You wouldn’t think that the week or two following Christmas would be ideal times to come out with new book releases. But book lovers can tell an obvious duplicate or unwanted gift by looking at its cover, or are especially itchin’ to use those just-received gift certificates — and rather than wait and wait for depleted product to be restocked at the bookstore, they will be just as likely be bombarding the local Bartles & Noble (or whatever it's called after too many holiday parties) for something just as promising to settle down with during their days off before heading back to work...

...And what they’re seeking runs the proverbial and categorial gamut from fictional escapism — covering the romance, mystery, science fiction, and mystery genres — to more reality-based nonfiction fare. Take a look-see at the variety:

FICTION:

Shadow Music by Julie Garwood

New York Times bestseller Julie Garwood, with 32 million copies of her books in print, will no doubt add to the tally singing a new tune with a new tome, Shadow Music. An historical romance full of suspense, murder, adventure, and mystery and, oh yes, love set in medieval Scotland sees Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel comfortably couched within this land of striking countryside and wild chieftains — not to mention skullduggery, betrayal, and now murder a little too close at hand. As the daughter of one of England’s most influential barons, the beautiful Gabrielle is also in jockeying position for a king who needs peace in the Highlands, and so King John has arranged Gabrielle’s marriage to a good and gentle laird. But this marriage will never take place when everything changes in one last burst of freedom — when she and her guards come upon a scene of unthinkable brutality. With one shot from her bow and arrow, Gabrielle takes a life, saves a life, and begins a war. This can’t be good… but all is fair in love and war and page-turning suspense.

The Shell Game by Steve Alten

Firstborn by Arthur C. Clarke, Stephen Baxter

Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

Princess Mia (Princess Diaries Series #9) by Meg Cabot

Beaufort by Ron Leshem, Evan Fallenberg (Translator)

Dragon Harper by Anne McCaffrey, Todd J. McCaffrey

Bloodhound (The Provost's Dog Series #2), Vol. 2 by Tamora Pierce