Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter January 2025

View Online
The SEKnFind Newsletter
January 2025

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

Midwestern Gothic : a collection of horror stories from the American heartland /
by Scott Thomas

“Close your eyes. Picture open plains, wheat stalks swaying gently in the wind. Picture the quaint Main Street of a one-stoplight town. Picture endless summers on sunny, tranquil lakes. With three provocative novellas, Kill Creek author and Kansas native Scott Thomas takes a hatchet to the idyllic tropes of the American heartland. With this collection, Thomas digs his hands into the soil of the American heartland and establishes himself as the master of Midwestern Gothic”

Knife skills for beginners
by Orlando Murrin

Covering for friend Christian Wagner at Chester Square Cookery School in London, Paul Delamare enjoys imparting wisdom to students until someone is found killed with Paul’s knife, and Paul must discover the killer before he gets butchered.

Hotel lucky seven : a novel
by Kåotaråo Isaka

In Bullet Train, underworld operative Ladybug was tasked by his handler Maria with retrieving a suitcase from a high-speed train in Japan. The job did not go according to plan, to the delight of millions of readers and movie fans around the world. Will the unluckiest assassin in the world will find things easier this time around? All he has to do is deliver a painting to a hotel guest, a portrait made by his daughter. Easy enough, except when Ladybug makes the delivery, he realizes that the guest is clearly not the guy in the painting. Then he attacks Ladybug, they fight, and the guest ends up dead. How can such simple jobs always go wrong?

Homeseeking
by Karissa Chen

Separated by war and reunited after 60 years, Haiwen and Suchi navigate decades of love, loss and survival across continents, as their shared past clashes with their hopes for a second chance at life.

All the water in the world : a novel
by Eiren Caffall

Follows a young girl, Nonie, and her family as they navigate a post-apocalyptic New York ravaged by melting glaciers, as they safeguard cultural history while surviving storms, scarcity and meeting diverse communities in their quest for a hopeful future.

Give me butterflies : a novel
by Jillian Meadows

Millie, an ambitious entomologist, and Finn, a grumpy astronomer dealing with personal loss, clash at work but can’t avoid each other when he joins the committee for her dream job. Original. 100,000 first printing.

Witchcraft for wayward girls
by Grady Hendrix

“Set in Florida in the 1970s, Grady Hendrix’s newest novel follows five young women in a home for unwed mothers who find a guide to witchcraft”

The Last One
by Rachel Howzell Hall

Waking up in a forest, Kai, who doesn’t remember anything of her life before today, is hunted by otherworldly creatures, unlocking new powers every time she fights them, but the moment she touches another, a piece of her dies, leading her on a desperate search for answers to who?—?and what?—?she is.

Exordia
by Seth Dickinson

“Anna Sinjari–refugee, survivor of genocide, disaffected office worker–has a close encounter that reveals universe-threatening stakes. Enter Ssrin, a many-headed serpent alien who is on the run from her own past. Ssrin and Anna are inexorably, dangerously drawn to each other…While humanity reels from disaster, Anna must join a small team of civilians, soldiers, and scientists to investigate a mysterious broadcast and unknowable horror. If they can manage to face their own demons, they just might save the world”

The bullet swallower : a novel
by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

“In 1964, when Jaime Sonoro, Mexico’s most renowned actor and singer, discovers a book telling of the multitude of horrific crimes committed by his ancestors, he must pay for their crimes unless he can uncover the truth about his grandfather, the legendary bandido El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower”

The resurrectionist / : A Twisty Gothic Mystery of Dark Scottish History
by A. Rae Dunlap

In 1828 Edinburgh, determined to study surgery, naïve James Willoughby abandons his privileged life for the bustling medical scene, only to become embroiled with the charming but dangerous body snatcher Aneurin MacKinnon, leading him into a dark world of rival gangs and deadly competition for cadavers.

Leaving Independence
by William W. Johnstone

“Independence, Missouri, 1865. Seasoned wagon master Virgil Grissom prepares to lead a new group of families westward across the Oregon Trail. Among them are struggling farmer Matt Moran, his wife Katie, and their three small children. In spite of the long, treacherous journey ahead, Grissom is confident that this solid, hard-working farmer and his family are tough enough to endure the harsh elements, the rugged terrain, and the occasional run-in with hostile tribes. But he’s not so sure about the farmer’s younger brother, Clay, who plans to catch up with them along the trail. Alone. Which has Grissom worried . . . On the Oregon Trail, a lone man is dead man. Clay Moran fought hard in the Civil War, serving as lieutenant in the US Calvary. Now that Robert E. Lee has surrendered, Clay is free to head west with his brother’s family. Problem is, the wagon train has left Independence already-and Clay has to go it alone. Luckily, the army let him keep his horse. But when a couple of bushwhackers steal that horse and all his money, he’s left high and dry. If Clay hopes to catch up with the wagon train, he’ll have to rely on his wits. His guts. And every skill he learned in the war. Along the way, he’ll have to do things a man should never have to do-just to survive . . . “

New Audiobooks

Defense protocol
by Brian Andrews

“Every word a president utters is weighed and examined, but none more so than when he is talking about Taiwan. That’s why it’s shocking that President Jack Ryan seems to imply that the US has no appetite for a war to protect Taiwan from the communist Chinese on the mainland. President Ryan is determined to protect the independence of the island nation, but he is determined that one slip of the tongue should not cost thousands of young soldiers, sailors and Marines their lives. Jack Ryan returns in a blockbuster novel of action, thrills and intrigue in the world created by master storyteller Tom Clancy.”

