Adults

Staff Picks

After Anna

The real nightmare starts when her daughter is returned...

A girl is missing. Five years old, taken from outside her school. She has vanished, traceless.

The police are at a loss; her parents are beyond grief. Their daughter is lost forever, perhaps dead, perhaps enslaved.

But the biggest mystery is yet to come: one week after she was abducted, their daughter is returned.

She has no memory of where she has been. And this, for her mother, is just the beginning of the nightmare.
The Diamond Throne (The Elenium Trilogy, Book 1)

After a long exile, Pandion Knight Sparhawk returns to his native land to find his young queen grievously ill.

Ehlana has been poisoned and will die unless a cure can be found within a year. The life force of twelve of her sworn knights is all that sustains her; but one knight will be lost within the passing of each month if the antidote isn’t found.

To save his queen, his comrades, and the stability of the kingdom, Sparhawk begins the search for the cure, only to discover a greater and more pervasive evil than he could ever have imagined.
Young Jane Young

This is the story of five women . . .

Meet Rachel Grossman.
She’ll stop at nothing to protect her daughter, Aviva, even if it ends up costing her everything.

Meet Jane Young.
She’s disrupting a quiet life with her daughter, Ruby, to seek political office for the first time.

Meet Ruby Young.
She thinks her mom has a secret. She’s right.

Meet Embeth Levin.
She’s made a career of cleaning up her congressman husband’s messes.

Meet Aviva Grossman.
The Internet won’t let her or anyone else forget her past transgressions.

This is the story of five women . . .
. . . and the sex scandal that binds them together.
John Dies at the End

STOP. You should not have touched this flyer with your bare hands. NO, don't put it down. It's too late. They're watching you. My name is David. My best friend is John. Those names are fake. You might want to change yours. You may not want to know about the things you'll read on these pages, about the sauce, about Korrok, about the invasion, and the future. But it's too late. You touched the book. You're in the game. You're under the eye. The only defense is knowledge. You need to read this book, to the end. Even the part with the bratwurst. Why? You just have to trust me.

The important thing is this: The sauce is a drug, and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. You still do. I'm sorry to have involved you in this, I really am. But as you read about these terrible events and the very dark epoch the world is about to enter as a result, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: None of this was my fault.
Open and Shut

Whether dueling with new forensics or the local old boys' network, irreverent defense attorney Andy Carpenter always leaves them awed with his biting wit and winning fourth-quarter game plan. But Andy prefers the company of his best friend, Tara, to the people he encounters in the courtroom. Tara, a golden retriever, is clearly smarter than half the lawyers who clog the courts of PassaicCounty. However, just as it seems Andy has everything figured out, his dad, New Jersey's legendary ex-D.A., drops dead in front of him at a game in Yankee Stadium. The shocks pile on as he discovers his dad left him with two unexpected legacies: a fortune of $22 million that Andy never knew existed . . . and a murder case with enough racial tinder to burn down City Hall. Struggling to serve justice and bring honor to his father, Andy must dig up some explosive political skeletons--and an astonishing family secret that can close his case (and his mouth) for good.
I'd Know You Anywhere LP

Eliza Benedict cherishes her peaceful, ordinary suburban life with her successful husband and children, thirteen-year-old Iso and eight-year-old Albie. But her tranquillity is shattered when she receives a letter from the last person she ever expects—or wants—to hear from: Walter Bowman. There was your photo, in a magazine. Of course, you are older now. Still, I'd know you anywhere.

In the summer of 1985, when she was fifteen, Eliza was kidnapped by Walter and held hostage for almost six weeks. He had killed at least one girl and Eliza always suspected he had other victims as well. Now on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, Walter seems to be making a heartfelt act of contrition as his execution nears. Though Eliza wants nothing to do with him, she's never forgotten that Walter was most unpredictable when ignored. Desperate to shelter her children from this undisclosed trauma in her past, she cautiously makes contact with Walter. She's always wondered why Walter let her live, and perhaps now he'll tell her—and share the truth about his other victims.

