Category Archives: Rowayton Recommends

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Superstore – Seasons One to Three NRComedy Superstore centers around Amy, the store’s most stalwart employee as well as the glue holding the place together, and newly hired Jonah, a naive dreamer determined to prove work doesn’t have to be boring. Their fellow associates include the sardonic Garrett ambitious Mateo, fun-loving Cheyenne, perpetually dismissed Sandra, clueless store manager Glenn, and lives-by-the-handbook assistant manager Dina. From the bright-eyed newbies and seen-it-all veterans to the clueless summer hires and in-it-for-life managers, together they hilariously tackle the day-to-day grind of rabid bargain hunters, riot-causing sales, and nap-worthy training sessions

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Succession: Season ThreeSeries (NR) Drama Ambushed by his rebellious son Kendall at the end of Season Two, Logan Roy begins Season Three in a perilous position, scrambling to secure familial, political, and financial alliances. Tensions rise as a bitter corporate battle threatens to turn into a family civil war.

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Succession: Season TwoSeries (NR) Drama Every family has its traditions, but for the Roy’s, they include lying, backstabbing and all sorts of other chicanery. Beginning where the first season dramatically left off, Season Two follows the Roy’s—media tycoon Logan and his four grown children–as they struggle to retain control of their empire amidst internal and external threats. As Kendall deals with fallout from his hostile takeover attempt and guilt from his involvement in a fatal accident, Shiv stands poised to make her way into the upper echelons of the company, while Roman reacquaints himself with the business by starting at the bottom, and Connor launches an unlikely bid for president.

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Father Brown Season 10Series (NR) Drama The year is now 1954 and the sleepy Cotswold village of Kembleford sees fresh faces join Father Brown’s team of sleuths. The dashing Chief Inspector Sullivan is back and proves a pleasant distraction for Mrs. Devine, Father Brown’s lively new Parish Secretary, while plucky new housekeeper Brenda helps the priest’s crime solving. With royal visits, kidnappings, and notorious gangsters to contend with, Father Brown also faces his old adversary Flambeau who returns to Kembleford after being accused of murder. Father Brown risks his own life to prove his innocence – but is his faith in Flambeau misplaced?

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Father Brown Season 9  – Series (NR) Drama G.K. Chesterton’s Catholic crime-solver returns to television in this captivating new British program based on the English author’s popular detective stories. Shifting the action to the fictional Cotswold village of Kembleford in the 1950s, the series follows humble St. Mary’s priest Father Brown as he labors to save souls and unmask sinners-using his considerable instincts and intellect to succeed where the local police fail.

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Detectorists – Movie Special  -Series (NR) Comedy The Danebury Metal Detecting Club is in trouble; developers are sniffing around, and after losing out on a big finder’s fee, the club is going to need a miracle to help save their beloved scout hall. So, when Lance manages to secure permission to search 10 acres of prime, undetected land, it looks like things could be on the up. But when a mysterious relic is unearthed, Lance breaks protocol, threatening his friendship with Andy and the future of the DMDC.

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Knights of the Zodiac Movie- (PG-13) Fantasy, Adventure, Action Based on the international anime sensation, Knights of the Zodiac brings the Saint Seiya saga to the big screen in live action for the first time. Seiya, a headstrong street teen, spends his time fighting for cash while he searches for his abducted sister. When one of his fights unwittingly taps into mystical powers, he never knew he had, Seiya finds himself thrust into a world of warring saints, ancient magical training and a reincarnated goddess who needs his protection. If he is to survive, he will need to embrace his destiny and sacrifice everything to take his rightful place among the Knights of the Zodiac.

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Haiku Tunnel Movie-(R) Comedy When young, funny temporary worker Josh Kornbluth accepts an offer to go perm at a popular San Francisco law office, his carefully unstructured, ambivalent, commitment-phobic lifestyle begins to unravel. Unable to complete the simple task of mailing seventeen high-priority letters for his boss, Josh suddenly finds himself face-to-face with his unusually chipper co-workers and his inability to deal! Soon, when Josh’s morning alarm rings, it is time for him to get up and ‘fess up. Haiku Tunnel is a hilarious, super-entertaining comedy about one man’s struggle to survive the 9 to 5.

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Guardians Of the GalaxyMovie (PG-13) Sci-fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy, Comedy After acquiring Knowhere from the Collector, we find the Guardians working to repair the extreme damage done by Thanos-determined to make Knowhere a haven, not only for themselves, but for all refugees displaced by the harsh universe. But it is not long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life-a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

The FlashMovie (PG-13) Action, Adventure, Fantasy Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Superheroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a quite different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he is looking for. To save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?

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About My FatherMovie (PG-13) Comedy The film centers around Sebastian who is encouraged by his fiancée to bring his immigrant, hairdresser father, Salvo to a weekend get-together with her super-rich and exceedingly eccentric family. The weekend develops into what can only be described as a culture clash, leaving Sebastian and Salvo to discover that the great thing about family is everything about family.

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Who Ate What? A Historical Guessing Game for Food Lovers written by Rachel Levin, illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro. This is a journey across time through a shared human pastime: making and eating food. If you’ve ever wondered what pirates ate (eggs, hardtack), or how the Aztecs feasted (on cacti and chocolate), or what an ancient Egyptian meal might have included (hippos!), this book has a fascinating array of answers. Readers of all ages will enjoy pouring over the facts and pictures! (Non-Fiction)

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written by David Obuchowski and illustrated by Sarah Pedry is the answer to the question: Where do birds go at night? The stunning illustrations accompany fascinating facts about birds all over the world and how they spend the night, whether it’s a barn owl who stays awake and vigilant or vernal hanging parrots in Thailand, who sleep upside down from a tree branch. This is a wonderful bedtime read that will hopefully inspire more curiosity about the natural world. (Non-Fiction)

