Welcome to the Monday Morning Book Buzz. Every week we take a look at some notable new books being released in the coming days.

If you would like to subscribe to the CA Library Blog, click the Entries (RSS) button at the top of the menu on the right and add the link to your favorite news aggregator. You can also follow us on Facebook by visiting http://www.facebook.com/calibrary and hitting the ‘Like’ button.

This week’s releases are listed by category: Young Adult Fiction, General Fiction and Nonfiction. On-sale dates are indicated in parentheses.

Notable New Releases for the week of November 14th:

Young Adult Fiction

• The Always War by Margaret Peterson Haddix (11/15/2011) — For as long as Tessa can remember, her country has been at war. When local golden boy Gideon Thrall is awarded a medal for courage, it’s a rare bright spot for everyone in Tessa’s town—until Gideon refuses the award, claims he was a coward, and runs away. Tessa is bewildered, and can’t help but follow Gideon to find out the truth. “This dystopian drama examines the human aspect of war, and also how technology may redefine war in the future.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series #6) by Jeff Kinney (11/15/2011) — Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he’s innocent. Or at least sort of. The authorities are closing in, but when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. “The idea behind the book is that as you’re growing up, you’re forging your identity, and that identity becomes hard to escape later on.” — Jeff Kinney in Entertainment Weekly

• The Pledge by Kimberly Derting (11/15/2011) — In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. “Derting (Desires of the Dead) is right on when depicting the bonds of family, friendship, and first love.” — Publishers Weekly

• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (11/15/2011) — No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she’s finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she’d lost forever. “Rip-roaring adventure and steamy romance scenes, with a relationship teens will root for as much as they did for Bella and Edward.” — Booklist

• The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff (11/15/2011) — Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped – and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. “A dreamy, atmospheric take on Judeo-Christian mythology that prioritizes character.” — Kirkus Reviews

General Fiction

• Devil’s Gate: A Kurt Austin Adventure (NUMA Files Series) by Clive Cussler (11/14/2011) — A Japanese cargo ship cruises the eastern Atlantic near the Azores- when it bursts into flames. A gang of pirates speeds to take advantage of the disaster-when their boat explodes. As the NUMA Special Assignments Team rush to investigate, they find themselves drawn into the extraordinary ambitions of an African dictator, the creation of a weapon of almost mythical power, and an unimaginably audacious plan to extort the world’s major nations.

• Kill Alex Cross (Alex Cross Series #18) by James Patterson (11/14/2011) — The President’s son and daughter are abducted, and Detective Alex Cross is one of the first on the scene. But someone very high-up is using the FBI, Secret Service, and CIA to keep him off the case and in the dark.

• Star Wars The Old Republic #3: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn (11/15/2011) — There’s something out there: a juggernaut of evil bearing down to crush the Republic—unless one lone Jedi, shunned and reviled, can stop it. Revan: hero, traitor, conqueror, villain, savior.

• V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone Series #22) by Sue Grafton (11/14/2011) — A woman with a murky past who kills herself-or was it murder? A dying old man cared for by the son he pummeled mercilessly. A lovely woman whose life is about to splinter into a thousand fragments. And Kinsey Millhone, whose thirty-eighth-birthday gift is a punch in the face that leaves her with two black eyes and a busted nose. “Kinsey plays a smaller role in this story, which may not please some of her many fans, but Grafton’s pioneering sleuth is as clever and witty as ever.” — Library Journal

Nonfiction

• 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Revised Edition by Patricia Schultz (11/15/2011) — The world’s bestselling travel book is back in a more informative, more experiential, more budget-friendly full-color edition. A #1 New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places reinvented the idea of travel book as both wish list and practical guide. The new edition adds over 200 entirely new entries, including visits to 28 countries like Lebanon, Croatia, Estonia, and Nicaragua, that were not in the original edition. “For anyone who yearns to travel, this is the ultimate dream book.” — Barnes & Noble

• Bowing to Beijing: How Barack Obama Is Hastening America’s Decline and Ushering a Century of Chinese Domination by Brett M. Decker and William C. Triplett, II (11/15/2011) — Decker, editorial page editor for the Washington Times, and Triplett, the former Chief Republican Counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, contend China’s rapid rise directly correlates with America’s decline—and outline the dangerous consequences this trend holds. “[Decker and Triplett] make clear that regardless of the vast economic relations between China and the U.S., unless we maintain our military deterrence capability, a serious confrontation looms just over the horizon.” — Admiral James A. Lyons, Jr., former commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet

