Evil at Work

Because She Can by Bridie Clark

In a New York minute, Claire Truman lands both a plum position at a top publishing house and the man she's wanted for ten years...then reality intervenes. Her new boss is Vivian Grant, a notoriously ruthless tyrant known for her tirades, traumatized assistants, and tabloid-inspired bestsellers. Soon Claire's job is stealing more and more of her time and her relationship with her fiancé begins to feel the strain. It doesn't help that she's working late nights with a brilliant-and handsome-first-time author. As Vivian's outrageous demands continue to escalate, Claire wonders if she likes where the fast track is taking her-and worries about what she might turn into... (Publisher Summary)

The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare

No political science degree could ever prepare Elizabeth Miller for her new job as a second assistant at The Agency, whose clients include everyone you’ve never met—but you know who they’re sleeping with. A former congressional intern in Washington, Lizzie made a bid for a life change that landed her a job a world away, where ethics and First Amendment debates take a backseat to pleading the Fifth for Ritalin-snorting boss Scott Wagner. He’s the hottest young agent in Hollywood, who devotes his days to playing online poker—that is, when he’s not closing a $30 million deal for one of his AAA-list clients. And while getting six-hundred-dollar highlights from Cameron’s colorist or organizing the strippers for George’s birthday party come close to causing heart failure for this East Coast girl, the real dangers lurk elsewhere. (Publisher Summary)

The Knockoff by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza

When Imogen returns to work at Glossy after six months away, she can barely recognize her own magazine. Eve, fresh out of Harvard Business School, has fired “the gray hairs,” put the managing editor in a supply closet, stopped using the landlines, and hired a bevy of manicured and questionably attired underlings who text and tweet their way through meetings. Imogen, darling of the fashion world, may have Alexander Wang and Diane von Furstenberg on speed dial, but she can’t tell Facebook from Foursquare. Under Eve’s reign, Glossy is rapidly becoming a digital sweatshop—hackathons rage all night, girls who sleep get fired, and “fun” means mandatory, company-wide coordinated dances to Beyoncé. Wildly out of her depth, Imogen faces a choice—pack up her Smythson notebooks and quit, or channel her inner geek and take on Eve to save both the magazine and her career. A glittering, uproarious, sharply drawn story filled with thinly veiled fashion personalities,The Knockoff is an insider’s look at the ever-changing world of fashion and a fabulous romp for our Internet-addicted age. (Publisher Summary)

Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

Alex Garrett, a recent college graduate who began her Wall Street career in 2006, dreams of fast-talking days on the trading floor while living a life tied to a government bond desk and performing other peculiar tasks. After fighting her way into the elitist boys' club and making it in bond sales at Cromwell Pierce, one of Wall Street's most esteemed brokerage firms, Alex Garret must decide whether to stick with Cromwell Pierce or head for the hills when the financial crisis hits.(Publisher Summary)

Us by David Nicholls

Douglas Petersen may be mild-mannered, but behind his reserve lies a sense of humor that, against all odds, seduces beautiful Connie into a second date . . . and eventually into marriage. Now, almost three decades after their relationship first blossomed in London, they live more or less happily in the suburbs with their moody seventeen year-old son, Albie. Then Connie tells him she thinks she wants a divorce.

Narrated from Douglas’s endearingly honest, slyly witty, and at times achingly optimistic point of view, Us is the story of a man trying to rescue his relationship with the woman he loves, and learning how to get closer to a son who’s always felt like a stranger. 

"Nicholls . . . has created in Douglas a man who has always known where he was and where he was going and who now is suddenly adrift emotionally as well as physically. And all the guidebooks and online tours won't be enough to right his course. Are you thinking this is a predictable tale of family dynamics? Think again; this is Nicholls, after all. For those who loved One Day, the author's latest is another heart-grabber about discovering what makes us happy and learning to let go." (Library Journal Reviews)

This highly anticipated new novel has received many positive reviews and is already on the long list for the Man Booker Prize. Place your hold for Us today.

City of Lost Dreams

In City of Lost Dreams by Magnus Flyte, (sequel to City of Dark Magic), we find musicologist Sarah Weston in Vienna in search of a cure for her friend Pollina, who is now gravely ill and who may not have much time left. Meanwhile, Nicolas Pertusato, in London in search of an ancient alchemical cure for the girl, discovers an old enemy is one step ahead of him. In Prague, Prince Max tries to unravel the strange reappearance of a long dead saint while being pursued by a seductive red-headed historian with dark motives of her own.

In the city of Beethoven, Mozart, and Freud, Sarah becomes the target in a deadly web of intrigue that involves a scientist on the run, stolen art, seductive pastries, a few surprises from long-dead alchemists, a distractingly attractive horseman who’s more than a little bloodthirsty, and a trail of secrets and lies. But nothing will be more dangerous than the brilliant and vindictive villain who seeks to bend time itself. Sarah must travel deep into an ancient mystery to save the people she loves.

"Trying to assign this book to a genre would probably result in a headache, so just think of it as a blend of urban fantasy, romantic comedy, and time-travel adventure, with an extra twist of weirdness. Flyte—a pseudonym for the team of novelist Meg Howrey and TV writer Christina Lynch—keeps things moving at a brisk clip, not giving us a chance to pick at any loose threads. Lots of fun." (Booklist Reviews)

The book that inspired the new movie 'Think Like a Man'

A new romantic comedy is coming on April 20th a theater near you!  Think Like A Man tells the story of four male friends who vow to fight back after discovering that their girlfriends are all using Steve Harvey's classic relationship advice book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man to manipulate them.  If you've become intrigued by the book that inspired this movie, look no further than your Community Library to satisfy your curiosity.

I don't know how she does it

The movie "I Don't Know How She Does It" opened this past week to great box office success, and has also unsurprisingly boosted interest in the book that inspired the film.  The 2003 book I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson tells the story of how Kate Reddy, a hedge fund manager and mother of two, balances her personal and professional lives, with mixed success.  So if you've seen the movie or plan to see the movie, don't forget that behind this new blockbuster is an amazing gem of a novel, available at your Community Library.

Stupid and Contagious

For all of you who've ever rocked out to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," the book Stupid and Contagious, whose title pays homage to this classic rock anthem, might be worth reading.  This romantic comedy of a novel tells the story of two hate-at-first-sight neighbors who embark on a zany mission to meet the founder of Starbucks.  Published in 2006, this book is now back in the spotlight, literally; Deadline reports that NBC plans to produce "Stupid and Contagious" as a half-hour sitcom series.