From former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins comes a twelfth collection of poetry offering nearly fifty new poems that showcase the generosity, wit, and imaginative play that prompted The Wall Street Journal to call him America's favorite poet.
The Rain in Portugal, a title that admits he's not much of a rhymer, sheds Collins's ironic light on such subjects as travel and art, cats and dogs, loneliness and love, beauty and death. His tones range from the whimsical "the dogs of Minneapolis . . . / have no idea they're in Minneapolis" to the elegiac in a reaction to the death of Seamus Heaney. A student of the everyday, here Collins contemplates a weather vane, a still life painting, the calendar, and a child lost at a beach. His imaginative fabrications have Shakespeare flying comfortably in first class and Keith Richards supporting the globe on his head. By turns entertaining, engaging, and enlightening, The Rain in Portugal amounts to another chorus of poems from one of the most respected and familiar voices in the world of American poetry.
Thinks Out Loud by Martin Perlman
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
A band of young bloggers is drawn into the intrigue and suspense of AltaSystemics, a mysterious high-tech startup, whose charismatic CEO has big plans to go way beyond cloud computing. If successful, he'll control access to all information-past, present, and future. To realize his grand ambitions, he needs the help of the innocent Intuitives, the thuggish Connectors, and the unwilling Morse Brothers, dabblers in high-energy particle physics who discover a special form of time travel. And don't forget Isaac, the burned out blogger who disappears while on sabbatical, Vaitiare, the commanding Polynesian princess, trying to keep her isle from becoming the next overrun tourist destination, or even the opinionated commenters- their destinies co-mingling, all centered around the blog Thinks Out Loud.
Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
Valkyries have one great responsibility: to return immortals to the afterlife by slaying them. As a Valkyrie, Malin has always known that the balance of the world rests on her ability to carry out orders. But when Malin discovers that her mother spared the life of an immortal who was destined to die, her world is thrown into chaos.
Malin not only wrestles with the knowledge that her mother might not be who she thought—she’s also thrust into the path of a gorgeous blue eyed guy named Asher who needs her help slaying the rogue immortal who destroyed his family. The balance of the world is at stake. And, as Asher competes with Malin’s ex for her love and loyalty, so is her heart.
Matters Arising from the Identification of the Body by Simon Petrie
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
Tanja Morgenstein, daughter of a wealthy industrialist and a geochemist, is dead from exposure to Titan's lethal, chilled atmosphere, and Guerline Scarfe must determine why.
This novella blends hard-SF extrapolation with elements of contemporary crime fiction, to envisage a future human society in a hostile environment, in which a young woman's worst enemies may be those around her.
The Woods by Amanda McKinney
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
A year after her sister’s death, Archeologist and part-time neurotic, Dr. Katie Somers returns to the sleepy, southern town of Berry Springs to sell her childhood home. She’d planned to be in and out in less than a week, but a chance meeting with a handsome stranger turns her perfectly crafted world upside down.
Army Ranger Jake Thomas only has one shot at a position with the FBI, even if that means concealing his true identity from those closest to him. As he tries to focus on the mission at hand, Berry Springs is rocked by two gruesome murders and it isn’t long before he and Katie become entangled in the killer’s web, while becoming suspects themselves by the prickly Chief of Police, David McCord.
As their attraction begins to sizzle, so does the danger when Katie stumbles onto new details about her sister’s death, leading her down a dangerous path.
A path she should’ve never stepped onto…
The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
In a world of etiquette and polite masks, no one is who they seem to be.
Antonina Beaulieu is in the glittering city of Loisail for her first Grand Season, where she will attend balls and mingle among high society. Under the tutelage of the beautiful but cold Valérie Beaulieu, she hopes to find a suitable husband. However, the haphazard manifestations of Nina’s telekinetic powers make her the subject of malicious gossip.
Yet dazzling telekinetic performer and outsider Hector Auvray sees Nina’s powers as a gift, and he teaches her how to hone and control them. As they spend more and more time together, Nina falls in love and believes she’s found the great romance that she’s always dreamed of, but Hector’s courtship of Nina is deceptive.
The Beautiful Ones is a sweeping fantasy of manners set in a world inspired by the Belle Époque.
