A Book Place (489 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-405-7902), a boutique bookstore run by Jocelyn Maningo Kaleita, is a colorful and vibrant shop just off the beaten path in the same parking lot as Jerry and the Mermaid. Kaleita has the store, which often hosts community events, filled to the brim with books and tchotchkes.
This month, Kaleita shares some anticipated new releases with our Northforker Book Club.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano (Minotaur Books, March 4)
Finlay is back in her fifth laugh-out-loud installment. She’s witty and sarcastic and relatable as ever. Finlay and Vera, the nanny and partner-in-crime, must come to the aid of their not-so-friendly neighborhood watch neighbor when a body is found in her backyard. Now, they have to literally dig up some secrets to be sure their own stay safely buried.
Snow White and the Dragon (or Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs) by Kim Bussing (Random House Books for Young Readers, March 4)
Fairytales meet “Freaky Friday” in this crazy, chaotic world of upside down, topsy-turvy princess and funny beasts. Will Snow White need to fight a dragon or will Sleeping Beauty have to eat a poisoned apple? This retelling, or re-envisioning, is full of giggles, adventure and budding love — a great pick for fans of classic tales with a twist. Cuddle up and get set for a wild ride.
Today My Brain Is a Dinosaur by Jedidiah Mora and Kyla Mora (Sleeping Bear Press, March 15)
This children’s book is about a little boy who learns how to put all the noise in his brain to good use. Through the patience and love of family, the little boy is calmed. He learns to use his unique moods to harness a different mindset and abilities, gaining skills that teach him to be flexible and ask for help. The book is part lesson for us all and part story about encouraging little ones to embrace their dinos.
The Wartime Chocolate Maker by Gosia Nealon (Bookouture, March 21)
From the first taste you’ll be consumed by Nealon’s layered treats. Your heart will race for Kasia’s love of country and family and her secret messages tucked under each rich chocolate recipe smuggled out to help the resistance — although it may very well be her downfall. You’ll be tasting the remnants of fictional chocolate on your tongue and deciphering secret messages in no time after reading the captivating story. One thing is for sure: you won’t put “The Wartime Chocolate Maker” down until you’ve devoured the last word.
Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh (Atria Books, March 25)
Any discerning suspense reader will be engrossed by this emotionally complex thriller. Eddie Flynn is a successful, streetwise ex-con-artist turned defense attorney in New York, ever-willing to take on hopeless cases. John Jackson’s case is just that: the gun used to kill his neighbor was found in his own home with Jackson’s DNA on it. Meanwhile, Ruby Johnson is a former resident of the elite Manhattan upper class who now works as a maid, unassuming and seeing everyone’s secrets. But when Ruby witnesses one truly dirty secret and a murder occurs, her mind makes other plans, and those plans don’t include alerting the authorities. This is Cavanagh’s eighth book in the Eddie Flynn series; Cavanagh will be an honored guest at Hamptons Whodunit from April 11-13 in East Hampton Village (a great opportunity to get your copy signed!).