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by Jon Klassen is a masterful tale that strikes a balance between spookiness and coziness, a darker story based on a folktale that still emphasizes the warmth of friendship. The story is about Otilla, a young girl who is running away from home when she gets lost in a deep dark forest and finds an abandoned house with only one occupant: a talking skull. Surprisingly, Otilla and the skull strike up a wonderful friendship, as she helps the skull do things that he normally can’t do without a body, like dancing a waltz or drinking tea by the fire. But when the skull tells Otilla that he is being chased by a terrifying headless skeleton, she decides to use her wits and bravery to help rescue her friend. (Early Chapter Books)

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The Sea of Terror by Stuart Gibbs is another hilarious adventure from the Once Upon a Tim series that weaves in elements of mythology and classic literature with a rollicking sense of humor and fun. This time, junior knights Tim, Belinda, and Ferkle are off in search of the Golden Fleece, which was stolen from the Queen of Merryland by the Kingdom of Dinkum. In order to recover the fleece, and the magical amulet it contains, the three knights have to brave a journey through the Sea of Terror. Will they survive the dangerous journey and succeed in their mission? (Early Chapter Books)

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by Elaine Dimopoulous, illustrated by Doug Salati is an epic tale of friendship and bravery that reads like an instant classic. Butternut the rabbit lives in a burrow with her nine siblings and their mother, who passes down time-honored wisdom and wonderful stories from their grandmother rabbit, Sage. Butternut is a born storyteller herself and learns from her family’s stories that rabbits use their brains to survive, which often means sticking together in times of crisis. But when Butternut befriends other animals, like a cheerful, poetry-spouting robin, Piper, she begins to yearn for adventures beyond the rabbit burrow. When Butternut and Piper join forces to rescue an injured fawn, Butternut realizes she must find the courage deep within her to help her friends. The animal community depicted in the novel is utterly charming, as are the cozy illustrations. (Early Chapter Books)

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Adventures in Fosterland: Super Spinach by Hannah Shaw tells the tale of a superhero kitty’s journey to her forever home. Spinach is a plucky young kitten whose malformed chest means that she needs special surgery to fasten a metal plate in her body. Spinach thinks this gives her special powers, especially when she moves to Fosterland on her way to adoption and meets her trusty sidekick, another kitten named Chickpea. Together, Spinach and Chickpea work to rescue other kittens, but will they find a forever home of their own?  (Early Chapter Books)

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Yenebi’s Drive to School/El viaje de Yenebi a la escuela by Sendy Santamaria is a bilingual narration of a Latine child’s unusual drive to school. Yenebi and younger sister, Melanie, and Mami leave at 5 a.m. to begin a journey to school that takes several hours and brings them across the border from Mexico into the United States. Mami’s encouragement as the family’s car ventures through long lines of traffic at the international checkpoint shows her devotion to giving her children a better education, and Yenebi’s observant eyes take in small details along the journey. The book’s illustrations beautifully capture the border towns in both Mexico and the U.S.

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100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle and Lian Cho is a clever, fun book that encourages simple math practice. High atop a windy mountain, there are 100 dragons of all different shapes, sizes, and colors, but they’re all named Broccoli! As the book progresses, the dragons all meet with different adventures: taking a rocket to the moon, starting a heavy metal band in New York, playing for the Green Bay Packers, and moving to West Virginia. Each time, the reader is prompted to add or subtract how many dragons are left until, finally, there’s just one dragon remaining…although not for long!

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The Brilliant Ms. Bangle written by Cara Devins, illustrated by K-Fai Steele. It’s a new school year and the school’s beloved librarian, Mrs. Stack, has moved away. The children are so upset about it that they “refuse, refuse, REFUSE” to read with Ms. Bangle, the brand-new librarian, during storytime. Even when she picks out a great book and tells some amazing jokes, the kids are still not convinced. Can Ms. Bangle change their minds and win them over? This is a wonderful back-to-school book about dealing with change!

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Pageboy by Elliot Page is an emotional memoir about the Oscar-nominated trans actor’s coming of age, his struggles with gender dysphoria, eating disorders, and sexual assault, and finally, his transition and self-acceptance. Recounted in nonlinear, lyrical vignettes and memories, Page’s story captures the turmoil that accompanied his acclaimed career rise, first as a child actor, feeling a sense of liberation through acting, and then as a breakout star with the film “Juno” in 2007. His immediate fame trapped him, and he describes his gender dysphoria, exacerbated by Hollywood’s demands, felt like “the most uncomfortable, mortifying thing you could wear.” Page’s story also contains moments of true joy, like his first queer kiss and his mother’s love and support throughout. Page’s perspective is both intimately personal and universal, a portrait of one person’s specific pain and joy. “Let me just exist with you, happier than ever,” he writes.

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The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America by Monica Potts is a tender, personal examination of girls’ and women’s lives in rural Arkansas. Potts, a journalist, wants to answer the question of why poor white women in rural areas of the country are dying at an increasing rate. She uses her hometown of Clinton, Arkansas, to investigate, and the book also has a deeply personal connection. Potts and her childhood best friend, Darci, led very similar lives until middle school when Darci began to get involved with boys and drugs and began missing school. While Potts’s more disciplined upbringing led her to Bryn Mawr and Washington, DC, Darci’s life spiraled out of control as she slid into violent relationships, drug addiction, and homelessness. Potts shows how systemic problems–lack of healthcare access, widespread unemployment, and a failing local economy–lead someone like Darci to struggle.

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Zero Days by Ruth Ware focuses on a wife trying desperately to clear herself of suspicion of murdering her husband. Jacintha Cross and Gabriel Medway were business partners as well as a married couple, running a London-based security systems company together. But, when Jacintha returns from a business assignment to find Gabriel dead in their home, she makes the crucial mistake of not calling the police immediately, therefore placing herself in the target of suspicion. To make things worse, she learns that Gabriel recently took a million-pound life insurance policy on himself and named her the beneficiary–a solid motive. While on the run, Jacintha has to try to solve the case and find the real killer before the police catch up to her.

