the ctavian · octavia books book club third saturday at 10:30 am saturday, february 17, 10:30 am...

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CTAVIAN Octavia Books’ bi-monthly newsletter for booklovers THE February / M arch 2018 OCTAVIA BOOKS 513 Octavia Street New Orleans, LA 70115 504-899-READ (7323) octaviabooks.com [email protected] STORE HOURS Open 10 am - 6 pm Monday - Saturday Sunday 10 am - 5 pm Located in uptown New Orleans at the corner of Octavia and Laurel Streets between Magazine and Tchoupitoulas. Voted Best Locally Owned Bookstore Our Lady of the Prairie by Thisbe Nissen After falling headlong into a passionate affair during a semester spent in Ohio, long-married theater pro- fessor Phillipa returns home to Iowa for her daughter’s wedding. There, Phillipa must endure a wedding-day tornado, a menace of a moth- er-in-law who may or may not have been a Nazi collabora- tor, and the tragicomic revenge fantasies of her heretofore docile husband. Naturally, she does what any newly liber- ated woman would do: she takes a match to her life on the prairie and then steps back to survey the wreckage. Set in the seething political climate of a contentious election, Thisbe Nissen’s new novel is sexy, smart, and razor- sharp—a freight train barreling through the heart of the land and the land of the heart. Houghton Mifflin $25. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah After Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war changed and volatile, he moves his wife and thirteen-year-old daughter Leni to Alaska, to live off the grid. At first, the move seems to be the answer to their prayers. But as winter approaches, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature. St. Martin’s $28.99. Avail. 2/6 An American Marriage by Tayari Jones Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of the American Dream. But as they settle into their life together, Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Bereft and unmoored, Celestial takes comfort in her childhood friend Andre. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. But after five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together. An American Marriage is a masterpiece of storytelling, an intimate look deep into the souls of people who must reckon with the past while moving forward—with hope and pain—into the future. Algonquin $26.95. Avail. 2/6 Affairs of the Heart Look Inside For ... Book Clubs, May We Recommend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Exciting New Fiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Page-Turning Dramas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Hot New Picks in YA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Tales for Tots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kids, Tweens, and Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 New in Paperback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Exploring the Human Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Understanding Our World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Local Flavors, Upcoming Events at Octavia Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Upcoming Events at Octavia Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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Page 1: THE CTAVIAN · OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUB Third Saturday at 10:30 am Saturday, February 17, 10:30 am Moonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather,

C TAV I A NOctavia Books’ bi-monthly newsletter for booklovers

THE

February / March 2018

OCTAVIA BOOKS513 Octavia Street

New Orleans, LA 70115504-899-READ (7323)

[email protected]

STORE HOURSOpen 10 am - 6 pmMonday - Saturday

Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Located in uptown New Orleansat the corner of Octavia

and Laurel Streets betweenMagazine and Tchoupitoulas.

Voted BestLocally Owned

Bookstore

Our Lady of thePrairieby Thisbe NissenAfter falling headlong intoa passionate affair during asemester spent in Ohio,long-married theater pro-fessor Phillipa returns hometo Iowa for her daughter’swedding. There, Phillipamust endure a wedding-day tornado, a menace of a moth-er-in-law who may or may not have been a Nazi collabora-tor, and the tragicomic revenge fantasies of her heretoforedocile husband. Naturally, she does what any newly liber-ated woman would do: she takes a match to her life on theprairie and then steps back to survey the wreckage. Set inthe seething political climate of a contentious election,Thisbe Nissen’s new novel is sexy, smart, and razor-sharp—a freight train barreling through the heart of theland and the land of the heart. Houghton Mifflin $25.

The Great Aloneby Kristin HannahAfter Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home fromthe Vietnam war changed and volatile, he moves his wifeand thirteen-year-old daughter Leni to Alaska, to live offthe grid. At first, the move seems tobe the answer to their prayers. But aswinter approaches, Ernt’s fragilemental state deteriorates. Soon theperils outside pale in comparison tothreats from within. In their smallcabin, covered in snow, blanketed ineighteen hours of night, Leni and hermother learn the terrible truth: theyare on their own. The Great Alone is adaring, beautiful, stay-up-all-nightstory about love and loss, the fight forsurvival, and the wildness that lives inboth man and nature. St. Martin’s$28.99. Avail. 2/6

An AmericanMarriage

by Tayari JonesNewlyweds Celestial andRoy are the embodimentof the American Dream.But as they settle intotheir life together, Roy isarrested and sentenced totwelve years for a crime

Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Bereft and unmoored,Celestial takes comfort in her childhood friend Andre. AsRoy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to thelove that has been her center. But after five years, Roy’sconviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns toAtlanta ready to resume their life together. An AmericanMarriage is a masterpiece of storytelling, an intimate lookdeep into the souls of people who must reckon with thepast while moving forward—with hope and pain—intothe future. Algonquin $26.95. Avail. 2/6

Affairs of the Heart

Look Inside For ...Book Clubs, May We Recommend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Exciting New Fiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Page-Turning Dramas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Hot New Picks in YA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Tales for Tots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Kids, Tweens, and Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7New in Paperback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Exploring the Human Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Understanding Our World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Local Flavors, Upcoming Events at Octavia Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Upcoming Events at Octavia Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Page 2: THE CTAVIAN · OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUB Third Saturday at 10:30 am Saturday, February 17, 10:30 am Moonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather,

This issue of The Octavianis filled with wonderfultraits that are naturallytied to books and indiebookstores—love, explo-ration, connection, real-ness, and inquiry. Ourpages are filled with“love” titles that are fun,

poignant, humorous, and sometimes even terrifying.Love is intricately textured, and we’re spotlightingtitles that will allow you to explore its many facets.

On the adorable side, check out Meet Cute, a collec-tion of short stories by popular YA authors that imag-ine a variety of scenarios of how couples firstmeet. The Big Umbrella by Amy June and JuniperBates (a mother/daughter team) is a sweet picturebook that describes an umbrella large enough toinclude everyone. Kelly Corrigan explores the phrasesthat make love and connection possible in Tell MeMore. And in Dead People Suck, Laurie Kilmartintakes a humorous and poignant look at coping withthe loss of loved ones.

Beyond the idea of love, this issue celebrates women.But this theme is also layered, textured, and multi-faceted. On the cover, we’re highlighting womenauthors and contemporary heroines, full of their owncomplicated love stories: Kristin Hannah’s The GreatAlone will terrify, The American Marriage by TayariJones will make you cry, and Thisbe Nissan’s Our Ladyof the Prairie will have you laughing out loud.

