Blood Sisters by Jane Corry

Title: Blood Sisters

Author: Jane Corry

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Kitty and Allison are half sisters who have a relationship frought with jealousies. One morning on the way to school with a friend, there is a horrible car accident. Is it the fault of the driver? Was someone pushed? If so, by whom? The driver goes to jail on Allison's testimony. Kitty has memory loss and is stuck in an institution unable to speak. Allison can barely hold herself together her survivor's guilt is so strong. Everyone is hiding something. As secret after secret is slowly divulged, the reader is lead through a twisty tale of love, revenge, and redemption.

- Sarah R.

Check out Blood Sisters @ the library.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson

Title: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

Author: Jordan B. Peterson

Genre: Non-Fiction, Psychology, Philosophy

Back in 2012, psychologist Jordan B. Peterson was browsing through Quora, answering questions that interested him. When he came upon the question "What are the most valuable things everyone should know?", he answered with a list of short adages that he thought to be true and worth sharing. His answer quickly gained popularity on the website, and many others shared that his answers resonated with them. "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" includes a dozen of the adages originally shared on Quora, along with an extensive and thought-provoking discussion as to how he finds each truth to be evident. A major theme in all the rules is the idea that our world is full of chaos and part of living and thriving in this world is learning how to bring order to this chaos. He also discusses the importance of taking responsibility and charge of your life, raising children to be people that other people like to be around, and taking time to stop and appreciate the good things of your life (even if they're small).

Each page had something that made me stop and think, and it does takes a while to digest all the information packed into each sentence. Don't let this deter you from reading the book, though! While it was definitely a heavy read, it was a worthwhile one nevertheless! You'll no doubt leave having learned something about yourself, or at least having thought more deeply about your life and the reality of the world we live in.

- Sarah P.

Check out 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos @ the library.

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King and Owen King

Title: Sleeping Beauties

Author: Stephen King and Owen King

Genre: Horror, Fantasy

A mysterious woman shows up in small Appalachian town at the same time as women around the world are being cocooned as soon as they fall asleep. Is this "Evie Black" the source of the webbing? What is happening to the women as they sleep? More importantly, what happens to the men when they attempt to wake them? While the women try everything imaginable to stay awake, the men must determine if Evie is someone, or something, to be protected or destroyed. 

The book is long, but it allows for character development and the crisis to progress, so don't let it daunt you.  The book also makes you think: is either sex better off in a world by themselves? Supernatural elements not withstanding, it paints a town and a populace that the reader can relate to which makes the goings-on that much more terrible.

- Sarah R.

Check out Sleeping Beauties @ the library.

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

Title: The Book of Essie

Author: Meghan MacLean Weir

Genre: Domestic Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Esther Anne Hicks is 17, the star of the reality show “Six for Hicks,” the youngest daughter of a pastor and his wife who lead a large congregation, and pregnant. Essie, as she is known, is listening to the conversation where her mother and producers will decide her fate: have her disappear for a few months, give the baby away. Other suggestions are too risky to the family, of course. The one idea that sticks is to have her quickly get married, and hope the baby comes in a time line that makes it seem like a “honeymoon baby.” Knowing she has no real power in this situation, Essie chooses to lead her mother on the last path, having the ideal groom in mind.

Roarke is aware of Essie, as it’s impossible to miss the girl and the cameras, but unlike his friends he has no interest in the famous family. He is surprised when his family quickly rises in favor with the Hicks, realizing this relationship will save his family’s business. Forced time with Essie may not be the worst price to ensure his future.

Liberty Bell is more than just her past, but being famous for opinions online and a tragic past means she has to work twice as hard to prove herself in journalism. When Esther Hicks reaches out to her for an exclusive story, she can’t say no. However, she knows there is more to this calculated story than Essie is giving her.

Three stories strangely intertwine, as the past meets up with the present. Buried family secrets threaten the livelihood of the Hicks family, but is Essie the one who can break through?  

Readers who realize everything we see on TV isn’t real, or who watched the Duggar’s TV shows and followed the family scandal will want to pick up this fascinating look at family, and breaking free from expectations. 

- Katie

Check out The Book of Essie @ the library.