Author: Steven Johnson Book: ENEMY OF ALL MANKIND: The True Story of Piracy, Power, and History’s First Global Manhunt Publishing: Riverhead Books (May 12, 2020) Synopsis (from the Publisher): The New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Map and How We Got to Now returns with the story of a pirate who changed the world […]

Author: Carlos Hernandez Book: SAL & GABI FIX THE UNIVERSE Publishing: Rick Riordan Presents (May 5, 2020) Synopsis (from the Publisher): Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the sequel to the critically acclaimed Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, a brilliant sci-fi romp with Cuban influence. Among many other challenges, Sal and Gabi have to try […]

Author: Jennifer Steil Book: EXILE MUSIC: A Novel Publishing: Viking (May 5, 2020) Synopsis (from the Publisher): Based on an unexplored slice of World War II history, Exile Music is the captivating story of a young Jewish girl whose family flees refined and urbane Vienna for safe harbor in the mountains of Bolivia As a […]

Author: Witold Szablowski Book: HOW TO FEED A DICTATOR: Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, Enver Hoxha, Fidel Castro, and Pol Pot Through the Eyes of Their Cooks Publishing: Penguin Books (April 28, 2020) Synopsis (from the Publisher): “Amazing stories . . . Intimate portraits of how [these five ruthless leaders] were at home and at the […]

Author: Kristin L. Hoganson Book: THE HEARTLAND: An American History Publishing: Penguin Books; Paperback edition (April 21, 2020) Synopsis (from the Publisher): A history of a quintessentially American place–the rural and small town heartland–that uncovers deep yet hidden currents of connection with the world. When Kristin L. Hoganson arrived in Champaign, Illinois, after teaching at […]

Co-Authors: Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi Book: STAMPED: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning Publishing: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (March 10, 2020) Synopsis (from the Publisher): The #1 New York Times bestseller and a USAToday bestseller! A timely, crucial, and empowering exploration of […]

Author: Roshani Chokshi Book: ARU SHAH AND THE TREE OF WISHES (A Pandava Novel) Publishing: Rick Riordan Presents (April 7, 2020) Synopsis (from the Publisher): War between the devas and the demons is imminent, and the Otherworld is on high alert. Fourteen-year-old Aru Shah and her friends are sent on a mission to rescue two […]

Author: David Baldacci Book: WALK THE WIRE (Memory Man Series) Publishing: Grand Central Publishing (April 21, 2020) Synopsis (from the Publisher): Amos Decker — the FBI consultant with a perfect memory — returns to solve a gruesome murder in a booming North Dakota oil town in the newest thriller in David Baldacci’s #1 New York […]

Author: Marcia Clark Book: FINAL JUDGMENT (A Samantha Brinkman Novel) Publishing: Thomas & Mercer (April 21, 2020) Synopsis (by the Publisher): A murder investigation draws firebrand attorney Samantha Brinkman into her boyfriend’s past in this novel of high-risk suspense by bestselling author Marcia Clark. When it comes to relationships and self-preservation, defense attorney Samantha Brinkman […]

Last week, I spoke with Leslie Rule, whose new book, A TANGLED WEB: A Cyberstalker, a Deadly Obsession, and the Twisting Path to Justice, chronicles the investigation into the death of Cari Farver in Omaha, Nebraska, and the ensuing first-degree murder prosecution of Shanna Golyar by the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.  Sioux City native James […]