You’ll find stories for young women too: check outI Am a Warrior Goddess by Jennifer Adams to inspire

your smallest feminist, and powerful YA titles from ahost of women authors. And in non-fiction, take alook at That’s What She Said in which Joanne Lipmanexplores how women and men can have respectfulrelationships in the workforce.

Perhaps one of the most powerful titles that combinesboth our themes is When They Call You a Terrorist byPatrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele. Authored byone of the co-founders of the Black Lives Mattermovement, this book asks us to remember that theseprotests are motivated by love. Love can be sweet andsentimental, but it can also shake foundations, provid-ing unfathomable strength.

Find your strength and love within the walls of OctaviaBooks this winter. We look forward to seeing you andfinding new textures of connection together.

Dear Booklover,OCTAVIA BOOKS SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB

Second Saturday at 10:30 am

Sunday, February 18, 2 pm(date and time changed because of Mardi Gras)Parable of the Sower by Octavia ButlerWhen unattended environmental and economic crises lead to social chaos, not evengated communities are safe. In a night of fire and death, Lauren Olamina, an empathand the daughter of a minister, loses her family and home and ventures out into theunprotected American landscape. But what begins as a flight for survival soon leads tosomething more: a startling vision of human destiny as Lauren becomes a prophet car-rying the hope of a new world. Chilling and thought-provoking for adult and young adultreaders alike. Grand Central $15.99.

Saturday, March 10, 10:30 amGather, Darkness! by Fritz LeiberGather, Darkness! is a science fiction classic. It tells the story of Armon Jarles, a manliving amidst the disputes of two rival powers at large in the world. 360 years after anuclear holocaust ravaged mankind, throwing society back into the dark ages, theworld is fraught with chaos and superstition. The new rulers are the techno-priests of

the Great God, endowed with scientific knowledge lost to the rest of humanity. Jarles, originally of peas-ant descent, rises to become a priest of the Great God. Open Road Media Science & Fantasy $11.99.

OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUBThird Saturday at 10:30 am

Saturday, February 17, 10:30 amMoonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather, Moonglow unfolds as adeathbed confession. It is a tale of madness and war, of sex, marriage, and desire, ofexistential doubt and model rocketry, of American technological accomplishment atmidcentury, and of the impact and power of keeping secrets and telling lies. It is a por-trait of the love between the narrator’s grandfather and his grandmother. It is also atour de force of speculative autobiography in which Chabon reveals a secret history ofhis own imagination. Harper Perennial $16.99.

Saturday, March 17, 10:30 am • Selection TBA

COME JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

2

BOOK CLUBS

Unplugged by Steve Anthony“Blip is a robot who spends her days plugged into her computer. Due to apower outage, she trips over the cord and falls outside. As Blip ventures intothe unknown, she discovers a vibrant world of color and friendship has beenjust outside her door this whole time. Blip may love being plugged into hercomputer, but she learns that going outside is way more exciting.” Scholastic$16.99. Avail. 2/27

— Kidron Marriotti, Octavia Books bookseller

May We Recommend …

Page 3: THE CTAVIAN · OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUB Third Saturday at 10:30 am Saturday, February 17, 10:30 am Moonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather,

The Takeby Christopher ReichSimon Riske is a freelance industrial spy who, despite hisjob title, lives a mostly quiet life in central London. Hehas maintained his quiet life by avoiding big, messyjobs—until now. Gangster Tino Coluzzi has orchestratedthe greatest heist in the history of Paris: a visiting Saudiprince had a briefcase stolen with millions in cash, alongwith a letter that could upend the balance of power in theWestern world. The Russians have already killed in anattempt to get it back by the time the CIA comes knock-ing at Simon’s door. Mulholland $28.

The Woman in the Windowby A.J. FinnFor readers of Gillian Flynn and Tana French comes oneof the decade’s most anticipated debuts: a twisty, power-ful Hitchcockian thriller. Anna Fox lives as a recluse inher New York City home, unable to venture outside. Shespends her day drinking wine, watching old movies…and spying on her neighbors. But when Anna sees some-thing she shouldn’t, her world’s shocking secrets are laidbare. What is real? Who is in danger? Who is in control?In this diabolical thriller, no one—and nothing—is whatit seems. Willam Morrow $26.99.

Grist Mill Roadby Christopher YatesThe anticipated new novel from the author whose debutwas named a Book of the Year by NPR. Grist Mill Road isa dark, twisted, and expertly plotted tale. The year is1982; the setting, an Edenic hamlet north of New YorkCity. There, among the rock cliffs and glacial ponds oftimeworn mountains, three friends—Patrick, Matthew,and Hannah—are bound together by a terrible crime.Twenty-six years later, living lives their younger selvesnever could have predicted, the three meet again—witheven more devastating results. Picador $26.

Force of Natureby Jane HarperFive colleagues are forced to go on a corporate retreat inthe wilderness. But one of the women doesn’t come outof the woods. And each of her companions tells a slightlydifferent story about what happened. Federal PoliceAgent Aaron Falk has a keen interest in the missinghiker. In an investigation that takes him deep into isolat-ed forest, Falk discovers lurking secrets, and a tangledweb of personal and professional friendship, suspicion,and betrayal among the hikers. But did that lead to mur-der? Flatiron $25.99. Avail. 2/6

Exciting New FictionThe Largesse of the Sea Maidenby Denis JohnsonThe Largesse of the Sea Maiden is the long-awaited storycollection from National Book Award winner and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Denis Johnson. Written in theluminous prose that made him one of the most belovedwriters of his generation, this collection finds Johnson innew territory, contemplating the ghosts of the past andthe elusive ways the mysteries of the universe assert them-selves. Finished shortly before Johnson’s death, this col-lection is the last word from a writer whose work will liveon for years. Random House $27.

Elysium Fireby Alastair ReynoldsThe king of modern space opera presents a tale of mur-derers, secret cultists, tampered memories, and unthink-able power. Ten thousand city-state habitats called theGlitter Band orbit the planet Yellowstone, forming ademocratic human paradise. But across the habitats, peo-ple are dying, victims of a neural implant malfunction;these “melters” leave no clues behind as to the cause oftheir deaths. As panic rises, a charismatic figure is con-vincing habitats to break away from the Glitter Band andform their own colonies. Orbit $15.99.

