matt Tavares (Illustrator)

$16.19

Award-winning Maine author-illustrator Matt Tavares follows up his beloved holiday picture book, Dasher, with an equally sumptuous and moving sequel: Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas. If you love Dasher, don’t wait to, umm, dash in to get your hands on this sequel.

I Will Read to You: A Story About Books, Bedtime, and Monsters (Hardcover)

By Gideon Sterer, Charles Santoso (Illustrator)

$17.09

This tale of a young boy who seeks out the monsters in the forest to read them a bedtime story is an enchantment. Charles Santoso's superb illustrations dynamically complement Gideon Sterer's vibrant text. I Will Read to You wonderfully captures the joys of shared reading, making it a sweet irony that young readers will want to have it read to them over and over (and over) again."

 

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels (Hardcover)

By Beth Lincoln, Claire Powell (Illustrator)

$16.19

The Swifts is one of those rare and unlooked for manifestations, a wholly original middle grade novel, that will be enjoyed by word lovers of all ages!  If you yearn for something novel in your novels, you will be very glad for The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels.  The story is built around a family for whom words and etymology are a determining force of character, except that young Shenanigan Swift will have none of it.