On the shelves - Nov. 28

The books listed below are now available for checkout at the Clovis-Carver Public Library. The library is open to the public, but patrons can still visit the online catalog at cloviscarverpl.booksys.net/opac/ccpl or call 575-769-7840 to request a specific item for curbside pickup.

“Jewel of the Nile” by Tessa Afshar. Whispered secrets about her parents' past take on new urgency for Chariline as she pays one last visit to the land of her forefathers, the ancient kingdom of Cush. Raised as an orphan by her aunt, Chariline has only been told a few pieces of her parents' tragic love story. Her beautiful dark skin is proof that her father was Cushite, but she knows nothing else. While visiting her grandfather, Chariline overhears that her father is still alive, and discovering his identity becomes her obsession. Both her grandfather and the queen forbid her quest, however, so when her only clues lead to Rome, Chariline sneaks onto the ship of a merchant trusted by friends.

“The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune. Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world. Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light. “The House in the Cerulean Sea” is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place_and realizing that family is yours.

“Murder in Texas” by Ada E. Lingo. John Fordman, millionaire oil man, is discovered dead from a bullet wound to his head inside his luxury Isotta-Fraschini limousine. During the shooting of the latest local gusher, Joan Shields, society page editor of the Fordman Daily News, deems the shocking slaying a welcome |diversion, as she would much rather be spending her time investigating ballistics and bloodstains than chronicling the convivial activities of the Laff-a-Lot Bridge Club. With the not overly bright local sheriff finding himself utterly baffled by this heinous murder in a small town, Joan calls in Dick Fields, her private detective pal from her recent days in New York, to help solve the crime. Joan and Dick soon have on their hands a veritable ten-gallon hatful of suspects, including journalists, town fathers and even a reputed mistress or two. How many more murders will take place in this torrid Texas town before a daring and resourceful killer is brought to justice?

“Women, Food, and Hormones” by Sara Gottfroed, MD. Most diet plans were created by men for men, but women's bodies don't work the same way. Popular programs can actually make it harder for women to lose weight, because they can wreak havoc on a woman's complex and delicate hormonal system. “New York Times” best-selling author Dr. Sara Gottfried has spent her career demystifying hormones and helping patients improve their health more broadly with personalized medicine.

“Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood” by Danny Trejo. On screen, Danny Trejo the actor is a baddie who has been killed at least a hundred times. He's been shot, stabbed, hanged, chopped up, squished by an elevator, and once, was even melted into a bloody goo. Off screen, he's a hero beloved by recovery communities and obsessed fans alike. But the real Danny Trejo is much more complicated than the legend.

“The Good Kings” by Kara Cooney. In a new era when democracies around the world are threatened or crumbling, best-selling author Kara Cooney turns to five ancient Egyptian pharaohs — Khufu, Senwosret III, Akenhaten, Ramses II, and Taharqa — to understand why many so often give up power to the few, and what it can mean for our future.

— Summaries provided by library staff