The Philosopher’s Flightby Tom MillerA thrilling debut from a doctor turned novelist, this his-torical fantasy is set in a WWI-era America where magicand science have blended into a single art. Eighteen-year-old Robert Weekes is a practitioner of empirical philoso-phy—an arcane, female-dominated branch of scienceused to summon wind, shape smoke, heal the injured, andeven fly. When his abilities are put to the test, Robertwins a scholarship to study at Radcliffe College, an all-women’s school. And then he falls for political radicalDanielle Hardin. Simon & Schuster $26. Avail. 2/13

Fools and Mortalsby Bernard CornwellBernard Cornwell’s enthralling standalone novel tells thestory of the first production of A Midsummer Night’sDream as related by William Shakespeare’s estrangedyounger brother. Richard Shakespeare dreams of a glit-tering career in a London playhouse, a world dominatedby William. As William’s star rises, Richard’s onetimegratitude is souring. When a priceless manuscript goesmissing, suspicion falls upon Richard, entangling him induplicity and betrayal. And to avoid the gallows, he mustplay the part of a lifetime. Harper $27.99.

3Starred Reviews: KirkusBooklist School Library JournalLibrary Journal Publishers Weekly

Page 4: THE CTAVIAN · OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUB Third Saturday at 10:30 am Saturday, February 17, 10:30 am Moonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather,

Only Killers and Thievesby Paul HowarthThirsting for vengeance, two distraught brothers rideacross the colonial Australian outback in pursuit of theirformer Aboriginal stockman they believe has wrongedthem. Their harsh and horrifying journey will torment onebrother for the rest of his life—and will hold enduring con-sequences for a young country struggling to come into itsown. Recreating a period of Australian and British historyas evocative as the American frontier era, this debut novelis an unforgettable story of family, guilt, empire, and race.Harper $26.99. Avail. 2/6

Eternal Lifeby Dara HornRachel has a problem: she can’t die. Her recent troubles—widowhood, a failing business, an unemployed adult son—are only the latest in a litany spanning dozens of countries,scores of marriages, and hundreds of children. In the 2,000years since she made a bargain to save the life of her firstson, she’s tried everything to free herself, and only oneother person in the world understands: a man who hasbeen stalking her through the centuries, convinced theybelong together. Gripping, hilarious, and profoundly mov-ing. W.W. Norton $25.95.

Red Clocksby Leni ZumasIn this ferociously imaginative novel, abortion is onceagain illegal in America, in-vitro fertilization is banned,and the Personhood Amendment grants rights of life, lib-erty, and property to every embryo. In a small Oregon fish-ing town, five very different women navigate these newbarriers alongside age-old questions surrounding mother-hood, identity, and freedom. In the vein of MargaretAtwood, Leni Zumas fearlessly explores the contours offemale experience, evoking The Handmaid’s Tale for a newmillennium. Little, Brown $26.

The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermoreby Kim FuA group of young girls descend on Camp Forevermore, asleepaway camp in the Pacific Northwest. Filled withexcitement, they set off on an overnight kayaking trip to anearby island. But before the night is over, they find them-selves stranded, with no adults to help them survive orguide them home. In diamond sharp prose, The Lost Girlsof Camp Forevermore traces these girls through and beyondthis fateful trip, exploring the ways in which the same expe-rience is refracted through different people. HoughtonMifflin $23. Avail. 2/13

Page-Turning Dramas

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Brassby Xhenet AliuA waitress at the Betsy Ross Diner, Elsie meets Bashkim, amarried man who left Albania to chase his dreams—andwound up working as a line cook in Connecticut. Elsie, herselfthe granddaughter of immigrants, falls in love, but when shelearns that she’s pregnant, Elsie can’t help wondering whatBashkim will do about the wife he left behind. Seventeenyears later, headstrong and independent Luljeta has questionsabout the father she never knew. As she soon discovers, thetruth is closer than she ever imagined. Random House $27.

The Immortalistsby Chloe BenjaminIf you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life?In 1969’s New York City’s Lower East Side, a psychic claims tobe able to tell anyone the day they will die. The Gold childrensneak out to hear their fortunes, which inform their next fivedecades. Simon escapes to the West Coast, searching for love;Klara becomes a Las Vegas magician; Daniel seeks security asan army doctor; Varya throws herself into longevityresearch. A sweeping novel, The Immortalists probes the linebetween destiny and choice. GP Putnam’s Sons $26.

Greenby Sam Graham-FelsenBoston, 1992. David Greenfeld is one of the few white kids atthe Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School. Everybodyclowns him, girls ignore him, and his parents won’t transferhim to a private school. But then Marlon Wellings—a lonerfrom the public housing project—sticks up for him in thecafeteria, and they become friends. But as Dave welcomesMar into his world, he realizes how little he knows aboutMar’s. Cracks form in their relationship, and Dave becomesaware of the breaks he’s been given—and that Mar hasnot. Random House $27.

March is a tomboy with tousled hair, a mischievoussmile, mud on her shoes,and a laugh in her voice.

— Hal Borland

Page 5: THE CTAVIAN · OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUB Third Saturday at 10:30 am Saturday, February 17, 10:30 am Moonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather,

Hot New Picks in YAThe Bellesby Dhonielle ClaytonCamellia Beauregard is a Belle, revered in Orleans, forBelles control Beauty. In Orleans, people are born grayand damned, and only with the help of a Belle can they bemade beautiful. But when Camellia and her Belle sistersare summoned to the royal court, Camellia learns that herpowers are greater and more dangerous than she imag-ined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her lifeand help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unin-tended ways, she faces an impossible decision. Freeform$17.99. Avail. 2/6

This is Not a Love Letterby Kim PurcellChris is about to head off to college on a scholarship. Buthe disappeared while going for a run in the same placewhere boys beat him up three weeks ago. Chris is one ofthe only black kids in a depressed paper mill town, andJessie is terrified of what might have happened. The policethink he’s run away. And angry townspeople smear Chris’scharacter and threaten Jessie for suggesting otherwise.Every Friday since they started dating, Chris has writtenJessie a love letter. Now Jessie is writing Chris a letter ofher own. Disney-Hyperion $17.99.

Before I Let Goby Marieke NijkampBest friends Corey and Kyra were inseparable in theirsnow-covered town of Lost Creek, Alaska. When Coreymoves away, she makes Kyra promise to wait for her. Butdays before Corey is to return for a visit, Kyra dies. Coreyis devastated—and confused. The community speaks inhushed tones, saying her death was meant to be. Coreyknows something is wrong; Lost is keeping chilling secrets.But piecing together the truth about what happened to herfriend may prove as difficult as lighting the sky in anAlaskan winter. Sourcebooks Fire $17.99.

