Escape from Kabul: The Afghan Women Judges Who Fled the Taliban and Those They Left Behind

Bartlett, Karen. Escape from Kabul: The Afghan Women Judges Who Fled the Taliban and Those They Left Behind. 2025. 288p. ISBN 9781620978733.

For twenty years, as the United States supported the Afghan government, a courageous group of women worked to build a modern, democratic society. They became judges, lawyers, and leaders, tackling widespread corruption, challenging traditional gender norms, and fighting against violence. Their mission was to create a country where the rule of law and human rights were respected, and their work stood in direct opposition to the beliefs of the Taliban. However, when the U.S. withdrew its forces in August 2021, these educated and powerful women, who had been instrumental in shaping their country, were suddenly left in a position of extreme vulnerability and mortal danger.

This is the dramatic true story of their escape, a perilous journey aided by the global network of the International Association of Women Judges. The narrative not only details the extraordinary rescue but also reveals the tragic fates of those who were unable to flee. Beyond a simple account of events, the story serves as a sharp critique of the West for abandoning its allies and neglecting the cause of women's rights in the region. The account concludes with the recommendations of the judges themselves, who, despite everything, continue to hold hope for their beloved country.

Progress: How One Idea Built Civilization and Now Threatens to Destroy It

McDonald, Samuel. Progress: How One Idea Built Civilization and Now Threatens to Destroy It. 2025. 432p. ISBN 9781250278319.

Progress is power, and the narratives we construct about whether society is moving in the right or wrong direction hold immense potency. The modern story of progress has undoubtedly fueled remarkable human achievements: it has built cities, created vast wealth, spurred incredible innovation, and ushered in a unique new epoch in our planet's 4.5-billion-year history.

However, Progress argues that this widely accepted modern story of progress is now a dangerous fiction. This narrative shapes our understanding of what progress means and justifies whatever actions we take to achieve it, regardless of the ultimate cost. We continue to adhere to a set of destructive myths—about dominion, infinite growth, relentless extraction, and endless expansion—which, while fueling our historical success, now profoundly threaten our own survival and the existence of all species on a planet in crisis.

Progress offers a radical new perspective on the foundational myths of the modern world. Drawing on extensive interdisciplinary research spanning anthropology, history, philosophy, and geography, the author illuminates the destructive lineage of the current progress model and suggests an urgent alternative. For humanity to truly thrive, we must first dismantle, radically reimagine, and create anew what the very definition of progress means. 

This book is an essential read for anyone interested in environmental studies, global systems, economic philosophy, and critical geography. It will appeal to readers who engage with contemporary critiques of capitalism and climate change, offering a deeply researched, intellectual challenge to deeply held beliefs about societal development and sustainability.

The Codebreaker Girl

Nealon, Gosia. The Codebreaker Girl. 2024. 294p. ISBN 9781835255599.

Polish orphan Beata has just graduated as the first and only woman in her university course, and her singular ambition is to join the Cipher Bureau to save her country from invasion by cracking the Enigma code. However, her plans are violently upended as gunfire echoes across her hometown rooftops and Nazi boots march on the cobblestones. Forced underground, Beata and her team must continue their vital work in secret.

While working covertly, Beata meets with members of the underground British intelligence and is immediately captivated by the bright, sparkling eyes of one of the agents, Harry. His passion for cracking Enigma and his understanding of its importance to their shared future only steel her resolve to do what is right. But as the escalating war destroys everything Beata holds dear and tears her and Harry in different directions, their only hope for reunion is at the legendary home of British codebreakers: Bletchley Park. Carrying the final, crucial key to the Enigma code, and with the Nazis relentlessly pursuing her, Beata must keep her secrets safe, determine if she will ever see Harry again, and attempt to turn the tide of the war.

Readers who enjoy crucial, real-life intelligence operations behind the scenes will appreciate this story about a courageous, trailblazing woman in the male-dominated field of codebreaking. The story is driven by intense suspense, and includes the importance of Bletchley Park and the race against time to crack the Enigma machine.