Yet as Walter presses her for more and deeper contact, it becomes clear that he is after something greater than forgiveness. He wants Eliza to remember what really happened that long-ago summer. He wants her to save his life. And Eliza, who has worked hard for her comfortable, cocooned life, will do anything to protect it—even if it means finally facing the events of that horrifying summer and the terrible truth she's kept buried inside.

An edgy, utterly gripping tale of psychological manipulation that will leave readers racing to the final page, I'd Know You Anywhere is a virtuoso performance from acclaimed, award-winning author Laura Lippman that is sure to be her biggest hit yet.
I Was Anastasia

Countless others have rendered their verdict. Now it is your turn.

Russia, July 17, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia, where they face a merciless firing squad. None survive. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed.

Germany, February 17, 1920: A young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled shivering and senseless from a canal. Refusing to explain her presence in the freezing water or even acknowledge her rescuers, she is taken to the hospital where an examination reveals that her body is riddled with countless horrific scars. When she finally does speak, this frightened, mysterious young woman claims to be the Russian grand duchess.
As rumors begin to circulate through European society that the youngest Romanov daughter has survived the massacre at Ekaterinburg, old enemies and new threats are awakened. The question of who Anna Anderson is and what actually happened to Anastasia Romanov spans fifty years and touches three continents. This thrilling saga is every bit as moving and momentous as it is harrowing and twisted.
Confess

At age twenty-one, Auburn Reed has already lost everything important to her. In her fight to rebuild her shattered life, she has her goals in sight and there is no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is keeping a major secret from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

To save their relationship, all Owen needs to do is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin.
The Magicians

Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A high school math genius, he’s secretly fascinated with a series of children’s fantasy novels set in a magical land called Fillory, and real life is disappointing by comparison. When Quentin is unexpectedly admitted to an elite, secret college of magic, it looks like his wildest dreams have come true. But his newfound powers lead him down a rabbit hole of hedonism and disillusionment, and ultimately to the dark secret behind the story of Fillory. The land of his childhood fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he ever could have imagined. . . .
Caraval

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . beware of getting swept too far away.
The Ghost Manuscript

Rare book authenticator Carys Jones wanted nothing more than to be left alone to pursue her obsession with ancient manuscripts. But when her biggest client is committed to an asylum, he gives Carys an offer she cannot refuse. In exchange for his entire library of priceless, Dark Age manuscripts, Carys must track the clues hidden in a previously unknown journal, clues that lead to a tomb that could rewrite the history of Western civilization.

But there are people who would do anything to stop Carys from finding what she seeks—for reasons both noble and evil. The hunt takes Carys to places she never thought she’d go, physically and emotionally; first to Wales, her estranged father’s homeland, then to bed with Dafydd, a mysterious Welshman who agrees to help her with the search, and finally, deep inside her own psyche, when the monk who wrote the journal 1,500 years ago appears and assists her in her search.
The Girl Who Slept with God

Set in Arco, Idaho, in 1970, Val Brelinski's powerfully affecting first novel tells the story of three sisters: young Frances, gregarious and strong-willed Jory, and moral-minded Grace. Their father, Oren, is a respected member of the community and science professor at the local college. Yet their mother's depression and Grace's religious fervor threaten the seemingly perfect family, whose world is upended when Grace returns from a missionary trip to Mexico and discovers she's pregnant with--she believes--the child of God.

Distraught, Oren sends Jory and Grace to an isolated home at the edge of the town. There, they prepare for the much-awaited arrival of the baby while building a makeshift family that includes an elderly eccentric neighbor and a tattooed social outcast who drives an ice cream truck.
Giovanni's Room

David, a young American in 1950s Paris, is waiting for his fiancée to return from vacation in Spain. But when he meets Giovanni, a handsome Italian barman, the two men are drawn into an intense affair. After three months David's fiancée returns and, denying his true nature, he rejects Giovanni for a 'safe' future as a married man. His decision eventually brings tragedy.