Inkby Alice BroadwayThere are no secrets in Saintstone. From the second you’reborn, every achievement, failing, and significant momentare immortalized on your skin. There are honorable marksshowing trustworthiness and shameful tattoos thatannounce you as a traitor. After her father dies, Leora iscomforted that his skin tells a wonderful story, until sheglimpses a symbol of the worst crime a person can commit.Leora knows it must be a mistake, but soon the secret getsout, jeopardizing her father’s legacy and Leora’slife. Scholastic $17.99.

The Cruel Princeby Holly BlackJude was seven years old when her parents were murderedand she and her sisters were stolen away to live in thetreacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Judewants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mor-tality. But many of the fey despise humans—especiallyPrince Cardan. In her efforts to win a place at the Court,she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions.But as civil war threatens the Courts of Faerie, Jude mustrisk her life in an alliance to save Faerie itself. Little BrownBYR $18.99.

The Hazel Woodby Melissa AlbertSeventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent mostof Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of uncannybad luck. But when Alice’s grandmother, the author of acult-classic book of dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate,the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can reallyget: Her mother is stolen away by a figure who claims tocome from the cruel supernatural world where her grand-mother’s stories are set. Alice’s only lead is the message hermother left: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.” Flatiron$16.99.

Broken Beautiful Heartsby Kami GarciaWhen star soccer player Peyton Rios receives an offer fromher first-choice college, senior year starts off well. But whenPeyton uncovers her boyfriend’s dark secret, she confrontshim—and finds herself falling down a flight of stairs.Peyton’s knee is shattered. Was she pushed, or did she fall?Peyton knows the truth, even if no one believes her. Withher future on the line, Peyton goes to stay with her uncle inTennessee to recover. Dating is the last thing on her mind—until she meets sweet, sexy Owen Law, who’s hiding his ownsecrets. Imprint $18.99. Avail. 2/6

Meet Cuteby Various AuthorsWhether or not you believe in fate or luck, every romancehas to start somewhere. Meet Cute is an anthology of shortstories featuring tales of “how they first met” from today’smost popular YA authors. Among the many stories areNina LaCour’s piece about two girls meeting via a crankycustomer service Tweet, Sara Shepard’s tale about a maga-zine intern and a rock star, Katie Cotugno’s story of twoteens hiding out from the police at a house party, andMeredith Russo’s feature of a riveting transgender heroine.Houghton Mifflin BYR $17.99.

5Starred Reviews: KirkusBooklist School Library JournalLibrary Journal Publishers Weekly

Page 6: THE CTAVIAN · OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUB Third Saturday at 10:30 am Saturday, February 17, 10:30 am Moonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather,

Be Kindby Pat Zietlow Miller, illus. by Jen HillWhen Tanisha spills juice all over her dress, her class-mate contemplates how to make her feel better andwhat it means to be kind. From asking the new girl toplay to standing up for someone being bullied, thismoving story explores what a child can do to be kind,and how every act can make a difference—or at leasthelp a friend. With a gentle text from Pat ZietlowMiller, and irresistible art from Jen Hill, Be Kind is anunforgettable story about how two simple words canchange the world. Roaring Brook $17.99. Ages 3-6.Avail. 2/6

Elmoreby Holly HobbieThe creator of the Toot & Puddle series brings usElmore—the warmhearted porcupine sure to stealthe hearts of a new generation of Holly Hobbie fans!Elmore is a porcupine desperate to make friends. Butit is hard to seek closeness with others when you’recovered with spikes that shoot off your back every sooften. Elmore suffers rejection and heartbreak, butthe goodness of his forest community ultimatelyshines through as the animals find a way to connectwith this prickly bundle of love. Random House BYR$17.99. Ages 4-7.

Loveby Matt de la Peñaillus. by Loren Long“In the beginning there is light and two wide-eyed fig-ures standing near the foot of your bed and the soundof their voices is love.” In this heartfelt celebration,Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña andillustrator Loren Long depict the ways we experiencethis universal bond, which carries us from the day weare born throughout the years of our childhood andbeyond. With soothing, lyrical text, this tender tale is aneeded comfort and a new classic that will resonatewith readers of every age. G.P. Putnam’s Sons BYR$17.99. Ages 4-7.

Valensteinsby Ethan LongSomething strange is in the air. The members ofFright Club are always ready to scare, but tonightFran K. Stein has something else on his mind.He’s busy making something, and the other mon-sters want to know what it is. Could it be a maskwith fangs? A big pink nose? Or maybe a paperbutt? No… it’s a Valentine! That means onething… EEEEK!! Is Fran in love? What could bescarier than falling in love?! In this hilariouslyspooky story by Ethan Long, even the scariest ofmonsters have true feelings. Bloomsbury USAChildren’s $16.99. Ages 4-7.

Mighty Tugby Alyssa Satin Capucilliillus. by David MottramMighty Tug may be the smallest boat in the busy harbor,but he is also the mightiest in this timeless picture bookfrom the author of the Katy Duck and Biscuit series.Around the gleaming channel, where the water’s deepand wide, tall ships stretch their sails and the ever sobrave mighty tug leads the way across the waves. To therescue in the busy, busy harbor, little tug saves the dayevery time. Mighty Tug is the smallest, strongest, andbravest boat of all. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman$17.99. Ages 4-8.

Dino Ducklingby Alison MurrayIn this fun and endearing celebration of differences,Dino Duckling is different from all the other babyducks, even as an egg. And when he’s born, no oneseems to notice that he’s actually a dinosaur! MamaDuck knows there is room for difference in a lovingfamily, but there’s one big problem: How will DinoDuckling fly south for the winter without anywings? Alison Murray’s heartwarming reinvention of“The Ugly Duckling” is perfect for anyone who hasever wondered how to fit in. Little Brown BYR $17.99.Ages 4-8.

The Big Umbrellaby Amy June Bates and Juniper BatesBy the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It isso big that when it starts to rain there is roomfor everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter ifyou are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t mat-ter how many legs you have. There will alwaysbe room under the umbrella. Lush illustra-tions and lyrical text subtly address themes ofinclusion and tolerance in this sweet story thatillustrator Amy June Bates co-wrote with herdaughter, Juniper, while walking to schooltogether in the rain. Simon & Schuster/PaulaWiseman $16.99. Ages 4-8. Avail. 2/6

I am a Warrior Goddessby Jennifer AdamsYou don’t have to be a grown-up to be a hero, and I Ama Warrior Goddess shows how in the empowering tale ofa little girl with big aspirations. Through the clever playbetween illustration and text, young readers learn howeach day is full of opportunities to make a positiveimpact with ordinary actions. As our heroine connectswith the earth, takes care of her body, and finds strength in kindness, she discoversher inner warrior goddess and inspires young girls everywhere to do the same. SoundsTrue $17.95. Ages 5-8. Avail. 2/6

Tales for Tots

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Kids, Tweens, and TeensFairy Mom and Meby Sophie KinsellaFans of Sophie Kinsella’s humor will love her first illus-trated series for young readers! Ella Brook can’t wait togrow up—one day she will become a fairy and have herown wings and a teacher on Fairy Tube, just like her mom!Until then, Ella has to learn by watching her mom inaction. But sometimes spells go wrong, and Ella’s momcan never seem to remember the right magic codes on herComputawand. A lot of the time, it’s up to Ella to come tothe rescue. Does she have what it takes to be a fairy oneday? Delacorte $14.99. Ages 7-10.

