New Releases – November 16, 2021

Aimee here with the latest new releases coming to The Haunted Book Shop this week! We always have books we’re excited about, but this week features a couple staff highlights as well as some signed copies!

Romance

Olivia Dade is back with her latest All the Feels! Alexander Woodroe is known for his charm, good looks, and starpower as Cupid on the hit show God of the Gates. But when a bar fight lands him in hot water and he becomes tabloid fodder, it’s decided he needs some sort of minder. Enter Lauren Clegg, the former ER therapist hired to keep Alex in line. Check out what happens next in a book HBS’ own Angela called, “Another grand slam for Olivia Dade who continues to do a wonderful job of combining a fun, entertaining story with all the feels.”

An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire is the latest from Manda Collins following A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem! It’s 1867 in England and Miss Caroline Hargrove, one half of the duo behind England’s most infamous crime column, faces a crisis. Her dear friend has been kidnapped and to solve the mystery, Caro must team up with Lord Valentine Thorn, the man who broke her heart. What will happen as they get closer to finding the culprit? Guess you’ll have to pick up a copy (perhaps a signed one? We have some in the shop!) and find out!

In The Hookup Dilemma by Constance Gillam, Rashida, an aspiring restauranteur, thinks she has found the perfect space for her restaurant. But the steep asking price might be too much to overcome. That is, until a chance encounter with Elliott, the heir to an architecture empire. Elliott could be the perfect partner for Rashida’s restaurant, and the investment could be what Elliott needs to turn his father’s business around. But when others from their respective pasts find out about the building, it could send the arrangement, and a potential romance, into a freefall.

Science Fiction

Even Greater Mistakes: Stories is a collection of short fiction from bestselling author Charlie Jane Anders. There’s the woman who can see all the possible branching futures is dating the man who can see the one and only foreordained future, and a wildly popular slapstick filmmaker is drawn, against his better judgment, into working with a fascist militia, against a background of social collapse, among other fascinating stories featuring intriguing characters. The stories collected here upend genre cliches, revitalize classic tropes and provide biting social commentary through humor and heightened realism.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor takes place in a postapocalyptic Africa. Anwuli Okwudili prefers to be called AO. To her, these initials have always stood for Artificial Organism. Born with physical deformities, AO faced more physical challenges following a car accident. Yet instead of viewing her strange body the way the world views it, as freakish, unnatural, even the work of the devil, AO embraces all that she is: A woman with a ton of major and necessary body augmentations. When a trip to the market goes wrong, AO finds herself on the run with DNA, a Fulani herdsman, as they race against time across the desert. In a world where all things are streamed, everyone is watching the “reckoning of the murderess and the terrorist” and the “saga of the wicked woman and mad man” unfold. 

Thriller

Termination Shock is a technothriller from bestselling author Neal Stephenson that tackles climate change and the man-made forces that shape our present and future. One man has a Big Idea for reversing global warming, a master plan perhaps best described as “elemental.” But will it work? And just as important, what are the consequences for the planet and all of humanity should it be applied? Pick up a copy and find out – maybe even one of the signed copies we have in stock!

Young Adult

The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks is the conclusion to Mackenzi Lee’s Montague Siblings trilogy! Adrian Montague has a bright future ahead, not to mention he is the sole heir to his father’s vast estate. But he also secretly suffers from debilitating anxiety, and the strain of trying to keep that hidden threatens to thwart his future. In the wake of his mother’s unexpected death, Adrian is also concerned people will find out that he has the mental illness she struggled with for years. When a newly found keepsake of hers—a piece of a broken spyglass—comes into Adrian’s possession, he’s thrust into the past and finds himself face to face Monty and Felicity, siblings he never knew he had. Come along as they try to unravel family secrets and mysteries.

Kids

One of your favorite superheroes is back with a new collection of stories perfect for younger fans! Marvel-Verse: Spider-Man features enjoy a modern spin on Spidey’s classic origin tale of power and responsibility, as a spider bite transforms the life of unpopular teen Peter Parker — for better and worse! Other stories find Spider-Man trying to save Aunt May and fighting villains like Doc Ock, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, and more from the Sinister Six!

Nature’s Treasures by Ben Hoare features over 100 objects from the natural world and tells the stories behind them! Learn how huge whales eat tiny animals from looking at their bristly teeth, why butterflies shine and glitter in the sunlight from seeing their minute wing scales, how plants transport water and food around from examining a delicate leaf skeleton, and what makes every snowflake unique from admiring their miniature, branching crystals of ice. And that is just four of the stories in this gorgeous collection! A perfect gift for the curious, outdoor-loving child!

Photography

Dogs on the Trail: A Year in the Life is a photographic account of professional mushers Blair Braverman’s and Quince Mountain’s sled dog team! With gorgeous photos from Braverman’s Twitter feed, follow along from the beginning of fall to training on dry land and snow, camping and racing, the spring muddy season, and summer puppies! The book ends on a beginning, in anticipation of the adventurous lives that the new pups have in store.

Entertainment

Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Betty White: 100 Years of Wisdom from the First Lady of Television celebrates America’s sweetheart Betty White ahead of her 100th birthday in January 2022! In a television career spanning more than 80 years, Betty experienced the highs and lows of the industry with her signature wit and kindness. This book helps readers address their own real-life challenges by examining how Betty would have done so with kindness, forthrightness, and good humor.

As a HUGE fan of The Office, I have been SO EXCITED for Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office! Brian Baumgartner (aka Kevin) conducted a series of interviews for his podcast The Oral History of The Office. Those interviews with the cast and crew were compiled into this book with never-before-seen photos that tell the behind-the-scenes stories of this classic sitcom. Relive your favorite moments, maybe with a Pretzel Day pretzel or some of Kevin’s famous chili. This is the perfect gift for Office fans!