• Exile on Wall Street: One Analyst’s Fight to Save the Big Banks from Themselves by Mike Mayo (11/15/2011) — Wall Street analyst Mayo writes about one of the biggest financial and political issues of our time – the role of finance and banks in the U.S. and the holes that still exist on Wall Street and in the banking system. “Mike Mayo is one of the best financial analysts on Wall Street. He brings clarity to a world full of uncertainty.” — Maria Bartiromo, financial commentator

• Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope by Gabrielle Giffords & Mark Kelly (11/15/2011) — From one of the most admired and beloved couples in recent American history, an extraordinarily moving story of public service, risk-taking, romance—and the journey toward recovery. This book delivers hope and redemption in the face of the tragic shooting, and introduces two unforgettable heroes.

• How Georgia Became O’Keeffe: Lessons on the Art of Living by Karen Karbo (11/15/2011) — A fresh, revealing look at the artist who continues to inspire new generations of women. Karbo cracks open the O’Keeffe icon in her characteristic style, making one of the greatest women painters in American history vital and relevant for yet another generation. “This intimate, quirky, and sassy essay makes its iconic subject into an accessible, relevant figure with whom readers, particularly women, can identify.” — Publishers Weekly

• How I Got This Way by Regis Philbin (11/15/2011) — In this entertaining memoir, the irrepressible Regis Philbin—consummate talk show host, man about town, loving husband, father, and yes, obsessive sports fan—looks back at his years in show business.

• Howard Cosell: The Man, the Myth, and the Transformation of American Sports by Mark Ribowsky (11/14/2011) — Howard Cosell was one of the most recognizable and controversial figures in American sports history. His colorful bombast, fearless reporting, and courageous stance on civil rights soon captured the attention of listeners everywhere. With more than forty interviews, Mark Ribowsky presents Cosell’s life as part of an American panorama, examining racism, anti-Semitism, and alcoholism, among other sensitive themes. “The definitive word on a loved, loathed, maddeningly complex broadcasting legend.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony by Jeff Ashton (11/15/2011) — On July 5, 2011, nearly three years after her initial arrest, Casey Anthony walked away, virtually scot-free, from one of the most sensational murder trials of all time. She’d been accused of killing her daughter, Caylee, but the trial only left behind more questions. Prosecutor Jeff Ashton, one of the principal players in the case’s drama, sheds light on those questions and much more, telling the behind-the-scenes story of the investigation, the trial, and the now-infamous verdict.

• Legacy of Steve Jobs: A Tribute from the Pages of Fortune by the editors of Fortune Magazine (11/15/2011) — The  richly illustrated story of Steve Jobs’ life at the helm of Apple, based in part on three decades of Fortune stories about the cultural icon who revolutionized computing, telephones, movies, music, retailing, and product design.

• The Louvre: All the Paintings with commentaries by Vincent Pomarede (11/15/2011) — The Louvre is the world’s most visited art museum, with 8.5 million visitors annually, and houses the most celebrated and important paintings of all time. For the first time ever, The Louvre: All the Paintings collects all 3,022 paintings currently on display in the permanent collection in one beautifully curated volume. The included DVD-ROM is easily browsable by artist, date, school, art historical genre, or location in the Louvre.

• The Oprah Winfrey Show: Reflections on an American Legacy by Deborah Davis (11/15/2011) — Arguably the most influential television personality of all time, Oprah Winfrey and her show have had an impact on American culture that cannot be overstated. This beautifully illustrated book explores and celebrates the legacy of the show using essays and tributes from a stellar group of contributors including Maya Angelou, Bono, Ellen DeGeneres, Nelson Mandela, Toni Morrison, Julia Roberts, Maria Shriver, Gloria Steinem, John Travolta, and more. “[T]he book shines when it stays away from mythmaking and gives us…behind-the-scenes glimpses of the empty studio, the primping process…and the vast army of producers and writers behind Oprah’s magic.” — Publishers Weekly

• Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942 by Ian W. Toll (11/14/2011) — The epic tale of the first searing months of the Pacific war, when, following the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy shook off the worst defeat in American military history and seized the strategic initiative. “Revealing and poignant, Toll’s latest deftly navigates the rough waters of the Pacific struggle with flying colors.” — Publishers Weekly

• Saul Bass: A Life in Film and Design by Pat Kirkham and Jennifer Bass (11/16/2011) — Design historian Pat Kirkham has written the definitive study that design and film enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating: the first book to be published on one of the greatest American designers of the 20th century, who was as famous for his work in film as for his corporate identity and graphic work. Designed by Jennifer Bass, Saul Bass’s daughter, the book includes over 1,400 images from the Bass archive.

