I know I’m going to regret asking this question, but could it get any hotter out there?  Or more humid?  But there is good news, beloved patrons.  The library is air-conditioned, and we are happy for you to come in and cool off for a bit.  And, as an added bonus, you are welcome to find a few books, dvds, audiobooks, and magazines to while away the time.  Here are five books that appeared on our shelves this week for your consideration:

Don’t Go Home:  It took us a little while to get this book on the shelves, but it comes with some good news for fans of Annie Darling and the Death on Demand series in general–author Carolyn Hart has decided to continue the series past this book (which was originally intended to be the series conclusion)!  In this 25th installment in the series, Annie’s bookstore is scheduled to hold a party for a local author when it is revealed that he modeled many of his characters on his neighbors–and the results were not very complimentary.  But when Annie’s dear friend gets in a fight with the curmudgeonly author right before he turns up dead, can she manage to figure out whom among the many angry locals did this author in? Publisher’s Weekly adored the small-town setting of this mystery, saying “Understated local color and a charming cast of supporting characters will keep Annie’s fans glued to the page.”

 
Jacob Lawrence : The Migration Series:  In 1941, a twenty-three-year old artist named Jacob Lawrence completed a series of tempura paintings, pairing them with text about the Great Migration (the name given to the mass migration of black Americans from the rural south to the north between 1915 and 1916.  The series itself became a landmark of modern art, as it not only depicted contemporary history, but also a population that had gone underrepresented up to that point.  This book places this artwork in its cultural and historic context, looking not only at the images, but their display and movement in various museums.  Leah Dickerman’s editorship makes this a fascinating work for historians, artists, and students of all ages.

Movie Star By Lizzie Pepper: This oddly titled little tome is winning sky-high praise from the likes of Vogue, US Today, and Entertainment Weekly for its clever, cheeky observations, and fast-paced, surprising plot.  When Lizzie Pepper’s marriage to a Hollywood mega-star ends, she decides to tell her own side of the story in this book by one of Hollywood’s most prominent ghost writers.  Of Hilary Liftin’s book, the Kirkus Review said “With its sympathetic narrator, suspenseful plot pivots, snappy pace, and dishy details about Hollywood’s inner workings, Liftin’s compelling, highly readable novel is likely to engage even readers who remain blissfully unaware of the tabloid characters who may or may not have inspired it.” (Coughcough-Katie Holmes!-Coughcough)

 
A Sword For His Lady: Mary Wine is an under-appreciated powerhouse of historic romances, and this newest release shows her at her steamy, creative best.  She pairs a headstrong widow who is willing to sacrifice anything for her independence with a newly-appointed Baron who is charged with defending her land, much to the lady’s chagrin, and keeps the tension and action both high and intense.  RT Book Reviews called this book an “unforgettable love story, replete with sexual tension, historical details and powerful storytelling”, and fans of Highland romances will find plenty to love in Wine’s work.

 
Armada : A Novel: Fans of Ernest Cline’s phenomenal Ready Player One–rejoice!  The author’s follow-up book is a worthy successor, and sure to keep fans and new readers alike delighted; Booklist gave it a starred review, saying “Cline once again brings crackling humor and fanboy knowledge to a zesty, crowd-pleasing, countdown-clock, save-the-planet tale “, while the USA Today called it “Enchanting…Willy Wonka meets the Matrix”, which is probably not a combination you’ll ever hear put together again.  Once again, Cline gives us a super teen protagonist named Zach Lightman, but in this tale, Zach sees a flying saucer straight out of his favorite video game hovering outside his school, and soon finds himself enlisted to use his gamer-talent to save the world.  But Zach has read enough science fiction to know that things like this are never as straightforward as they seem….

 
So there you have it!  Have a lovely, safe, air-conditioned weekend!