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by Rachel Koller Croft is a domestic thriller about the perfect match between a successful advertising executive and the heir to an old money fortune. Bea’s ambition and drive have driven her to the top of her corporate field, but she wants the more permanent wealth that only marriage to someone in the top one percent can bring. Collin Case, blue-blooded and wealthy, is the ideal target and she sets out to not just marry him but to gain full acceptance into his family and social circle. But Bea’s past has some secrets–and some people in Collin’s orbit may be determined to find them out.

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Somebody’s Fool by Richard Russo returns to the fictional town of North Bath, New York. After the death of Russo’s beloved character, Donald “Sully” Sullivan, the protagonist of Nobody’s Fool and Everybody’s Fool, Somebody’s Fool examines the lives of the characters Sully leaves behind in the depressed community of North Bath: his son, Peter, his old flame, Ruth, and his old adversary, Police Chief Douglas Raymer. Even the dour town of North Bath itself is changing, as it’s being dissolved and absorbed into its more prosperous neighbor, Schuyler Springs. In the midst of these changes, and the shutting down of the town’s police department, Raymer finds himself involved with both his ex-girlfriend, Charice Bond, the police chief in Schuyler Springs, and a potential murderer. Fans of the trilogy will be curious to see how the series wraps up.

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by Caroline O’Donoghue is a charming novel about college friendships and first love. It’s 2009 in Cork, Ireland, in the midst of the recession, and Rachel is an English literature student worried about the bleak job market as she nears the end of her university days. Meanwhile, she’s working at a bookstore, forming a close bond with her coworker and eventual roommate, James. Rachel’s life becomes more complicated when she falls in love with her married professor, Dr. Fred Byrne.  Her attempts to seduce him wind up entangling both her and James in the complex web of deceptions holding together Dr. Byrne’s marriage. The book is honest, funny, and heartbreaking: fans of Sally Rooney should pick it up!

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by Peter Heller chronicles the life of a Yellowstone National Park ranger, Ren Hopper. Living a solitary life in a remote cabin, Ren spends most of his time-saving tourists from dangerous wild animals and going after drunk or reckless drivers. But, his job snaps into clearer focus when he begins to track a new predator: the human responsible for tracking down and killing Yellowstone’s wolf population. Things get more personal when Ren’s friend Hilly, a wolf biologist, gets caught in a trap that seems to have been set deliberately. Ren and Hilly’s investigation leads them to encounter poachers, shadowy ranchers, and a potential land grab scheme that’s turning dark.

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by Mark Billingham is the first in a new series featuring the charming, acerbic British Det. Sgt. Declan Miller, whose hobbies include ballroom dancing, caring for pet rats, and talking about his cases with the ghost of his murdered wife, Alex. Just six weeks after his wife’s death, a grieving, emotionally unready Miller is back at work with his new partner, Sara Xiu, and a puzzling case involving the murder of two seemingly unrelated hotel guests, an IT consultant and the heir to an organized crime family. Could the two crimes be related? Once Miller starts delving into his network of connections, he realizes that danger might be a lot closer to home than he realized.

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by Elizabeth Acevedo is a magical realist exploration of family and female bonds in particular. All her life, Flor has been blessed with the gift–or curse–of knowing exactly when and how someone will die. When she announces that she’s holding a living wake for herself, with her whole family invited, her sisters and daughter are puzzled: Has she predicted her own death? Or someone else’s? As Flor’s sisters, Matilde, Pastora, and Camila, prepare for the wake, each must confront her own secrets.

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by S.A. Cosby is a riveting tale of a small town on the verge of being blown apart by secrets and violence. After years of experience working for the FBI, Titus Crown became the first Black sheriff of Charon County, Virginia. In Crown’s small hometown, his first year as sheriff is marred by a school shooting that’s made even more horrific by the implication that the crimes may be part of a chain of abuses leveled against Black children in the community. And then, as the investigation dredges up more crimes and terrible secrets, evidence of a serial killer emerges, whose killings are creepily steeped in religious iconography. In a small town haunted by its history, Crown can trust no one.

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The Last of Us – Series (NR) Action Joel and Ellie must survive ruthless killers and monsters on a trek across America after an outbreak.

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The Handmaid’s Tale – Season 5  – Series (NR) Drama In the fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale, June faces consequences for killing Commander Waterford while struggling to redefine her identity and purpose. The widowed Serena attempts to raise her profile in Toronto as Gilead’s influence creeps into Canada. Commander Lawrence works with Nick and Aunt Lydia as he tries to reform Gilead and rise to power. June, Luke, and Moira fight Gilead from a distance as they continue their mission to save and reunite with Hannah.

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Good Omens  – Series (NR) Comedy This fantasy series sees fussy angel Aziraphale and loose-living demon Crowley team up to form an unlikely duo. The two have become overly fond of life on Earth, and they are forced into forming an alliance to stop the approaching Armageddon. To do that, they must find the missing Antichrist, an 11-year-old boy who is unaware that he is meant to bring the end of days upon humanity.

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Cobra Kai  – Seasons 1 Through 2  -Series (NR) Comedy Thirty-four years after events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, a down-and-out Johnny Lawrence seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with a now successful Daniel LaRusso.

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Renfield– Movie (R) Horror, Action, Comedy, Fantasy In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula. Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there is a life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness. If only he can figure out how to end his codependency.

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The Pope’s Exorcist – Movie (R) Horror, Mystery & Thriller Inspired by the actual files of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, The Pope’s Exorcist follows Amorth as he investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden.

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The Meg – Movie (PG-13) Sci-fi, Mystery, Thriller, Action & Adventure Previously thought to be extinct, a massive creature attacks a deep-sea submersible, leaving it disabled and trapping the crew at the bottom of the Pacific. With time running out, a visionary oceanographer recruits rescue diver Jonas Taylor to save the crew and the sea itself from an unimaginable threat–a 75-foot-long prehistoric shark known as the Megalodon.

