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2026-03-30T15:05:00

(BPT) – Your family has taken shelter inside your home, safe from the hurricane, but not necessarily safe from other dangers. To keep the lights on throughout the night, you’ve set up your gas generator in your garage, not knowing that doing so can put your household at risk.

When it comes to weathering a disaster, gas generators can be more trouble than they’re worth. They pose safety risks and can be challenging to use.

To prepare for a storm with peace of mind, consider upgrading to a solar-powered solution. Read on to discover eight ways solar-powered solutions beat out their gas generator counterparts.

Safety

The most pressing reason to switch from a gas generator to a clean-energy solution is safety.

Because gas generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), they cannot be safely operated indoors, even with a window open, and cannot be more than 20 feet from a window, door or vent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The consequences for improper use can be deadly. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on average, nearly 80 Americans die each year from CO poisoning caused by portable gas generators.

To keep the lights on in inclement weather, you’ll need a solar generator. Many, like those made by Jackery — a global leader in green, off-grid energy solutions — are certified for safe indoor use and produce zero toxic emissions.

Emissions and environment

A gas generator’s emissions aren’t just bad for humans; they’re also bad for the environment. Because they run on gas, generators continuously emit air pollutants. In fact, according to the California Air Resources Board, a new portable gasoline generator at an average load emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving an average passenger vehicle for about 150 miles. Imagine how much pollution a gas generator emits when running all day and night.

When you use a portable solar-energy generator, you won’t have to worry about contributing to the greenhouse gas problem, because they produce zero direct emissions while operating.

Noise

Conventional gas generators are loud, generally operating at 70-80 decibels (dB).That’s comparable to the noise of a vacuum cleaner, heavy traffic or lawn mower, according to Salus University Health.

On the other hand, solar generators are remarkably quiet. The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus and the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus both operate at around 30dB — about as quiet as a library. That kind of quiet makes a real difference when you’re trying to sleep through a storm or avoid disturbing neighbors.

Maintenance

One factor that is easily overlooked when it comes to gas generators is the cost and effort of maintaining the unit. According to SolarTechOnline, gas generators require yearly oil changes, spark plug replacements, air filter replacements and fuel system checks, which can run $300-$600 annually.

Maintenance isn’t an issue when it comes to solar generators because they require virtually zero ongoing maintenance. All you have to do is plug in, charge and occasionally wipe the panels with a damp cloth. No oil, fuel or filters needed.

Cost of ownership

The lower upfront cost of a gas generator compared to a solar generator makes the former more attractive budget-wise. According to OptionOneSolar, a traditional whole-home standby generator system costs $3,000–$8,000 while a comparable whole-home solar panel system with battery storage and installation costs $15,000–$25,000. Portable solar generators like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus start at a fraction of that price.

However, the sales tag doesn’t tell the whole story.

According to OptionOneSolar, when you factor in annual gas generator maintenance and the cost of fuel, it costs $0.73 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to operate. Over 25 years, it costs about $78,012 to own and operate a gas generator.

When it comes to solar generators, it costs $0 per kWh to operate after installation, and the source of power (the sun) is free. Over the same period, it costs $39,434 to own and operate a solar system.

By comparison, the most robust Jackery solar generator system — the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus built out to its full 60kWh capacity with two power stations, 10 battery packs and a Smart Transfer Switch — starts at around $25,587 plus minimal installation costs. For that, you get a whole-home backup system that switches to battery power in under 20 milliseconds during an outage so your home never skips a beat, saves up to $11,800 on electricity costs through peak-hour energy shifting, runs entirely on free solar energy with $0/kWh operating costs, and does it all without fuel, fumes or maintenance — for up to 10 years.

Fuel costs and electricity bills

Here’s something most people don’t think about until it’s too late: running a gas generator during an outage means you’re paying for every hour of power — and fuel prices are anything but predictable. The U.S. Energy Information Administration confirmed that electricity prices rose across most of the country in 2025, with natural gas prices as the primary driver. That cost gets passed directly to consumers — on their utility bills and at the pump.