Stuart Woods’ Golden Hour
by Brett Battles

Teddy Fay is ready to embark on the European press tour of Peter Barrington’s latest film Storm’s Eye, when he receives an unexpected visit from Lance Cabot, director of the CIA. Several CIA agents have been turning up dead. The commonality? They were all part of a mission Teddy was involved in: Golden Hour. Lance wants Teddy to use his trip as a cover to investigate who is behind these killings. From Venice and Budapest to their last stop at a film festival in Berlin, Teddy must dodge excited fans, enamored women, and a few too many assassins who seem dead set on tracking down Golden Hour agents. And if Teddy doesn’t work fast enough, his identity–and life–might just be the next target in the killer’s ruthless plot for revenge.

The Mirror
by Nora Roberts

When Sonya MacTavish inherits the huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she has no idea that the house is haunted. The footsteps she hears at night, the doors slamming, the music playing, are not figments of her imagination. In her dreams she sees glimpses of the past. In the present she finds portraits of brides. And when she has visions of an antique mirror, she is drawn to it, sensing it holds dark family secrets. Then one night the mirror appears and Sonya glides through this looking glass, into the past, and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold torn from her finger. It is a scene that will play out again and again, a centuries-old curse that must be broken, and a puzzle she must solve if there is any hope of breaking the curse.

New Nonfiction

The Let Them Theory : A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About
by Mel Robbins

A simple, transformative approach to improving personal and professional relationships by shifting focus from controlling others to accepting them, offering science-backed strategies to reduce stress, enhance happiness, foster healthier connections, and empower individuals to prioritize their well-being and achieve personal fulfillment.

Beyond anxiety : curiosity, creativity, and finding your life’s purpose
by Martha Nibley Beck

“From bestselling author Martha Beck, a new path to overcoming anxiety by awakening the creativity within We live in an epidemic of anxiety. Most of us assume that the key to overcoming it is to think our way out. And for a while it works. But there is always something that sends us back into the anxious spiral we’ve been trying to climb out of. In Beyond Anxiety, Dr. Martha Beck explains why anxiety is skyrocketing around you, and likely within you. She also tells you how to not only reduce your anxietybut use it to propel you into a life filled with peace, meaning, and joy. Using a combination of the latest neuroscience as well as her background in sociology and coaching, Beck explains how our brains tend to get stuck in an “anxiety spiral,” a feedback system that can increase anxiety indefinitely. To climb out, we must engage different parts of our nervous system–the parts involved in creativity. Beck provides instructions for engaging the “creativity spiral,” in a process that not only shuts down anxiety but leads to innovative problem solving, a sense of meaning and purpose, and joyful, intimate connection with others–and with the world. The opposite of anxiety, it turns out, is a wonderful new way of life–one that can calm and inspire us as individuals and help us become a source of healing for everything around us”

Breaking free from broke : the ultimate guide to more money and less stress
by George Kamel

“America has become the land of the free and the home of the broke. Household debt is at an all-time high, and every day people-just like you-are feeling more cynical and hopeless about their financial futures. It’s time to stop believing countless liesfrom a system designed to take your money-lies like student loans are the golden ticket to a good-paying job, car payments are just part of life, and that you need to have a credit card. Ramsey Personality and personal finance expert George Kamel shareshis story of going from a negative net worth to a millionaire in under 10 years by following Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps. George’s delivery, highlighted by his snarky sense of humor, will keep you laughing and engaged from cover to cover (no put-you-to-sleep financial advice here). Through a millennial point of view, George exposes the toxic money system designed to keep you average (and broke) and offers solutions to help you break free from: credit cards and credit scores, student and car loans, mortgage mistakes, investing traps, marketing and consumerism. No matter where you’re starting from, you’ll learn that you have the power to buck the toxic money system and build wealth if you follow the same principles George used to become a millionaire”

Fluent forever : how to learn any language fast and never forget it
by Gabriel Wyner

“Gabriel Wyner speaks seven languages fluently. He didn’t learn them in school-who does? Rather, he mastered each one on his own, drawing on free online resources, quick daily practice sessions, and his knowledge of neuroscience and linguistics. In Fluent Forever, Gabe shares his foolproof method for learning any language. It starts by hacking the way your brain naturally encodes information. You’ll begin by learning how to hear new sounds and training your tongue to produce them accurately. You’ll connect spellings and sounds to images rather than rely on translation exercises so that you start thinking in a new language. With the help of spaced-repetition systems, you’ll build a foundation for your language in one week and learn hundreds of words a month-with just a few minutes of practice each day. This revised edition also shares fresh strategies that Gabe has refined over years of study. You’ll learn how to: Use your interests to curate vocabulary that you’ll actually be excited to study; Pick up the subtleties of your target language by conversing with native speakers; Fast-track fluency with a new appendix devoted to conversation strategies with native speakers; Compile the best language-learning tool kit for your budget; Harness the science of motivation and habit building to turbocharge your progress; Find the perfect level of difficultly with reading and listening comprehension to stay engaged and avoid frustration”

