Staff Picks

And Then You're Dead: What Really Happens If You Get Swallowed by A Whale, Are Shot From A Cannon, or Go Barreling Over Niagara

By Cody Cassidy and Paul Doherty, PhD

Find it here!

4

Rated by Amanda W.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you jumped into a black hole? Or maybe you're curious about what would happen if you traveled to another planet, like Jupiter or Venus? Could this book kill you while you're reading it and, if so, how? And Then You're Dead examines these and dozens of other scenarios to offer a scientific explanation for how you would meet your demise in these unlikely and unlucky ways.

Before We Were Yours

By Lisa Wingate

Find it here!

4

Rated by Kari E.

Before We Were Yours is a moving, fascinating portrayal of an upper class Southern family dealing with dementia care, cancer, secrets and a family in 1939 ripped apart just because they live on the river. Have your Kleenex ready and Google pulled up. This novel presents many topics to discuss for book groups.

A Year of Reading Harder: Chapter One

By

4

Rated by Hebah A.H.

Every January, new reading challenges float around the bookish realm of the internet.

New Releases in Fiction - May 2019!

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4

Rated by Gregg W.

Hello and welcome to our look at some new releases at the Johnson County Library! Each month we look at five fiction titles making their debut that we think you should know about. You might not find these books on the bestseller lists, but that's okay, as we love putting the spotlight on books you might not have heard about. Give one - or more - of these titles a chance to make it in your hold list. We hope you find something new!

The Atonement Child

By Francine Rivers

Find it here!

4

Rated by Cheryl M.

The Atonement Child had me in its grips from the beginning and held me until the last word. The story centers around three women from the same family. Dynah Carey, a college student at a Christian university; her mother Hannah; and her grandmother, Eve. Dynah becomes pregnant through a rape and must decide if she will keep or terminate the pregnancy. As the novel progresses, each woman tells her unique story around the charged topic of abortion.

Breaking Free Writing Contest Winner

By David Lee Garrison

Find it here!

5

Rated by Helen H.

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that David Lee Garrison has won the open category of our writing contest on the theme of BREAKING FREE with "Putting Killers Away".

Once Upon a River

By Diane Setterfield

Find it here!

5

Rated by Meghan F

Fairy tales are often dismissed as stories only for children, but I've never been able to stop reading them, even as an adult.  C.S.

Before She Was Found

By Heather Gudenkauf

Find it here!

3

Rated by Heather C

Small town.  Urban Legends.  A gruesome stabbing.

My ideal Mother's Room bookshelf

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5

Rated by Caitlin T.

I am a mother. A working mother. A working mother who somehow scored the right blend of help, stubbornness, and luck to successfully breastfeed. As a working, breastfeeding mother I’ve spent a lot of time in Mother’s Rooms (which thankfully are becoming more prevalent) and as a working, breastfeeding, *librarian* mother, I’ve pondered the books I think should come standard with all Mother’s Rooms. The following is a list I am titling “My ideal Mother’s Room bookshelf.”

Breaking Free Writing Contest Winner

By Karin L. Frank

5

Rated by Helen H.

Johnson County Library is pleased to announce that Karin L. Frank has won the essay category of our writing contest on the theme of BREAKING FREE with "Nearly Me".