HURRICANE SEASON CAN BE MURDER • A January 2026 Indie Next Pick • "This gripping page-turner feels like it was ripped from the juiciest headlines." —People • "Sexy and full of surprises...an ideal curl-up-by-the-fire read." —Real Simple 

St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.

When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.

As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping...

"Theresa Gallagher has never met her Aunt Dottie, though she remembers her mother's stories about the wild sister who left home at seventeen and moved out west. When a letter arrives from one of Dottie's neighbors, telling Theresa that her aunt is now incapacitated and in a nursing home, Theresa decides to fly out to Arizona to see her. After all, family is family. The staff at the Sunnydale Care Facility seem pleasant and efficient, but Theresa finds it strange that she's only permitted to 'observe' her elderly aunt from a viewing room. It's the first of several red flags that lead Theresa to start asking questions. Is it just coincidence that as soon as she does, her car is almost run off the road? Theresa contacts her attorney friend, Lizzie Fox, who just happens to be connected to a group of women uniquely posed to get answers. Soon the Sisterhood is on the case, uncovering evidence suggesting that behind Sunnydale's compassionate image hides a greedy, cruel enterprise. At Sunnydale centers all over the country, seniors are mistreated, duped, and drained of their savings. And with powerful political figures at the helm, staying one step ahead of legislation and investigation, it seems like the perfect scam. But no one is beyond justice--not when the Sisterhood's extraordinary women are involved, making wrongs right as only they can"--

Naturalist, forager, and educator Maria Pinto offers a stunning debut book that uncovers strange and beautiful fungal connections between the natural and human worlds. She mingles reportage, research, memoir, and nature writing, touching on topics that range from Black farmers' domestication of the unforgettable aroma of truffles to the possibility that enslaved people wielded mycological poisons against their enslavers.



Pinto brings a new perspective and a distinctive literary voice to this mix of environmental and lived history, and every page sings with her enthusiasm for the networks in which we are embedded: fungal, ecological, ancestral, and communal. Join her in pursuit of beautiful, perplexing, delicious, and deadly mushrooms as she explores this understudied kingdom's awe-inspiring diversity and discovers how fungi have been used by people, especially those on the margins, for survival, pleasure, revelation, and revolution.

There's hope for alcoholics who become Christians--and for Christians who become alcoholics

- Learn what alcoholism really looks like
- Discover how to break free from destructive habits and shame
- Embrace the freedom that comes from radical honesty and vulnerability


While the Christian community loves stories of salvation, it struggles with stories of sanctification--the often-messy journey of becoming like Jesus. As a result, many Christians who stumble are mired in shame, especially when it comes to one of society's biggest post-Covid obsessions: alcohol. But there is hope for those willing to rethink their drinking.

In Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, Jonathon M. Seidl vividly tells his own story of disordered drinking. Not only does he address the roots of addiction, trauma, and the often-overlooked reality that Christians aren't immune to sin struggles, he also reframes the term alcoholic and shares the practical yet spiritual four-step process he used to break free--a process readers will find helpful for working through many of life's struggles.

Written in an engaging, conversational style, Confessions shows that there's hope for Christians who become alcoholics, not just for alcoholics who become Christians.

A gripping novel featuring the legendary Richard Sharpe from Bernard Cornwell, the internationally bestselling master of historical fiction widely recognized as "the most prolific and successful historical novelist in the world today" (Wall Street Journal).

The year is 1813. France is a battlefield, and winter shows no mercy. Amid brutal conditions, Major Richard Sharpe finds himself saddled with an unexpected burden: Rear-Admiral Sir Joel Chase, dispatched by the Admiralty with sealed orders, unshakable confidence, and a frankly terrifying enthusiasm for combat.

Sharpe's mission from Wellington is clear, yet anything but simple: Keep Sir Joel alive.

Sir Joel could hold the key to defeating Napoleon once and for all. But to pull off his audacious plan, he needs someone who knows how to fight dirty, think fast, and survive the impossible.

He needs Sharpe...

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson―creator of the Stormlight Archive, the Mistborn saga, and numerous smash-hit works of science fiction and fantasy―comes Tailored Realities, a new short fiction collection including the never-before-published novella “Moment Zero.”

Spanning the genres of fantasy and science fiction, Tailored Realities includes ten works of short fiction from the ingenious mind of one of the genre’s most beloved bestselling authors.

From futuristic detective thrillers to inventive space opera, superhero action, high-tech fantasy, and beyond, these gripping standalone reads have never before been gathered into one volume, with many available here in print for the first time.