Vanishing treasures : a bestiary of extraordinary endangered creatures
by Katherine Rundell

“A tour of the natural world’s most awe-inspiring animals currently facing extinction”

Instant loss quick and easy : 125 recipes that are big on flavor when you’re light on time
by Brittany Williams

“Bestselling author Brittany Williams is back with a new collection of 125 recipes that make it easier than ever to enjoy delicious, healthy meals every day! Brittany Williams, founder of the popular online platform Instant Loss, transformed her life bychanging the way she eats. Her motto is simple: just eat real food. Brittany understands the challenges of maintaining a healthy diet while juggling a busy life and feeding a family. In her highly anticipated cookbook, Brittany shares 125 brand-new recipes that come together in a hurry, so you can enjoy crowd-pleasing, wholesome meals without spending hours in the kitchen”

Making things : finding use, meaning & satisfaction in crafting everyday objects
by Erin Boyle

”Through easy-to-follow tutorials for over 100 projects that are both accessible and aspirational, Making Things invites readers to try their hands at a variety of crafts and celebrate the satisfaction that comes from slowly and carefully creating for oneself. Learn to fold magazine pages into Masu Boxes for organizing bits and bobs, make a cardboard loom for weaving potholders out of old linens, braid your own Kumihimo Dog Leash, or starch fabric scraps for decorative bunting. Makers Rose Pearlman and Erin Boyle met in 2018 and immediately struck up a friendship, united by a reverence for everyday objects. Their approach towards craft reflects a shared commitment to sustainability and accessibility–as they write in Making Things’ introduction, ”Craftcan be exquisite and exacting, the result of formal training and years of practice, but it can also be experimental and messy and not quite perfect.” Scouring sidewalks, stoops, and thrift stores, the authors repurpose materials to create projects that range from functional to fun and frivolous. Step-by-step guides make it simple to start and finish each project, while the book’s stunning photographs show how each craft can fit within an organized, thoughtfully curated home. As Making Things demonstrates, relying on a limited range of supplies and repurposing the same materials can spur our creativity, encouraging us to look at a pile of junk on a stoop and see endless possibilities”

Let’s move the needle : an activism handbook for artists, crafters, creatives, and makers
by Shannon Downey

With activities, exercises, prompts and stories about the work of other art activists across mediums and throughout history, a guide to social activism using art educates and empowers creatives to center their art around action in service of political, social or community issues. 12,000 first printing. Illustrations.

Red Dead’s history : a video game, an obsession, and America’s violent past
by Tore C. Olsson

Weaving the best-selling games’ plot and characters into an exploration of American violence between 1870-1920, an award-winning historian reveals the gritty and brutal world that inspired the Red Dead games, shedding light on dark corners of the American past for gamers and history buffs alike. Illustrations.

Four against the West : the true saga of a frontier family that reshaped the nation–and created a legend
by Joe Pappalardo

“A thrilling true saga of legendary Texas figure Judge Roy Bean and his brothers–and their violent adventures in Wild West America. Roy Bean was an American saloon-keeper and Justice of the Peace in Texas, who called himself “The Only Law West of the Pecos.” He and his three brothers set out from Kentucky in the mid 1840s, heading into the American frontier to find their fortunes. Their lifetimes of triumphs, tragedies, laurels and scandals will play out on the battlefields of Mexico, in shady dealings in California city halls, inside eccentric saloon courtrooms of Texas, and along the blood-soaked Santa Fe Trail from Missouri to New Mexico. They will kill men, and murder will likewise stalk them. The Beans chase their American dreams as the nation reinvents itself as a coast-to-coast powerhouse, only to be tested by the Civil War. During their saga, the brothers become soldiers, judges, husbands, guerillas, lawmen, entrepreneurs, refugees, fathers, politicians, pioneers and–in Judge Roy Bean’s case–one of the Old West’s best known but least understood scoundrels. Using new information gleaned from exhaustive research, Four Against the West is an unprecedented and vivid telling of the intertwined stories of all four Bean brothers, exploring for the first time how their relentless ambitions helped create a new America”

Even more reading suggestions

NextReads Sneak Peek
Looking for something else to read? Try NextReads!
Newsletters are divided into genres and topics. Get recommendations tailored to your interests sent directly to your inbox.
If we don’t yet own a suggested title, make a purchase suggestion or ask your library about interlibrary loan. Here’s a sneak peek of titles from the latest issue:
Romance

More Newsletters…

If you would like to unsubscribe to this newsletter, use the “Manage Subscriptions or Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this message.
Want even more book suggestions? Subscribe to this and other newsletters using the “Subscribe here!” button below:
See something we don’t have? Make a purchase suggestion.

Southeast Kansas Library System
218 E. Madison Ave.
Iola, Kansas 66749
620-365-5136sekls.org

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *