"While Hanif Abdurraqib is an acclaimed author, a gifted poet, and one of our culture's most insightful music critics, he is most of all, at heart, an Ohioan. Growing up in Columbus in the '90s, Abdurraqib witnessed a golden era of basketball, one in which legends like LeBron were forged, and countless others weren't. His lifelong love of the game leads Abdurraqib into a lyrical, historical, and emotionally rich exploration of what it means to make...

"Grief has run through my life like thread through fabric; at times gossamer-thin and barely there, other times weaving thick, clumsy darns across the rips. In my grief I am a mother, a child, a sister, a wife, a woman, a friend. I am also a writer." When Clare Mackintosh lost her five-week-old son, she soon discovered there are no neat, labeled stages of grief like so many books insist. The shape of each loss is different; when a parent, relative,...

"I’ll always remember the day that we met. We were both so uncertain and shy. The special relationship of stepmoms and stepkids is celebrated in this gentle and loving tribute to blended families. Showing joy-filled scenes of family life and milestones, this book is ideal for every child of a loving stepmother. It's the perfect way to say: "If I had been there when you learned your first words, I could never have cherished you more."

"Have you ever noticed that what is thrilling on Monday tends to become boring on Friday? Even exciting relationships, stimulating jobs, and breathtaking works of art lose their sparkle after a while. People stop noticing what is most wonderful in their own lives. They also stop noticing what is terrible. They get used to dirty air. They stay in abusive relationships. People grow to accept authoritarianism and take foolish risks. They become unconcerned...

"Peggy is an apologetic pigeon. She automatically says she's sorry for everything, even when she hasn't done anything wrong, or when she's the one getting picked on. But Joan a seagull who sees the trouble this is causing for Peggy, gives her a nudge to stand up for herself. This tale from award-winning author Wendy Meddour contains an important message about the importance of being assertive"--

"Fleeing through the streets of London in a gown meant for her betrothal ball is not Lady Charlotte Lovett's finest decision. Seeking shelter at her estranged cousin's coffeeshop, however, turns out to be utterly inspired. Soon Charlotte has brewed up a plan to help create a secret backroom where women can sip coffee and debate on equal terms with men. It's also the perfect way to escape her arranged engagement. Not only will it provide income for...

"Many workers believe that to compete with other top talent they must embrace a culture that rewards long hours and constant connection to work. Businesses and society have encouraged this by endorsing busyness, overwork, and extreme commitment as the most valued traits in workers. Sometimes that endorsement is explicit, as when Elon Musk told Twitter employees to work "long hours at high intensity" or get fired. But more often it's an implicit contract,...