Along with the thrilling new science fiction novella "Moment Zero," this collection includes:
• “Snapshot”
• “Perfect State”
• “Defending Elysium” (from the world of Skyward)
• “Firstborn”
• “Mitosis” (from the world of the Reckoners)
• and four other stories

Also including author’s notes and stunning interior illustrations for each story, this visionary collection is a must-read whether you’re new to Sanderson or a longtime fan.

THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
HOLT Medallion award winner for Speculative Romance of 2025
Goodreads Choice Awards Romantasy nominee of 2024

“This story is my latest obsession.” —USA Today bestselling author, Devney Perry

The gods love to play with us mere mortals. And every hundred years, we let them...

I have never been favored by the gods. Far from it, thanks to Zeus.

Living as a cursed office clerk for the Order of Thieves, I just keep my head down and hope the capricious beings who rule from Olympus won't notice me. Not an easy feat, given San Francisco is Zeus' patron city, but I make do. I survive. Until the night I tangle with a different god.

The worst god. Hades.

For the first time ever, the ruthless, mercurial King of the Underworld has entered the Crucible—the deadly contest the gods hold to determine a new ruler to sit on the throne of Olympus. But instead of fighting their own battles, the gods name mortals to compete in their stead.

So why in the Underworld did Hades choose me—a sarcastic nobody with a curse on her shoulders—as his champion? And why does my heart trip every time he says I’m his?

I don’t know if I’m a pawn, bait, or something else entirely to this dangerously tempting god. How can I, when he has more secrets than stars in the sky?

Because Hades is playing by his own rules...and Death will win at any cost.

The Crucible series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 The Games Gods Play
Book #2 The Things Gods Break
Book #3 The Wrath Gods Reap

A masterpiece in fated mates and broken bonds world-building for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Amber V. Nicole, Kaylie Smith, and Rebecca Yarros, the first installment in Melissa K. Roehrich’s internationally bestselling Legacy Series is a contemporary dark romantasy set in a world forgotten by the gods, created for their descendants, roamed by dragons, served by Fae…and not so different from our own.

“No one writes emotional, immersive, beautiful chaos like Melissa Roehrich. If you love worlds you can practically touch and taste, angst that will have your heart pounding, and romance that will leave you breathless, Rain of Shadows and Endings will consume you from the beginning!” —LJ Andrews, bestselling author of The Ever Seas and Broken Souls and Bones

Out of all their creations, the gods favored their children the most. But with that favor came the fear that their Legacy would one day become too powerful . . .

A World the Gods Forgot
Devram is a realm hidden amongst the stars. The gods gave their Legacy the best of all the worlds, and then they left—having sworn to never return and to never interfere.

A Historical Event
Forced into a life of servitude, the Fae provide for the Legacy in more ways than one. Every five years, eligible Fae are gathered for the Selection and assigned to serve in one of the six Kingdoms. To be chosen as the personal Source for a Kingdom Heir is the greatest honor, and for the first time in millennia, all six Kingdoms have heirs choosing a Source. But their selections could tip the power balance a little too far.

A Chosen That Was Never Meant to Be
Tessalyn Asura was as forgotten as the realm. But when she finds herself the personal Source to the Heir of Endings, she winds up serving in the darkest Kingdom of them all. The secrets within the Arius Kingdom are meant to be learned and kept, but this was never the life she wanted. Fighting not only the fate thrust upon her, but the temptation to lose herself to desire, Tessa will do anything to escape her new destiny. Until she begins to realize that maybe their world isn’t as forgotten as they thought—and that maybe she’s the reason why.

With birding more popular than ever, this clever pocket-sized guide is a unique gift that celebrates the obsession with hilarious definitions and witty illustrations of terms that birders know and love. 

Acclaimed science communicator and cartoonist Rosemary Mosco offers a clever, humorous "dictionary" that's perfect for any birder. The Birding Dictionary is filled with hilarious and informative definitions for more than 200 birding terms, plus over 50 witty full‑color illustrations. Terms range from bird species, anatomy, and behaviors to the insider jargon that all birders know and speak fluently, from "alpha code" to "zygodactyl." With equal parts quirky humor and accessible science, it's a delightful gift for every bird enthusiast.