• Shaq Uncut: My Story by Shaquille O’Neal (11/15/2011) — Four-time NBA champion Shaq is famous for his playful and, at times, provocative personality. In this rollicking new autobiography, he discusses his remarkable journey, from growing up in difficult circumstances and getting cut from his high school basketball team to his larger-than-life basketball career, including his candid thoughts on teammates and coaches like Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley. “O’Neal offers an entertaining, if undeniably self-serving chronicle of his unique career.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Then Again by Diane Keaton (11/15/2011) — More than just the autobiography of a legendary actress, Keaton’s book is about a very American family with very American dreams. To write about herself, Diane realized she had to write about her mother, too, and how their bond came to define both their lives.

• Time Steve Jobs: The Genius Who Changed Our World by the editors of Time Magazine (11/15/2011) — The man who revolutionized personal technology is celebrated by the writers and editors of Time magazine in a beautifully illustrated look back on his life and legacies. With new pieces by renowned Time writers Lev Grossman, Richard Corliss, Harry McCracken and James Poniewozik.

• Vultures’ Picnic: In Pursuit of Petroleum Pigs, Power Pirates, and High-Finance Carnivores by Greg Palast (11/14/2011) — The New York Times bestselling author of Armed Madhouse offers a globetrotting, Sam Spade-style investigation that blows the lid off the oil industry, the banking industry, and the governmental agencies that aren’t regulating either. “Expect heavy-duty investigative journalism…as well as a Sam Spade-style narrative of journalistic derring-do.” — Library Journal

• Who’s in Charge?: Free Will and the Science of the Brain by Michael S. Gazzaniga (11/15/2011) — The father of cognitive neuroscience offers a provocative argument against the common belief that our lives are wholly determined by physical processes and we are therefore not responsible for our actions. “A fascinating affirmation of our essential humanity.” — Kirkus Reviews

Welcome to the Monday Morning Book Buzz. Every week we take a look at some notable new books being released in the coming days.

If you would like to subscribe to the CA Library Blog, click the Entries (RSS) button at the top of the menu on the right and add the link to your favorite news aggregator. You can also follow us on Facebook by visiting http://www.facebook.com/calibrary and hitting the ‘Like’ button.

This week’s releases are listed by category: Young Adult Fiction, General Fiction and Nonfiction. On-sale dates are indicated in parentheses.

Notable New Releases for the week of October 31st:

Young Adult Fiction

• Crossed (Matched Trilogy Series #2) by Ally Condie (11/1/2011) — The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy! In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky – taken by the Society to his certain death – only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. “Both rich and easy to digest, this will leave fans hungry for the third book.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts (11/1/2011) — Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies. “Well-balanced, realistic suspense.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul by Leanna Renee Hieber (11/1/2011) — The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In New York City in 1882, seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart’s latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing…. “A good romp for those who enjoy the genre, with some effective suspense.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Last Breath (Morganville Vampires Series #11) by Rachel Caine (11/1/2011) — With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town — a mysterious individual named Magnus. Is he a vampire — or something else entirely? “A gripping, original take on vampires.” — Kirkus Reviews

• The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles Series #1) by John Flanagan (11/1/2011) — In this new series from the author of the international phenomenon Ranger’s Apprentice, Hal and Stig are Outcasts — the boys the others want no part of. Skandians are known for their size and strength, but not these boys. That doesn’t mean they don’t have skills. And courage – which they will need every ounce of to do battle at sea against the other bands, the Wolves and the Sharks, in the ultimate race. “This enjoyable, old-fashioned tale should have easy appeal for Flanagan’s many fans, who are already invested in the world he’s created.” — Publishers Weekly

• Playground by 50 Cent (11/1/2011) — Thirteen-year-old Butterball doesn’t have much going for him. He’s teased mercilessly about his weight. He hates the Long Island suburb his mom moved them to and wishes he still lived with his dad in the city. And now he’s stuck talking to a totally out-of-touch therapist named Liz, who’s trying  to uncover what happened that day on the playground – a day that landed one kid in the hospital and Butterball in detention. “50 Cents’s debut young adult novel is a quick read that will be great for discussions on a variety of important and timely topics.” — Nicola McDonald

• Tiger’s Voyage (Tiger’s Curse Series #3) by Colleen Houck (11/1/2011) — The third book in the gripping Tiger’s Curse series! With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections–leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.