Social Sciences

Ever wanted to learn more about a subject like, say, anthropology, but became overwhelmed by the number of materials out there? Enter the latest in the Degree in a Book series, Anthropology: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Subject – in One Book! Dive deep into the study of human culture and societies with this book perfect for students and newcomers alike.

History

Check out this gorgeous hardback edition of the classic Japanese text The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi! The undefeated swordsman Musashi wrote five scrolls describing the “true principles” required for victory in the martial arts and on the battlefield. This edition features gold embossing and gilded page edges

Another classic text now available in this gorgeous hardback edition, The Way of the Samurai by Inazo Nitobe reveals the greater depths found in samurai culture; they were not simply warriors but an aristocratic class who practiced literary and military arts in equal measure. This edition features gold embossing and gilded page edges as well.

Food & Drink

Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America by Mayukh Sen traces America’s culinary history through the lives of seven immigrant chefs and food writers. This group biography stretches from World War II to the present, tracing the stories of women like Mexican-born Elena Zelayeta, a blind chef; Marcella Hazan, the deity of Italian cuisine; and Norma Shirley, a champion of Jamaican dishes, in vivid and empathetic detail. Taste Makers will challenge the way readers look at what’s on their plate—and the women whose labor, overlooked for so long, makes those meals possible

Body, Mind, & Spirit

The Wild Unknown Pocket Tarot Deck and Guidebook takes Kim Krans’ bestselling deck and puts it into a pocket-sized tin for easy portability. Featuring the same hand-drawn imagery in Krans’ iconic, mystical style, this will introduce a new audience to the magic of the tarot and is a keepsake collectible sure to delight Krans’ longtime fans. 

Visit our website for information on these titles and more! And don’t forget – if we don’t have a book in stock we are more than happy to order it for you, or you can visit our Bookshop page!

We hope to see you soon!

New Releases – November 2, 2021

New month, new releases! Let’s see what is coming to the shelves of The Haunted Book Shop this week!

Poetry

Dearly: New Poems is Margaret Atwood’s first poetry collection in over a decade. While most associate Atwood with her fiction writing, with novels like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments, among others, she is also an accomplished poet. This wide-ranging collection addresses themes of love, loss, the passage of time, the nature of nature, and – zombies. Atwood fans will enjoy this introspective, observant collection

Mystery/Thriller

Now available in paperback, Tana French’s bestseller The Searcher follows Cal Hooper, a newly divorced and retired Chicago police officer looking to “build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens.” But when a kid looking for his missing brother enlists Cal in the investigation, Cal uncovers dark shadows hiding in the town and learns that even small towns can hide dangerous secrets.

Another bestseller now available in paperback, The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins is a southern Gothic twist on the classic novel Jane Eyre. Newly arrived in Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker with a past working in the ritzy Thornfield Estates gated community. The recently widowed Edward is Thornfield’s most mysterious resident. As the two meet and begin to fall for each other, Jane finds herself haunted by the legend of Bea, Edward’s wife who drowned in a boating accident. Can Jane win Edward’s heart before their respective pasts catch up with them?

Fantasy

The God of Lost Words is the latest in A.J. Hackwith’s Novels from Hell’s Library series. Every book that isn’t finished resides in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell and it is up to the Librarian and her crew to protect it. In this installment, former librarian and Hero, Claire, must team up with Rami, the angel, and muse-turned-librarian Brevity to protect the unwritten wing and stave off the insidious reach of Hell’s most bloodthirsty generals, the evil Malphas. The group faces perilous odds – succeed and rewrite the nature of the library or lose and face obliteration.

Described as “Red White and Royal Blue meets Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, debut author Freya Marske’s A Marvelous Light takes place in an Edwardian England full of magic, contracts, and conspiracies. Robin Blythe already has enough on his plate when an administrative error sees him named the civil service liaison to a hidden magical society. The position sees Robin struggling with the beauty and danger of magic, a deadly curse, and alarming visions of the future, all alongside Edwin, his cold and prickly counterpart who clearly wishes he didn’t have to deal with Robin. Thrown together and facing unexpected dangers, Robin and Edwin discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles—and a secret that more than one person has already died to keep.

Romance

A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King is a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. With her interior design career derailed, Liz Bennet found a new start in New York City as an executive assistant by day and a stage kitten by night, dancing at Meryton, one of the city’s top burlesque venues. Sparks fly when she catches the eye of Will Darcy at the club – sparks that quickly fade when she overhears him call her “merely tolerable.” Bennet hopes to write him off, but when their respective best friends fall for each other, she and Will find themselves together again and again. On top of that, when a charming newcomer arrives on the scene with accusations against Darcy, and a sudden development leaves Meryton’s fate in jeopardy. Who will Bennet trust to save her dreams and her found family?

Horror

The perfect gift for the horror lover in your life, The Necronomicon 5 Volume Box Set features more than 70 short stories from the masters of cosmic horror, including H.P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Arthur Machen, and more. With graphic cover designs, this gorgeous set is sure to scare and delight diehard horror readers!

Kids

Aaron Slater, Illustrator is the latest in The Questioneers series by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts! Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and wants to write his own one day. But Aaron struggles when it comes to reading, with the letters just looking like squiggles. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can’t get a single word down, and he is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach. But when Aaron finds his inspiration, he learns he is able to write a story that is uniquely his. Written in dyslexia-friendly font, readers will find in Aaron the story of a boy with dyslexia who discovers that his learning disability may inform who he is, but it does not define him.

Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life is a collection of amazing dinosaurs, plants, and other prehistoric life that will wow readers of all ages. Showcasing more than 90 remarkable fossils, such as a fearsome Tyrannosaurus skull, delicate fern leaf, and perfectly preserved woolly mammoth, the gorgeous illustrations and storybook descriptions of the myths and legends surrounding these creatures will both inform and captivate readers.

Manu: A Graphic Novel by Kelly Fernández is a funny and heartwarming tale about friendship, defying expectations, and finding your place. Manu and her best friend Josefina live at a magical school for girls. Manu is always getting into trouble and one day when a prank goes wrong, Josefina gets angry and wishes Manu’s magic would go away – and it does. Manu tries a dangerous spell to restore it but now her magic is too powerful to control. How will Manu and Josefina cope? Read along and find out!

Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds is a story about love, tradition, and connection. Violet longs for the time when her family was more connected to one another, a time before life, technology, and other distractions got in the way. They used to gather at the table, sharing food, love, and memories, reveling in each others’ stories. With no one to gather around it, the table grows smaller and smaller. Can Violet bring her family back together around the table?

Since its first publication in 1922, The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams’s much-loved, timeless tale of a toy rabbit’s fervent wish to become real has captured the hearts of millions of adults and children alike. This heritage edition of The Velveteen Rabbit features the original cover art and illustrations by William Nicholson.

Wednesday – The Forest of Secrets is the third book in Ralph Lazar’s Total Mayhem series. Dash Candoo is used to strange, mysterious things happening at school. But what has been happing recently is more strange and mysterious than usual. He really starts to wonder when weird tire marks and strange sounds start coming from Moremi Forest, next to Swedhump Elementary. When Dash and his friend Rob investigate, they can’t work out what is going on – but they know they’re being watched. Soon the eerieness finds its way into the elementary school halls. What is causing all this? Dash and Rob will try to find out!

Young Adult

Fantasy

Described as “Children of Blood and Bone meets The Little Mermaid,” Skin of the Sea is the debut novel by Natasha Bowen. Simi serves the gods as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when she breaks a crucial rule – saving the life of a boy thrown overboard – Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends and protect the other Mami Wata. But the boy seems to know more than he should and something mysterious is shadowing Simi, something that wants to see her fail. With danger lurking around every turn, Simi risks the fate of all the Mami Wata and her world.

Horror

In this eleventh volume, Five Nights at Freddy’s creator Scott Cawthon spins three sinister novella-length stories from different corners of his series’ canon. Prankster includes terrifying tales featuring Jeremiah, Joel, and Aimee as they stand up for themselves and face terrible consequences. Readers beware: This collection of terrifying tales is enough to unsettle even the most hardened Five Nights at Freddy’s fans.

Graphic Novels

The Greek tale of Hades and Persephone gets a romantic modern update in Rachel Smythe’s Lore Olympus: Volume 1. Featuring scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love, follow the propulsive, classic love story, told through lavish illustrations and contemporary sensibilities. This edition also includes a brand-new, exclusive short story!

Food & Drink

Bring the literary world to your kitchen with Once Upon a Kitchen: 101 Magical Recipes by Leslie Bilderback! Featuring recipes inspired by Tolkien, Star Wars, fairy tales, and more, readers and chefs will enjoy making delicious treats like Mrs. Potts’s Tea Poached Salmon and Jedi Ration Bars to share with friends and family.

Mind & Body

The Tarot of Curious Creatures is an eccentric and playful deck of magical guides. With their illuminating conversations and grounded wisdom, the curious and quirky characters in this 78 (+1) card deck and accompanying guidebook are a strangely familiar twist on the traditional tarot.

Visit our website for information on these titles and more! And don’t forget – if we don’t have a book in stock we are more than happy to order it for you, or you can visit our Bookshop page!

We hope to see you soon!

New Releases – October 26, 2021

It’s the last Tuesday of the month and we’re sending October off with some great books at The Haunted Book Shop!

Kids

We know a lot of Wimpy Kid fans will be excited about this! Jeff Kinney is back with Diary of a Wimpy Kid #16: Big Shot! After a disastrous performance at field day, Greg decides it’s time to retire from sports. But when his mom convinces him to try out for basketball, Greg finds himself with a spot on the worst team. Will they even win a game? Will Greg make a shot?

Bestselling author Rick Riordan brings readers on an adventure in Daughter of the Deep, his modern take on Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. When high school freshman Ana and her classmates witness a terrible accident on their way to their big trial at sea, Ana has no idea that they found their way into fighting a war with a rival school that threatens to turn them into fish food. Riordan fans will enjoy this tale full of adventure, intrigue, and a little humor.

Dinosaur Ultimate Handbook is THE guide for the dinosaur-loving curious kid in your life! Containing a complete list of all dinosaur species found to date, this guide includes statistics, illustrations, information on habitats and diet, and comparison charts to help determine your Stegosaurus from your Spinosaurus, Jurassic from Triassic, and carnivores from herbivores!

“While kids write notes to Santa Claus, Sharks line up for Santa Jaws. They tell him all their Christmas wishes. Santa thinks they sound delicious!”

So begins Santa Jaws by Bridget Heos and Galia Bernstein! Santa Jaws celebrates Christmas under the sea, delivering presents and spreading cheer to all his fellow sharks. Kids will enjoy this new twist on classic holiday traditions!

Horror

I know we just talked about a Christmas book but it IS still Halloween season and we have some spooky stuff coming out this week, starting with Vampire Hunter D Omnibus: Book 1! It is 12,090 A.D. and the aristocratic vampire lords known as Nobles have inherited the world. The Nobles are hunted by the one who is half them—a dhampir, the unearthly beautiful wanderer known as D. This collection brings together the first three volumes in author Hideyuki Kikuchi’s adventure horror series: Vampire Hunter DRaiser of Gales, and Demon Deathchase. Illustrated by Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano, this book will bring you into the story from the beginning!

