Reading @ the Matthews Family Library: New Books for January

The Tightrope Walkers by David Almond A coming of age story set in the shipyards of northern England in which Dominic Hall is torn between eccentric artist Holly Stroud and the freedom he feels with her, his love of the tightrope, and being drawn to Vincent McAlinden, a complex bully who brings out his darker desires.

Mosquitoland by David Arnold When she learns that her mother is sick in Ohio, Mim confronts her demons on a thousand-mile odyssey from Mississippi that redefines her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray When a plane crash strands thirteen teen beauty contestants on a mysterious island, they struggle to survive, to get along with one another, to combat the island's other diabolical occupants, and to learn their dance numbers in case they are rescued in time for the competition.

Heist Society by Ally Carter Fifteen-year-old Kat schemes her way into the best boarding school, hoping to leave the thieving antics of her family behind her, but Hal, a former co-conspirator, appears on campus to tell Kat that a powerful mobster believes her father stole art from a priceless collection, and in order to save him, Kat will have to recover the paintings.

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios Skylar Evans, seventeen, yearns to escape Creek View by attending art school, but after her mother's job loss puts her dream at risk, a rekindled friendship with Josh, who joined the Marines to get away then lost a leg in Afghanistan, and her job at the Paradise motel lead her to appreciate her home town.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen Remy, a master at getting rid of boyfriends before any emotional attachments form, finds herself strangely unwilling to free herself from Dexter, a messy, disorganized, impulsive musician who she suspects she has come to love.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand After her younger brother, Tyler, commits suicide, Lex struggles to work through her grief in the face of a family that has fallen apart, the sudden distance between her and her friends, and memories of Tyler that still feel all too real.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne A strange weather phenomenon drives students into a superstore where fourteen kids take refuge while the world outside gets torn apart from a series of escalating disasters.

Monument 14: Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne One group of survivors heads to Denver airport on a repaired school bus, the other remains in the Sanctuary and tries to rebuild the community they lost, but the world outside is dark and filled with dangerous chemicals that turn people into bloodthirsty monsters.

Monument 14: Savage Drift by Emmy Laybourne The survivors of the Monument 14 have finally made it to the safety of a Canadian refugee camp, but Josie, separated from the group and trapped in a brutal prison camp for exposed Type Os, may lose hope unless her lost love Niko and his companions Astrid, Dean and Jake can rescue her.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas After she has served a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, Crown Prince Dorian offers eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien her freedom on the condition that she act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay After an unspeakable tragedy, Nastya Kashnikov moves to a new town to keep a distance from her past and is drawn to another isolated person, Josh.

Autobiography of My Dead Brother by Walter Dean Myers; Christopher Myers (Illustrator) Jesse pours his heart and soul into his sketchbook to make sense of life in his troubled Harlem neighborhood and the loss of a close friend.

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen Young King Jaron has had nothing but trouble with his advisors and regents since he ascended the throne of Carthya, and now King Vargan of Avenia has invaded the land and captured Imogen--and Jaron must find some way to rescue her and save his kingdom.

My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak Devastated when her parents are killed in a car accident, sixteen-year old Jackie moves from New York City to Colorado to live with her mother's best friend, who has twelve children, including two boys who start to show an interest in Jackie that goes beyond brotherly.

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider Star athlete and prom king Ezra Faulkner's life is irreparably transformed by a tragic accident and the arrival of eccentric new girl Cassidy Thorpe

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire's greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor Seventeen-year-old Karou, a lovely, enigmatic art student in a Prague boarding school, carries a sketchbook of hideous, frightening monsters--the chimaerae who form the only family she has ever known.

Trouble Is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly After her parents' divorce, Zoe Webster moves from Brooklyn to upstate New York where she meets the weirdly compelling misfit, Philip Digby, and soon finds herself in a series of hilarious and dangerous situations as he pulls her into his investigation into the kidnapping of a local teenage girl which may be related to the disappearance of his kid sister eight years ago.

The Emperor of Any Place by Tim Wynne-Jones When Evan's father dies, Evan finds a hand-bound yellow book on his desk--the book his father had been reading when he passed away. It is the diary of a Japanese soldier stranded on a small Pacific island in World War II. Why was his father reading it? Who was the American soldier also stranded there? And what could this possibly mean for Evan?