General Fiction

• Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah (11/1/2011) — Joy Candellaro once loved Christmas more than any other time of the year. Now, recently divorced and alone, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When an unexpected detour takes her deep into the woods of the Olympic rainforest, Joy makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind—to just walk away—and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined. “This tale of magic, love, and fantasy will appeal to Hannah’s many fans.” — Library Journal

• The Guardian (Dark-Hunter Series #22) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (11/1/2011) — Dream-Hunter Lydia has been charged with the most sacred and dangerous of missions: To descend into the Nether Realm and find the missing god of dreams before he betrays the secrets that could kill her and her kind. What she never expects is to be taken prisoner by the Realm’s most vicious guardian.

• Hotel Vendome by Danielle Steel (11/1/2011) — Steel’s dazzling new novel invites readers into the ultra-glamorous world of a five-star New York hotel, and brings to vivid life the man who builds it as his dream, the girl who grows up in its loving embrace, and the colorful guests and staff who make its magic complete. “A novel that will appeal to the most dedicated of Steel’s fans.” — Kirkus Reviews

• I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (Flavia de Luce Series #4) by Alan Bradley (11/1/2011) — It’s Christmastime, and the precocious Flavia de Luce—an eleven-year-old sleuth with a passion for chemistry and a penchant for crime-solving—is tucked away in her laboratory, whipping up a concoction to ensnare Saint Nick. But she is soon distracted when a film crew arrives at Buckshaw, the de Luces’ decaying English estate, to shoot a movie starring the famed Phyllis Wyvern.

• Lost December by Richard Paul Evans (11/1/2011) — “The parable of the Prodigal Son reworked as a parable for Corporate America.” — Kirkus Reviews

• The Next Always by Nora Roberts (11/1/2011) — The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother.

• Out of Oz (Wicked Years Series #4) by Gregory Maguire (11/1/2011) — The stunning conclusion to the smash New York Times bestselling series the Wicked Years. Once peaceful and prosperous, the spectacular Land of Oz is knotted with social unrest: The Emerald City is mounting an invasion of Munchkinland, Glinda is under house arrest, and the Cowardly Lion is on the run from the law. And look who’s knocking at the door. It’s none other than Dorothy. Yes. That Dorothy. “The language and imagery are rich, and the sense of love, loss, and regret palpable. For fans, this will be a revealing and satisfying end to the layered tale begun in Wicked.” — Publishers Weekly

• Prince of Ravenscar by Catherine Coulter (11/1/2011) — The #1 New York Times-bestselling author brings a daring and witty new historical romance to life, with a sparkling cast of engaging, multifaceted characters. Nicholas Monroe, widowed “Prince of Ravenscar,” is feeling pressure from his family to remarry. But the mysterious death of his first wife, Lily, still hangs over his head. “Coulter generates laughs as well as chills, as she shifts between depicting the passion of love and the consequences of hate.” — Publishers Weekly

• The Walking Dead, Volume 7 by Charlie Adlard (Artist) (10/31/2011) — Rick and his group learn the dangers of living behind the safety of the Community walls, and much worse: what happens when those walls give way to those outside.

• Zero Day by David Baldacci (10/31/2011) — John Puller is a combat veteran and the best military investigator in the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigative Division. Now, he is called out on a case in a remote, rural area in West Virginia coal country far from any military outpost. Someone has stumbled onto a brutal crime scene, and the  local homicide detective, a headstrong woman with personal demons of her own, joins forces with Puller in the investigation. As Puller digs through deception after deception, he realizes that absolutely nothing he’s seen in this small town, and no one in it, are what they seem.