Travel

Atlas of Dark Destinations by Peter Hohenhaus is perfect for those travel enthusiasts who like to add a little fright to their adventures! Hohenhaus visited and photographed all 300 places featured in the book and brings his knowledge and expertise to every page. From nuclear bunkers to eerie catacombs and more, those interested in dark tourism will be packing up the suitcase and setting off on their next eerie adventure soon after reading this book!

Fun & Games

If you want something a little calmer to do this Halloween, maybe staying home with this World of Dracula Puzzle is for you! This 1000 piece puzzle features gorgeous illustrations by Adam Simpson of all your favorite characters and key scenes from the story. Put a Dracula audiobook on your headphones and eat your Halloween candy as you put the pieces of this puzzle together!

Fantasy

Rhythm of War is the latest book in bestselling author Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive Series! Book 4 picks up with Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant having spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. With neither side gaining any advantage, new technological discoveries by Kholin’s scholars could change the face of the war. But the enemy may have other plans in the form of a bold and dangerous operation. That’s not all the action – the Windrunners are facing their own problems. As more and more deadly enemy Fused awaken to wage war, no more honorspren are willing to bond with humans to increase the number of Radiants.

Science Fiction

The Wandering Earth brings together ten of Cixin Liu’s short stories into this collection that together are a “blazingly original ode to planet Earth, its pasts, and its futures.” Liu’s stories take readers to the edge of the universe and to the end of time with characters who attempt to reason, navigate, and survive in an unknown, punishing world. This collection includes the title story, which is the basis for a movie now streaming on Netflix.

Mystery

Award-winning journalist Tamron Hall kicks off a thrilling new mystery series with As the Wicked Watch. Jordan Manning is a crime reporter who leaves her Texas hometown to take a job at a Chicago TV station. Known for being first on the scene, Jordan tries to do two things in her work – break the big stories and give voice to the voiceless. As she is trying to establish herself (and navigate a tumultuous personal life) Jordan finds herself covering the murders of two assaulted young girls. Suspecting the murders are connected, Jordan must unravel the disturbing mysteries surrounding the deaths, deemed the work of a serial killer terrorizing Chicago.

Humor

Need a break from the kiddos? Horizontal Parenting: How to Entertain Your Kid While Lying Down is the laugh-out-loud book from Michelle Woo that features” 50 hilarious and effective activities designed to entertain kids while you lie down.” With games like “What’s on my Butt? and “Railroad to Relaxation,” parents everywhere will get a laugh out of Woo’s ideas and Dasha Tolstikova’s hilarious illustrations. And who knows, maybe the kids will be entertained after all!

Mind & Body

Now available in paperback, Juliet Diaz’s Plant Witchery “initiates readers following the current witchy trends of herbal medicine and magic into a deeper, wilder connection with the ancient healing power of over 200 plants.” Readers will learn about the essential, magical, and medicinal properties of herbs, flowers, trees, and fruits along with rituals, spells, potions and more.

Visit our website for information on these titles and more! And don’t forget – if we don’t have a book in stock we are more than happy to order it for you, or you can visit our Bookshop page!

We hope to see you soon!

New Releases – October 19, 2021

When your birthday falls on a Tuesday (AKA, New Release Day) like mine (Aimee’s) does today, it’s like getting a ton of gifts from the book universe. Take a look at what special surprises came to The Haunted Book Shop this week!

Local Author Release!

We are so excited for local author Gabriella Saab’s debut novel The Last Checkmate! If you binged The Queen’s Gambit earlier this year, you will love this book! Maria, a young Polish resistance worker imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II, plays chess matches to spare her life. In doing so, she fights to bring the man who destroyed her family to justice. Gabriella was so gracious to provide The Haunted Book Shop with signed copies of The Last Checkmate, so be sure to come by (or order) a copy!

Fiction

When you work in a shop with a name like The Haunted Book Shop, it’s no surprise that people come in wanting spooky, haunting ghost stories. The Wrong Turning: Encounters with Ghosts is sure to fit that bill! Edited by Stephen Johnson, this collection includes stories of ghostly encounters spanning world literature, from Europe to Russia, from the United States to China. Enjoy old favorites and discover new scary stories in this collection!

Fans of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe will find familiar characters and questions in Patti Callahan’s Once Upon a Wardrobe. Megs Devonshire is driven to solve the great mysteries of physics, with her talents with numbers and equations taking her all the way to Oxford on a scholarship. But with her beloved younger brother George facing a terminal illness, Megs finds herself seeking answers for George that defy logic – namely, where Narnia, the land from George’s favorite book, came from. Follow along as Megs searches for answers and hope in this story about sibling bonds and family love.

Horror

A creepy story of a haunted house and steeped in Japanese folklore, Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw is a spine-tingling adventure that will stay with you long after the book ends. A bride-to-be has always dreamed of getting married in a haunted house and jumps at the chance to spend a weekend with friends in an abandoned Heian mansion rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a woman whose fiancé died before they could marry. The woman buried herself alive and forces a girl to be buried with her every year to keep her company. As the weekend devolves from fun and games into something more sinister, it seems that there might be more to the story than just rumors. Readers are sure to squirm at this lyrical, twisting story of grief, relationships, and the consequences of our actions.

