July 20, 2026 - New Arrivals

July 20, 2026

Adult Fiction

The Sapphire Sea by Davis Bunn.

"When it comes to the bittersweet memories of his late mother, Colin Eames is a relatable boy, recalling her tales of a faraway place called the Sapphire Sea where happiness forever is a way of life. Other than that, Colin is different. To Child Services, he is a prodigy to be nurtured. To his classmates, he's an outsider. To his father, a man of political ambitions and unchecked rage, Colin is a trial, defying the narrow path his father demands. When Colin is accepted into the Outer Banks Academy for the Gifted, it's his chance to slip out from under his father's control, to chart his own course, and to embark on a quest for the one thing that eludes him: love. As the years pass and Colin's freedom leads to dream opportunities, his yearning to make a connection grows stronger. It's a difficult longing for an awkward teenager for whom the simplest interactions are a mystery. Then he meets Mira, an empathic girl weathering tragic losses of her own. She's there for him, supporting each new step he takes. Even those with Tiana, a history student from Hawaii who ushers Colin into a new world of first kisses, belonging, and trust--far from the confusion and loneliness of his childhood days. For Colin, maybe the promise of the Sapphire Sea wasn't a bedtime story after all, but rather a true and genuine place in the heart--one worth searching and waiting for."-- Provided by publisher.

Uncharted Peace by Keely Brooke Smith.

Lena Vestal enjoys spending her days cooking for her siblings and her nights curled up with a good book... or a letter from Philip Roberts, the overseer of Falls Creek and only man ever to capture her heart. It's safe to dream of a future with him while she is still sheltered by the older brother and sister who raised her. When Philip's final letter announces his forthcoming arrival to take her to Falls Creek, Lena must leave all that is familiar to make her dream a reality. Philip Roberts takes his duties as the overseer of Falls Creek seriously, not only to please God but also to prove his competence. Having been in the pastoral position for two years, Philip's dissertation is anticipated by all the overseers of the Land, particularly his father. Producing a work of great merit would prove his worth, as would setting an excellent example of holy matrimony in his church. Lena's yearning for the security of Philip's love compels her to spend a month without her siblings at the isolated Inn at Falls Creek. To prepare for their nuptials, Philip informs her the Land's tradition requires they compare family lineage. When she receives hers from her sister, a shocking secret about her true origins means she must choose between protecting her family and marrying the man of her dreams. And when Philip's published book is distributed before he can check it, both feel their hopes dissolve. But at the Inn at Falls Creek, no one is alone and everyone is worthy.

Hot Chocolate on Thursday by Michiko Aoyama.

Across a bridge in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo, a seasonal cherry blossom sits on the river. Nearby is the Marble Cafe, where a woman writes in a notebook and a young waiter prepares her favorite hot drink. Both wonder about each other and about the other lives of the clientele who frequent this charming little cafe behind the trees...Without even realizing it, we may touch and change someone else's life. Taking a walk along the river, cooking the best tamagoyaki, ordering hot chocolate, forgetting to remove our nail polish... The small, everyday acts that we do can lead to unexpected encounters, reverberate far beyond our own circle, and ultimately make a difference in the world around us. Hot Chocolate on Thursday is a tapestry of slice-of-life moments that each open and close with a woman ordering her regular hot chocolate at the mysterious Marble Cafe. What happens in between will touch and swell your heart, as we connect with a community of untold unfolding lives.

Adult Non-Fiction

The Haunted History of the West Virginia Penitentiary by Sherri Brake.

If you die in prison, your soul stays in prison. At least that's what many inmates believed. 998 murders and suicides combined with 85 hangings and 9 electrocutions all make for a dark and violent past. The Cincinnati Ohio Enquirer called it a "Hell on Earth" in 1886. The New York Times branded it as "One of the Most Violent in the Country". Inmates called it "Bloody Alley" and for good reasons. The Haunted History of the West Virginia Pen is brought to light by paranormal investigator, Haunted Heartland Tours owner and author, Sherri Brake. Built in 1866 in Moundsville, West Virginia and situated on 10 acres, this mammoth fortress held some of the country's worst criminals. Explore Moundsville's bloody frontier history, the Grave Creek Mound, the building of the Pen, and the Wardens. Read firsthand accounts from past guards and inmates along with newspaper articles, some collected from over 100 years ago. Accounts of executions, torture, escapes and notorious inmates are revealed. Examine over 100 ghostly accounts as paranormal investigators look for Shadow Men, ghosts and proof of the afterlife.

West Virginia’s Lonely Hearts Killer by Angela Fielder.

In the 1930s, in the sleepy town of Quiet Dell, West Virginia lonely, wealthy women began to disappear. Under the guise of charming love letters, con man Harry F. Powers lured them into a sinister web of deceit. When correspondence evolved into promises of romance, and then face-to-face meetings, these women would mysteriously vanish. As the number of missing women grew, the authorities finally took notice. Investigators unearthed a murder garage with a custom-made concealed dungeon, revealing the appalling evidence of multiple murders. The horror of Powers' crimes gained statewide notoriety, and shook the community to its core.

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

Extreme Careers, Part 2 by Gary Jeffrey & Rob Stone.  GN

Many adults work in office cubicles or in home offices all day. But what if you want to do something different? Something a little daring? This book highlights stories from the most extreme careers out there--war correspondents, secret agents, and astronauts.

Wilderness Hacks by Joslin Brorsen.  J

12-year-old Sadie Hahn didn't plan to eat grubs on camera to win a contest. And she definitely didn't plan to win first prize--a guest appearance on a YouTube show hosted by America's favorite 13-year-old survivalist Radley Shaw. But she'll do anything to cheer up her little brother Silas, who's too young to qualify. Rad has millions of followers and exactly zero real-life friends, so the contest is a great chance for him to hang out with kids his own age. But it's hate-at-first-sight when Silas throws a wrench in his plan and Sadie decides Rad is just a clueless poser who doesn't know the first thing about survival. Disaster strikes when their scripted rafting trip turns into a real fight for survival. Lost in the mountains, Rad and Sadie must find shelter, build a fire, forage for food and try not to become food for a hungry predator. But can they stop bickering long enough to hack it in the wilderness? And will that be enough to keep them alive?

Brooke County Public Libraries Wellsburg (304) 737-1551 Follansbee (304) 527-0860