NCW Libraries

The epic story and ultimate big history of how human society evolved from intimate chimp communities into the sprawling civilizations of a world-dominating species If a chimpanzee ventures into the territory of a different group, it will almost certainly be killed. But a New Yorker can fly to Los Angeles--or Borneo--with very little fear. Psychologists have done little to explain this: for years, they have held that our biology puts a hard upper...

"A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, Rachel Hawkins's The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda. Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates--a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off...

Mark Nepo-the #1 New York Times bestselling author and popular spiritual teacher-"has given us not only a much-needed message of hope and inspiration, but a practical guide on how to build a better tomorrow, together" (Arianna Huffington, founder of HuffPost). This poignant and timely meditation on the importance of community, demonstrates how we can live more enriching lives by cultivating connectedness. At once a moving meditation and an empowering...

"For most of America's history, rural people and culture have been casually mocked, stereotyped, and, in general, deeply misunderstood. Now an array of short stories, poetry, graphic short stories, and personal essays, along with anecdotes from the authors' real lives, dives deep into the complexity and diversity of rural America and the people who call it home. Fifteen extraordinary authors--diverse in ethnic background, sexual orientation, geographic...

"Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold. Now, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no...

Based on a true story, a community is rocked by a double homicide and the police struggle to find the killer. The resident pastor helps his town overcome the aftershocks while his wife comes to grips with fear through her faith.

. It is an ordinary Thursday, and things should finally be returning to normal. Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club are concerned. A local news legend is on the hunt for a sensational headline, and soon the gang are hot on the trail of two murders, ten years apart. To make matters worse, a new nemesis pays Elizabeth a visit, presenting her with a deadly mission: kill or be killed. While Elizabeth grapples with her conscience...

A first-hand look at the growing phenomenon of gated retirement communities where no children are allowed. The author's journey begins when his next-door-neighbors suddenly pick up and move to a retirement community called The Villages, the largest gated retirement community in the world. It is a city of nearly 100,000 (and growing) and the exclusion of children is one of the foundations of the development. The Villages is merely one of a rapidly...

Based on a true story of how a community comes together to organize a miracle for a teen battling terminal brain cancer while two men find their own restoration in his healing journey.

Pastor Evan Bennett takes on more than he bargained for when he settles into his new role at Egypt Valley Community Church. Out of funds and out of touch with the community, Evan's new church needs a strong leader to stand up to tradition and the words 'We've never done it that way before'.