Nonfiction

• Baking with the Cake Boss: 100 of Buddy’s Best Recipes and Decorating Secrets by Buddy Valastro (11/1/2011) — An education in the art of baking and decorating, from kneading to rolling, fondant to flowers, taught by Buddy Valastro himself, the star of TLC’s smash hit Cake Boss. “Approachable enough for the novice, but challenging enough for the experienced home baker, Valastro’s collection is a terrific and accessible resource that budding bakers can grow with.” — Publishers Weekly

• Blue Nights by Joan Didion (11/1/2011) — From one of our most powerful writers, a work of stunning frankness about losing a daughter. Richly textured with bits of her own childhood and married life with her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and daughter, Quintana Roo, this new book by Joan Didion examines her thoughts, fears, and doubts regarding having children, illness, and growing old. “Didion continually demonstrates her keen survival instincts, and her writing is, as ever, truculent and mesmerizing, scrutinizing herself as mercilessly as she stares down death.” — Publishers Weekly

• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling (11/1/2011) — Kaling invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls.

• Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero by Chris Matthews (11/1/2011) — Matthews’s extraordinary biography is based on personal interviews with those closest to JFK, oral histories by top political aide Kenneth O’Donnell and others, documents from his years as a student at Choate, and notes from Jacqueline Kennedy’s first interview after Dallas. “Readers wanting a lively overview of Kennedy, the flawed man and inspiring leader, should turn to this poignant study.” — Library Journal

• No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington by Condoleezza Rice (11/1/2011) — From one of the world’s most admired women, this is former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Rice’s compelling story of eight years serving at the highest levels of government. “In many ways, this is the first serious memoir of the Bush presidency…it is a comprehensive look at the foreign policy strategy carved out by the president and his aides, but without the usual score-setting typical of such tomes.” — Glenn Kessler, The Washington Post

• No Regrets by Ace Frehley (11/1/2011) — He was just a boy from the Bronx with stars in his eyes. But when he picked up his guitar and painted stars on his face, Ace Frehley transformed into “The Spaceman”—and helped turn KISS into one of the top-selling bands in the world. Now, for the first time, the beloved rock icon reveals his side of the story with no-holds-barred honesty.

• Truth and Consequences: Life Inside the Madoff Family by Laurie Sandell (10/31/2011) — In December 2008, the world watched as master financier Bernard L. Madoff was taken away from his posh Manhattan apartment in handcuffs, accused of swindling thousands of innocent victims out of billions of dollars. The people closest to him, the public reasoned, must have known the truth behind his astounding success. With unprecedented access to the surviving family members — wife Ruth, son Andrew and his fiancée Catherine Hooper — journalist Laurie Sandell reveals the personal details behind the headlines.

• When I Fell From the Sky by Juliane Diller (Koepcke) (11/1/2011) — She was 17-years-old on a flight to join her father for Christmas when the unimaginable happened. In the middle of a thunderstorm over Peru, a lightning strike left the plane incinerated and Juliane still strapped to her plane seat falling through the night air two miles above the Earth. Her survival is unexplainable and considered a modern day miracle. For eleven days she crawls and walks alone through the jungle, fighting for her survival again with hunger and despair her only companions. Juliane ultimately survives and goes on to live an inspiring life as a scientist continually drawn back to the terrain that threatened to take her life.

 

Welcome to the Monday Morning Book Buzz. Every week we take a look at some notable new books being released in the coming days.

If you would like to subscribe to the CA Library Blog, click the Entries (RSS) button at the top of the menu on the right and add the link to your favorite news aggregator. You can also follow us on Facebook by visiting http://www.facebook.com/calibrary and hitting the ‘Like’ button.

This week’s releases are listed by category: Young Adult Fiction, General Fiction and Nonfiction. On-sale dates are indicated in parentheses.

Notable New Releases for the week of October 24th:

Young Adult Fiction

• Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber (10/25/2011) — It’s prom night—and Perry just wants to stick to his own plan and finally play a much anticipated gig with his band in the Big Apple. But when his mother makes him take Gobija Zaksauskas—their quiet, geeky Lithuanian exchange student—to the prom, he never expects that his ordinary high school guy life will soon turn on its head. Perry finds that Gobi is on a mission, and Perry has no other choice but to go along for a reckless ride through Manhattan’s concrete grid with a trained assassin in Dad’s red Jag. “Plain and simple, it’s a blast. A couple of them, actually.” — Publishers Weekly