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey Cassie Sullivan and her companions lived through the Others' four waves of destruction. Now, with the human race nearly exterminated and the 5th Wave rolling across the landscape, they face a choice: brace for winter and hope for Evan Walker's return, or set out in search of other survivors before the enemy closes in

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia Armed with her camera and a Magic 8-Ball and her only ally (her little sister), Alex wages a war against her schizophrenia, determined to stay sane long enough to get into college

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak After capturing a bank robber, nineteen-year-old cab driver Ed Kennedy begins receiving mysterious messages that direct him to addresses where people need help, which helps him start to get over his lifelong feeling of worthlessness.

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson Tells the dramatic story of the twentieth century through Ursula's beloved younger brother Teddy--would-be poet, heroic pilot, husband, father, and grandfather--as he navigates the perils and progress of a rapidly changing world. After all that Teddy endures in battle, his greatest challenge is living in a future he never expected to have

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume Thirty-five years after a series of airplane accidents rocked Elizabeth, New Jersey, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown for an event commemorating the disasters, and finds herself surrounded by three generations of families, friends, and strangers whose lives were irrevocably altered by those events in the 1950s.

The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick Contains early short and medium-length fiction written by science fiction author Philip K. Dick from 1954 to 1964, including the title work about a special police unit of people gifted with precognition that keeps future crimes from happening until corruption invades the ranks.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer Follows nine-year-old Oskar Schell as he encounters a number of interesting characters in his search for information about his father, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and tries to find the lock that fits the mysterious key he left behind.

Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman This third collection of short fiction by Gaiman includes previously published pieces of short fiction -- stories, verse, and a very special Doctor Who story that was written for the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved series in 2013 -- as well "Black Dog," a new tale that revisits the world of American Gods.

Slam by Nick Hornby At the age of fifteen, Sam Jones's girlfriend gets pregnant and Sam's life of skateboarding and daydreaming about Tony Hawk changes drastically.

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain Beryl Markham, a record-setting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter Denys Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen...[and who was] brought to Kenya from England as a child and then abandoned by her mother, is raised by both her father and the native Kipsigis tribe who share his estate. Her unconventional upbringing transforms Beryl into a bold young woman with a fierce love of all things wild and an inherent understanding of nature's delicate balance. But even the wild child must grow up, and when everything Beryl knows and trusts dissolves, she is catapulted into a string of disastrous relationships

Help for the Haunted by John Searles Struggling with the loss of her parents, who helped haunted souls find peace, Sylvie Mason pursues the mystery, moving closer to the truth of what happened that night as she comes to terms with her family's past.

Brewster by Mark Slouka Sixteen-year-old Jon Mosher and his friends, Ray Cappicciano and Karen Dorsey, form a tight friendship in which they find in each other everything they lack at home, and plot to leave their dead-end town with tragic consequences.

Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin The Walker family seems to be the perfect family, but they are hiding a secret about their son Max Walker.

March by John Lewis; Andrew Aydin; Nate Powell (Artist) Presents in graphic novel format events from the life of Georgia congressman John Lewis, focusing on his youth in rural Alabama, his meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., and the birth of the Nashville Student Movement.

March Book Two by John Lewis; Andrew Aydin; Nate Powell (Artist) A graphic novel account of some pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement.

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko by Daniel H. Pink; Rob Ten Pas (Illustrator) Shares six secrets of career success through a manga story about Johnny Bunko, a young man stuck in a dead-end job--thanks to the advice and expectations of his parents, teachers, and counselors--who is able to break out of his rut with help from the beautiful Diana, an unlikely career advisor.

Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast "New Yorker" cartoonist and author Roz Chast shares her experiences with her parents in the final years of their lives.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Ryan North (Text by); Erica Henderson (Illustrator) Follows the adventures of mutant Doreen Green, aka the superhero Squirrel Girl, as she, her squirrel sidekick Tippy-Toe, and a squirrel army, with a little help from Iron Man, take on Kraven the Hunter, Galactus, and college life.

Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson; Grace Ellis; Brooke; Brooke Allen (Illustrator); Shannon Watters (As told to) At Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady-types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes, secret caves, anagrams. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five bad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together...and they're not going to let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here

Lumberjanes Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max by Noelle Stevenson; Brooke A. Allen (Illustrator); Grace Ellis; Shannon Watters (As told to) Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are not your average campers and Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady-types is not your average summer camp. Between the river monsters, magic, and the art of friendship bracelets, this summer is only just beginning. Join the Lumberjanes as they take on raptors and a sibling rivalry that only myths are made of

SuperMutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki "SuperMutant Magic Academy is a prep-school for mutants and witches but their paranormal abilities take a back seat to everyday teen concerns. Science experiments go awry, bakesales are upstaged, and the new kid at school is a cat who will determine the course of human destiny."

Shackleton by Nick Bertozzi (Illustrator) Presents in graphic novel format the Antarctic expedition of Ernest Shackleton that began in 1914.

Steve Jobs by Jessie Hartland A biography in graphic novel format of computer pioneer Steve Jobs, from his childhood in San Francisco through his creation of and success with Apple Computer to his death in 2011 at the age of 56.

47 Ronin by Stan Sakai (Illustrator); Mike Richardson A graphic novel version of the classic story of forty-seven Japanese warriors and their quest to avenge their master.

When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill Manning Tells the story of how librarians from the United States launched a campaign to send free books to soldiers overseas during World War II and how their efforts inspired the publishing industry to begin producing affordable paperback books which the soldiers could carry with them.

Happier at Home: kiss more, jump more, abandon a project, read Samuel Johnson, and my other experiments in the practice of everyday life by Gretchen Rubin Gretchen Rubin embarks on a second happines project to make home a happier place, dealing with possessions, marriage, time, and parenthood.

Stonewall by Ann Bausum An exploration of the Stonewall Riots and the national gay rights movement that followed.

The Prize by Dale Russakoff Examines the fallout after Mark Zuckerberg, New Jersey governor Chris Christie, and mayor Cory Booker announce on the Oprah Winfrey show their plan to reform Newark, New Jersey's failing schools despite strong opposition from local politicians and union leaders, including Newark's own school superintendent.

The Sports Gene by David Epstein The argument of whether some athletes are born with their skills is discussed and analyzed

Billion-Dollar Ball by Gilbert M. Gaul Examines the economics and culture surrounding college football, discussing how in the last decade football programs have overtaken universities, creating entertainment factories where sports are more important than education.

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby Recreates the fever pitch of football fans in Great Britain, and describes how football has played a defining role in thousands of young men's coming-of-age stories.

One Shot at Forever : a small town, an unlikely coach, and a magical baseball season by Chris Ballard Tells the story of a small-town baseball team from Illinois in 1971.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling Collection of essays presenting the author's observations on her childhood, romance, friendship, and Hollywood.

American Sniper by Chris Kyle; Scott McEwen; Jim DeFelice Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL, recounts his life and military experiences, discusses his record for the most career sniper kills in United States military history and the bounty placed on his head by Iraqi insurgents, provides an eye-witness account of war in Iraq, shares the strains of war on his marriage and family, and honors his fellow soldiers.

American Wife by Taya Kyle; Jim DeFelice The memoir of Taya Kyle, the widow of "American Sniper" Chris Kyle.

Becoming Maria by Sonia Manzano "Set in the 1950s in the Bronx, this is the story of a girl with a dream. Emmy award-winning actress and writer Sonia Manzano plunges us into the daily lives of a Latino family that is loving--and troubled"

Yes Please by Amy Poehler The actress best known for her work on 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Saturday Night Live' reveals personal stories and offers her humorous take on such topics as love, friendship, parenthood, and her relationship with Tina Fey.

Every Day I Fight by Stuart Scott; Larry Platt; Robin Roberts (Foreword by) Stuart Scott shares his personal story, discussing his childhood, family, job as a sportscaster, and fight with cancer.

Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance A biography of businessman Elon Musk, discussing his childhood in South Africa, his immigration to the United States in 1992, and his involvement with PayPal, Tesla Motors, and SpaceX.

Dead Wake: the last crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson Chronicles the last and fatal voyage of the Lusitania, moving between events on the luxury ocean liner as it returned to its home port of Liverpool from New York City to those on the German submarine U-20