Romance

Jen DeLuca’s Well Matched find soon-to-be empty nester (and single mom) April Parker looking to move on from her little town. She calls on old friend Mitch Malone to help her get the house ready to sell. Mitch agrees – as long as April will go with him to a family dinner and pretend to be his girlfriend. After dinner turns into a weekend, the plan goes off without a hitch and the two return to real life. But when April volunteers at the local Ren Faire (where Mitch is known for his kilt and toned abs) and runs into Mitch’s family, the game is on again. But could there actually be something here? You’ll have to pick up a copy and find out!

Science Fiction

Now available in paperback, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini finds main character Kira on a routine space mission to an uncolonized planet. When she discovers an alien relic she is initially excited, but excitement soon turns to fear as the ancient dust around her begins to move. Soon war breaks out among the stars and Kira must grapple with her own horrors as Earth and its colonies face annihilation.

Manga

It’s near impossible to defeat a mighty hero who won’t stay dead, as Monster Guild: The Dark Lord’s (No-Good) Comeback Vol. 1 shows us. The Dark Lord is stuck in a loop where he battles a good guy who won’t stay dead, and he finally loses the fight and meets his own end…or so it would seem. The Dark Lord actually saved himself by putting his soul into an empty vessel, and now he’s about to stage his own comeback. Weak but determined, he recruits his newfound fellowship of misfits—a slime, an orc, an ifrit, and a dark elf— to help him rebuild his evil empire, one bumbling step at a time.

Young Adult

I think I’ll let The Haunted Book Shop’s Candice introduce Lauren Blackwood’s Within These Wicked Walls: “I had immediate grabby hands for this debut when I learned it combined Jane Eyre gothic chills with Ethiopian Evil Eye folklore.” Andromeda was trained as as a debtera — an exorcist who cleanses houses of evil spirits — though her mentor refuses to license her officially. When the handsome young heir Magnus Rochester reaches out to hire her, she jumps at the chance. But the house, and Magnus, are hiding secrets far beyond what Andromeda ever imagined. Beginning to fall in love with Magnus, Andromeda knows that staying means risking death. But leaving doesn’t feel like an option either. See what happens in this engrossing fantasy retelling of a classic story!

Kids

Caela Carter’s Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers is a young girl named – what else- Gwendolyn Rogers. Gwendolyn has a lot of problems but no one seems to be able to get to the bottom of them. But Gwendolyn knows there is not just one problem, but 54 problems, according to a confidential school report she found while snooping. If she wants to go to horse camp with her half-brother Tyler, Gwendolyn must figure out how get these 54 problems under control. Follow along as Gwendolyn finds her way in this personal story of patience, support, and determination in finding a diagnosis for developmental issues that oftentimes get ignored.

The latest entry in the popular Who Would Win? series, Ultimate Reptile Rumble pits sixteen different reptiles against each other in one epic fight! Readers will learn about each reptile’s anatomy, behavior and more through photos, illustrations, and facts. You’ll be excited to see who comes out on top!

Join Phoebe on her latest adventure in Unicorn Playlist: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure! Best friends Phoebe and Marigold march to their own beat, but it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns for the pair. With drama at school and the other problems of the world, Phoebe doesn’t understand why unicorns can’t be in charge of the world instead of people. But Marigold brings magic to every day, introducing Phoebe to unicorn magic, crashing a goblin party, and finding long-lost family members like Infernus, the (surprisingly adorable) Unicorn of Death. Come along with this dynamic duo as they play all the hits!

Non-Fiction

In 2013, film and culture critic Zeba Blay was one of the first people to coin the viral term #carefreeblackgirls on Twitter. As she says, it was “a way to carve out a space of celebration and freedom for Black women online.” In Carefree Black Girls: A Celebration of Black Women in Popular Culture, Blay expands on this idea through a series of essays that examine “the work and lasting achievements of influential Black women in American culture–writers, artists, actresses, dancers, hip-hop stars–whose contributions often come in the face of bigotry, misogyny, and stereotypes.”

Humor

I don’t think I could introduce Megan Lynn Kott’s Pawmistry: Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe with Cats better than this: It is a “tongue-in-cheek guide to the feline oracle and the supernatural signs your cat may leave behind…this playful and informative book offers instruction in a number of types of divination to practice with your cat, where messages and portents may be delivered by scattered cat toys, particular tail positions, and sleeping on your face.” Intrigued? Wondering what messages your cat might be trying to tell you? Better pick up a copy today!

Fun & Games

Austen fans will enjoy playing their favorite card games with these Jane Austen Playing Cards! Featuring gorgeous illustrations of all your favorite characters, the traditional four suits are themed on character traits, with hearts for Heroes and Heroines (like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy) and spades for Fools and Bores. The pack also includes instructions for playing some of the card games featured in Austen’s novels!

Mind & Body

Discover how to use the moon as a cosmic timer with Moonology Manifestations, a magical 48-card oracle from bestselling Moonologer Yasmin Boland. Featuring beautiful cosmic collage imagery, each card explains what you’re bringing into your life, and how and when to supercharge your manifesting powers to achieve what you most desire. 

Visit our website for information on these titles and more! And don’t forget – if we don’t have a book in stock we are more than happy to order it for you, or you can visit our Bookshop page!

We hope to see you soon!

New Releases – October 12, 2021

Aimee here with your latest batch of new releases coming this week to The Haunted Book Shop!

Local Author Release!

Chompsey Chomps Books is the latest children’s book from The Haunted Book Shop’s own Candice Marley Connor! Chompsey is great at many things, like chomping and weaving flower crowns. But reading is hard for him – why do the words and letters not stay on the page? A discouraged Chompsey chomps at words as they fly away. How will he ever get the words to stay still and make sense? This book is Dyslexic inclusive; it is printed in a font that everyone can read, including people with dyslexia. For more info about the font, please visit www.Dyslexiefont.com. And join Chompsey on his reading adventure!