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Love Again Movie (PG-13) Romance, Comedy What if a random text message led to the love of your life? In this romantic comedy, dealing with the loss of her fiancé, Mira Ray sends a series of romantic texts to his old cell phone number…not realizing the number was reassigned to Rob Burns’ new work phone. A journalist, Rob is captivated by the honesty in the beautifully confessional texts. When he is assigned to write a profile of megastar Celine Dion (playing herself in her first film role), he enlists her help in figuring out how to meet Mira in person…and win her heart.

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The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf is a historical novel set during the race riots of May 13, 1969, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that led to violence between Chinese and Malay factions. Sixteen-year-old Melati is dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder, which she conceptualizes as a djinn who has taken over her consciousness and will make horrible things happen if she doesn’t assuage it with her compulsive behavior. When the riots start, Melati, who is of Malay descent, is separated from both her mother and her best friend and rescued by Auntie Bee, a stranger who is Chinese, and whose son, Vince, becomes Melati’s biggest ally in looking for her mother. The book is riveting and shows how Melati must face her own internal djinn as well as the violence of the outside world. (Young Adult Books)

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by Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner with Carlyn Greenwald is a queer teen romance described as “Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights”. Barclay is a high school basketball star who chooses a momentous time to come out to his school: on his 16th birthday, during his captain’s speech at the school pep rally. He expects to be met with supportive cheers, but his declaration is met with an awful silence that leads to Barclay being ostracized and excluded by his teammates. So he quits basketball and joins the school newspaper instead, where he’s fired up to report on the hypocrisy and corruption he sees in his local community–and where he meets Christopher, who is smart, handsome, and full of opinions. (Young Adult Books)

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Forever is Now by Mariama J. Lockington focuses on the way that one teen deals with her anxiety. Sadie is managing her generalized anxiety disorder enough to take on an exciting internship at a local creative writing center for the summer. But then her girlfriend, the one person who really made her feel safe, dumps her, and moments later both teens witness an act of violent, racist brutality on the street. Sadie’s anxiety is triggered into overdrive and she has to figure out how she can exist in her own body again. Sadie’s narration conveys her thoughts while snippets of her social media posts show the support building around her so that, even as she’s mostly confined to the house through the book, Lockington conveys a real sense of community. (Young Adult Books)

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The Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder is a quirky, authentic exploration of the awkwardness and magic of being thirteen. Zipporah Chava McConnell, or Zippy, is preparing for her bat mitzvah and exploring Judaism for the first time since her parents aren’t particularly religious. But what Zippy really feels passionate about is witchcraft: she collects all kinds of witchy artifacts like black candles and tries out spells. As she studies the Torah, the Hebrew letters she’s learning start to feel as exciting and magical as witchcraft, a kind of spell in themselves. And then, to her surprise, Zippy accidentally summons a magical winged being. Could it be an angel or a witch? Why can Zippy suddenly read Hebrew overnight? Zippy’s journey to find and define herself will resonate honestly. (Middle-Grade Books)

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by James Patterson and Keir Graff is the first in a planned series about twelve-year-old Minerva, a budding sleuth in Chicago whose powers of deduction and knack for being in the right place at the right time often put her a few steps ahead of the cops in solving crimes. When Minerva’s mathematician father travels to Melbourne on business, leaving her and her accident-prone younger brother, Heck, with an absent-minded relative, mischief is inevitable. But when Minerva’s neighbor is poisoned and falls dead while playing chess with her, Minerva herself becomes a suspect and has to launch into an investigation, with the help of Heck and her classmate Santos, to prove her innocence. This mystery’s charm comes from eccentric characters, slapstick antics, and goofy humor. (Middle-Grade Books)

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The Golden Swift by Lev Grossman follows The Silver Arrow in a series of books about the magical train that rescues animals in danger. Kate and her brother, Tom, were given the locomotive by their rich uncle, Herbert, with the mission to help struggling animals whose natural habitats were crumbling or disappearing around them. But now, Uncle Herbert is missing, Tom seems more interested in learning martial arts than in helping her with the train, and even the Silver Arrows’ heroic efforts to help the environment fall out from climate change don’t seem to be enough. But then, she meets Jag, conductor of another mythical train, the Golden Swift, who feels that just rescuing the animals isn’t enough and wants to take even more drastic action. Kate feels inspired but soon learns that the consequences of actions aren’t always straightforward. (Middle-Grade Books)

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by R.L. Toalson is about a precocious tween who adopts a summer plan to impress her dad. Twelve-year-old Victoria hadn’t seen her father in two years when he left her mom and it was revealed that he had a second family, “The Replacements”. In order to win him back, she thinks, she’s got to impress him with her wit and maturity, by reading grown-up books, and by always being cheerful. But she’s quickly reminded how domineering and difficult to please her dad really is and is hurt by the way he clearly seems to prefer her brother just because he’s a boy. Matters only get worse when she gets her first period and has to deal with it on her own. Can Victoria salvage her summer and stay true to herself? (Middle-Grade Books)

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by Ariel Bernstein, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal, is all about taking on new challenges! Two friends, Cat and Duck, are excited to discover a new slide at their favorite playground. Duck wants to go down it right away, but Cat isn’t so sure and tries to stall. What both of them discover is that sometimes friendship and encouragement are just what you need to find the courage to try something new.

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by Jack Wong captures the magic and excitement of swimming. An adult accompanies a child on each page, narrating the freedom, sense of adventure, and reassurance that come with learning how to be safe in the water. “When you can swim,/ first I’ll take you to the ocean//… to receive the water’s welcome.” Wong combines beautiful illustrations of light and water with lyrical text to give the reader the feeling of floating. A great book for summer!

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by Emily Gravett is a whimsical counting book that shows cats getting into some very silly situations! Gravett’s adorable illustrations show the ten cats of the title dipping their paws into different colored paints, hiding, playing, and rolling around on the pages, just as real cats like to do! This is a fun read-aloud book with small details in each picture that little readers will enjoy pouring over.

