Escapism
For the mom who loves to get lost in a story… and maybe lose a little sleep over it.
Detective John Bowie is one misstep away from being fired from the Auclair Police Department in coastal Louisiana. Recently divorced and slightly heavy-handed with his liquor, Bowie does all that he can to cope with the actions taken (or not taken) during the investigation of Crissy Mellin, a teenage girl who disappeared more than three years prior. But now, Crisis Point, a long-running true crime television series, is soon to air an episode documenting the unsolved Mellin case. Bowie has been instructed by his unscrupulous boss to keep to his grievances and criticisms over the mishandling of the investigation to himself.
Beth Collins, a senior producer on Crisis Point, knows what classifies as a great story and when there’s something more to be told. After working on the show for seven years, Collins is convinced that Crissy Mellin’s disappearance was not an isolated incident. A string of disappearances of teenage girls in nearby areas have only one thing in common: They took place on the night of a blood moon. In a last-ditch effort to find out the truth, Beth enlists Detective Bowie to help her figure out what happened to Crissy and find the true culprit before he acts on the next blood moon—in four days’ time.
With their jobs and their lives at risk, Bowie and Collins band together to identify and capture a perpetrator, while fighting an irresistible spark between them that threatens to upend everything.
Fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters is up to no good, but for a very good reason. Without parents, peerage, or merit, he steals what he needs, living day-to-day until he’s old enough to enlist to fight the Germans. After barely surviving the Blitz, Charlie knows there’s no telling when a falling bomb might end his life. Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield has just returned to a nearly unrecognizable London. One of millions of children to have been evacuated to the countryside Molly has been away from her home for nearly five years. Her return, however, is not the homecoming she’d hoped for as she’s confronted by a devastating reality: neither of her parents are there. Without guardians and stability, Charlie and Molly find an unexpected ally and protector in Ignatius Oliver, and solace at his bookshop, The Book Keep. Mourning the recent loss of his wife, Ignatius forms a kinship with both children, and in each other they rediscover the spirit of family each has lost. But Charlie’s escapades in the city have not gone unnoticed, and someone’s been following Molly since she returned to London. And Ignatius is harboring his own secrets, which could have terrible consequences for all of them.
As bombs continue to bear down on the city, Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius learn that while the perils of war rage on, their coming together and trusting one another may be the only way for them to survive.
From the author of Sweetgirl, an atmospheric, haunting novel about a family of bootleggers, their troubled history, and the land that binds them.
The Sawbrooks have lived on prime real estate on the lakes of Michigan since before there was prime real estate. A family of smugglers and bootleggers, every man, woman, and child in each generation has been taught to navigate the nooks and crannies of the rivers and highways that flow in and out of Canada. The hidden routes are the family’s legacy. But today, the Sawbrooks are deeply fractured, and the money that’s sustained the family is running out.
Edward, the Sawbrook patriarch, is dying from cancer, and his wife, Rhoda, is bitterly disappointed in her three adult children. The eldest daughter, Lucy, is now a park ranger, working to federally protect the land against her mother’s will; the middle son, Buckner, hasn’t been the same since he came back from the army suffering from alcoholism; and the youngest daughter, Jewell, is wasting her potential as a card player and bartender.
When Jewell is asked to commit a crime for a major insurance payout, she agrees, eager for the cash, but too late, she realizes that that the boat she torched wasn’t empty…
Together, the Sawbrooks will have to contend with the old familial ways and the new, shifting world, and face each other—and their pain-filled past—to smuggle one more thing out of their land to safety.
“Our June Reese’s Book Club pick is the perfect summer read!!! The Unwedding by Ally Condie opens with a wedding at a gorgeous resort in Big Sur… but everything begins to fall apart when the main character Ellery discovers a dead body the morning of the ceremony.”
– Reese Witherspoon
The White Lotus meets Agatha Christie in this bold novel from a #1 New York Times bestselling author, “a knife’s-edge whodunit that’s as much a thriller as it is an exquisite meditation on grief and loss.” (Nicola Yoon)
Ellery Wainwright is alone at the edge of the world.