Fiction

Alice Hoffman concludes her Practical Magic series with The Book of Magic! The Owens family has been cursed when it comes to love for nearly 300 years, but it seems like that may be about to change. An attempt to save a man’s life brings together three generations of Owens women, and one long-lost brother, as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside to come together and break the curse. Revisit your favorite characters and enjoy this breathtaking conclusion to an amazing story!

Described as a “serio-comic semi-autobigraphical thriller,” former Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Brent Spiner took his on-set experiences and turned them into Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir Inspired by True Events, a “zany…love letter to fandom.” Fans of Star Trek are sure to enjoy cameos from LeVar Burton, Patrick Stewart, and other well-known characters, while non-fans may just enjoy laughing along with Spiner’s adventures.

Suspense/Thriller

In Kat Rosenfield’s No One Will Miss Her, town pariah Lizzie Oullette is dead – and her husband, Dwayne, is nowhere to be found. As Detective Ian Bird investigates, Lizzie narrates from beyond the grave as an unexpected lead takes the detective to the big city to meet Adrienne Richards – social media influencer, wife of a disgraced billionaire, and renter of Lizzie’s lake house. Described as “a Gone Girl for the gig economy,” readers will enjoy seeing the twists, turns, and connections between Lizzie and Adrienne.

Silverview is the last completed spy novel by the late John le Carré. Julian Lawndsley has left the big city for a simple life running a small bookshop in the English countryside. But when Edward, a Polish émigré living in Silverview, appears on Julian’s doorstep, he seems to know a little too much about Julian’s life – and is a little too curious about his new venture. Things intensify when a mysterious letter outlining a dangerous leak brings a spy chief from London into the sleepy town.

State of Terror is an international thriller co-authored by the unique team of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and bestselling novelist Louise Penny. Secretary of State Ellen Adams was a surprising choice for the job, seeing as she was one of the harshest critics of the new president. When a baffling text message sets off a chain reaction of threats and terrorist attacks, the untested Ellen must convene an unusual team of state department experts, journalists, and a young FSO to take down this intricate and carefully constructed conspiracy.

True Crime

A Brotherhood Betrayed: The Man Behind the Rise and Fall of Murder, Inc. by Michael Cannell traces the history of the organization by recounting the story of Abe Reles. Reles had been a trusted executioner for Murder, Inc. and he was ready to talk, ratting out his murderous associates in exchange for police protection. But before he could stand trial, his shattered body was discovered on the rooftop outside his heavily-guarded hotel room. Did he try to escape…or was it punishment?

Fantasy

Wicked is back on the Broadway stage and Gregory Maguire goes back to Oz with The Brides of Maracoor, the first volume in Maguire’s Another Day series! When Elephaba’s granddaughter, Rain, washes ashore unconscious in a foreign land, with no memory of her past, she is cared for by the seven Brides of Maracoor, a group of women tasked with keeping time moving forward. As the brides debate what to do with Rain, they receive their yearly visit from the island’s civil servant overseer, who is perplexed both by Rain’s physical appearance and her presence on the island. The trilogy will follow Rain as she discovers who she is and how she will find her way back to Oz. Join in the adventure now!

Sci-Fi

The Haunted Book Shop’s own Alex is so excited for Star Wars Visions: Ronin by Emma Mieko Candon! Following a failed rebellion, a former Sith wanders on the edge of the Outer Rim accompanied by a faithful droid and a lightsaber. Not much is known about him, as he keeps quiet about his past. But as the galaxy’s cycle of violence imposes on his self-imposed exile, it becomes evident that he won’t be able to escape his enigmatic past.

Romance

Hidden Sins is the latest re-release from Selena Montgomery, the alter ego of bestselling author and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Stacey Abrams. Mara Reed has been running scams and on the run since she was 18. Hiding out in her small Texas hometown following her latest skirmish, she is facing sure death when she is rescued by a mysterious stranger. Forensic anthropologist Ethan Stuart is investigating a gruesome discovery with links to the church headed by Mara’s father. With him needing help and Mara needing protection, the two team up to search for the truth…if they manage to survive.

Young Adult

Fantasy

The Keeper of the Night is the first book in a planned duology from Kylie Lee Baker. Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren Scarborough yearns for acceptance that she never received from the Reapers who raised her. When she is forced to flee for her life, Ren and her younger brother travel to Japan and the dark underworld of Yomi, where Ren finally hopes to feel a sense of belonging. Instead, the Goddess of Death sends Ren on an impossible mission – succeed, and maybe she can earn a place in Death’s services. Come along as Ren learns whether belonging is worth the price.

Kids

The Christmas Pig is a holiday adventure from J.K. Rowling. Jack loves his childhood toy Dur Pig, or DP for short. When DP goes missing at Christmas, Jack teams up with his newest toy (and DP’s replacement) the Christmas Pig and embarks on an incredible journey to find what was lost and save the greatest friend Jack has ever known.

To welcome another person is to make new connections, new friendships, and new ways of viewing the world. A Hundred Thousand Welcomes by Mary Lee Donovan teaches readers how to “welcome!” in twelve different languages. With illustrations from Lian Cho, come along as we learn new ways to share this message of hope and acceptance! The book includes a pronunciation guide, a note from the artist, a note from the author, and information about the languages featured in the book.

Roxy and her friends are back for another adventure in Roxy the Unisaurus Rex Presents: Oh No! The Talent Show, written by Eva Chen with illustrations by Matthew Rivera! Everyone at Roxy and Dexter’s school is excited for the talent show – except Dexter, who feels like he doesn’t have any talent. But with a little help from Roxy, he learns he might just have the best talent of all – being a friend!