Whiskerellaby Ursula VernonIn this funny, feminist twist on the Cinderella fairy tale,Princess Harriet Hamsterbone doesn’t enjoy fancydresses or extravagant parties. Cliff-diving, fractions,and whacking people with swords are more her thing.So when she’s forced to attend a ball, Harriet is lessthan thrilled—until a bewitchingly beautiful strangerarrives. Who is she? And where did she come from?The mystery leads to a not-so-wicked stepsister, anincontinent lizard, and a fairy’s spell that’s really moreof a curse. Dial $12.99. Ages 8-11.

The Royal Rabbits of Londonby Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag MontefioreMrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH meets Warriors in thischarming novel that proves that even the smallest rabbitcan be the biggest hero. Shylo has always been the runtof the litter, the weakest and quietest of his family. Butwhen Shylo stumbles across a band of ratzis and over-hears their evil plan to take a photo of the Queen in hernightie, it’s up to this unlikely hero to travel to Londonand inform the Royal Rabbits of London! But can a rab-bit as shy as Shylo convince them that the Queen is indanger? Aladdin Paperbacks $16.99. Ages 8-11.

The Terrible Two Go Wildby Mac Barnett and John JoryEveryone’s favorite pranksters are at it again! School’sout, and Miles and Niles are running wild in the woods:climbing trees, exploring caves, and, yes, pranking. Butthese lazy days of mischief darken when bully Josh Barkinand his cadets from a nearby kids’ boot camp discover themerrymakers and vow to destroy them. Are our heroes’sharp minds any match for these hooligans’ hard fists?The latest installment of the witty, illustrated seriesproves once again that pranks can be tools of justice—plus, they’re funny. Amulet $13.99. Ages 8-12.

Dragon Bonesby Lisa McMannTen years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace toQuill and Artime, their younger twin sisters journeybeyond Artime in this sequel to The Unwanteds. One ofthese sisters, Thisbe, is trapped in the catacombs, wherethe ancient dragon rulers are buried. Along with fellowprisoners, Thisbe’s job is to transport dragon bones to aroom where others extract their magical properties. Whenit appears no one is coming to rescue her, Thisbe musttrain in secret, learning to control her magic and use it toescape. Aladdin Paperbacks $18.99. Ages 8-12. Avail. 2/6

The Ambrose Deceptionby Emily EctonMelissa is a nobody. Wilf is a slacker. Bondi is a show-off.At least that’s what their middle school teachers think. Toeveryone’s surprise, they are chosen to compete for a tenthousand-dollar scholarship, solving clues that lead themto locations around Chicago. It doesn’t take long beforethey wonder whether the competition is a sham. And it’sonly by joining forces that the trio is able to uncover thetruth behind the Ambrose Deception—a truth thatinvolves a lot more than a scholarship. Disney-Hyperion$16.99. Ages 9-12. Avail. 2/13

The Journey of Little Charlieby Christopher Paul CurtisTwelve-year-old Charlie is down on his luck: His share-cropper father just died and Cap’n Buck—the most fear-some man in Possum Moan, South Carolina—has come tocollect a debt. Fearing for his life, Charlie strikes a dealand agrees to track down folks accused of stealing fromthe cap’n and his boss. It’s not too bad of a bargain... untilCharlie discovers the fugitives’ true identities. Tornbetween his conscience and his survival instinct, Charliemust now figure out his next move before Cap’n Buckcatches on. Scholastic $16.99. Ages 9-12.

Unearthedby Amie Kaufman and Meagan SpoonerWhen Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinctalien race, it seems like the solution humanity has beenwaiting for. The Undying’s technology has the potential toundo environmental damage, and their message leads tothe planet Gaia. Jules and Amelia smuggle themselvesonto the alien planet’s surface, desperate to uncover itsriches. But the more they learn about the Undying, themore Jules and Mia feel their presence is part of a designthat could be the end of the human race. Disney-Hyperion$17.99. Ages 13-17.

7Starred Reviews: KirkusBooklist School Library JournalLibrary Journal Publishers Weekly

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The Refugeesby Viet Thanh NguyenPublished in hardcover to astounding acclaim, TheRefugees is the remarkable debut collection of short storiesby Viet Thanh Nguyen, winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prizefor Fiction for The Sympathizer. In these powerful stories,written over a period of twenty years and set in bothVietnam and America, Nguyen gives voice to the hopesand expectations of people making life-changing decisionsto leave one country for another, and the rifts in identity,loyalties, romantic relationships, and family that accompa-ny relocation. Grove Press $16.

The Underground Railroadby Colson WhiteheadPulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner! Cora is aslave on a Georgia plantation. Life is hell for all the slaves,but especially for Cora; an outcast even among her fellowAfricans, she is coming into womanhood where evengreater pain awaits. When Caesar, an arrival fromVirginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, theytake a terrifying risk and escape. Like the protagonist ofGulliver’s Travels, Cora encounters different worlds ateach stage of her journey—hers is an odyssey through timeas well as space. Anchor $16.95.

Beartownby Fredrik BackmanPeople say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestleddeep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to theencroaching trees. But the old ice rink, built generationsago, gives the residents hope. Their junior ice hockey teamhas made it to the national semi-finals, and all the town’shopes and dreams now rest on the shoulders of a handfulof teenage boys. The pressure is high, and the semi-finalmatch is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave ayoung girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. WashingtonSquare Press $17. Avail. 2/6

The 15:17 to Parisby Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone, and Jeffrey SternOn August 21, 2015, Ayoub El-Khazzani boarded train#9364 in Brussels, armed with an AK-47, a pistol, a boxcutter, and enough ammunition to obliterate every passen-ger. Another major ISIS attack was about to begin. ButKhazzani wasn’t expecting Anthony Sadler, AlekSkarlatos, and Spencer Stone. The 15:17 to Paris is anamazing true story of friendship and bravery, of neartragedy averted by three men who found the unity andstrength at the moment when they, and 500 other travelers,needed it most. PublicAffairs $15.99.

