Books for kids

“Mercy Watson Is Missing!” by Kate DiCamillo

In 2005, Kate DiCamillo spread bounteous toast and butter joy with the publication of the first book in the Mercy Watson series and now, 19 years later, it’s time to say goodbye. “Mercy Watson Is Missing!” is the final installment of the series and is just as charming and funny as the first. When Mrs. Watson realizes that their porcine, wonder is missing, all of her Deckawoo Drive fans and the feckless private investigator Percival Smidgely are on the case. Mercy, meanwhile, is having a frolic and following her butter-loving nose down Highway I-16. Shenanigans ensue, and all ends well as it should.

“Forever Friends,” by Susan Lubner

This first book in the new series Drag and Rex by Susan Lubner is like a warm hug even though our main characters are a dragon and a Tyrannosaurus Rex. While the drama is low, the sweetness of their friendship is off the charts and the humor is delightful. In the first story Rex is trying to decide what to have for breakfast but Drag poo-poos most of his options until they realize it’s actually time for lunch, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich sounds just about right. Beginning chapter book readers or any reader, for that matter, will be anxiously awaiting Drag and Rex’s next book.

Books for teens

“A Study in Drowning,” by Ava Reid

Effy Sayre, haunted by dreams of the Fairy King, clings tightly to her fairy tales. When she is given the opportunity redesign the estate of the late author of her favorite story, Effy knows this is her destiny. However, the estate and its current residents are not what Effy was expecting. Instead, she finds herself caught up in a dangerous mystery working against both dark forces both mortal and magical. A Study in Drowning is a gothic mystery, tender rivals-to-lovers romance, and Dark Academia historical fantasy. But it is also an exploration of trauma, of the dark side of academia, and of finding strength in yourself and your story. This is a book for the soft girls— the quiet ones who find their strength in small moments, not swords and shields.

Vikings series author detours onto “The Road to Malheur”

“Check & Mate,” by Ali Hazelwood

Mallory wants nothing more to do with chess — not since the game caused her family to implode four years ago. Now, instead of looking forward to college like her friends, she’s focused on taking care of her mom and younger sisters and working as a mechanic under the table to keep the bills paid. That is, until she volunteers to play one insignificant game of chess in a volunteer tournament and unknowingly beats the best player in the world, Nolan Sawyer. Mallory finds herself entangled in the world of professional chess, and while she’s grateful for the life-changing cash prizes, she is struggling to keep her family out of the spotlight and away from the game that destroyed them in the first place — and to keep her feelings for her strongest competition totally professional. Hazelwood’s YA debut is funny, heartfelt, and an absolute delight.

Books for adults

“City Under One Roof,” by Iris Yamashita

As soon as I read about the setting for this novel, I was intrigued. I had to look it up on maps and read about the history of the real-world inspiration for fictional Point Mettier, Alaska — the real Whittier, Alaska. The entire town lives in one building, built by the military in the 1950s. This debut novel by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Yamashita follows Anchorage detective Cara Kennedy as she tries to solve the mystery of a severed hand and foot found on a nearby beach. As you could imagine, in a town this small, full of people who have chosen to live in such isolation, answers are hard to come by.

“Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone,” by Benjamin Stevenson

Is it odd to say that a murder mystery is fun? Maybe. However, this fresh and original novel set at a family reunion at an Australian ski resort is surprisingly entertaining. The narrator, Ernie Cunningham admits at the beginning of the novel that he might not be a reliable narrator. Did he kill the stranger found murdered at the resort? Is it the work of a serial killer known as The Black Tongue? Has everyone in Ernie’s family really killed someone? Dive in to find out.