AUBURN — The Auburn Public Library has announced some new acquisitions for January. 

Adult fiction

“A Dark and Lonely Place: a Novel,” Edna Buchanan. A hundred years ago, John Ashley, accused of murder and sentenced to death, went on the run with his lover Laura. Their crime spree lasted for years and was much more deadly than that of the legendary Bonnie and Clyde. A century later, their descendants in present day Miami strive to uphold the family tradition.

“Proof of Heaven,” Mary Curran-Hackett. Although Colm is young, he recognizes that he is sick and not getting any better. His mother Cathleen fiercely believes her faith will protect him but Colm, facing his fate squarely, asks for one wish – to meet his father who abandoned him before birth. This is an amazing and emotional story testing belief and searching for proof of heaven.

“Dead Last,” James W. Hall. April Moss writes obituaries for the Miami Herald. Her son Sawyer writes for a cable TV series using his mother’s work to help create the show’s serial killer main character. Midway through the season a real serial killer begins to copycat the murders. The reclusive Thorn crosses paths with the killer and he comes forward to help solve the case.

“Corn Maiden: and Other Nightmares,” Joyce Carol Oates. Oates spins six tales of suspense, the centerpiece of which is the “Corn Maiden.” Marissa, a lovely 11-year-old with golden hair, is taken from her school by an older girl who tells her cohorts that the Indian legend of the Corn Maiden requires a sacrifice to ensure a good crop. Marissa is kept in a secluded basement convinced that the world has ended. The older girl wields her power, bringing the tale to a shocking conclusion.

“The Schoolmaster’s Daughter,” John Smolens. With the advent of the American Revolution the Lovell family of Boston is torn apart. The schoolmaster father is a staunch loyalist while his two sons and daughter Abigail are determined to gain freedom from the British. Abigail, acting as a courier, is accused of murdering a British sergeant and she must fight to save herself and those she loves.

Adult nonfiction

“The Cult of LEGO,” John Baichtal, Joe Meno. LEGOs remain popular. In the inside look at a classic toy, readers go on an adventure through the history of LEGO, from its humble beginnings in a small Danish village to its ascent to the summit of the toy world.

“War Room: The Legacy of Bill Belichick and the Art of Building the Perfect Team,” Michael Holley. An inside look at building a championship team. The author follows three NFL teams, the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons, from training camp 2010 through the Super Bowl and into the April draft, with a focus on Bill Belichick.

“Train in Winter: an Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship and Resistance in Occupied France,” Caroline Moorehead. In January 1943, the Gestapo hunted down 230 women of the French Resistance and sent them to Auschwitz. This is their story, told in full for the first time.

“Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self.” In this book, 75 celebrities, writers, musicians, athletes and actors have written letters to their younger selves that give words of comfort, warning, humor and advice.

“Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman,” Robert Massie. The narrative presents a reconstruction of the 18th-century empress’s life that covers her efforts to engage Russia in the cultural life of Europe, her creation of the Hermitage and her numerous scandal-free romantic affairs.

Young adult

“Imaginary Girls,” Nova Ren Suma. After Chloe discovers the dead body of a classmate floating in the reservoir, she is sent away to live with her father. Two years later, she returns to her beloved sister Ruby. Then Chloe discovers that Ruby has some deep dark secrets.

“The Deep,” Helen Dunsmore. Sapphy lives in two worlds. Part Mer and part human, she lives on the rocky shores of the Cornwall coast and also lives under the sea with a seal always by her side. Sapphy’s worlds become threatened when an evil monster, the Kraken, attempts to destroy both of them.

“Shift,” Jeri Smith-Ready. Logan, Aura’s boyfriend, is dead yet he slides between ghost and shade. Aura is drawn to the gorgeous and supportive Zachery but she also wants to stay loyal to Logan. Aura needs them both in order to uncover the mystery of her past.

“I’ll Be There,” Holly Goldberg Sloan. Raised by an unstable father, Sam leaves home and moves from place to place with his brother Riddle. Riddle draws pictures of the inside of things hoping someday the outside will make sense.

“The Queen of Water,” a novel based on a true story by Laura Resau. Virginia lives in an Andean village in Ecuador with her large family in a small, earthern-walled dwelling. At 7 she becomes a servant for a rich mestizo couple and grows accustomed to the luxuries surrounding her … but still craves her freedom.

Children

“Eli, No!,” Katie Kirk. In her first book, Kirk used her real life dog Eli as inspiration for the lovable but mischievous Eli. After a day of creating havoc for his owners, will they still love him? Bright illustrations and lively text. Best for kids ages 3 to 6.

“What’s New at the Zoo?,” Betty Comden. What happens when the zoo is overcrowded? The picture book is with actual song lyrics from the 1960 Broadway musical, “Do Re Mi.” Best for ages 3 through 8.

“Icefall,” Matthew Kirby. Solveig and her brother, the crown price, are trapped between the ice and the mountains as they wait for their father the king to return form battle. But a traitor is among them. Who should they trust? And can they save their father’s kingdom? Grades four though six.

“Guys Read Thriller,” Jon Scieszka. This is the second book in the Jon Scieszka Guys Read Library of Great Reading series of short stories. Full of mystery and intrigue, including a body on the railroad tracks, a teenage terrorist and a wish granting machine. Ages 8 to 12.

“The Elephant Scientist,” Caitlin O’Connell and Donna Jackson. A new addition to the Scientists in the Field series, the book includes color photography and informative text. The book will take the reader on a journey to the desert of Namibia and a close-up look at the lives of the giants.