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by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lisa Congdon is a brightly illustrated book that celebrates the sights, sounds, and experience of rain. It shows how the birds, trees, and squirrels know the rain is coming long before it begins. It shows children on the playground hurrying home with umbrellas and rain boots, and cats who know by their whiskers that rain is coming. And, when the rain does start to fall, it shows how excited the ducks are to splash around in the “wonderful, free rain”

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by Andrea Cáceres is a sweet book about a young girl’s experience navigating two languages, English and Spanish. After moving to the United States, Aurora is trying to learn English. To help, she puts post-it notes all over the house with both the English and Spanish words for each item: shoes (zapatos), lamp (lámpara). But Aurora’s dog, Nena, will only respond to words in Spanish. Some funny moments ensue as Aurora tries to include Nena in her English lessons! But, even as Aurora and Nena are trying to learn English, they also discover that many new friends they encounter know Spanish as well!

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Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur?

by Helen Yoon is a cute story about a child with an unusual friend: an invisible dinosaur. Sadly, this dinosaur is lost! He got muddy, went for a bath, and now the child can no longer find him. The child tries to lure him back by making his favorite food (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, of course), and putting up “Lost” posters, although since the dinosaur is invisible, the picture on the poster is blank! Readers will chuckle at the visual comedy of the invisible dinosaur and be won over by the child’s charming ways of finding him!

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by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is a beautiful, funny story about friendship. Frank the fox and Bert the bear love playing hide and seek together, except, in Frank’s opinion, Bert isn’t very good at it. He closes his eyes, counts to ten, and finds Bert “hiding” in the most obvious places! What if Frank counts to 100? Will Bert win the game then? The end result is a lovely lesson about friendship and fairness.

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by Vashti Harrison is an incredibly moving story about self-acceptance and love. The book uses the interplay of pictures and a few sparse words to tell the story of a child who doesn’t quite fit in and the way she feels when left out, the subtle shift in language where being a big kid goes from being a positive thing to something that sets her apart. Harrison’s book gives an important, beautiful lesson about the power of words.

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Sweet Enough by Alison Roman is a guide to desserts that are, as Roman characterizes them, “rustic”, “carefree”, and “approachable”. They’re perfect to whip up for a picnic, a casual evening dining outside, a birthday, or even just a rainy afternoon. Highlights include her “almost one bowl” raspberry ricotta cake, or bowl of salted chocolate pudding, or cookies and cream parfait, which layers vanilla ice cream and wafer cookies into an irresistible frozen dessert. (Cookbooks)

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by America’s Test Kitchen arrives just in time for your summer barbecue. It’s a definitive guide to classic grill staples and sides, like lamb kebabs, Texas-style barbecue brisket, blistered shishito peppers, grilled lettuce, and of course, burgers. But there are also some surprises as well, like a recipe for grilled French toast or smoky tomato and eggplant phyllo pie.  (Cookbooks)

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The Wager

by David, Grann has all the elements of a great story: a quest for treasure, a shipwreck, and a wild sequence of events that culminated in acts of either courage and heroism or mutiny and murder, depending on whose version of events you trust. In January 1742, thirty ghostly-looking survivors of the British ship The Wager washed up on the shores of Brazil with an incredible tale of survival at sea. But, six months later, three other men from The Wager also arrived in Brazil, also looking barely alive, and told a very different, much darker, version of the shipwreck. Grann pieces together the convoluted true story with expert detail and characterization. (Non-Fiction)

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The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende tells the story of two refugees that, though decades and continents apart, share similar experiences. In 1938, after his father disappears during Kristallnacht, five-year-old Samuel is sent out of Nazi-occupied Austria to safety in England via a Kindertransport train, leaving his mother behind. In Arizona in 2019, seven-year-old Anita and her mother are fleeing El Salvador when they’re separated at the U.S. border. Allende traces the journey of two children with different paths to show the plight of migrants throughout history.

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by Fiona Davis is a mystery set in the glamorous world of show business in 1950s New York City. Dance teacher Marion Brooks is about to settle down with her fiancé into the life of a housewife when, on an impulse, she decides to audition for the famed Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall and, incredibly, she makes the cut. But, her excitement at starting a new life in the big city is undercut by the fear inspired by a terrorist known only as the Big Apple Bomber, who has been going after New York City landmarks and has already bombed Radio City Music Hall. When he targets it again, Marion will find herself pulled into the world of criminal investigations as an intriguing psychiatrist, Peter Griggs, tries to get into the mind of a killer.

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Loot by Tania James is a captivating tale involving a mechanical tiger, the looting of a sultan’s palace, and the journey one man takes to retrieve a lost artifact. In Mysore in 1794, a teenage artisan, Abbas, is recruited by Tipu Sultan to apprentice with a French clockmaker, Lucien du Leze, in order to create a remarkable object: an automaton tiger attacking a British soldier, to celebrate the return of Tipu’s sons from captivity. But, when Mysore falls into British control in 1799, Tipu Sultan’s palace is ransacked by the British, and the tiger is stolen, leaving Abbas to flee to France with Lucien and his daughter, Jehanne, where the three plot how to get the tiger back from an estate deep in the English countryside. Based on real events, Loot expertly tackles the long and thorny history of colonialism and the deep scars it leaves on history.

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The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray is the second novel, following The Murder of Mr. Wickham, in which Gray fashions a romantic, cozy mystery around Jane Austen’s iconic characters. In the first book, Jonathan Darcy (son of Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy) and Juliet Tilney managed to solve a crime while resisting their attraction to each other. Now, Juliet is invited to stay with her new friend, Sense and Sensibility’s Marianne Brandon, while Jonathan is visiting an old school nemesis, John Willoughby, who has remarried, moved nearby, and also has a scandalous past with Marianne. When Willoughby’s new young wife is murdered in the midst of a party, Juliet and Jonathan are thrown together once again to solve the case.

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by Martin Cruz Smith finds his popular investigator, Arkady Renko, in the midst of Russia’s current war against Ukraine. Renko, always a maverick, is working for the Office of Prosecution in Russia in June 2021 when he’s asked by an acquaintance to investigate the disappearance of Karina, a young woman with ties to an anti-Putin political group. Although he’s aware of rumblings toward war within the Russian government, the search for Karina, along with troubles with his longtime lover, Tatiana, and a worrying health problem keep Renko preoccupied. When his investigation takes him to Kyiv, however, he finds that there may be more than one life in danger.