Lincoln in the Bardoby George SaundersWhile the U.S. Civil War is less than one year old,President Lincoln’s eleven-year-old son, Willie, becomes illand dies. A grief-stricken Lincoln returns to the crypt sev-eral times to hold his boy’s body. From that seed of histor-ical truth, George Saunders spins a story that breaks outinto a supernatural realm. Willie Lincoln finds himself in apurgatory where ghosts mingle, gripe, commiserate, andenact bizarre acts of penance. Within this transitionalstate—the bardo—a struggle erupts over Willie’s soul.Random House Trade $17. Avail. 2/6

The Late Showby Michael ConnellyRenee Ballard works the midnight shift, beginning manyinvestigations but finishing few, as each morning she turnseverything over to daytime units. It’s a frustrating job that’sbeen given to her as punishment after filing a sexual harass-ment complaint against a supervisor. But when Ballardcatches two assignments she doesn’t want to part with, sheworks both cases by day while maintaining her shift bynight. As the investigations intertwine, Ballard is forced toface her own demons and confront unimagineable danger.Grand Central $15.99.

Winterby Marissa MeyerPrincess Winter despises her stepmother, and knowsQueen Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her child-hood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. ButWinter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be; togetherwith her allies, Winter might even be able to launch a rev-olution and win a war that’s been raging too long. CanCinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and findtheir happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss thisthrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer’s bestselling LunarChronicles series. Square Fish $12.99.

New in Paperback

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she was troublechaos reallybut her smileher smiledared me to fall in love with her.

— Atticus

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Exploring the Human ConditionWhen They Call You a Terroristby Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandeleFrom one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Mattermovement, When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black LivesMatter Memoir reminds us that protest in the interest ofthe most vulnerable comes from love. Leaders of theBlack Lives Matter movement have been called terrorists,a threat to America. But in truth, they are loving womenseeking justice for those victimized by the powerful. In thisempowering account, Patrisse Cullors and asha bandeleseek to change the culture that declares innocent black lifeexpendable. St. Martin’s $24.99.

Feel Freeby Zadie SmithSince she burst spectacularly into view with her debutnovel almost two decades ago, Zadie Smith has estab-lished herself not just as one of the world’s preeminent fic-tion writers, but also a brilliant essayist. Feel Free: Essays iscomprised of new work as well as classic essays and isarranged into five sections: In the World, In the Audience,In the Gallery, On the Bookshelf, and Feel Free. Equallyat home in the world of good books and bad politics, sheis by turns wry, heartfelt, indignant, and incisive—andalways perfect company. Penguin $29. Avail. 2/6

Tell Me Moreby Kelly CorriganIt’s a crazy idea: trying to name the phrases that make loveand connection possible. But that’s just what KellyCorrigan has set out to do here, with a deeply personal,unfailingly honest, and often hilarious examination of theessential phrases that turn the wheel of life. With refresh-ing candor, a well of empathy, and her signature desire tounderstand “the thing behind the thing,” Tell Me More:Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say is amoving take on the power of the right words to changeeverything. Random House $26.

Winterby Karl Ove KnausgaardIn Winter, we rejoin Karl Ove Knausgaard as he waits forthe birth of his daughter. In preparation for her arrival, hetakes stock of the world, seeing it as if for the first time.He writes about the moon, water, messiness, owls, birth-days—to name just a handful of his subjects. New life is onthe horizon, but the earth is also in hibernation, waitingfor the warmer weather to return, and so a contradictorymelancholy inflects his gaze. Startling and compassionate,Knausgaard shows the world as it really is: at once mun-dane and sublime. Penguin $27.

Wallis in Loveby Andrew MortonFor fans of the Netflix series The Crown comes a captivat-ing biography of Wallis Simpson, the notorious woman forwhom Edward VIII gave up the throne. In Wallis in Love:The Untold Life of the Duchess of Windsor, the Woman WhoChanged the Monarchy, Andrew Morton offers a fresh por-trait of Wallis Simpson. During her climb up the social lad-der, we gain insights into the personality and motivationsof a complex, domineering woman striving to determineher own fate in a harsh, turbulent world. Grand Central$28. Avail. 2/13

Jefferson’s Daughtersby Catherine KerrisonThomas Jefferson had three daughters: Martha and Mariaby his wife, Martha Jefferson, and Harriet by his slave SallyHemings. In Jefferson’s Daughters: Three Sisters, White andBlack, in a Young America, Catherine Kerrison recountstheir journeys—and how their struggle to define them-selves reflects both the possibilities and the limitations thatresulted from the American Revolution. Their stories shednew light on the American human rights movement—andon the legacy of this controversial Founding Father.Ballantine Books $28.

The Road Not Takenby Max BootIn this epic biography of Edward Lansdale (1908–1987),historian Max Boot demonstrates how Lansdale pioneereda “hearts and mind” diplomacy, first in the Philippines,then in Vietnam. It was a visionary policy that, as Bootreveals, was crushed by America’s giant military bureau-cracy, who favored troop build-ups and napalm bombsover winning the trust of the people. The Road Not Taken:Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam sug-gests that Vietnam could have been different had we onlylistened. Liveright $35.

The Monk of Mokhaby Dave EggersA heart-pounding true story of a young man—a Muslimand a U.S. citizen—Mokhtar Alkhanshali, who wasbrought up by Yemeni immigrants in San Francisco. Attwenty-four he becomes interested in coffee and its historyin Yemen. He sets out to learn about coffee cultivation,roasting, and importing, traveling to Yemen and eager tohelp Yemeni farmers bring their coffee back to its formerglory. He is on the verge of success when civil war engulfsYemen in 2015. The U.S. embassy closes, and Mokhtar istrapped. Knopf $28.95.

9Starred Reviews: KirkusBooklist School Library JournalLibrary Journal Publishers Weekly

Page 10: THE CTAVIAN · OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUB Third Saturday at 10:30 am Saturday, February 17, 10:30 am Moonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather,

Smoketownby Mark WhitakerThe other great Renaissance of black culture burst forthin Pittsburgh from the 1920s through the 1950s.Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other Great BlackRenaissance explores this unsung community, depictinghow Southern migrants were drawn to this steel-makingcity; how they were shaped by its schools and a spirit ofcommerce; and how their world was eventually destroyedby industrial decline. Whitaker embarks on a rousing, rev-elatory journey—and offers a timely reminder that BlackHistory is not all bleak. Simon & Schuster $30.

