New Books 11/14/16

The Attention Merchants by Tim Wu
The award-winning author of The Master Switch, who coined the term “net neutrality,” discusses the companies that want to attract and harvest human attention and their relentless attempts to influence our consumption and purchases.

Children of the New World by Alexander Weinstein
A collection of short stories takes place in an unsettling future where humans’ growing dependence on new technologies results in social media implants, memory manufacturers, harmfully immersive virtual reality games, and disturbingly intuitive robots.

A Christmas Message by Anne Perry
While on a once in a lifetime trip to Jerusalem for the Christmas holiday, Victor and Vespasia Narraway meet a fellow traveler, who is murdered over a torn piece of ancient parchment, and risk their lives to complete his mission.

Faithful by Alice Hoffman
Overwhelmed by guilt when she walks away from an accident that destroys her best friend’s future, Shelby connects with a circle of lost and found souls, including a guardian angel, to fight her way back to her own future.

Filthy Rich by James Patterson and John Connelly
An account of wealth, power, and the influence they bring to bear on the American justice system follows the story of Jeffrey Epstein, a member of New York City’s financial elite, whose fall from grace resulted from charges of abusing and exploiting underage girls at his home.

Hungry Heart by Jennifer Weiner
In this entertaining memoir, Jennifer Weiner, known for her plus-size heroines, authentic voice and hilarious one-liners offers a front-row seat to the drama of her life.

A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
A humorous coming-of-age memoir and meditation on creativity by the star of Breaking Bad chronicles his theatrical childhood and recommitment to acting in the aftermath of his father’s disappearance, describing his early acting jobs and the performances that earned him Tony and Emmy Awards.

Mario Batali—Big American Cookbook by Mario Batali
Over two years in the making, with Batali searching for truly delicious recipes from all corners of the US, this definitive cookbook features the best America has to offer, with an emphasis on simpler recipes, celebrating the treasures of the state fairs, the local rotary clubs, and immigrant ethnic groups.

Mister Monkey by Francine Prose
Traces the revolving experiences of cast, crew and audience members surrounding a terrible screwball children’s musical, including an actress who resigns herself to a humiliating downturn in her career before having a shocking encounter with a child costar.

The Mistletoe Murder by P.D. James
Four previously uncollected stories by the late Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Award-winning author include two featuring her popular detective hero, Adam Dalgliesh, in his early years.

The Obsidian Chamber by Douglas Preston
With special agent Pendergast missing and presumed dead and his ward Constance taken captive by a shadowy figure from the past, Pendergast’s bodyguard, Proctor, begins an international pursuit of Constance’s kidnapper.

Skinnytaste Fast and Slow by Gina Homolka
A volume of simple, low-fat, low-calorie, high-flavor meals that are either cooked in minutes or conveniently prepared in a slow cooker includes such family friendly options as Breakfast Banana Split, Slow-Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls and Surf and Turf Kebabs.

Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer
In the 25th century, to pay for his crimes, Mycroft Canner is required to wander the world being as useful as he can to all he meets; Carlyle Foster is a spiritual counselor in a world that has outlawed religion; and a young boy named Bridger with the ability to make his wishes come true may hold the key to destabilizing the chaotic form of utopia they all live in.

Valiant Gentleman by Sabina Murray
A reimagining of the lives of Irish humanitarian Roger Casement, his friend Herbert Ward, and Ward’s Argentinean-American heiress wife, Sarita Sanford, traces Ward and Casement’s misadventurous youth in the Congo through the political differences that tested their bond during World War I.

A Wretched and Precarious Situation by David Welky
Details the expedition led by George Borup and Donald MacMillan to investigate Crocker Land, spotted by Robert E. Peary from Greenland a decade earlier, which was marked by blizzards, food shortages, disease, crime, and fatal accidents.

The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
California’s newest private investigator, Harry Bosch, searches for a reclusive billionaire’s possible heir, a case with odd links to his own past, and volunteers to find a serial rapist for a small cash-strapped police department.