You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir by Christina Applegate

 

You With the Sad Eyes: A Memoir by Christina Applegate. Little Brown and Company, 2026. Memoir. 

Best known for her acting roles in Married With Children, Samantha Who?, and Dead to Me, Christina Appegate tells of her life. Two of her proudest accomplishments are her role on Broadway in Sweet Charity and her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 Diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent a mastectomy. Now, diagnosed with MS, she has become a spokesperson for living with the disease and has launched a podcast on the subject.

This is not a tell all memoir. Applegate does not give names for some of the main characters who have influenced her life. She does not detail all of the early abuse shown to her. But, it is an honest tale, told from her heart. Journal entries and family tales are part of her journey shared here. Her grit and determination shine through every page.

All the Little Houses by May Cobb

 

 All the Little Houses by May Cobb. Sourcebooks, Landmark, 2026. Adult fiction. Mystery.

Charleigh Andersen is the queen bee in Longview, Texas. She and her handsome husband have money, the big house, and one teenage daughter, Nellie, a truly spoiled brat. When a back to the prairie type family moves in, the Andersen family equilibrium is totally unended. From the beginning, readers know someone is dead and the book builds the story until the very end. Teen angst, adult drama, gay attraction, and small town intrigues are all here. Chapters alternate narration from some of the characters. Details show the 1980's setting.

If you read to find an inspirational figure or to learn something, this is not the book for you! If, on the other hand, you read for a peek into perhaps the way others might live and get revenge, try this one! 

The Museum of Lost Things by Sam Kean

The Museum of Lost Things: True Tales of Fabled Treasures, Legendary Cities, and Mythical Creatures Lost to Time by Sam Kean. National Geographic Books, 2026. Nonfiction. (review from prepublication copy)

The title of this intriguing book really tells it all. Explorer, historian,  and author Sam Kean is known for his deep dives into interesting historical events, people, and artifacts. This title is divided into chapters such as lost cities, lost people, lost civilizations, and lost art. He writes smoothly and no doubt all readers will find some things to learn! It's easy to pick and choose favorite topics, but reading from the beginning to the end is satisfying, too. Who knew that U.S. Representative Sam Houston helped fight a fire at the Library of Congress in December, 1825? Kean does an admirable job of bringing readers up to date on recent discoveries and newer technologies by archeologists, scientists, and others.

The Ghostly Quilts on Main by Ann Hazelwood

 

The Ghostly Quilts on Main by Ann Hazelwood.  Adult fiction. 5th in the Colebridge Community series. American Quilter's Society, 2014.

The main character in this Missouri set series is Anne Brown Dickson. The first books follow Anne as she sets up a gardening store on Main Street in the small community of Colebridge. Anne starts out living with her mom and not really looking for love, but finding it anyway.

In this fifth novel in the series, Anne and her husband, Sam Dickson, live at 333 Lincoln Hill and have redone a big historic home. Anne hopes to write a history of the house and its former owners. Fall is approaching and the Main Street shop owners hope to host an outdoor quilt show to get more people into their shops before the annual holiday season. As always, family plays a big part in the story. There's always a mysterious element to the stories, too. 

Quilted Lilies by Ann Hazelwood. Adult fiction. 6th in the Colebridge Community series. American Quilter's Society, 2014.

Business is brisk at Brown's Botanical Gardens. Anne and Sam decide to purchase a property neighboring their home and hope to build greenhouses and expand the business. Unexpected events dramatically change their plans. Anne is faced with some big decisions, but supported by family, friends, and merchants along Main Street. An inherited white quilt plays a big part in comfort and family connections in this sixth novel in the series.

A Colebridge Quilted Christmas by Ann Hazelwood. Adult fiction. 7th in the Colebridge Community series. American Quilter's Society, 2015.

Family is number one with Anne Dickson, but new connections are being made, new friends found, and the possibility of new adventures await. Christmas is coming and the Main Street shops are decorated to the max, but someone keeps cutting the lights at the Mistletoe Market. Can the little group figure out the mystery? Anne hosts the first big Christmas party at 333 Lincoln and enjoys the experience. A new pastor at the local church becomes integrated into the community. 

Edmonia by Brianne Baker

 

 Edmonia by Brianne Baker. Kensington Books, 2026. Historical fiction based on real person.

Edmonia Lewis was a real person who lived from 1844 to 1907. In New York near Niagara Falls, she sold trinkets to tourists with her Native American aunts. She was orphaned by age twelve. Her older brother realized that she was gifted and sent her to an abolitionist prep school. Edmonia's skin was Black and she was always different and struggled to fit in, even later at Oberlin College in Ohio. She ultimately was accused and tried for poisoning her two roommates and left under a dark cloud. Determined to use her artistic talents as a sculptress, she escaped to Boston where others motivated her to study in Rome.  Her talents grew and she became well known for her work. She met President Grant and Frederick Douglass. 

This debut novel tells her story based on her life. To round out her story, it is useful to search the Internet to find photos of the real Edmonia and her work. She was a success but always found it hard to accept herself and to find love. This fictional book may be a steppingstone to learning more about racism and the challenges of artists during this time period. Nonfiction books also exist on Edmonia Lewis

Killer Vintage by Eric D. Sanchez

 

 Killer Vintage: A West Texas Wine Thriller by Eric D. Sanchez. Brown Books Publishing Group, 2025. Adult mystery.

Set in 1994, this debut novel tells a story of wine making, drug dealing, young love, and shady dealings on the Mexican border and into West Texas. Young Texas Tech student Bud Garza has just taken a job at the plush Lubbock area winery South Plains Cellars. He has no idea that his decision will lead him into such danger. Can he survive and even help catch the bad guys?

Mr. Sanchez knows the territory well. So many road intersections and streets are described and mentioned that readers may feel they can use a real map and plot the action! While there are women characters, the major players are all male. From good old boys to the stereotypic villains, Sanchez realistically describes the process of making wine, the fraternity closeness of the male students, and the daring actions of the DEA agents, police, and others who risk their lives to save others. Open up a cold Dr. Pepper and enjoy a West Texas you probably never thought about!