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Have you gotten started on your New Year’s resolutions yet? If so, you might’ve already resolved to read more books in the year to come. With 2018 coming to a close, we’re looking back at a few of the most noteworthy bestsellers released this year. Start 2019 off right by picking up one of these top titles today!
The Outsider - Stephen King
Fans of crime, mystery, and horror are sure to be drawn in by Stephen King’s latest page-turner, The Outsider. Little League coach Terry Maitland is a beloved local citizen with no criminal history. Detective Ralph Anderson, however, has physical evidence clearly linking him to the brutal abuse and murder of a child. The detective, however, is stumped by Maitland’s airtight alibi, proving without a doubt that he was in another city at the time of the murder.
Ralph later teams up with amateur detective Holly Gibney, who believes there may be supernatural forces at work contributing to the confounding murder. Fans of King’s previous works and those who enjoy spooky shows like Stranger Things won’t want to miss The Outsider.
Becoming - Michelle Obama
As the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama made headlines around the world. Unlike the autobiographies of many political figures, Michelle Obama’s Becoming is far from dry. Rather, reading Becoming feels like having a good conversation with a close friend. With warmth, humor, and candor, Michelle details her childhood growing up on the rough South Side of Chicago. Mrs. Obama describes how her relationship with her husband has blossomed and changed over the years, detailing the ways in which their yin-and-yang personalities and styles have affected their lives.Readers are likely to be surprised by the many ways in which they relate to Michelle and her story. How does one survive being thrust into the spotlight after leading an otherwise normal life? How does it feel to leave the White House, knowing the Donald and Melania Trump are your successors? Find out the answers to these questions and more by reading Michelle Obama’s Becoming.
Year One - Nora Roberts
Fans of love stories are probably familiar with Nora Roberts, prolific author of over 225 romance novels. In Year One, however, Roberts steps away from her usual genre, penning a dystopian work that’s equal parts enchanting and frightening.
What happens when a deadly virus wipes out 80% of the global population? This is the question behind Roberts’ gripping novel. Magick, in both its good and evil forms, now influence this strange new world. Survivors, like Lana and Max, leave decimated New York City, seeking opportunities elsewhere. Who can be trusted? Who is even human? More importantly, who will survive The Doom?Mixing relevant real-world issues, like clashing political beliefs and the threat of a deadly super-virus, with mystical and supernatural elements, Year One is a fast-paced fictional work that still manages to hit close to home. To see how the queen of romance envisions the apocalypse, grab a copy of Year One.
Brief Answers to the Big Questions - Stephen Hawking
A posthumously-published work, Brief Answers to the Big Questions is a deeply absorbing collection of Stephen Hawking’s words of wisdom. Far from dry, Hawking’s musings are both thought-provoking and witty. Hawking contemplates “the God question,” postulating that, since the observable universe, which has a net energy of null, was formed with cause or reason, a god was not needed to create it.
Hawking spends much of his time contemplating the future. Will we manage to find a way to prevent artificial intelligence from threatening the human race? How will our use of genetic engineering and nuclear technology shape the future? Can we slow the damage already caused by global warming, or have we already paved the path to our own destruction?
Despite the uncertainty of the future, Hawking remained optimistic until the very end. Hawking predicts that scientific research will soon provide answers to many of the universe’s remaining mysteries. Reading Brief Answers to the Big Questions is sure to change the way you look at yourself, the world around you, and your role in the universe.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris
Taken by force and shipped off to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Lale Sokolov’s future looked grim. Able to speak numerous languages, however, Lale is selected to perform a specialized task: under the guidance of an apprentice, he is assigned to tattoo identification numbers on his fellow prisoners.
In his position as the camp tattooist, Lale receives special privileges, such as free time and extra rations. Risking his own life in the process, he sneaks food to his fellow prisoners, helping them to stay alive.
One fellow prisoner soon acquires a special spot in Lale’s heart. After meeting Gita, Lale commits himself to surviving, no matter the costs. Anything will be worth it to spend a lifetime with Gita.
Both sobering and inspiring, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a tale of hope and survival. Even in the face of persecution and suffering, empathy and love can prevail.
With thousands of fascinating titles published each year, one can easily become overwhelmed by the sheer variety of new books to choose from. If you’re struggling to decide on something to read, simply check a national bestseller list and select a title that sounds interesting to you. If you’d prefer a more person recommendation, consider asking your local librarian about recent releases that align with your interests.This year, resolve to spend less time on digital media and more time engaged with literature. At the end of 2019, you’ll be able to look back on your “read” list with pride!
Photo: © puhimec / fotolia.com
Editor, 12/27/2018