The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story

Nayeri, Daniel. The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story. 2025. 196p. ISBN 9781646145669. 

In 1941, as German armies advanced across Europe, Iran found itself a neutral country occupied by British and Soviet forces to deprive the Germans of Iranian oil. Soldiers and spies fill its streets as tensions rise. Amid this turmoil, Babak and his younger sister become orphans following their father's untimely death. Fearing they will be separated, the two devise a plan for Babak to assume his father's former role as a teacher to nomadic tribes. With a chalkboard strapped to his back, he and his sister embark on a treacherous journey through the mountains to find the tribes during their annual migration.

During their perilous trek, the siblings encounter a Jewish boy who is in hiding from a Nazi spy. This chance meeting transforms their desperate escape into a shared race for survival against a new and even more dangerous threat. Set against the chaotic backdrop of World War II, this epic adventure explores whether these young people, from different creeds and nations, can overcome their differences to form a common bond and find safety together amidst the global conflict.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 29

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 29. 2023. 226p. ISBN 9781974746248. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

The confrontation between the Knights of the True Cross and the Exwires and the ultimate enemy, Satan, fully erupted on every front in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 28. Rin, bravely confronts Satan head-on, and although he is utterly destroyed in the initial clash, his unique demonic nature grants him the power to immediately reform and remain in the fight. This fierce, high-stakes battle forms the core of the ongoing global conflict, pushing the combatants to their absolute limits.

Simultaneously, a complex magical counter-plan is set in motion. Shemihaza begins a ritual designed to crystallize and trap Satan, a crucial operation in which Shiemi is destined to play a vital role. However, the conflict escalates exponentially when Satan undergoes a dramatic and terrifying transformation to the next level of his power. This shift is so immense that it begins to warp time itself, forcing everyone present to witness a horrifying and unimaginable future ...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist. Vol. 30.

Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods… in Our Own Words

Campbell, Jen, editor. Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods… in Our Own Words. 2025. 368p. ISBN 9780571380022.

Owning It is an essential anthology of twenty-two autobiographical stories that capture the experience of growing up with a disability. It serves as a vital companion for young people with disabilities, who may often feel isolated, even when surrounded by supportive friends and family. This collection of stories offers a sense of shared experience, showcasing firsthand accounts of navigating common childhood challenges, from participating in school sports and dealing with the awkwardness of being given free items, to balancing hospital visits with a social life.

Owning It provides a powerful and much-needed perspective for both disabled and non-disabled readers. For children with disabilities, the stories offer a welcome sense of community and validation. For their non-disabled peers, the collection provides an invaluable "own-voice" perspective, helping to build empathy and understanding. Through these honest and intimate stories, the anthology creates a bridge of connection, highlighting what it's truly like to grow up with a disability.

Kid Olympians: Winter: True Tales of Childhood from Champions and Game Changers

Stevenson, Robin. Kid Olympians: Winter: True Tales of Childhood from Champions and Game Changers. 2025. 240p. ISBN 9781683693932.

All over the world, athletes dedicate their lives to breaking records and defying incredible odds to compete in the winter games—and many of these champions began dreaming and training when they were kids. Kid Olympians: Winter explores the childhood stories of these legendary athletes, providing an intimate look at their early dedication and drive.

The book highlights the surprising and inspiring beginnings of legends such as figure skater Michelle Kwan, who was so dedicated that she slept in her skating clothes to steal a few extra minutes before her pre-dawn lessons. Readers will also meet Cindy Ouellet, one of the few remarkable athletes to have competed in both the Winter and Summer Paralympics, and speed skater Apolo Ohno, who was initially inspired to take up the sport after seeing the speed skaters look like superheroes.

Featuring accessible, kid-friendly text and vibrant, full-color illustrations, this book is designed to inspire readers to dream bigger, faster, and higher than ever before. Readers who enjoy learning about young athletes and those who love sports biographies will find these stories to be motivating, featuring role models filled with dedication, hard work, and overcoming challenges. The focus on the early lives of famous winter sports stars makes it a highly appealing and encouraging book for aspiring competitors.

