Shutter


Book Description

Longlisted for the National Book Award This blood-chilling debut set in New Mexico’s Navajo Nation is equal parts gripping crime thriller, supernatural horror, and poignant portrayal of coming of age on the reservation. "A haunting thriller, written with exquisite suspense . . . This is a story that won't let you go long after you finish, and you won't want it to end even as you can't stop reading to find out how it does." —Tommy Orange, author of There There Rita Todacheene is a forensic photographer working for the Albuquerque police force. Her excellent photography skills have cracked many cases—she is almost supernaturally good at capturing details. In fact, Rita has been hiding a secret: she sees the ghosts of crime victims who point her toward the clues that other investigators overlook. As a lone portal back to the living for traumatized spirits, Rita is terrorized by nagging ghosts who won’t let her sleep and who sabotage her personal life. Her taboo and psychologically harrowing ability was what drove her away from the Navajo reservation, where she was raised by her grandmother. It has isolated her from friends and gotten her in trouble with the law. And now it might be what gets her killed. When Rita is sent to photograph the scene of a supposed suicide on a highway overpass, the furious, discombobulated ghost of the victim—who insists she was murdered—latches onto Rita, forcing her on a quest for revenge against her killers, and Rita finds herself in the crosshairs of one of Albuquerque’s most dangerous cartels. Written in sparkling, gruesome prose, Shutter is an explosive debut from one of crime fiction's most powerful new voices.




City of the Rats


Book Description

Lief, Barda and Jasmine have found the topaz and the ruby. Their search for the third stone takes them to the City of Rats, but none of them know what horrors await. Suggested level: primary, intermediate, junior secondary.




No One is Here Except All of Us


Book Description

A village tries to save itself through the sheer force of imagination - all because of an eleven-year-old-girl. In 1939, the residents of the tiny Romanian village of Zalischik are counting on their isolation to protect them from the catastrophe sweeping Europe. When a mysterious stranger is washed up on the riverbank and the illusion of peace is shattered, the villagers are forced to acknowledge the precariousness of their situation. At the suggestion of an eleven-year-old girl and the washed up stranger, the villagers decide to start the world over, and begin again from scratch. But the real world continues to unfold alongside the imagined one, and soon our narrator - the girl, grown into a young mother - must move from one world to the next. In rich, luminous prose, Ramona Ausubel has created a story about the bigness of being alive as an individual, as a member of a tribe, and as a participant in history. No One Is Here Except All Of Usexplores how we use storytelling to survive and to shape our own truths. 'Fantastical and ambitious . . . infused with faith in the power of storytelling.' New York Times 'Contains so many achingly beautiful passages, it's as if language itself is continually striving to be a refuge . . . Infinitely tender and soulful, magical and true.' San Francisco Chronicle




Life on the Ramona Coaster


Book Description

A candid, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the emotional, dynamic and often entertaining life of Ramona Singer, the spunky, tell-it-like-it-is reality star whose unfiltered personality viewers have adored through seven seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City. In this alternately heart-wrenching and hilarious memoir, Ramona offers readers a look at her dysfunctional childhood, her parents’ abusive relationship, her inspiring journey of renewal, and opens up for the first time about the events surrounding the tragic collapse of her twenty-year marriage. Never before have her fans seen her so raw, introspective and honest.




Ramona Quimby, Age 8


Book Description

Ramona Quimby, one of the most loved characters in children's fiction, has now reached third grade. At school, she acquires a new teacher, Mrs. Whaley, who addresses the class as "you guys." At home, she helps the family "squeak by" as her father returns to college to become an art teacher. All the Quimbys have their ups and downs, but none feels them more intensely than Ramona. Her low point is undoubtedly reached the day she throws up in class and Mrs. Whaley instructs the children to hold their noses and file into the hall. But three days later Ramona recovers her verve sufficiently to give a book report in the style of a T.V. commercial, bringing down the house with her final ad-lib line of "I can't believe I read the whole thing!" Writing with humor and compassion, Beverly Cleary continues her chronicle of a child's growth and lovingly reaffirms the durability of the memorable Quimby family. They may not be nice all the time, but they stick together through good times and bad.




Inclined Elders


Book Description

WHY EMBRACE AN ATTITUDE OF INCLINE? For the first time in history we are not only living longer, everyone has an important choice to make: commit to a meaningful, purposeful life of Incline as we get older or believe that a new stage - one of steady decline - is inevitable. What is not helping is that in the media and society in general there continues the somewhat negative connotation surrounding the concept of aging. And while, at least not now, we cannot do anything about the chronological process of becoming 60, 70, 80 years and beyond, we can change the mindset for it. Embracing change and looking at life with a keener sense of curiosity will lead to living with increased courage to live life to its fullest. INCLINED ELDERS is a call to action for you to opt for Incline. Not only for your personal fulfillment, but also to help fuel a social legacy that increases the number of positive older role models in everyday life. I have written this book to inspire, inform, and challenge you. By the time you reach the last page, I hope you will have made a new choice: to become an inspiring example of a life of Incline so our society relinquishes - once and for all - the notion that aging is synonymous with decline, decrepit, senile, and over-the-hill. In this book over 50 men and women ranging in age from 40 to 100 share their tips and techniques on how to live a life of Incline. Their strategies are supported by scientific evidence from the fields of Positive Psychology, Anthropology, and Sociology. WHO ARE INCLINED ELDERS? We are the women and men who have made a conscious choice to ignore society's negative mindset of decline and over-the-hill as we age. Instead we embrace a positive mindset of continuing to Incline and climb ever upwards. While birthdays may be the accelerator for aging, don't let them become the brakes that stop you from continuing to live a full and happy life. Why have I and the Inclined Elders in this book chosen an attitude of Incline? Because we intend to live a life of achievement, meaning, and purpose and not allow mere birthdays to get in the way. And an attitude of Incline will permit us - and you - to do this. The metaphor of a hill is an apt one to consider as you grapple with the concept of Inclining because hills are surely easier and more enjoyable to climb than steep, lofty mountains. And they still allow for inspiring discoveries and adventures. Some of their pathways may have twists and turns, and there may be the odd bump in the road, but it is important to continue the ascent. Why? Because the vistas on the trek upward are increasingly breathtaking and exhilarating. Inclined Elders know that there is no need to rush; it's not a race. We take one step at a time so we can pause to smile at the waving wildflowers along the road. Your attitude determines the potential for your altitude, so a shift in mindset is required, regardless of your age right now. As you awaken to each new day as an Inclined Elder, the sunrise will greet you with a symphony of color applauding your choice to Incline and climb the hill. You will continue to broaden your experience and deepen your joy of life. This is what has happened for me and the people who shared their stories. Serving as vibrant role models, the Inclined Elders I spoke to for this book are leaving their own unique legacies of wisdom and inspiration for future generations. There needs to be more of us like them to effect real social change. So why not Incline too? There's an amazing view from up here. Come with us and see for yourself. THIS BOOK WILL BE INVALUABLE IF YOU: Have a desire to continue living a purposeful life, no matter what your age. Are interested in learning how to maintain a positive attitude from adulthood to elderhood. Want to learn how to create a living legacy and serve as a role model for future generations.