She and her husband, Luke, were supposed to spend their twentieth wedding anniversary together at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California. Where better to celebrate a marriage, a family, and a life together than at one of the most stunning places on earth?
But now she’s traveling solo.
To add insult to injury, there’s a wedding at Broken Point scheduled during her stay. Ellery remembers how it felt to be on the cusp of everything new and wonderful, with a loved and certain future glimmering just ahead. Now, she isn’t certain of anything except for her love for her kids and her growing realization that this place, though beautiful, is unsettling.
When Ellery discovers the body of the groom floating in the pool in the rain, she realizes that she is not the only one whose future is no longer guaranteed. Before the police can reach Broken Point, a mudslide takes out the road to the resort, leaving the guests trapped. When another guest dies, it’s clear something horrible is brewing.
Everyone at Broken Point has a secret. And everyone has a shadow. Including Ellery.
New Mom
There’s no manual for motherhood— but these books come close.
Melissa Wirt recounts her journey and dozens of others in building a supportive “village” to transform oppressive, solitary motherhood into a connected—even joyful—endeavor.
Melissa Wirt thought she had everything—she’d built her own company and moved to a beautiful farm with her family. Then during a personal crisis, she realized that despite having created an online community reaching thousands of moms, she’d also somehow, become utterly isolated.
In I Was Told There’d Be a Village, Melissa leads us through the small changes she made to seek out connection. She also recounts how she talked to mothers from across the country, and soon saw that the beliefs keeping each of us parenting solo – I don’t have time; my life is too messy – were also keeping us from accessing our most powerful resource: each other. The stories she uncovered, combined with her own, became a foundation for slowly building back community.
That journey starts with an intentional shift from an isolation mindset to a village mindset. It might be as simple as smiling at the mom next to you at story-time or sending a quick text to a friend. But it can be much bigger, eventually growing into a thriving, supportive community. Motherhood shouldn’t be this hard, and it doesn’t have to be. Here, at last, is a roadmap for finding your village.
Over the past century and a half, we have tried to manipulate baby sleep to fit with the rapidly changing nature of adult lives. The mismatch we have created with our babies’ biology is framed as ‘baby sleep problems’, and infants are often ‘treated’ using behavioural and clinical interventions. But it is not baby sleep that needs fixing—only our understanding of it.
In How Babies Sleep, Helen Ball brings together cutting-edge science, anthropological insight, and practical advice to provide parents with everything they need to help them confidently—and sanely—navigate the first 365 night-times with a new baby. It will teach you how to harmonise your needs with those of your infant, and empower you to reject approaches that make you uncomfortable. Feel confident in a strategy that works for you and your family!
Raising kids in America is difficult—no federally supported parental leave, a lack of mental health support, a crushing combination of workplace pressure and aspirational parental perfection, and the fresh hell that is the playgroup Facebook page. But what if there was another way? Parenting—and specifically motherhood—looks wildly different across nations. Please Yell at My Kids is an around the world journey and a practical guide to rethinking parenting. What can we learn from Brazilian birth parties, Singaporean grandparents, and Danish babies sleeping soundly outside of coffee shops? And how can that be integrated into the lives of American readers? Journalist Marina Lopes travels around the globe, interviewing parents and caregivers to provide practical, actionable ways to change the way we view parenting in the United States.
At the heart of many global approaches to parenting lies one simple, and not so simple thing: community. In America, parenting is, at best, a dual mission. But globally, parenthood is more often a team sport. From guiding caregivers through how to define their own non-negotiable values, to navigating tricky conversations with their in-laws, Please Yell at My Kids provides readers with the tools to build a community of care in their own lives and find a newfound joy in parenting.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn provides the comprehensive guidance you need to make informed decisions about having a safe and satisfying pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period–decisions that reflect your preferences, priorities, and values. This sixth edition includes:
-CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19
-Updated dietary guides and breastfeeding and surrogacy information
-Birth plans including doulas and caesarians when necessary
-Tips on how to reduce stress
-And so much more
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn is inclusive, reflecting today’s various family configurations such as single-parent families, blended families formed by second marriages, families with gay and lesbian parents, and families formed by open adoption or surrogacy. This pregnancy guide speaks to today’s parents-to-be like no other.
Love Story
Heartfelt, swoony, and impossible to resist — just like her favorite love stories.
A New York Times Best Romance Book of 2024
A 2024 NPR Book We Love
A Library Journal Best Romance Book of 2024
A BookPage Best Romance Book of 2024
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2024
A 2024 Women’s National Book Association Great Group Read
Leap years are a strange, enchanted time. And for some, even a single February can be life-changing.
Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn’t one of them. As the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, she’s the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. Where they’re long-stemmed roses, she’s a dandelion: an adorable bloom that’s actually a weed, born to float wherever the wind blows. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a different, more exciting life awaits her.
When regal nonagenarian, Ms. Della, invites her to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance for a fresh beginning. She leaves behind her family, wealth, and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. And just beneath the surface of her new neighborhood, the music, stories and dazzling drama of the Harlem Renaissance still simmers.
One evening in February as the heady, curiously off-season scent of night-blooming jasmine fills the air, Ricki encounters a handsome, deeply mysterious stranger who knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way.
Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunity of New York, and whose lives are uniquely and irreversibly linked.
Includes a Reading Group Guide.
Colton Gentry is riding high. His first hit in nearly a decade has caught fire, he’s opening for country megastar Brant Lucas, and he’s married to one of the hottest acts in the country. But he’s hurting. Only a few weeks earlier, his best friend, Duane, was murdered onstage by a mass shooter at a country music festival. One night, with his trauma festering and Jim Beam flowing through his veins, Colton stands before a sold-out arena crowd of country music fans and offers his unfiltered opinion on guns. It goes over poorly.
Immediately, his career and marriage implode. Left with few choices or funds, he retreats to his rural Kentucky hometown. He’s resigned himself to has-been-dom, until a chance encounter at his town’s new farm-to-table restaurant gives him a second shot at life: a job working in the kitchen with Luann, his first love, who has undergone her own reinvention. Told through perspectives alternating between his senior year of high school, his time coming up with Duane as hungry musicians in Nashville, and the present, COLTON GENTRY’S THIRD ACT is a story of coming home, undoing past heartbreaks, and navigating grief, and is a reminder that there are next acts in life, no matter how unlikely they may seem.
Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life—boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies—he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door.
Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him . . . and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn’t help. Despite himself, Travis can’t stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen.
Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage, and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heart-wrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?
Publishers Weekly Best Romance Book of 2023 · Chicago Public Library Best Romance of 2023 · A “Sarah’s BookShelves” Best Debut of 2023 · Go On Girl Book Club pick
“Love would be so much easier if it were perfect…”
On the night of her husband Matt’s fortieth birthday, Rachel Abbott receives a sexy, explicit text from her husband that she quickly realizes was meant for another woman. Divorce is inevitable, and Rachel is determined not to leave her thirteen-year marriage empty handed. Meanwhile, Matt, a rising star mayor with his eye on the White House, can’t afford a messy split in the middle of his reelection campaign. They strike a deal: Rachel gets one million dollars and their lavish house in the wealthy DC suburb of Oasis Springs, as long as she keeps playing the ideal Black trophy wife until the election.
Then Rachel meets Nathan Vasquez, a very handsome, very lost twenty-six-year-old artist, and their connection makes Rachel forget about being the perfect politician’s wife. As Rachel reawakens Nathan’s long-dormant artistic aspirations, their attraction becomes impossible to resist. But secrets are hard to keep in a town like Oasis Springs, and Nathan has a few of his own. With the risk of scandal looming and their hearts on the line, they’ll have to decide whether the possibility of losing everything is worth taking a chance on love.
The Art of Scandal is a sizzling, conversation-starting debut about rekindling passion, the transformative power of art, and finding love in unexpected places.
Includes a Reading Group Guide.
Advice
For the mom who’s always learning, growing, and looking for a little extra wisdom.
Being Gentle is about being grounded in self-compassion and a fierce commitment to less—becoming the Gentle You isn’t about taking the easy road. Organized into three parts—Rest, Less, and Rise—Courtney Carver’s Gentle provides simple challenges and practices that will help readers radically and gently shift their pace, headspace, and heart.
Becoming the Gentle You is a practice of real self-care that, over time, will soothe your nervous system and strengthen your relationships.
Gentle is the “don’t do it all” self-help book that promotes less stress and more joy by standing in your light and honoring the person you are.
EXPERT-DRIVEN, GIRLFRIEND-APPROVED • The perimenopause and menopause manual that cuts through the chaos so you can take back control of your body, your confidence, and your life—from Emmy award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and social media powerhouse Tamsen Fadal.
If you’re ready to feel like yourself again, this book is “the talk” you never had.
Packed with actionable steps and evidence-based tools from a team of 42 experts including neuroscientists, menopause-certified physicians, sex and relationship therapists, sleep doctors, and a variety of lifestyle mentors, and synthesizing research, stories, and strategies in a way that only a journalist can, Tamsen Fadal helps you
- be your best advocate in a medical system not designed to treat women in midlife;
- understand the options that tame your symptoms, whether it’s hormone therapy, supplements, or lifestyle changes;
- implement science-backed strategies to get the best sleep of your life;
- be able to talk to your partner about sex, low libido, painful intercourse, or how your hormones might be impacting your relationship;
- embrace your style (hair, makeup, clothes) to match your changing body;
- learn simple workouts, skincare tips, and delicious recipes to deal with belly fat, dry skin, and hair loss (and don’t worry, it’s not all kale salads);
- navigate menopause in the workplace—and much, much more.
“How to Menopause is more than just advice—it provides a lifeline. Through her honesty, humor, research, and relentless commitment to women’s health, Tamsen Fadal has created a guide that is both practical and deeply personal. Whether you’re just beginning to experience perimenopause or well into this transition, these words will leave you feeling more confident, more informed, and most importantly—never alone.” —Lisa Mosconi, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of The Menopause Brain
“For all of those millions of women out there, struggling with learning how to deal with menopause, Tamsen Fadal has written the menopause Bible! Ladies you will see yourself reflected in page after page. You will no longer feel alone by being 100% seen. It’s also full of ways to begin managing this new glorious phase of life!” – Halle Berry
- Develop self-mastery—and let go of what you can’t control.
- Overcome anxiety—and build powerful mental habits.
- Remove mental blocks—and get out of your own way.
- Train your subconscious mind—and release limiting beliefs.
Real Talk
True stories, bold voices, and unforgettable women — for the mom who loves a good real-life read.
NEW YORK TIMES 100 NOTABLE BOOKS OF 2024 • A LA TIMES BESTSELLER AND BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH
TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 MUST-READ BOOKS OF 2024 • KIRKUS BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE YEAR
WASHINGTON POST 50 NOTABLE WORKS OF NONFICTION FOR 2024 • A PEOPLE BOOK PICK AND A BEST CELEBRITY MEMOIR OF 2024
A TOWN & COUNTRY BEST CELEBRITY MEMOIR OF 2024
“This delightful memoir is filled with Connie Chung’s trademark wit, sharp insights, and deep understanding of people. It’s a revealing account of what it’s like to be a woman breaking barriers in the world of TV news, filled with colorful tales of rivalry and triumph. But it also has a larger theme: how the line between serious reporting and tabloid journalism became blurred.” – Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author
In a sharp, witty, and frank memoir, iconic trailblazer and legendary journalist Connie Chung pulls no punches in detailing her storied career as the first Asian woman to break into an overwhelmingly white, male-dominated television news industry.
Doctor by day and Bravo’s Real Housewife by night, Tiffany Moon has a prescription for releasing perfectionism and finding joy! “A must-read for anyone seeking more balance, purpose, and joy at home and at work.”—Barbara Corcoran
As a self-proclaimed “good girl,” Tiffany was a people pleaser and an A-student, fitting into the roles that were prescribed by her Chinese American family. As a lifelong overachiever, she accomplished a thriving career as an anesthesiologist. Yet Tiffany felt unfulfilled. She spent more time at work than at home with her family, didn’t know how to say “no” to anyone, and was governed by perfectionist standards. In Joy Prescriptions, Tiffany shares her journey to reconnect with herself. In order to feel whole, she had to drop the perfectionist trope and focus on rediscovering who she was.
Tiffany abandoned other people’s expectations and ultimately discovered how to live for her true self. She put herself first and embraced more creativity and laughter. Taking surprising chances on herself, she started a candle business, starred on a reality TV series, tried her hand at stand-up comedy, and became a social media influencer.
Joy Prescriptions is a must-read if you want to add more spark and joy to your life. Tiffany offers a healthy dose of introspection and healing that will release you from the constrained expectations of others and inspire you to design a joyful life that is more authentically you!
“Tiffany’s hard-earned wisdom and heartfelt stories remind us that true wealth is all about creating a life that feels rich in every way.” —Vivian Tu, New York Times bestselling author of Rich AF
Mallory McMorrow was on the verge of giving up. She knew the work of legislating wouldn’t be easy, but she hadn’t been expecting an insidious culture of sexual harassment, armed protestors storming the state Capitol, or colleagues who had zero interest in reaching across the aisle to get anything meaningful done. Where could one even start? But then fate forced her hand. A Senate colleague called her out as a “groomer”—for standing up for LGBTQ+ kids and fighting against attempts to whitewash history in our schools.
In response, Mallory delivered a blistering rebuke with a speech from the Michigan Senate floor that reverberated throughout the country and the world, leading many long-jaded political pundits to hail Mallory’s action as a “blueprint” for fighting back. Here, Mallory pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to work in today’s politic arena, rife with conspiracy theories and division—yet emerges clear-eyed, offering actionable steps for building community and creating change.
Hate Won’t Win is a step-by-step guide for anyone who’s fed up with the divisiveness in American politics, and anyone who wants to make a real difference but has no idea where to start—a blueprint for creating the communities and country we want to see.
“Because she was my mother, the death of zaftig good-time gal Renay Corren is newsworthy to me, and I treat it with the same respect and reverence she had for, well, nothing. A more disrespectful, trash talking woman was not to be found.”
So began Andy Corren’s unforgettable obituary for his mother, Renay Mandel Corren, a tribute that went on to touch the hearts of millions around the globe. In his brief telling of the life and legend that was Renay, a “loud, filthy‑minded (and filthy‑mouthed) Jewish lady redneck who birthed six kids,” Andy captured only a slice of his loving and fabulously unconventional mother.
A story of love and forgiveness, as well as a celebration of a woman who was “great at dyeing her red roots, weekly manicures, filthy jokes, pier fishing, rolling joints and buying dirty magazines,” Dirtbag Queen is an entertaining and poignant portrayal of the complex and heartfelt humanity that unites us all—especially family.
“Gossip is the only cultural tradition I care about, and Kelsey McKinney has written its Bible” – Samantha Irby, #1 NYT bestselling author
From the host of the Normal Gossip podcast, a delightfully insightful exploration of our obsession with gossip that weaves together journalism, cultural criticism, and memoir.
As the pandemic forced us to socialize at a distance, Kelsey McKinney was mourning the juicy updates and jaw-dropping stories she’d typically collect over drinks with friends—and from her hunger, the blockbuster Normal Gossip podcast was born. With listenership in the millions, Kelsey found herself thinking more critically about gossip as a form, and wanting to better understand the role it plays in our culture.
In You Didn’t Hear This From Me, McKinney explores the murkiness of everyday storytelling. Why is gossip considered a sin, and how can we better recognize when it’s being weaponized? Why do we think we’re entitled to every detail of a celebrity’s personal life? And how do we define “gossip,” anyway? As much as the book aims to treat gossip as a subject worthy of rigor, it also hopes to capture the heart of gossiping: how enchanting and fun it can be to lean over and whisper something a little salacious into your friend’s ear.
With wit and honesty, McKinney unmasks what we’re actually searching for when we demand to know the truth—and how much the truth really matters in the first place.