Naruto, Vol. 36: Cell Number 10

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 36: Cell Number 10. 2011. 192p. ISBN 9781421521725. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The battle against the Akatsuki, which proceeds in Naruto, Vol. 35, reaches a fever pitch as Asuma’s new team and the former members of Cell Number 10 (Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji) confront Hidan. A fanatic and sadistic warrior, Hidan possesses a terrifying, ritualistic ability that makes him perhaps the most unstoppable foe the Konoha ninja have ever encountered. As the fight turns desperate, it becomes clear that this encounter could mean the tragic end for one of Naruto’s longest-standing and most beloved allies.

While the battle rages, the wider world is thrown into chaos as the Akatsuki finally begins to reveal its master plan for the Tailed Beasts. As Naruto pushes himself through grueling training to prepare for the growing threat, the loss on the battlefield forces the young ninja of the Leaf Village to grow up faster than they ever imagined. The lines are drawn, and the stage is set for a massive confrontation that will reshape the future of the ninja world.

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 37. 

Rising Tide

Shaara, Jeff. The Rising Tide. Book 1 of the World War II: 1939-1945 series. 2006. 576p. ISBN 9780345461414.

During 1941, as Hitler's armies swept across Europe, England stood as a lone holdout. The global conflict expanded dramatically when Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor drew America into the war. The United States joined its British ally to fight against Japanese conquest in the Pacific and to turn the tide against the German forces in Europe. The early battles of this new alliance were fought in the harsh deserts of North Africa and the rugged landscape of Sicily. It was here that new forms of warfare, like massive tank battles and the deployment of paratroopers, were tested in a way the world had never seen before. These campaigns began to shift the momentum of the war, paving the way for the decisive Allied invasion of France.

Rising Tide provides an intimate look at the heroic and tragic figures who shaped this conflict, from the well-known to the obscure. It paints a vivid picture of key military leaders, including the efficient administrator Dwight D. Eisenhower and his subordinates, such as the clashing personalities of George Patton and Bernard Montgomery. The narrative also features the brilliant German general Erwin Rommel, known as "the Desert Fox," who handed the Americans a humiliating early defeat. Through the perspectives of soldiers, from tank drivers to paratroopers, the story brings the battles to life in stunning detail, offering a deeper understanding of the individuals who fought in this monumental global war.

Grounded in archives and discussions with surviving veterans, Rising Tide vividly describes the North African and Sicilian campaigns, as well as the experiences of living through war. Fans of military history will appreciate this exploration of the Mediterranean as a battlefield during the Second World War. 

Gettysburg: Great Battles

Smith, Adam. Gettysburg: Great Battles. 2025. 662 minutes. ISBN 9781696618083.

The battle of Gettysburg, which occurred in the middle of the American Civil War, is often deemed to have been the high water mark of the Confederacy. In Gettysburg, a historical analysis of this battle in July 1863 places this confrontation between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Virginia within the broader context of the Civil War. It explains how this unplanned and bloody encounter became a pivotal moment with dramatically high stakes for both the North and the South. In the years following the conflict, Gettysburg was then re-imagined and romanticized, becoming a microcosm of the war itself. This narrative, Gettysburg argues, served the interests of both sides: Confederates could believe that different tactical choices would have led to victory, while Northerners could attribute their win to valor rather than simply to superior resources.

The summary also emphasizes that the war and the Battle of Gettysburg were fundamentally about slavery. While the battle's history has been shaped by various interpretations, its true significance lies in its role in the ultimate defeat of the Confederacy. Gettysburg also highlights Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered just four months after the fighting, and his hope that the Union victory would lead to a "new birth of freedom." 

Fans of history will appreciate this overview of the battle, what led to it, and, more importantly, the impact it still has in American society. The ongoing historical debate about the battle continues to reflect a deeper contest over the meaning of this freedom.

The Champagne War

McIntosh, Fiona. The Champagne War. 2020. 413p. ISBN 9780143795452. 