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Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul is a multi-generational story that unearths secrets and scandals from 1950s Hollywood. It begins with the death of Kitty Karr Tate, an elderly movie star from Hollywood’s Golden Age, who leaves her entire estate to her neighbors, the equally wealthy and famous Black St. John family. As the press buzzes with questions about why Kitty Karr’s past and her relationship with St. Johns, the book delves back into Kitty’s childhood in the segregated South and dazzling career to reveal the uglier side of sexism and prejudice in Old Hollywood. Fans of The Vanishing Half and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo should pick this up!

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by Paul Doiron returns readers to another adventure with game warden Mike Bowditch and his girlfriend–now fiancée–Stacey Stevens. While they’re hosting their engagement party overlooking a picturesque lake, festivities are interrupted by what appears at first to be a hit-and-run speedboat accident. When two naked corpses emerge from the water, one with a severed arm, the “accident” takes a darker turn toward cold-blooded murder.

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The Beach at Summerly

by Beatriz Williams dives into the drama of one eventful post-war summer. In 1946, the wealthy Peabody family is returning to their vacation home on Winthrop Island to celebrate the end of the war and the return of their son, Shep. But what really stirs things up is the visit from Olive Rainsford, the glamorous relative with tales of living in wartime Europe and a manner that hints at something mysterious, perhaps even dangerous. The Beach at Summerly combines the idyllic atmosphere of a summer vacation with the thrill of Cold War-era suspense.

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie  (PG) Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, AnimationThe movie tells the story of two Brooklyn plumbers who are brothers and best friends: Mario, the brave one with the “let’s-a go” attitude, and the perpetually anxious Luigi, who would prefer to go nowhere. We open with the Super Mario Brothers reckoning with their struggling plumbing business and wind up in a whirlwind adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom. Through their journey, we meet a cast of familiar, lovable characters, ultimately uniting together to defeat the power-hungry villain, Bowser. The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes what millions of gamers worldwide have loved for thirty-five years and levels it up to a new and breathtaking cinematic experience.

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Tulsa King: Season 1SERIES (NR) TULSA KING follows New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi, just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Okla. Realizing that his mob family may not have his best interests in mind, Dwight slowly builds a “crew” from a group of unlikely characters, to help him establish a new criminal empire in a place that to him might as well be another planet. 

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DEATH IN PARADISE, Season 12  SERIES (NR) Drama, History –This lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. 1990s–It’s a new decade, and the royal family is facing what may be their biggest challenge yet: proving their continued relevance in ’90s Britain. As Diana and Charles wage a media war, cracks begin to splinter the royal foundation.

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CALL THE MIDWIFE, Season 12  – SERIES (NR)–It’s 1968 and Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech creates serious tension in Poplar, especially when a group of dockers march in support of Dowell. The midwives welcome a new nun, Sister Veronica, who’s an instant hit with everyone–except Nurse Crane.

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Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre​ – Movie (R) Action, Comedy, Mystery & thriller Super spy Orson Fortune must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arm-s broker Greg Simmonds. Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives, Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world

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Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant – Movie (R)–War, Drama, Action, Crime, Mystery & Thriller Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant follows US Army Sergeant John Kinley and Afghan interpreter Ahmed. After an ambush, Ahmed goes to Herculean lengths to save Kinley’s life. When Kinley learns that Ahmed and his family were not given safe passage to America as promised, he must repay his debt by returning to the war zone to retrieve them before the Taliban hunts them down first.

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EIGHTY FOR BRADY – MOVIE (R) –Drama, Sports80 FOR BRADY is inspired by the true story of four best friends living life to the fullest when they take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Tom Brady play.

Creed III (PG-13)

Creed III – Movie- (PG-13) Action, Drama After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian, resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian–a fighter who has nothing to lose.

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Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – Movie- (PG-13) Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy Super-Hero partners Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Janet van Dyne and Hank Pym, and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang, the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible.

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by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Giovanni Rigano shows the challenges that climate change brings to communities in different parts of the world, through the eyes of children who are trying to save their homes. In a fishing village in the Bay of Bengal, 12-year-old Sami watches as rising sea levels and worsening storms make survival in his community harder. Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, 14-year-old Yuki, living in an Inuit community in Northern Canada, is trying her best to help the struggling population of growler bears, a hybrid of polar and grizzly bears whose existence is threatened by rising seas and melting Arctic ice. Told in tandem, these parallel stories warn readers about the danger of climate change by showing the impact on humans and animals that is already taking its toll. Gorgeous illustrations celebrate the beauty and ferocity of nature as the story of human connection in the face of disaster strikes an ultimately hopeful note. (Graphic Novels)

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Pluto: Not a Planet? Not a Problem by Stacy McNulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis is a wonderful introduction to Pluto! Did you know that it takes 248 years on Earth for Pluto to orbit the sun? Or that the average temperature on the distant dwarf planet is a frigid -387 degrees Fahrenheit? Readers will learn all this and more from the book, which is filled with facts and pictures that make Pluto look like the cuddly pet of the solar system. This a great read for space lovers or anyone who wants to know more about the solar system. (Non-Fiction)

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by Yamile Saied Mendez is a story about the resilience and determination of its main character, 12-year-old Minerva, as she struggles with adult problems and fights for her ambitions. Minerva, her Mamá, and her two younger siblings live in a dank basement apartment that Mamá has to work two jobs to pay for. Minerva dreams of someday becoming president, but first, she’s focused on auditioning for a part in her school’s production of Peter Pan.  But then one-night Mamá doesn’t come home from her job and Minerva has to take charge of her younger siblings while worrying about what might have happened to her mother. (Chapter Books)

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What My Daddy Loves by Raissa Figueroa is a sweet book about all the things a dad and his child love to do together! With a simple repetition of words– “My daddy loves…”– the book uses its rich illustrations to show the everyday activities that different dads and their kids share together. Whether it’s learning to ride a bike, making breakfast, studying, playing the guitar, or planting a garden, What My Daddy Loves shows how special these activities become when shared with loved ones.