The Deepest Wellby Nadine Burke HarrisWhen Dr. Nadine Burke Harris met a boy who hadstopped growing after a sexual trauma, she was galvanizedto dig into the connections between toxic stress and thelifelong illnesses she was tracking. This led to an astonish-ing breakthrough: childhood stress changes our neuralsystems and lasts a lifetime. For anyone who has faced adifficult childhood, or who cares about the children whodo, the interventions outlined in The Deepest Well: Healingthe Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity will repre-sent hope for change. Houghton Mifflin $27.

Dead People Suckby Laurie KilmartinDeath is not for the faint of heart, and sometimes the bestway to cope is through humor. No one knows this betterthan comedian Laurie Kilmartin. She made headlines bylive-tweeting her father’s time in hospice and her grievingprocess after he passed, and channeled her experienceinto a comedy special, 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad. DeadPeople Suck: A Guide for Survivors of the Newly Departedis her hilarious guide to surviving (sometimes) death,dying, and grief without losing your mind. Rodale $21.99.Avail. 2/13

That’s What She Saidby Joanne LipmanThere will be no man shaming in That’s What She Said:What Men Need to Know (and Women Need to Tell Them)about Working Together. Filled with illuminating anec-dotes, data from the most recent studies, and stories fromJoanne Lipman’s own journey to the top of a male-domi-nated industry, this book shows how we can win by reach-ing across the gender divide and why empowering womenas true equals is an essential goal for women and men—and offers a roadmap for getting there. William Morrow$28.99. Avail. 2/13

Understanding Our WorldPipe Dreamsby Erin BancoIraq is the owner of the world’s fifth largest oilreserves. When the U.S. invaded in 2003, the BushAdministration promised that oil revenue would beused to rebuild the country. But fifteen years later, theIraqi economy has flatlined and is dependent on inter-national aid, and millions of people are internally dis-placed. Pipe Dreams: The Plundering of Iraq’s OilWealth is a cautionary tale that reveals how the dreamof an oil-financed democracy in Iraqi Kurdistan nowlooks like an unrealistic fantasy. Columbia GlobalReports $14.99.

Whenby Daniel PinkOur lives are a never-ending stream of “when” deci-sions: when to start a business, schedule a class, getserious about a person. Yet we make those decisionsbased on intuition and guesswork. Timing, it’s oftenassumed, is an art. In When: The Scientific Secrets ofPerfect Timing, Pink shows that timing is really a sci-ence. Drawing on research from psychology, biology,and economics, Pink provides a fascinating narrativepacked with stories and takeaways that give readersinsights into how we can live richer, more engagedlives. Riverhead $28.

Clean Proteinby Kathy Freston and Bruce FriedrichFood and wellness experts Kathy Freston and BruceFriedrich have spent years researching the future ofprotein. They’ve now distilled what they’ve learnedinto a strength-building plan poised to reshape yourbody and change your world. Complete with deliciousrecipes and a detailed guide to food planning, CleanProtein: The Revolution That Will Reshape Your Body,Boost Your Energy—And Save Our Planet explainseverything you need to know in order to get lean, gainenergy, and stay mentally sharp. Hachette Books $27.

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11Starred Reviews: KirkusBooklist School Library JournalLibrary Journal Publishers Weekly

LOCAL FLAVORSRobicheaux by James Lee BurkeDuring a murder investigation, Dave Robicheaux discovers he may have committedthe homicide he’s investigating, one which involved the death of the man who tookthe life of Dave’s beloved wife. As he works to clear his name, Robicheaux encountersa resurgence of dark social forces that threaten to destroy all of those whom he loves.A propulsive and thrilling novel, James Lee Burke has returned with one ofAmerica’s favorite characters in his most searing, most prescient novel to date. Simon& Schuster $27.99.

King Zeno by Nathaniel RichNew Orleans, 1918. The birth of jazz, the Spanish flu, and an ax murderer on theloose. The ax murders scramble the fates of three people from different corners oftown: Detective William Bastrop, an army veteran bent on redemption; IsadoreZeno, a jazz cornetist with a dangerous side hustle; and Beatrice Vizzini, the widowof a crime boss who yearns to take the family business straight. Each nurtures dreamsof glory and eternal life, their ambitions carrying them into dark territories of obses-sion, paranoia, and madness. Farrar Straus and Giroux $28.

The Big Free by Martha Boone The Big Free describes the medical humor and drama in the life of one of the firstwomen surgeons in the busiest trauma surgery program in New Orleans in 1982. Theexcitement and dark humor of the inner city emergency room is the background forthis coming of age story. Only a great story teller with inside knowledge can capturethe intimacy of the lives of doctors, nurses, and their patients. Readers will laugh andcry and long to know more of the spirited, young, female-doctor protagonist. MorganJames Fiction $17.95.

New Orleans: The Making of an Urban Landscape by Peirce F. LewisIn his now classic work of historical geography, originally published in 1976, Lewistraces the rise and expansion of New Orleans through four major historical periods.This second edition offers a revised and expanded look at this unique community onthe Mississippi Delta—“a fearsome place, difficult enough for building houses, lunacyfor wharves and skyscrapers.” With a new foreword that situates Lewis’s work post-Katrina, this book remains as insightful today as it was before the 2005 hurricane.University of Virginia Press $35. Avail. 2/01

Unveiling the Muse by Howard Philips SmithTraditional Carnival has been well documented with a vast array of books publishedon the subject. However, few of them mention gay Carnival krewes or the role ofgay Carnival within the larger context of the season. Howard Philips Smith correctsthis oversight with Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Carnival in NewOrleans, a beautiful, vibrant, and exciting account of gay Carnival. Based on yearsof detailed interviews, each of the major gay krewes is represented by an in-depthhistorical sketch. University Press of Mississippi $50.

Dragons of New Orleans by Bruce DearIn this magical tale for beginner readers, a child’s creativity comes tolife as he explores the imagined life of dragons. Set against the back-drop of New Orleans, the delightful illustrations by Samantha Smithengage readers with vibrant colors. Bruce Dear’s whimsical passageslead us through an adventure across the city. Over 40 dragons inhabitthis book—can you find them all? Dragons of New Orleans is the culmi-nation of Dear’s long time fascination with dragons and his passion forall things NOLA. Suitable for ages 3-5. Bookbaby $25.