Filled with passion, regret and longing, this story of a fated love triangle has become a landmark of gay writing. James Baldwin caused outrage as a black author writing about white homosexuals, yet for him the issues of race, sexuality and personal freedom were eternally intertwined.
Aunt Dimity's Death

Lori Shepherd's fondest childhood memories are of her mother telling countless fascinating stories about a character named Aunt Dimity. Now an adult, Lori receives quite a shock when she learns Aunt Dimity was a real person and has recently died. Summoned to an eccentric law office, Lori's bewilderment grows when informed that Dimity has left a complicated task for her -- and a handsome reward upon completion.
Magic Bites

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league—but she wouldn’t want it any other way...
Under Her Skin

Will she be strong enough to fight for what she wants?

'Old hag in need of live-in helper to abuse. Nothing kinky.'

When Uma Crane answers the ad, she's alone in the world, desperate, with no choice but to take the job. She's also got a secret: under her clothes, her body is covered in tattoos, etched into her skin against her will by the powerful man who ruined her life--and who continues to hunt for her. In Blackwood, Virginia Uma hopes to get the ink removed before disappearing into anonymity forever.

To keep his latent rage at bay, big, rough ex-convict Ivan Shifflett fights and pounds metal. He's also a sucker for strays. So, when Uma marches into town, damaged but proud, Ivan can't stop thinking about her--and wondering who's got her so scared.

Uma won't bare her body; she can't. She's been branded by another man. But, with Ivan, she embarks on a game of give and take--a blindfolded power play fueled by fear, but leading to something sweeter, headier, and full of hope. While the looming threat of her ex draws closer, Uma finds that she no longer wants to run, but is she strong enough to fight for what she wants?
The Book of Tomorrow

Bestselling author Cecelia Ahern follows The Gift and P.S. I Love You with the mesmerizing story of a teenaged girl coming face-to-face with grief, growth, and magic in the Irish countryside, after a mysterious book begins to reveal her own memories from one day in the future. Perfect for long-time fans of Ahern, as well as for younger readers coming to her for the first time, The Book of Tomorrow’s strong voice and sophisticated storytelling mark an instant new classic from this already beloved author.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency Box Set

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

When a check-in desk at London’s Heathrow Airport disappears in a ball of orange flame, the event is said to be an act of God. But which god, wonders holistic detective Dirk Gently. And how is this connected to Dirk’s battle with his cleaning lady over his filthy refrigerator…or to the murder of his latest client? Or are these events just another stretch of coincidences in the life of the world’s most off-kilter private investigator?

National Sewing Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

New Releases

Events for Adults

True Crime & Brew Time

8:00pm - 9:00pm

Library Branch: Virtual Branch

Age Group: Adults, Adults 21+

Program Type: Book Club

Event Details:

Join us for True Crime & Brew Time to talk about everyone's favorite true crime obsessions! This month we'll be discussing "Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Wome...

Local Author Meet & Greet featuring Jennifer Hobbs, Author of Calmed.: Growth After Trauma

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Registration

Library Branch: Virtual Branch

Age Group: Teens, Adults, Adults 21+, All Ages

Program Type: Lecture Series, Discussion

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: Unlimited

Discussion

Talk about a topic with community members and experts.

Event Details:

Lincoln Library's Behind the Book Series presents: Local Author Meet & Greet with Jennifer Hobbs, author of Calmed.: Growth After Trauma! On this evening Jennifer Hobbs will discuss her inspiration for writing about her experience serving in Iraq...

Arts in the Park!

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Registration

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: Teens, Adults, Adults 21+

Program Type: Crafts

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 16

Event Details:

Paint in the park with local Springfield artists! This is a chance to experience a paintbrush in your hand while surrounded in the beautiful nature that is Washington Park. Whether you are a novice or experienced painter, this will be ...

Successful Collateral and Cluster Searching

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: Adults, All Ages

Program Type: Workshop

Event Details:

A Family History Month event co-hosted by Lincoln Library and the Chatham Area Public Library. Presentation by professional genealogist, Thomas MacEntee. Attend in-person or via Zoom. REGISTER HERE: https://chathamlib.assabetinteractive...

Pluto: The Illinois Connection

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Carnegie North

Registration

Library Branch: Lincoln Library

Room: Carnegie North

Age Group: Adults, All Ages

Program Type: Lecture Series, Discussion

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 26

Lecture Series

Enjoy a local expert discussing a topic of interest.

Event Details:

Pluto may be a dwarf planet now, but not long ago it was "Planet X" until a group of scientists, including local astronomer Clyde Tombaugh proved its existence. Join us as we learn about Clyde and a bit of the history of Pluto as well. ...

The Stitch-uation

6:00pm - 7:30pm

DeFrates Room

Library Branch: Lincoln Library

Room: DeFrates Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Crafts, Social

Social

Connect with friends at the Lincoln Library.

Event Details:

Join the Stitch-uation! Bring your craft of choice for a time, a place, and a supportive space to work on your projects. We meet from 6-7:30 on the first Tuesday of every month in the DeFrates Reading Room on the 3rd floor of the library. ...

Mock Interviews

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Registration

Library Branch: Virtual Branch

Age Group: Teens, Adults

Program Type: Career

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 2

Career

Learn career skills for free at the Lincoln Library.

Event Details:

Come sharpen your interview skills with a quick 10 minute mock interview, followed up by a short review session! Registration is required. ...

Strange Lights at Night: Tales of UFO’s in Illinois

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Carnegie North

Registration

Library Branch: Lincoln Library

Room: Carnegie North

Age Group: Teens, Adults

Program Type: Performance

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 40

Event Details:

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” - Arthur C. Clarke. One might not think of Illinois as being a hub for UFO sightings, but there are plenty of chilling stories about close enc...

Make & Take: Kaleidescope

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Multipurpose Room

Registration

Library Branch: Lincoln Library

Room: Multipurpose Room

Age Group: All Ages

Program Type: Crafts, Make and Take

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 12

Event Details:

Start of Space Week with a fun craft that'll let you see stars wherever you go! ...

Lincoln Library

Adults

Staff Picks

After Anna

The Diamond Throne (The Elenium Trilogy, Book 1)

Young Jane Young

John Dies at the End

Open and Shut

I'd Know You Anywhere LP

I Was Anastasia

Confess

The Magicians

Caraval

The Ghost Manuscript

The Girl Who Slept with God

Giovanni's Room

Aunt Dimity's Death

Magic Bites

Under Her Skin

The Book of Tomorrow

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency Box Set

National Sewing Month

Sew Up a Home Makeover

Fat Quarter: Home

Sewing Happiness

Darning

One-yard Wonders

Sew Useful

Handsewn

200 Sewing Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets

How to Sew

My Felt Doll

Sewing to Sell

Mending and Alterations Made Simple

On the Go Bags

The Hero's Closet

Pirates and Pompoms: How to Make Children's Toys and Costumes

The Essential A-line

The Gentleman's Wardrobe

Gertie Sews Vintage Casual

Sew Happy

Sewing Green

The Savvy Seamstress

Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing:

Print, Pattern, Sew

The Complete Photo Guide to Clothing Construction

Fat Quarter: Home

At Home with Modern June

Sew-It-Yourself Home Decor

Sew Up a Home Makeover

A Beginner's Guide to Making Curtains, Shades, Pillows, Cushions, and More

Sewing Solutions

Girl with a Sewing Machine

Sewing Happiness

The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing

How to Use a Sewing Machine

McCall's® Essential Guide to Sewing

Darning: Repair, Make, and Mend

One-yard Wonders

Sew Useful

Handsewn: The Essential Techniques for Tailoring and Embellishment

200 Sewing Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets

How to Sew: with over 80 techniques and 20 easy projects

See Kate Sew

Hispanic Heritage Month

My Beloved World

In the Dream House

Ordinary Girls

Brown: The Last Discovery of America

Latino Leaders Speak

Once Upon a Quinceanera

Full Woman, Fleshly Apple, Hot Moon

Be Recorder

The Woman I Kept to Myself

The Norton Anthology of Latino Literature

Rita Moreno

Frida Kahlo's Garden

Biographic Kahlo

The South American Table

A Dream Called Home