• The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: Fourteen Amazing Authors Tell the Tales by Chris Van Allsburg (10/25/2011) — An inspired collection of short stories by an all-star cast of best-selling storytellers based on the thought-provoking illustrations in Chris Van Allsburg’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. “Stories of zombies and vampires may be the obvious choice for a Halloween read, but the 14 surreal tales in this book offer a far more subtle and nape-tingling experience…All these tales are a pleasure to ponder.” — The Washington Post

• Desert Angel by Charlie Price (10/25/2011) — Fourteen-year-old Angel wakes up one morning at her desert trailer home to discover her mother has been murdered by a lowlife named Scotty, who has vanished. Angel has no water, no weapon, but she knows that Scotty, an expert tracker and hunter, will surface soon in order to eliminate her as a witness. She has to run, to disappear, if she is to survive and tell the world what happened. “[Angel] realizes that a new life can rise up out of an old life and that hope is present and can prevail…If suspense is your bag, this is a book to read.” — VOYA

• Destined (House of Night Series #9) by Kristin Cast and P.C. Cast (10/25/2011) — The House of Night series is an international phenomenon, reaching #1 on bestseller lists worldwide, and remaining a fixture on the New York Times Children’s Series bestseller list for an amazing 116 weeks and counting. In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa’s House of Night.

• The Giver (Illustrated Gift Edition) by Lois Lowry, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (10/25/2011) — A new, illustrated edition of Lowry’s ground-breaking dystopian novel (winner of the 1994 Newbery Medal). Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.

• The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (10/25/2011) — Book 4 in the Iron Fey series. Ash is about to learn something that will change everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

• Mastiff (Beka Cooper Series #3) by Tamora Pierce (10/25/2011) — The Legend of Beka Cooper gives Tamora Pierce’s fans exactly what they want—a smart and savvy heroine making a name for herself on the mean streets of Tortall’s Lower City—while offering plenty of appeal for new readers as well. “An involving police procedural wrapped in fantasy clothing, this novel provides both crackerjack storytelling and an endearingly complex protagonist.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Phantom (The Vampire Diaries Series: The Hunters) by L. J. Smith (10/25/2011) — A new series by the creator of the popular Vampire Diaries series (now a television series). Since meeting vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore, Elena Gilbert has been to hell and back. Now that she and her friends have saved their hometown from a demonic spirit, everything can finally go back to normal. But Elena should know better than anyone that Fell’s Church will never be normal.

General Fiction

• 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (10/25/2011) — In Tokyo in 1984, a young woman named Aomame follows a taxi driver’s enigmatic suggestion and begins to notice puzzling discrepancies in the world around her. She has entered, she realizes, a parallel existence, which she calls 1Q84 —“Q is for ‘question mark.’ A world that bears a question.” “Orwellian dystopia, sci-fi, the modern world (terrorism, drugs, apathy, pop novels)—all blend in this dreamlike, strange and wholly unforgettable epic.” — Kirkus Reviews

• A Christmas Homecoming by Anne Perry (10/25/2011) — Perry’s ninth Christmas novel keeps readers poised on a razor’s edge of suspense, hypnotized by a story in which the heartwarming power of goodness is challenged by the seductive power of inner darkness.

• The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere (10/25/2011) — From author of The Christmas Hope series, which has enthralled millions of readers, comes a new inspirational novel about an unlikely friendship between two women — one that will change each of their lives forever.

• City of Whispers by Marcia Muller (10/26/2011) — Private eye Sharon McCone receives an e-mail asking for help from her emotionally disturbed half brother Darcy Blackhawk. She replies…but gets no response. As Sharon digs deeper, she discovers that Darcy sent his message from an Internet café in San Francisco, a city he’s never been to before. “Alternating chapters narrated by different characters add to the suspense of the intricate plot, which propels readers…to a harrowing, haunting denouement.” — Publishers Weekly

• The Hollows Insider: New Fiction, Facts, Maps, Murders, and More in the World of Rachel Morgan by Kim Harrison (10/25/2011) — New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison has won legions of fans with her supernatural novels featuring bounty-hunting witch Rachel Morgan. The Hollows Insider is a unique look inside the Hollows series that no fan should miss.

• The Litigators by John Grisham (10/25/2011) — Law partners Oscar Finley and Wally Figg are content with trying low-profile cases — mostly divorces and DUIs — until a new partner encourages them to get involved in a big case, a class action lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company. “If you’re a Grisham apostate, now might be the time to get reacquainted.” — The Washington Post

• The Night Eternal (Strain Trilogy #3) by Guillermo del Toro (10/25/2011) — It’s been two years since the vampiric virus was unleashed in The Strain and the entire world now lies on the brink of annihilation. Humankind’s only hope for salvation is Dr. Ephraim Goodweather—head of the Centers for Disease Control’s team—and his ragtag band of freedom fighters. But who will pay the ultimate sacrifice—so that others may be saved?

