WHO'S ON TOP: NONFICTION

TOP 5 NONFICTION:

HARDCOVER:

1. DUTY, by Robert M. Gates

2. THINGS THAT MATTER, by Charles Krauthammer

3. DAVID AND GOLIATH, by Malcolm Gladwell

4. KILLING JESUS, by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

5. LEAN IN, by Sheryl Sandberg with Nell Scovell

SPOTLIGHT:

THE SECOND MACHINE AGE

Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee

In recent years, Google s autonomous cars have logged thousands of miles on American highways and IBM s Watson trounced the best human Jeopardy! players. Digital technologies with hardware, software, and networks at their core will in the near future diagnose diseases more accurately than doctors can, apply enormous data sets to transform retailing, and accomplish many tasks once considered uniquely human. In The Second Machine Age MIT s Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee two thinkers at the forefront of their field reveal the forces driving the reinvention of our lives and our economy. As the full impact of digital technologies is felt, we will realize immense bounty in the form of dazzling personal technology, advanced infrastructure, and near-boundless access to the cultural items that enrich our lives.

WHO'S ON TOP: CHILDREN'S BOOKS

TOP 5 CHILDREN’S BOOKS:

PICTURE BOOKS:

1. THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT, by Drew Daywalt

2. WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?, by Ylvis

3. I AM ABRAHAM LINCOLN, by Brad Meltzer

4. I AM AMELIA EARHART, by Brad Meltzer

5. GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE, by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld

SPOTLIGHT:

I AM AMELIA EARHART

Brad Meltzer

We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this lively, collectible picture book biography series from New York Timesbestselling author Brad Meltzer.

Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography for his own kids, and for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in an entertaining, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Amelia Earhart refused to accept no for an answer; she dared to do what no one had ever done before, and became the first woman to fly a plane all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. This book follows her from childhood to her first flying lessons and onward to her multi-record-breaking career as a pilot.

This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, and to inspire them to strive and dream.

WHO'S ON TOP: GRAPHIC NOVELS

TOP 5 GRAPHIC NOVELS:

HARDCOVER:

1. X-MEN: BATTLE OF THE ATOM, by Brian Michael Bendis and Others

2. CEMETERY GIRL, BOOK 1, by Charlaine Harris, Christopher Golden and Don Kramer

3. BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland

4. BATMAN, VOL. 3, by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

5. FAIRY TALE COMICS: CLASSIC TALES TOLD BY EXTRAORDINARY CARTOONISTS, by Chris Duffy and Others

SPOTLIGHT:

X-MEN: BATTLE OF THE ATOM

Brian Michael Bendis and Others

The X-Men’s past, present and future collide in this 50th-anniversary event! Something horrible happens to the past versions of the X-Men that shakes spacetime to its core — and more X-Men arrive from the future with a message: The original five must return home! But when young Cyclops and Marvel Girl run away to stay in the present, the hunt is on! And where does the modern-day Cyclops’ revolutionary faction fit in?

Things get even more complicated when mysterious foes attack the Jean Grey School, and the healing-impaired Wolverine takes a mortal hit! With spacetime up for grabs, the surprise ending will change everything as the X-Men’s footing in the world is drastically altered!

WHO'S ON TOP: FICTION

TOP 5 FICTION:

HARDCOVER:

1. THE GOLDFINCH, by Donna Tartt

2. THE INVENTION OF WINGS, by Sue Monk Kidd FIRST

3. LOVE, by James Patterson and Emily Raymond

4. SYCAMORE ROW, by John Grisham

5. LOST LAKE, by Sarah Addison Allen

SPOTLIGHT:

LOVE

James Patterson and Emily Raymond

An extraordinary portrait of true love that will move anyone who has a first love story of their own. Axi Moore is a "good girl": She studies hard, stays out of the spotlight, and doesn't tell anyone how all she really wants is to run away from it all. The only person she can tell is her best friend, Robinson--who she also happens to be madly in love with.

When Axi spontaneously invites Robinson to come with her on an impulsive cross-country road trip, she breaks the rules for the first time in her life. But the adventure quickly turns from carefree to out of control after the teens find themselves on the run from the police. And when Robinson suddenly collapses, Axi has to face the truth that this trip might be his last.

A remarkably moving tale very personal to James Patterson's own past, FIRST LOVE is testament to the power of first love--and how it can change the rest of your life.