Fun & Games

Schitt’s Creek fans, we love this journey for you! Schitt Happens: An Unofficial Coloring Book for Fans of Schitt’s Creek features illustrations by Valentin Ramon of all your favorite scenes. From Moira Rose’s Wall of Wigs, to Cafe Tropical and Rose Apothecary, color along as you venture on your latest series rewatch!

Mind & Body

Also known as Book Four, or Liber ABA, Aleister Crowley’s Four Books of Magick bring together many rituals, received texts, theorems, unequalled insights into the practice of magick, culminating in The Book of the Law, the central, sacred text dictated to Crowley by a preternatural entity. This edition features an introduction from Stephen Skinner, one of the world’s leading experts on Western esoteric traditions and magic, sharing his insights into Crowley’s take on yoga, ceremonial magick and Thelema.

Visit our website for information on these titles and more! And don’t forget – if we don’t have a book in stock we are more than happy to order it for you, or you can visit our Bookshop page!

We hope to see you soon!

New Releases – September 28, 2021

It’s a Tuesday New Releases Round-Up coming to you on a Wednesday! Check out what we have coming to The Haunted Book Shop this week!

Kids

When Beatryce appears at the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrow monastery barn, Gentle Brother Edik nurses her back to health and uncovers her secret – she is the girl full of stories that the king wishes dead. As Beatryce ventures into the forest in search of the king’s castle, she knows that she has the support of others should something happen to her. The Beatryce Prophecy is a lyrical tale by Kate DiCamillo with gorgeous illustrations by Sophie Blackall that explores themes of love, fate, and the power of words.

Perfect for budding chefs and scientists alike, The Complete Cookbook for Young Scientists from America’s Test Kitchen combines recipes for skillet pizza, galactic mirror cake, and more with scientific inquiry. Like, why do some cheeses melt better than others? Read the book to find out, and make some delicious treats along the way!

Garlic feels like she can’t do anything right. All she wants to do is tend to her own little garden, where everything is nice and safe. But when her little village is faced with a new neighborhood vampire, the citizens deem Garlic the right choice to confront him. In this delightful debut graphic novel from Bree Paulsen, Garlic & the Vampire gives readers a precocious heroine to root for who shows us to believe in ourselves – and that people aren’t always as scary as they seem!

The latest book in John Patrick Green’s InvestiGators series, Ants in Our P.A.N.T.S. finds Mango and Brash trying to solve their latest mystery! With Brash in a mysterious coma, the technicians at S.U.I.T. have developed RoboBrash – he has hall the crime-fighting know-how as the original Brash, but has a few bugs to work out of his system. Can he team up with Mango to fight the giant ants overtaking the city? Readers will enjoy finding out!

The People Remember is the debut picture book from bestselling author Ibi Zoboi! With beautiful illustrations by Loveis Wise, Zoboi uses the seven principles of Kwanzaa to talk about the history of African Americans. Young readers enjoy learning something new on each reading of this “lyrical narrative that tells the story of survival as well as the many moments of joy, celebration, and innovation of Black people in America.”

After his father is taken away in the dead of night by three horsemen, twelve-year-old Silas is left scared and alone. Well, not really alone, as he still has his loyal companion ghost, Mittenwool. When a pony mysteriously shows up at his door, Silas decides to embark on a dangerous journey to find his father, an adventure that will force him to face his past and his fears. Pony by R.J. Palacio is a story of courage wrapped up in daring action!

Sparkleton #5: The Haunted Woods by Calliope Glass finds Sparkleton having to pass a wilderness skills test in order to go on the big class camping trip – but he’s too distracted to study! When he learns he can get wish-granting magic by spending a night in the haunted woods, Sparkleton thinks he has found the perfect solution. But how will he fare among the ghosts, glowing rocks, and the spooky Whirlwind Unicorn?! Young readers will enjoy going with Sparkleton on his latest adventure!

What Does the Constitution Say? A Kid’s Guide to How Our Democracy Works features fun facts, cool illustrations, and even the occasional joke to introduce young readers to the Constitution! Writer Ben Sheehan and illustrator Mary Kate McDevitt introduce the big concepts and “fancy words” in the Constitution through “bite-sized” information, historic quotes, and graphics. Curious kids and even adults will enjoy this look at American history!

Young Adult

Fantasy

The first book in a planned trilogy, Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray introduces readers to Koffi and Ekon, two Black teenagers living in the broken city of Lkossa. Koffi, indentured to the notorious Night Zoo where she cares for mysterious creatures, holds a power that she does not understand, a power that upends her life when unleashed. Ekon is destined to become an elite warrior and uphold his family legacy. But when he faces the Shetani, a monster that stalks the city, he meets Koffi, whose powers seem to keep the beast at bay. Koffi saves his life, but the fact that Ekon let her go means he won’t become a warrior. As the two team up to enter the Greater Jungle, one for revenge, one for answers, they begin to wonder if they are the hunters – or the hunted.

Violeta and her younger brother Arien expect to find a monster when they arrive at the haunted Lakesedge estate, thanks to the terrifying rumors that inhabitant Rowan Sylvanan drowned his entire family as a boy. But Violeta learns not all is as it seems and Rowan is bound to the Lord Under, a death god lurking in the black waters of the lake. As Violeta tries to save Rowan – and herself – she realizes she must decipher the mystery of the Lord Under. The Haunted Book Shop’s Candice described Lakesedge, the debut fantasy from Lyndall Clipstone, as a “lush, atmospheric Gothic novel” with “gorgeous prose.”