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Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Khoa Le is a beautiful story-within-a-story about family, immigration, and love. A young girl immigrates to New York to live with her aunt and uncle and describes her loneliness at being in a new place away from friends, family, and her beloved cats. To make her feel better, the girl’s aunt tells her an ancient tale about Persians forced to leave their home and a king in India who was reluctant to accept them. Both the historic tale and the modern story show how a gesture of friendship and a change of perspective can make a world of difference. This lovely story is accompanied by stunning illustrations that enrich the reading experience.

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by Marietta Apollonio is a sweet story about a cat who loves to join story time at the library! But, when he gets on the bad side of a librarian, Ms. Fisher, who doesn’t like cats, Jack finds himself banned from the library altogether–until a friendly young boy named Pascal shows up for storytime. Pascal manages to sneak Jack into storytime until Ms. Fisher catches them both and Pascal has to think of a very clever idea to let Jack stay. Both Jack’s and Pascal’s love for the library is charming!

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How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido

is a lovely, fittingly poetic book meant to inspire creativity and introduce kids to the idea of metaphor? “Begin with a question, Like an acorn waiting for spring”, the book starts, combining the lines of poetry with a gorgeous array of illustrations that mix pencil sketches and colorful collages. The book shows that poetry isn’t something difficult but can arise out of a feeling or an observation that we make every day.

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by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Matthew Rivera, is a goofy book that’s packed with scientific facts! Told from the point of view of a zombie who has just recently given up eating human brains, the book walks readers through brain functions and cool facts. For example, did you know that a sperm whale brain weighs 17 pounds (compared to a 3-pound human brain)? Or that you’re born with 86 billion neurons, which send signals to other neurons to create new pathways for learning? It’s all in this book!

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by Chihiro Takeuchi is an adorable book that teaches kids to tell time while exploring the daily routines of a diverse variety of people. At different hours of the day, the book describes what people might be doing in the scene–at 7 a.m., people are baking bread, feeding the cat, and having breakfast–and asks the reader to look for a specific thing depicted in the scene, like a boy on a bicycle or a dog. The illustrations are bursting with color and detail and kids will have fun pouring over them to search for hidden clues.

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YELLOWSTONE, Season 5 – SERIES (NR)

Determined to protect his land and legacy at any cost, John Dutton (Kevin Costner) takes his fight to the halls of government in the most explosive season yet! But with greater power comes further scrutiny of his family, his land, and the morally questionable measures he’s taken to protect them both. As new threats emerge and old enemies return, John, Beth, Kay and Jamie learn that power has a price. Head back to the ranch and dive into this story along with new bonus content and exclusive interviews with the cast and crew.

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THE WHITE LOTUS, Season 1  – NEW SERIES (NR)

COMEDY-Created, written and directed by Mike White of School of Rock, and HBO’s Enlightened, this is a sharp social satire set at an exclusive Hawaiian resort. When some rich, entiteld tourists check into the lucurous White Lotus, tensions rise between the hotel staff and volatile vacationers over the course of a week. As darker dynamics emerge each passing day, this biting series gradually reveals  the complex truths of the seemingly picture-perfect  travelers, cheerful hotel employees and idyllic locale itself.  Paradise is No Vacation!

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VIENNA BLOOD, Season 3  – SERIES (NR)

CRIME, DRAMA–SPRING 1908 Vienna: Brilliant young English doctor Max Liebermann (Matthew Beard) and tenacious Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt (Juergen Maurer) are now working as an established crime-solving partnership. Max is now a published author in the frilled of criminal psychopathy and has finally moved out of his parents’ house into a plush apartment of his own. Oskar’s reputation has been bolstered by his successful investigations with Max, and while he is still at odds with his superior Von Bulow (Raphael Von Bargen), Oskar’s star is on the rise. But in the grand cafes and opera houses of Vienna, cultures, ideas and crime still flourish.

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UNDER THE VINES, Season 2 – SERIES (NR)

COMEDY, DRAMA–In this sparkling romantic, Sydney socialite Daisy (Rebecca Gibney) and former London lawyer Louis (Charles Edwards) continue to operate Oakley Winery, the struggling New Zealand vineyard the jointly inherited. But the course to good wine – and to true love – never runs smooth.  Louis is still hoping to save his marriage, and any chance of romance between the two unlikely partners in wine further sours when Daisy meets David (Kirk Torrance), a handsome local doctor. Daisy’s lovesick bestie, movie star Griff (Dean O’Gorman, is trying to repair his own relationship with handyman Gus (Simon Mead). Meanwhile, rival winery Shimmering Lake hires a rock star French vintner, who happens to be Tippy’s (Trae Te Wiki) distant cousin. He wants to mentor Oakley’s young winemaker, but can he be trusted?

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THE SPLIT, Season 1  NEW SERIES (NR)

DRAMA, CRIME–Hanna Defoe is a brilliant divorce lawyer. With her formidable mother Ruth and headstrong sister Nina she takes on cases for London’s wealthy and well-known. Following a bitter argument, Hannah leaves the family business to begin a new job at a rival firm, where she unexpectedly reconnects with the only other man she could have imagined her life with. And when Hannah’s estranged father returns after 30 years, the toxic feud between her parents is re-ignited. As a lawyer Hannah always gets what she wants for her clients, but can she get what she wants for herself?…a powerful series that explores family, love, loyalty and the messy business of divorce.

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MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, Season 1  – NEW SERIES (NR)

CRIME, DRAMA–A crime drama about an important contemporary issue, America’s prison system, “Mayor of Kingstown” follows the McLusky family in Kingstown, Mich., where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. The family of power brokers between police, criminals, inmates, prison guards and politicians tackle themes of systemic racism, corruption and inequality. The crime thriller series provides a stark look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither. The cast includes Jeremy Renner, Dianne Wiest, Kyle Chandler and Derek Webster.

