The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Weller Public Library, Waitsburg

“The Martian,” by Andy Weir (Science Fiction): Astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars but after he’s nearly killed in a dust storm and his crew evacuates and leaves him for dead, he may be the first to die there as well. Stranded alone on Mars with a limited food supply and no way to signal Earth, Mark uses ingenuity, his engineering skills, and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit, as he confronts one obstacle after another.

“Rogue Lawyer” by John Grisham (Fiction): Sebastian Rudd is not your typical street lawyer. He works out of a bulletproof van and defends people other lawyers won’t go near: a drug-addled, tattooed kid rumored to be in a satanic cult, a vicious crime lord on death row, and a homeowner arrested for shooting at a SWAT team that mistakenly invaded his house. Sebastian believes everyone has the right to a fair trial even if he has to cheat to secure one. Sebastian Rudd is one of John Grisham’s most colorful, outrageous, and vividly drawn characters yet. “Rogue Lawyer” is gritty and witty, showcasing the master of the legal thriller at his best.

“See Me,” by Nicholas Sparks (Fiction): Bestselling romance storyteller Nicholas Sparks’ “See Me” is a love story with elements of suspense that make it a thriller as well. Rich in emotion and fueled with suspense, the novel reminds us that love is sometimes forged in the crises that threaten to shatter us . . . and that those who see us for who we truly are may not always be the ones easiest to recognize.

Dayton Memorial Library, Dayton

“Bats of the Republic,” by Zachary Thomas Dodson (Science Fiction): An illuminated novel of adventure, featuring hand-drawn maps and natural history illustrations, subversive pamphlets and science fiction diagrams, and even a nineteenth-century novel-within-a-novel. Dodson’s literary debut combines elements of a Wild West adventure with aspects of a dystopian sci-fi thriller. Dodson’s complex, evocative tale gradually reveals a mythos surrounding love, adventure, and the natural world.

“Why Not me?” by Mindy Kaling (Biography): The creator and star of The Mindy Project pens a collection of essays that are as hilarious and insightful as they are deeply personal. Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it’s falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.

“Don’t Ever Change,” by M. Beth Bloom (Young Adult Fiction): “Don’t Ever Change” is a witty, snarky, and thought-provoking coming-of-age novel about a teen who sets out to write better fiction and, ultimately, discovers the truth about herself.

“Circus Mirandus,” by Cassie Beasley (Junior Fiction): Ten-year-old Micah Tuttle has spent his entire life hearing his grandpa’s magical tales of Circus Mirandus. When his grandfather becomes ill, Micah learns the stories were true and that the circus illusionist Lightbender promised a miracle, which Micah now intends to collect. “Circus Mirnadus” shows that magic and miracles don’t always look as we imagine. Fans of Roald Dahl will enjoy this fantastical and magical read.

Prescott Library, Prescott

“Corrupted,” by Lisa Scottoline (Thriller): Thirteen years ago, lawyer Bennie Rosato took on Jason Lefkavick, a twelve-year-old boy who was sent to a juvenile detention center after fighting a class bully. Bennie couldn’t free Jason, and to this day it’s the case that haunts her. Jason has grown up in and out of juvenile prison, and his adulthood hasn’t been any easier. Bennie no longer represents those accused of murder, but when Jason is indicted for killing the same bully he fought with as a kid, she sees no choice but to represent him. She doesn’t know whether or not to believe his claims of innocence, but she knows she owes him for past failures-of the law, of the juvenile justice system, and of herself.

“A Banquet of Consequences,” by Elizabeth George (Mystery): The #1 New York Times bestselling author’s award-winning series returns with another stunning crime drama featuring Scotland Yard members Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. Full of shocks, intensity, and suspense from the first page to the last, “A Banquet of Consequences” reveals both Lynley and Havers under mounting pressure to solve a case both complicated and deeply disturbing.

“The Unwanteds: Island of Graves,” by Lisa McMann (Youth Fiction): On the brink of war, the fates of both Artimé and Quill are at stake in book six of the bestselling Unwanteds series. In Artimé, Alex chooses his people over his brother and abandons his search for Aaron. The Artimeans need his focus now more than ever as they face the terrifying power of a new enemy who has taken control of Quill—the evil Gondoleery Rattrapp.

“Edmond, The Moonlit Party,” by Astrid Desbordes (Children’s Fiction): Awash with rich color and the funniest, liveliest details ever, “Edmond, the Moonlit Party” is thoughtful and thought provoking as well as just plain fun! Each page deepens the story while providing a rich serving of visual pleasure!