In the summer of 1914, tensions that have been simmering for years flare into all-out conflict as the First World War begins. Vigneron Jerome Méa, certain he’ll be home by Christmas, heads off to war. His new bride, Sophie, a rebellious, fifth-generation champenoise (champagne maker), remains behind in Épernay, her ancestral manor in France. She is fiercely determined to ensure that the forthcoming vintages will stand as a testament to their love and the powerful resilience of the people of Épernay, especially its strong women. As the years of the Great War drag on, however, Sophie receives devastating news: authorities advise that Jerome is missing and presumed dead.

Meanwhile, when poison gas is first deployed in Belgium, British chemist Charles Nash immediately enlists. After being injured, he is brought to Reims, where Sophie has helped establish an underground hospital deep within the dark, ancient champagne cellars. In the confined, evocative darkness, their stirring emotions take both Sophie and Charles by surprise. While Sophie tirelessly battles to keep her vineyard operating through relentless bombings and the war’s hardships, a critical sugar shortage forces her to strike a dangerous bargain with an untrustworthy acquaintance. However, nothing will ultimately test her courage more than the final, harrowing news that filters through regarding the true fate of her heroic Jerome.

Fans of historical fiction and romance, particularly those set during World War I. will enjoy this story, which features a resilient, determined female protagonist and a narrative set against a unique, evocative historical backdrop. The Champagne War successfully combines themes of wartime sacrifice, lost love, moral compromise, and the perseverance of tradition and community during global conflict.

The Chimera

Roger, Matt. The Chimera. Book 2 of the Black Forces Shorts series. 2018. 132p. ISBN 9781980540281.

For months, a chilling secret has been hidden high in the mountains of Bhutan, within the ancient, abandoned depths of a monastery. Here, a sinister group of individuals is tirelessly slaving away at makeshift workstations to concoct a terrifying pathogen: The Chimera virus.

Meanwhile, Colt Griffin, an ambitious former Special Forces operative, is in the midst of a personal journey in Bhutan's Paro Valley, attempting to find himself before embarking on a career in government black operations. His solitude is shattered when he is contacted by the mysterious organization known as Black Force. Colt is informed that the paramilitary group responsible for creating the Chimera is about to escape the monastery with the virus, which could unleash global catastrophe. Despite his lack of formal experience in black operations, Colt is identified as the only person capable of successfully infiltrating and storming the isolated, heavily fortified monastery in time. His first unexpected mission becomes a brutal race against the clock, carrying the weight of the world, and it may very well be his last ...

Fans of military thrillers and high-octane action adventure enjoy the exotic, remote setting of Bhutan, which provides a unique and visually compelling backdrop for intense paramilitary action. The plot elements of a biological weapons threat, a secret organization, and relentless action make it a gripping read for anyone seeking a fast-paced story with global stakes.

Sin City, Vol. 2: A Dame to Kill For

Miller, Frank. Sin City, Vol. 2: A Dame to Kill For. 1993. 208p. ISBN 9781593072940

Dwight is trapped in a life of bleak despair, holding down a seedy gumshoe job while battling his own personal demons and relentless self-recrimination over past mistakes. His daily existence is a numb, gray hell, and he constantly yearns for a clean slate—one clear opportunity to pull himself out of his rut and reclaim a sense of passion or purpose, symbolized by his desire to "eel the fire, one more time. However, this longing is constantly undercut by a desperate need for control, driven by the fear that any lapse will unleash a monstrous, destructive side of himself.

Dwight's fragile state of control is instantly threatened when he receives a call from Ava, a former lover. This single event shatters the miserable equilibrium he has maintained, suggesting that the chance he longed for might finally be presenting itself—but at the highest possible cost. Rapidly descending back into the dangerous, chaotic life he has tried so desperately to keep suppressed, Dwight must choose between the monotony of his safe, miserable existence and the thrilling, but deadly, fire he craves.

Readers who enjoy hard-boiled crime fiction and dark, moody psychological thrillers will enjoy this book. Its intense focus on a troubled protagonist grappling with moral corruption and self-control will appeal to those who appreciate a noir aesthetic, featuring a detective figure, a mysterious femme fatale, and themes of regret and redemption.