Sci-Fi

Steelstriker is the exciting conclusion to Marie Lu’s Skyhunter duet! The fall of her homeland has unleashed Talin’s worst nightmares. Faced with ever-daunting challenges, Talin must become a Steelstriker to save everything that matters to her, including Mara, her adopted homeland. Book one just came out a few weeks ago, so it won’t take long to catch up with Talin and her quest before embarking on Steelstriker!

Biography

Anthony Bourdain’s longtime assistant and confidante Laurie Woolever conducted nearly 100 interviews with people in Bourdain’s world for Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography. From his kitchen crews, to his television crews, to his daughter and closest friends, readers will get an in-depth look into the world of Anthony Bourdain, through the words and photos of those who knew him best.

Fiction

Cloud Cukoo Land is the highly-anticipated latest novel from Anthony Doerr, the author of All the Light We Cannot See. Told in three different timelines – 15th century Constantinople, present-day Idaho, and an interstellar ship decades into the future – through the eyes of five different characters, Doerr shows the connections, resilience, and hope that endures between people, places, and time.

Now available in paperback, Piranesi by Susanna Clarke explores a new world by turns enchanting and haunting. Piranesi lives in a house with infinite rooms and endless corridors; he lives to explore the house. There is one other person in the house, The Other, who visits Piranesi twice a week and helps research into A Great and Secret Knowledge. But the more Piranesi explores, the more secrets and terrible truths begin to unravel.

Fantasy

It’s the year 2022 in England and there are 1.2 million human-sized rabbits living in the U.K. in The Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde. When a family of rabbits decides to move into the cozy Much Hemlock village, it causes humans and rabbits alike to question everything they previously thought in this blend of satire, fantasy, and thriller.

The Last Graduate is the sequel to Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education. El, Orion, and their schoolmates are facing their final year at the Scholomance and the deadly graduation ritual that barely half of students survive. El is determined that her group will make it out alive, but a series of obstacles stands in the way. The Haunted Book Shop’s Angela loved seeing how these obstacles forced El to open up more to friendship, love, and embrace her heroism!

Alix E. Harrow weaves together a story of sisterhood, magic, and the suffragette movement in The Once and Future Witches! It’s 1893 and there are no such things as witches; if a woman wants power, she must find it at the ballot box. When the Eastwood sisters – James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna – join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the old tricks that could turn the women’s movement into a witches movement. The sisters will have to rely on one another to survive, drawing new alliances and healing old grievances along the way.

Romance

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling is the perfect rom-com to take you into October! When Vivienne Jones and Rhys Penhallow broke up nine years ago, Vivienne responded as any young witch would: by putting a curse on him. But Vivienne didn’t expect the hex to have the repercussions it did. As Rhys comes back into town for the annual fall festival, he and Vivienne find the town plagued with murderous toys, a talking cat, and an angry ghost. Can Vivienne and Rhys work together to end the curse?

Mystery

From a Halloween rom-com to a Christmas mystery! A Garland of Bones is the latest Sarah Booth mystery from Carolyn Haines. Sarah is ready for Christmas and looking forward to a trip with Tinkie to a B&B in Columbus, Mississippi and take in all the Christmas activities happening around the state. But when one event after another is marred by calamity and injury. Enlisting the help of Tinkie and Sheriff Coleman Peters, Sarah is determined to figure out who is causing all the chaos.

Horror

Legendary horror editor Ellen Datlow brought together some of the leading writers in the genre for When Things Get Dark, an anthology in tribute to a titan of horror, Shirley Jackson. This collection of short stories by writers like Joyce Carol Oates, Paul Trembley, Carmen Maria Machado, and more were inspired by, and in tribute to, Jackson. Fans of Shirley Jackson, not to mention the writers featured here, will surely enjoy this haunting collection!

Manga

Hello World: The Manga introduces Naomi, a shy teenage boy who is visited by a mysterious stranger – himself, ten years into the future. Future Naomi comes with a warning that Ruri, Naomi’s soon-to-be girlfriend, will be in a tragic accident not long after they start dating. As the two try to change the future, Naomi starts to wonder if there is more to this mission than just saving Ruri’s life.

Essays

Allie Brosh is back with Solutions and Other Problems, a follow-up to her hit Hyperbole and a Half. This series of autobiographical and illustrated essays employ Brosh’s trademark humor to tell stories of her childhood, misbehaving animals, and musings on the absurdity of life alongside poignant pieces on grief, loneliness, and powerlessness. Fans new and old alike will enjoy hearing from Brosh again!

Science

Nature

Biologist Thor Hansen describes the amazing ways plants and animals are responding to climate change in Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid: The Fraught and Fascinating Biology of Climate Change. Hanson combines scientific inquiry with clarity to tell the stories of, for instance, Anole lizards growing larger toe pads in order to to grip more tightly in frequent hurricanes, and the changing appearance of Humboldt squids. Readers will enjoy how Hanson’s book demonstrates the hope and resilience of the natural world.

Social Science

In Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know, Malcolm Gladwell explores our interactions with strangers – and why they often go terribly wrong. Using contemporary examples, Gladwell explores history, psychology, and scandal to demonstrate how the strategies we use to make sense of other people actually results in conflict and misunderstanding.

Mind & Body

Rachel Lang’s Modern-Day Magic: 8 Simple Rules to Realize Your Power and Shape Your Life provides exercises, meditations, rituals, and journal prompts to facilitate weaving a magical practice into your busy daily life. The book also acts as a primer to introduce fundamental magic rules and practices to unlock your magical power and reshape your life for the better.

Visit our website for information on these titles and more! And don’t forget – if we don’t have a book in stock we are more than happy to order it for you, or you can visit our Bookshop page!

We hope to see you soon!