• The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck (10/25/2011) — Rachel Price has just one happy memory from her childhood: the moment her father took her hands while playing outside on a cold, snowy day and called her his angel. Years later, Rachel’s daughter is the only light in what has become a dark life. Consumed by an abusive marriage, but secure in the safety of the familiar, she is too afraid to escape. Then an unexpected phone call from an old friend changes everything. “Beck’s novel The Christmas Sweater topped holiday bestseller lists from coast-to-coast…his new yuletide story is an equally touching tale of family, recovery, and forgiveness.” — Barnes & Noble

Nonfiction

• 100 Unforgettable Dresses by Hal Rubenstein (10/25/2011) — Rubenstein, the fashion director of InStyle and one of its founding editors, shares stories, secrets, intrigue, and insights behind the most indelible dresses in our collective memories, celebrating the staying power of these creations as well as the lasting impact they’ve had in fashion, popular culture, and our own lives.

• Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey by Bob McCabe (10/25/2011) — Developed in collaboration with the creative team behind the celebrated Harry Potter film series, this deluxe, 500-plus page compendium features exclusive stories from the cast and crew, hundreds of never-before-seen photographs and concept illustrations sourced from the closed film sets, and rare memorabilia.

• A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor (10/27/2011) — In this original and thought-provoking book, MacGregor, director of the British Museum, has selected one hundred man-made artifacts, each of which gives us an intimate glimpse of an unexpected turning point in human civilization. Based on the celebrated BBC Radio series. “This beautifully illustrated book demonstrates how much we can learn about past societies from the things they have left behind.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag Montefiore (10/25/2011) — From King David to Barack Obama, from the birth of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to the Israel-Palestine conflict, this is the epic history of three thousand years of faith, slaughter, fanaticism and coexistence. “Montefiore delivers Jerusalem’s unfolding story as epic panorama and nuanced documentary history, suitable for general and scholarly audiences.” — Publishers Weekly

• Lidia’s Italy in America by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich (10/25/2011) — After taking us on journeys into her own kitchen and into kitchens across Italy, Bastianich invites us on a road trip into the heart of Italian American cooking today. “This substantial collection furthers Bastianich’s tradition of bringing Italian culture to American tables by way of mouthwateringly hearty cuisine.” — Kirkus Reviews

• Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations by Martha Stewart (10/25/2011) — Stewart welcomes you into her world, where she entertains in the expressive and beautiful style that she has made so famous. Whether a simple blueberry breakfast on a Sunday morning in Maine or a more lavish holiday dinner at Bedford, each of the gatherings is equally memorable.

• Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz (10/25/2011) — Plotted in secret, launched in the dark, John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry was a pivotal moment in U.S. history. But few Americans know the true story of the men and women who launched a desperate strike at the slaveholding South. Bestselling author Horwitz portrays Brown’s uprising in vivid color, revealing a country on the brink of explosive conflict. “By recalling the drama that fired the imagination and fears of Brown’s time, Midnight Rising calls readers to account for complacency about social injustices today.” — Library Journal

• Pauline Kael: A Life in the Dark by Brian Kellow (10/27/2011) — The first biography of The New Yorker‘s influential, powerful, and controversial film critic. “In his fluent, immensely readable study, Kellow fairly represents Kael’s tendency to hyperbole as well as hurtful ad hominem.” — Publishers Weekly

• Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson (10/24/2011) — Based on more than forty interviews with Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with over a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.

• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (10/25/2011) — Kahneman (Eugene Higgins Professor of Psychology Emeritus at Princeton University) takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. Kahneman exposes the extraordinary capabilities—and also the faults and biases—of fast thinking, and reveals the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on our thoughts and behavior. “a lucid, marvelously readable guide to spotting—and correcting—our biased misunderstandings of the world.” — Publishers Weekly

• Three and Out: Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines in the Crucible of College Football by John U. Bacon (10/25/2011) — The story of how college football’s most influential coach took over the nation’s most successful program, only to produce three of the worst seasons in the histories of the University of Michigan.