Rise by Neal Sehgal
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
RISE is a collection of poetry, prose, and photography that explores the themes of love, loss, betrayal, redemption, and triumphing over those who try to pull you down.
The Space Boys Meet the Moon Bully! by James L. Papandrea
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
The Adventures of the Space Boys is an exciting new series of children's books written by James L. Papandrea and illustrated by Joe Groshek. The first book in the series, The Space Boys Meet The Moon Bully, will teach children about the five senses, and that we all have different talents and abilities. The main theme of the book will give children an example of a constructive approach to dealing with bullying, emphasizing communication and forgiveness. Just like every other book in the series to come, The Space Boys Meet the Moon Bully ends with a page of valuable discussion questions - led by the Space Boys' faithful dog Chuck - that will help parents and teachers talk to kids about bullying. The book is great for all children whose parents and teachers are reading to them, as well as those who are learning to read, up to about 11 years old. The hand-drawn illustrations are vibrant and fun, and the rhyming story will instill an important life lesson in young children. Learn the Space Boys' motto: Be quick to say, "Sorry," be quick to forgive, and you'll always have friends, as long as you live."
The Lost Vampire by Kate Baxter
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
Soul mate--or tragic fate?
Once one of the oldest dhampirs in existence, Saeed now faces a treacherously uncertain future as a vampire. He believes that the only thing that can restore his position within his coven and tether his lost soul is the flame-haired fae who is destined to be his mate.
Cerys Bain is a soul thief. She is feared by those who dwell in the supernatural realm--and hopelessly bound to the ruthless mage Rinieri de Rege. The raw, sensual vampire who enters her world is both a threat and an intoxicating temptation: No one has ever made Cerys feel the way Saeed does. But to claim their fate as soulmates, Saeed must first find a way to free Cerys from Rin. Is their desire worth the risk of certain destruction--and eternal doom?
Separated Soul by Shaene Ragan
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
When Feline, the High Sorcerer, tries to locate the spirit of his sister sorceress, Porpoise, he is shocked to discover that her soul has been split in two. Half of her lives as an undead dark witch on the northern moors, while the other is a sorceress who rises and sets with the light of Phoebe Artemis. To unite the two halves of his old friend, Feline must himself take on two identities and carefully weave a web of influence. First, he becomes a cunning cat and charms his way into the dark witch's trust. He also becomes a sorcery tutor, claiming to be of the vanished Ellf Nation, to whisper in the ear of the Moon's foster child. Just as he begins to think his plan will succeed, his task becomes more difficult when the two sides of Porpoise take opposite positions on the lives of the Romanized Celts and the Saxons after the Romans abandon the area. With both the soul of his friend and the lives of countless mortals in the mix, he must tread carefully to avoid a catastrophe. To make matters worse, an extraterrestrial parapsychologist begins to stalk him from the astral plane, making him realize that his actions may have consequences far beyond their little island.
Separated Soul is grand in scale and rich in unique characters. Drawing from pre-Celtic mythology and history, it ties the mundane and fantastical together into a complex and compelling narrative of operatic proportions.
Insidious Intent by Val McDermid
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Synopsis
Widely recognized as one of our finest crime writers, with numerous accolades and legions of devoted readers worldwide, internationally bestselling author Val McDermid is back with the latest installment in her series featuring psychologist Tony Hill and former police detective Carol Jordan. In Insidious Intent, Tony and Carol are on the hunt for a serial killer who victimizes women at weddings without a date--and forces the duo to confront their most haunting moral dilemma so far.
In the north of England, single women are beginning to disappear from weddings. A pattern soon becomes clear: Someone is crashing the festivities and luring the women away--only to leave the victims' bodies in their own burned-out cars in remote locations. Tony and Carol are called upon to investigate--but this may be the toughest case they've ever had to face. Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Paula McIntyre and her partner Elinor must deal with a cruel cyber-blackmailer targeting their teenage ward, Torin.
Impeccably plotted and intensely gripping, Insidious Intentreaffirms Val McDermid's place as Britain's reigning Queen of Crime.
