On the shelves — Feb. 1

Clovis-Carver Public Library

The following two books were given by Connie Harrison in memory of Janet Parker:

A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey: Seasonal Celebrations, Traditions, and Recipes by Jessica Fellowes explores the seasonal events of the great British estate depicted by the iconic PBS series and invites us to learn more about the lives of our favorite characters, the actors who play them, and those behind the scenes who bring this exquisite world to life.

The Essential Tea Companion: Favorite Recipes for Tea Parties and Celebrations by the editors of Victoria Magazine provides an elegant guide to a timeless beverage with stunning photographs that pay homage to a gracious ritual, along with inspirational ideas for entertaining, menus, recipes, and tableware.

Thirteen Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi by Mitchell Zuckoff documents the last hours of an American diplomatic outpost in one of the most dangerous corners of the globe as terrorists attacked the US State Department compound and lives were saved, lost, and forever changed.

Life Drawing by Robin Black illuminates the complex, give-and-take relationship of a couple trying to save their marriage once betrayal has entered the picture as Augusta and Owen move to the country to leave behind their troubled past; but their fragile trust is shattered when a beautiful British divorcee moves in next door.

Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence by Gabrielle Giffords shares an impassioned argument from the former US Representative and her astronaut husband for responsible gun ownership, and reveals an intimate portrait of their lives since the 2011 shooting in Tucson when she was critically injured in an attempt on her life.

These books are available for checkout at:

Portales Public Library

All the Bright Places

By Jennifer Niven

High school seniors Theodore Finch and Violet Markey have, on the surface, absolutely nothing in common. While Finch is an eccentric trouble maker who constantly thinks about death while cherishing each day that he isn't battling the anger and depression caused by his abusive father, Violet, once a popular cheerleader and gifted writer, still hasn't coped with the death of her older sister nine months earlier, not knowing how to move on or be the girl she used to be. After Finch meets Violet on the top of the school's bell tower and talks her out of jumping, he requests her as his partner for their geography project to see the natural wonders of their home state, Indiana. Violet has no interest on being friends with the school “freak,” and doesn't want anyone to find out why she is on the top of the bell tower, but as they travel to various locations together for their project, she starts to open up again, while Finch for the first time feels like he can be himself without being judged. But as the two teens get closer and Violet finds both love and hope in the boy that no one else wants, Finch may not be able to save himself from the darkness in his life that won't let him go.

Cane and Abe

By John Grippando

Abe Beckman loved his first wife Samantha more than anything, so he raises speculation when he marries a woman he had once loved years before soon after Samantha' untimely death by cancer. His second wife Angelina tries to help him overcome his grief, but because Abe is unable to fully get over Samantha, their marriage is full of rough spots, while Abe goes on to become one of the top prosecutors for the Miami Sate Attorney's Office. When a woman's corpse is found in the Everglades, all signs point to a killer known as Cutter by the FBI, who uses a machete to mutilate his victims before leaving them on the cane fields of the area's sugar companies, and Abe is called to monitor the investigation. While Cutter's previous victims have all white women that were involved with black men, this latest victim is black; therefore, the police suspect that a copycat killer is to be blame instead of Cutter. But when it is revealed that Abe himself has ties to the dead woman and Angelina goes missing and is feared to be the killer's next victim, Abe becomes a prime suspect in the case.

Brentwood's Ward

By Michelle Griep

Nicholas Brentwood is a member of 19th Century London's Bow Street Runners, a new police force for hire bent on catching criminals, and no one is better than rough-around-the-edges Brentwood. Smart, cunning, brave and able to think like the felons he hunts through the city's dark streets, he has yet to meet his match, until he meets Miss Emily Payne, his next mission. Emily's wealthy father hires Brentwood to guard her from his enemies while he is away on a business trip, and after hearing that other men have turned down the job, he reluctantly takes the job only because the pay will provide him enough money to care for his ill sister. Emily is spoiled, stubborn and disagreeable, and Brentwood is totally unprepared for her headstrong ways, although determined to keep her safe despite his own irritation. Emily herself does not care for Brentwood, feeling that without his constant companionship, she might finally have a chance to find a husband. She has always hoped for true love, but she is also determined to marry well, but things do not go as planned as Brentwood keep s getting in her way, while danger continues to come closer.