ROBERT GORDON in conversation withMICHAEL TISSERANDMemphis Rent Party Friday, March 23, 6 pmMemphis has been essential toAmerican music—blues, rockand roll, and soul. Now Robert

Gordon takes us to the people and places history hasyet to record. A Memphis native, he whiles away timewith blues legend Furry Lewis and pianist MoseVinson, and sips whiskey at Junior Kimbrough’shouse parties. Through the interconnected profilesin Memphis Rent Party, Gordon revels in the individ-ualism that connects these diverse encounters.Bloomsbury $28.

HILLARY CHUTEWhy Comics?: FromUnderground toEverywhereSaturday, March 24, 6 pmThe massive impact thatcomics have had on our culturebecomes clearer every day,from the critically acclaimedmusical Fun Home, based on

Alison Bechdel’s groundbreaking comic, to the dozensof superhero films hitting cinemas every year. What isit that makes comics so special? Join comics scholarHillary Chute as she explores the history of comics,the themes that Comics handle best, and how the formis uniquely equipped to explore them. Harper $40.

DR. MARYFRANCES BERRY History Teaches Us to ResistWednesday, March 28, 6 pmDespair after the election of apolarizing president, such asDonald Trump, is part of thepush-pull of American poli-

tics. But in History Teaches Us to Resist: HowProgressive Movements Have Succeeded in ChallengingTimes, historian and former chairwoman of the USCommission on Civil Rights Mary Frances Berryshows that resistance to presidential administrationshas led to positive change and the defeat of outra-geous proposals. She also shares experiences fromher six decades as an activist. Join us. Beacon $26.95.

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Upcoming Events at Octavia Books

Page 12: THE CTAVIAN · OCTAVIA BOOKS BOOK CLUB Third Saturday at 10:30 am Saturday, February 17, 10:30 am Moonglow by Michael Chabon Based on conversations with Chabon’s own grandfather,

ALON SHAYA Shaya: An Odyssey ofFood, My Journey Back to IsraelThursday, March 15, 7 pmLocation: New Orleans JCC, 5432 St. Charles Ave.James Beard Award-winningNew Orleans chef Alon Shaya

presents his debut cookbook. No ordinary cookbook,Shaya tells how food saved his life. These are stories ofplace, people, and of the food that connects them, amemoir of one man’s culinary sensibility, with food asthe continuum throughout his journey—guiding his per-sonal and professional decisions, punctuating everymemory, choice, every turning point in his life. Morethan 100 recipes from Roasted Chicken with Harissa toSpeckled Trout with Tahini and Pine Nuts. Knopf $35.

MINROSE GWIN PromiseWednesday, March 21, 6 pmIn the aftermath of a devastatingtornado that rips through Tupelo,Mississippi at the height of theGreat Depression, two womenworlds apart—one black, one white;one a great-grandmother, the othera teenager—fight for their families’

survival in this powerful novel. Drawing on historicalevents, Minrose Gwin imagines the destruction in thedeep South of the 1930s through the experiences of thesetwo remarkable women. William Morrow $25.99.

ZACHARY LAZAR:Vengeance & PETER COOLEY:World Without FinishingThursday, March 22, 6 pmWe are excited to welcome TulaneUniversity professors Zachary Lazarand Peter Cooley for a special jointevent. Lazar’s Vengeance was in-spired by a passion play he witnessedat the Louisiana State Penitentiary.World Without Finishing continuesCooley’s search for the “ordinarymiraculous,” the subject of his booksfor four decades. He is the formerPoet Laureate of Louisiana.Catapult $16.95/ Carnegie MellonUniversity Press $15.95.

JOHNETTEDOWNING Mademoiselle Grands Doigts Saturday, February 242 pmJoin Johnette Downingas she weaves her magi-cal legendary tale. Once

upon a time on New Year’s Eve, suitors kissed thegraceful hands of Mademoiselle Grands Doigts.Jealous, the other girls cast a gris gris cursing herwith long, gnarled fingers and warts. Ashamed,she vanished, never to be seen again, and the girlsfled to the swamp. Now, every New Year’s Eve,Mademoiselle Grands Doigts fills nice children’sshoes with treats, proving pretty is as pretty does.Pelican $16.99.

DR. SEUSS BUS TOURWednesdayFebruary 28Time and location to beannounced; please seeour website for up todate information.

Featuring a walk-through interactive exhibit star-ring Dr. Seuss’s books and characters, kid-friendlyactivities, photo-ops with the Cat in the Hat andmore!

RADLEY BALKOand TUCKERCARRINGTONThe Cadaver King andthe Country DentistFriday, March 2, 6 pmAfter two three-year-old-girls were raped and mur-

dered in Mississippi, law enforcement convictedtwo innocent men, who spent a combined thirtyyears in prison before being exonerated in 2008.Meanwhile, the real killer remained free.Welcome Radley Balko and Tucker Carrington asthey present The Cadaver King and the CountryDentist: A True Story of Injustice in the AmericanSouth, recounting the story of how the criminaljustice system allowed this to happen.PublicAffairs $28.

TOM WATSON Stick Dog Crashes aPartyWednesday, March 7, 4 pmStick Dog and his pals havestumbled on a party at PicassoPark. And Stick Dog, Mutt,Poo-Poo, Stripes, and Karenare ready to crash it. But howwill they do it? Bring your 8-

12 year olds to catch this fun event! Perfect forfans of Big Nate, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and theprevious Stick Dog books, Tom Watson’s hilariousseries continues with Stick Dog Crashes a Party—afestive adventure complete with cake, fireworks,and special guests! HarperCollins $12.99.

TOM SANCTONThe Bettencourt AffairThursday, March 8, 6 pmHeiress to the nearly forty-bil-lion-dollar L’Oreal fortune,Liliane Bettencourt was theworld’s richest woman. But hergilded life took a dark turn inthe past decade. At ninety-

four, she was embroiled in a scandal that dominatedthe headlines in France. Join Tom Sancton (Song forMy Fathers) and explore the tangled web of TheBettencourt Affair: The World’s Richest Woman andthe Scandal That Rocked Paris. Dutton $28.

RICHARD G.ROBBINS JR. Overtaken by the NightMonday, March 12, 6 pmVladimir Fedorovich Dzhun-kovsky was a witness to Russia’sunfolding tragedy—from TsarAlexander II’s Great Reforms,through world war, revolution,

the rise of a new regime, and finally, his country’sdescent into terror under Stalin. But Dzhunkovskywas not just a passive observer—he was an activeparticipant, often struggling against the tide.Overtaken by the Night: One Russian’s Journeythrough Peace, War, Revolution, and Terror is reminis-cent of Doctor Zhivago, but more extraordinary forbeing true. Join us. University of Pittsburg Press$39.95.

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