Champion in Flight by Tyrean Martinson
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
A year after she won the battle for Septily, Clara feels trapped in Skycliff by the Allied Council. As the last pieces of information about the Healing Caves fall into place, Clara is attacked by an assassin. Covert Drinaii mercenaries and the Council aren't going to stop Clara from her quest to heal her broken blade. As Champion of Aramatir, she must act. Meanwhile, in the joint kingdoms of Rrysorria and Wylandria, the youngest and still cursed swan prince despairs of ever being whole again. In a moment of anger and desperation, Liam discovers a blood link between him and a dark sorceress. Clara won the battle for Septily, but her battle isn't over. Champion in Flight is the second book in The Champion Trilogy.
Blood for Honey by Erin Suurkoivu
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
With "Blood for Honey", Erin Suurkoivu invites you to explore an alternate universe. Discounting today's celebrity worship and city life, she retreats within and reflects on love, beauty, and what it means to be truly free. In a unique voice that is both haunting and alluring, she writes of California and Europe, nature and regret, and ultimately confronts her demons. Alternately both witty and insightful, poignant and cruel, her poems provide an intriguing journey through the landscape of her imagination.
Monster Under the Bed by Robert Wright Jr.
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
Lubelle's moving to a new home. The big old yellow house is full of magic and adventure. What else? A monster under the bed!?!
When I Turned Nineteen by Glyn Haynie
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
It's the year 1969. I was serving in the U.S. Army with my brothers of First Platoon Company A 3/1 11th Bde Americal (23rd Infantry) Division. We were average American sons, fathers, husbands, or brothers who'd enlisted or been drafted from all over the United States and who'd all come from different backgrounds. We came together and formed a brotherhood that will last through time.
I share my experiences about weeks of boredom and minutes to hours of terror and surviving the heat, carrying a 60-pound rucksack, monsoons, a forest fire, a typhoon, building a firebase, fear, death and fighting the enemy while mentally, physically, and morally exhausted.
In 27 Days by Alison Gervais
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
Hadley Jamison is shocked when she hears that her classmate, Archer Morales, has committed suicide. She didn’t know the quiet, reserved guy very well, but that doesn’t stop her from feeling there was something she could have done to help him. Hoping to find some sense of closure, Hadley attends Archer’s funeral. There, Hadley is approached by a man who calls himself Death and offers her a deal. If Hadley accepts, she will be sent back 27 days in time to prevent Archer from killing himself. But when Hadley agrees to Death’s terms and goes back to right the past, she quickly learns her mission is harder than she ever could have known.
Hadley soon discovers Archer’s reasons for being alone, and Archer realizes that having someone to confide in isn’t as bad as he’d always thought. But when a series of dangerous accidents starts pushing them apart, Hadley must decide whether she is ready to risk everything—including her life—to keep Archer safe.
From award-winning Wattpad author Alison Gervais (HonorInTheRain) comes In 27 Days, a story of redemption, first love, and the strength it takes to change the future.
The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
New York Times Bestselling Author Shelley Shepard Gray gifts us with a special Christmas story about love and blessings in this next book in her Amish of Hart County series.
The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County. But when Susanna Schwartz hears gunshots that causes her buggy to overturn, and then her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into the icy creek, it becomes clear from these dangerous “accidents” that someone wants them gone.
Neil Vance has been heartbroken ever since his parents lost their family farm. He knows it’s not the Schwartz family’s fault, but he can’t help but be resentful. Until he meets Susanna. She is kind-hearted and bold, and Neil can’t stop thinking about her pretty green eyes.
Neil thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt…or worse.
The Beacons I See by Ty Unglebower
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| Photo Credit: Goodreads |
Synopsis
Vanessa is a highly sensitive person on the Autism Spectrum. Like the other women in her family, she can see promises. Anywhere a promise has been made by people, she sees spheres of colored light she calls beacons. Mostly she overlooks them, and mostly she prefers her solitude.
One day on a much needed vacation to the family cabin, Vanessa sees the impossible: a beacon high above the trees, where no normal person could possibly promise anything.
Torn between investigating the woods with the help of strangers, and following her original plan to withdraw from the stresses of the world, Vanessa spends the summer learning more about her gift, herself, and her relationship with other people.
So that's all the books I got in the month of October. There weren't as many as arrived in September, but I'm pretty excited about a couple of these, particularly The Beautiful Ones and The Prodigal. Which of these books are you most interested in reading my review about? - Katie