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MYSTERY DRAMA–Jesse Metcalfe and Sarah Lind star in the thrilling Hallmark mystery “Poisoned In Paradise” based on the novels by Philip R. Craig.  When a young woman is poisoned on the Vineyard, Jeff and Zee work to find her killer. When they discover a suspicious amount of money in her bank account, they unearth a sinister scheme that someone was willing to kill to cover up.

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MADAME BLANC, Season 2  NEW SERIES (NR)

MYSTERY, DRAMA–Welcome to Sainte Victoire, a Town full of Treasure and Trouble. Fresh from solving her husband’s murder, antiques dealer Jean White (Sally Lindsay) has embraced her new life and new friends in France. She decides to open her own shop in scenic Sainte Victoire, but her expertise about art and antiquities continues to draw her into mysteries. With admirer Dom (Steve Edge) by her side, Jean investigates everything from misdeeds to murders–and she starts by helping police chief Andre Caron (Alex Gaumond) after his wife is fatally stabbed at Christmas, and he’s arrested for the crime. Meanwhile, her late husband’s killer remains at large, preparing to finish what she started.

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MADAME BLANC, Season 1  NEW SERIES (NR)

DRAMA, CRIME–Posh Cheshire antique dealer Jean White (Sally Lindsay) was stunned to learn that her husband Rory died in the South of France under shady circumstances. Still, that would pale next to finding that he’d leveraged the business, and left her with almost nothing. Grieving and blindsided, she heads to her last remaining asset, a cottage in Sainte-Victoire. Intending to sell the property and return home, she discovers Rory was having an affair. Aided by sympathetic taxi driver Dom (Steve Edge), Jean begins asking questions and quickly finds the colorful locals have a treasure trove of other mysteries for her to assess, too.  6 episodes

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DOC MARTIN, Season 10   SERIES FINAL (NR)

COMEDY, DRAMA –A Year has passed since Martin resigned from his medical license, and his wife, Louisa (Caroline Catz), is now the one seeing patients as a child counselor, while he looks after their two young children, James Henry and four-month-old Mary Elizabeth. But does the Doc truly never want to practice medicine again? All the old friends and neighbors are here too. Mrs. Tishell (Selina Cadell) and Ruth (Eileen Atkins), PC Penhale and Morwenna and Bert and Al Large. The final season of this quirky comedy is comforting, gently funny, and always entertaining!

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THE QUIET GIRL – FOREIGN LANGUAGE MOVIE (PG-13) OSCAR NOMINEE (Gaelic/Irish) with English Subtitles

DRAMA–Rural Ireland, 1981. Nine-year-old Cait (Catherine Clinch) is sent away from her overcrowded, dysfunctional family to live with foster parents for the summer. Quietly struggling at school and at home, she has learned to hide in plain sight from those around her. She blossoms in their care, but in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth. A remarkable debut for writer-director Colm Bairéad,  The Quiet Girl offers a deceptively simple reminder that the smallest stories can leave a large emotional impact.

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THE LOST KING – MOVIE (PG-13)

HISTORY, DRAMA, COMEDY–In this inspiring true story, amateur historian Philippa Langley (Sally Hawkins) believes she has made the archeological find of the century: the lost burial site of King Richard III (Harry Lloyd), presumed scattered over 500 years before. The site is discovered under a parking lot in Leicester in 2012.  Philippa’s passion and unrelenting research were met with skepticism by the academic establishment.   She takes on Britain’s most eminent historians, forcing them to rethink the legacy of one of the most controversial rulers in English history. Directed by Stephen Frears and also stars Richard Buckley, John Ashdown-Hill, and Jessica Hardwick.

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IN FROM THE SIDE – MOVIE (R)

DRAMA, LGBTQ+, SPORTS, ROMANCE–Minute for minute, you won’t find a more romantic gay film this year than British rugby drama IN FROM THE SIDE, a surprisingly moving sports-team story slathered in sweat, streaked with mud, and dripping with sensuality. As a “B Squad” of gay athletes tries to overcome inexperience and push past rivalries to score an elusive win, a secret affair simmers among them. Mark (puppy-eyed Alexander Lincoln) finds himself unable to avoid the blazing appeal of teammate Warren (Alexander King), with his cocky attitude and emotional unavailability.

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ACTION, ADVENTURE, FANTASY–A Charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people in this hilarious and action-packed thrill ride critics are calling “the best movie of the year” (The Wrap). Starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodrigues, Rege-Jean Page, and Hugh Grant.

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BLACK ADAM – MOVIE (PG-13)
Action, Adventure, Fantasy–Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods–and imprisoned just as quickly–Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world. Hawksman (Aldis Hodge), Atom Smashser (Noah Centineo), Isis (Sarah Shahi)

 

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by Anne, Glenconner is a captivating look at the life of a British aristocrat. Nonagenarian Glenconner grew up in a world of eccentricity and extraordinary privilege, expected to do her duty to her family by marrying a titled and wealthy man, Colin Tennant, Lord Glenconner. Lord Glenconner owned an island in the Caribbean and hosted glamorous parties to which celebrities like Mick Jagger and David Bowie were often invited. Lady Glenconner also served as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret, an experience which she chronicled in her first book, Lady In Waiting. But, Whatever Next also delves into the darker side of her life beneath the glitzy exterior: Glenconner’s husband was violently abusive, and she lost two of her five children to drug addiction and AIDS. Her memoir is an honest, entertaining, and poignant account. (Non-Fiction)

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Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer asks an uncomfortable but important question: how can you approach the work of artists who have also been “monsters” in their personal lives? Dederer’s key example is Roman Polanski, an artist whose work she feels a deep connection to but whose past as a child rapist makes her question how she views his art. But Dederer also explores other artists who have done bad things: Woody Allen, Miles Davis, Norman Mailer, and Michael Jackson. Monsters arose out of Dederer’s well-received essay for The Paris Review and, in the book, Dederer doesn’t give easy answers to difficult questions, interrogating social norms and her own opinions with equal rigor. (Non-Fiction)