Includes:


American Robin noun: a device that converts worms into 100-decibel songs outside your bedroom at 4 a.m.

metamorphosis noun: the process in which a rare bird transforms itself into a common bird when you lift up your binoculars to view it, point it out to an expert, or look more closely at yourphotos later.

stakeout noun: a gathering of birders that evokes action-movie vibes, but mostly involves waiting in a damp field, shifting from foot to foot, and looking up until your eyes ache.

 

Ten original love stories by the reigning queen of romantasy, featuring fan-favorite couples from her #1 New York Times bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles—one of the most popular series of all time, with more than 50 million copies in print worldwide!

Ten couples. United by love. Divided by danger.

Jace and Clary, seeking out an exiled Shadowhunter and learning that love can save the world—or destroy it. Will and Tessa, honeymooning in Paris when a séance sends them down an unexpected path. Simon and Izzy, observing increased demonic activity around New York, on a hilarious urban romp.

These are just a few of the beloved couples whose romantic escapades will have you on the edge of your seat across time and storylines from Cassandra Clare’s expansive Shadowhunters series. Don’t miss a chance to reunite with:

• Anna and Ari
• Emma and Julian 
• Kieran, Mark, and Cristina
• James and Cordelia
• Thomas and Alastair
• Sebastian and the Seelie Queen
• Jocelyn and Luke 

A love letter to every fan of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, this riveting story collection also includes a sneak peek at The Wicked Powers, the majestic trilogy that will be the grand finale of the entire series!

The game is afoot! This sumptuously illustrated book invites readers to play detective and solve 20 murder mystery–themed puzzles.

Will a temporary arrangement
turn into the love she needs?

Naomi Ebersol has always felt like the black sheep of her Amish community, and even more so now that she's been accepted into art school. It'll be difficult leaving Millers Creek behind, but she longs to follow her heart. To pay for her tuition, she agrees to be a nanny for widower Josias Schrock, who needs help caring for his five energetic little boys. Only now, everyone in their community thinks they're engaged! Being around his family starts to feel all too real. But how can Naomi choose between the dream she's always wanted...and the promise of love?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

A search for a kidnapped camper

could cost them their lives.

Park warden Dekker Hoyt's father-son camping trip turns into a nightmare when a serial killer abducts his father. With just seventy-two hours to find him, Dekker turns to criminal investigative analyst Blaire Tremblay to identify the Park Campfire Killer. As they follow his taunting clues and face increasingly violent threats, Dekker and Blaire know that one wrong step could be fatal. With the ruthless criminal following their every move, can they stop a killer in hiding...waiting to complete his deadly plan?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

National Park Protectors

Book 1: Danger in the Wilderness

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | The scramble to create superhuman AI has put us on the path to extinction--but it's not too late to change course, as two of the field's earliest researchers explain in this clarion call for humanity.


"May prove to be the most important book of our time."--Tim Urban, Wait But Why


In 2023, hundreds of AI luminaries signed an open letter warning that artificial intelligence poses a serious risk of human extinction. Since then, the AI race has only intensified. Companies and countries are rushing to build machines that will be smarter than any person. And the world is devastatingly unprepared for what would come next.

For decades, two signatories of that letter--Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares--have studied how smarter-than-human intelligences will think, behave, and pursue their objectives. Their research says that sufficiently smart AIs will develop goals of their own that put them in conflict with us--and that if it comes to conflict, an artificial superintelligence would crush us. The contest wouldn't even be close.

How could a machine superintelligence wipe out our entire species? Why would it want to? Would it want anything at all? In this urgent book, Yudkowsky and Soares walk through the theory and the evidence, present one possible extinction scenario, and explain what it would take for humanity to survive. 

The world is racing to build something truly new under the sun. And if anyone builds it, everyone dies.

"The best no-nonsense, simple explanation of the AI risk problem I've ever read."--Yishan Wong, Former CEO of Reddit

One of Barnes & Noble's Best Sports Books of 2025

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Rap Year Book and Basketball (and Other Things), a clever and inventive examination of some of basketball's most iconic players, moments, games, and more, with original illustrations by Ian Klarer.

Everything in basketball is measured. Everything in basketball is counted, and quantified, and computed. And yet, no matter how expansive the list of various pinpoint-specific statistical categories gets, some basketball things remain uncountable, and unquantifiable.

Some moments are more poetry than calculation; more art than numerical value; more feeling than data processing. And thus: Expensive Basketball.

From the final 196 seconds of Kobe Bryant's playing career to the Sue Bird backpedal, from the erosive terror of Tim Duncan to the Larry Bird memory carousel, Expensive Basketball is an affirmation of feelings.