MYSTERY
Hummingbird Salamander
Jeff Vandermeer

Jane is a thoroughly unlikable security analyst who receives a key from a total stranger, with a cryptic note alluding to her secret past. Obsessed with the challenge and abandoning her present life, Jane follows a covert trail through the confusion of a growing ecological disaster, a global pandemic, disinformation, conspiracies, and war. Is it all leading to answers the stranger intended Jane to find, or is it a descent into madness? Find out in this unique eco-mystery. (368 pages)

ADULT GRAPHICS
Sapiens: A Graphic History
Yuval Noah Harari

A fresh look at the first portion of the bestseller on human history. Full of good humor, science, and philosophy, the story includes well illustrated discussions on the cognitive revolution that propelled sapiens to dominance, the ability to create fire, and their impact on the extinction of other species and the destruction of the environment. Harari also looks at the tales sapiens devise to explain their world and themselves. (248 pages)

MYSTERY PARANORMAL
All the Colors of Night
Jayne Ann Krentz

Desperate to save his comatose father, North Chastain realizes his own powers to help are dwindling and hires an antiques expert to find a deadly artifact causing the illness. In taking his case, Sierra Raines is trying to recover from accusations of fraud and a threatening client. Together their hunt pulls them into the past mysteries of North’s family, and also into a bit of romance. A fast paced and enjoyable read. (336 pages)

PERSONAL GROWTH
Permission to Dream
Chris Gardner

Somewhere in Chicago on the coldest of winter days there is a music store with the world’s best harmonica, and Brooke dreams to find it. But when grandfather Chris decides to take her there, they become lost. Boarding a bus, Chris starts to share his memories and advice about overcoming barriers and turning dreams into reality. Their talk leads Chris to rediscover his own dreams and choose the next phase of his life. (208 pages)

SCI-FI
The Echo Wife
Sarah Gailey

Evelyn and Nathan appear to be a very successful couple, based on her award-winning work as a famous cloning scientist. But things take an unpleasant turn when Evelyn discovers her husband is having an affair and his sudden death exposes a startling secret life. Now Evelyn must save her reputation and face a long history of many troubling ethical issues. Unexpected plot twists keep this story moving. (256 pages)

GENTLE READ
Perestroika In Paris
Jane Smiley

In this whimsical story a curious racehorse (Perestroika) escapes and finds refuge in a Paris park, where she is befriended by several other animals. They are all taken home and sheltered by a young boy, Etienne, who lives alone with his great-grandmother. This is a warm lyrical tale of searching for freedom and finding friendship, written for adult readers but can be shared with the entire family. (288 pages)

DID YOU MISS THIS ONE?
Battlegrounds
H. R. McMaster

Using a series of case studies, the former National Security Adviser to the Trump administration addresses the flaws in U.S. responses to security threats, including China, Russia, N. Korea, and Iran. He proposes crafting strategies based on the enemies’ perspectives (“strategic empathy”) as a more effective deterrent. Thoughtful, detailed, and informative. (560 pages)

News of the World
Paulette Jiles

As Civil War veteran Jefferson Kidd tours Texas reading the news to paying audiences, he is hired to return a 10 year old Kiowa captive, Johanna, to unknown relatives living hundreds of miles away. The child does not remember her birth family and resists the treacherous journey, as Kidd tries to gain her trust and press forward to her uncertain fate. Memorable characters in a story about family and home. (224 pages)

News of the World
Director: Paul Greengrass

Nominated for 4 Academy awards, 7 Critic’s Choice Awards, and 2 Golden Globes, including young Helena Zengel for best supporting actress. Released in December 2020, it has grossed $12.7 million worldwide. (PG13, 118 minutes)