The grid itself isn’t a sure thing either. NERC’s 2025 Summer Reliability Assessment warns that several regions — including Texas, New England, the Midwest and the Southwest — face a real risk of supply shortfalls during peak summer heat. More demand, fewer power plants and extreme weather is a combination that doesn’t favor anyone depending on the grid to stay on.

A solar generator changes the equation entirely. Sunlight is free, it doesn’t run out, and it doesn’t care what’s happening at the gas station or on the grid.

Portability

Whether you need to run a generator at home, a campground or out of a camper van, you’ll want to ensure that you can easily take your power source from place to place. Because a gas generator is bulky and heavy (typically 50-120 lbs.) and requires outdoor operation, you can’t move the unit from room to room, limiting your use.

Portable solar generators, on the other hand, are just that — portable. Units like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus and Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus feature built-in wheels and telescoping handles, making them easy to roll between rooms, move indoors or transport to wherever power is needed — all without fuel, fumes or the noise restrictions that make gas generators impractical in apartments, condos or enclosed spaces.

Ease of use and storage

The time it takes to set up a generator takes precious moments away from powering your home.

Before using a gas generator, you have to find a safe place outdoors to run the unit, carefully position the exhaust to avoid CO poisoning, determine how to route the extension cord, fill the fuel tank, prime the engine and pull to start. If you don’t have fuel on hand, you’ll have to risk going to a gas station during a disaster, and your local gas stations may run out of fuel.

During a disaster, you can set up and use a solar generator quickly and easily. A Jackery solar generator takes approximately 60 seconds to set up — you just need to unfold the panels and connect the cable. You won’t have to worry about running out of fuel, because solar generators recharge from sunlight. The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus and HomePower 3600 Plus also support multiple additional charging pathways, including AC wall outlets, hybrid charging, and — if you have one on hand — a gas generator, giving you flexibility no matter the conditions.

Reliability when you need it most

When the lights go out, the last thing you need is to worry more. If you’re ready for a safe, low-maintenance, cost-effective and easy-to-use power solution, it’s time to ditch your gas generator and upgrade to a solar-powered option.

To learn more about the advantages of upgrading to a solar-powered energy solution, visit Jackery.com.

2026-03-30T06:01:00

(BPT) – Students from kindergarten through high school are curious about artificial intelligence. But how can you ensure your child uses AI in a way that’s safe and helps them learn?

As AI becomes commonplace, it’s natural to worry that your child may sacrifice thinking critically or being creative by using these tools. But avoiding or banning AI at home doesn’t solve the problem; it leaves kids without guidance. Instead, parents can play a powerful role in teaching responsible AI use while building skills that can help children become confident, adaptable, lifelong learners — skills that are critical to future career success.

AI basics for safe, responsible use

Just like with any technology, children should be taught how to use AI safely and responsibly. Consider treating learning with AI as an active skill — one that grows stronger with practice and reflection.

Start with online safety principles you already teach and extend them to AI. Just like on social media and other online platforms, remind them not to share personal information like their:

• Name
• Birthday
• Address
• Health information

Next, show your children how to follow the rules and where to find them. For example, your child’s school may have an AI policy. Sit down together and find the policy, read through it and answer any questions that may come up during this exercise.

Knowing and following the rules isn’t just about keeping your kids out of trouble. Help your child understand that following the rules and policies is about building judgment and responsibility that will serve them in every aspect of life.

Collaborating with AI for deeper learning

To promote responsible AI skills at home, teach your children to think of AI as a learning partner, where they can develop important skills like the ability to ask questions, seek understanding and reflect on new ideas. Encourage and show your child how to use AI to explore new interests and hobbies, and dive deeper into their passions, whether that’s astronomy or playing a new instrument. Introduce the idea that using AI responsibly includes asking it to share its sources and explain its reasoning, helping them to build critical thinking and research verification skills.

Not all AI tools are equal. Some just give answers, while others guide learning and build understanding. Look for AI platforms that encourage active engagement, critical thinking and self-reflection — qualities that help children become lifelong learners. Your child’s school may even provide a recommended list of AI tools by grade level, so it’s worth checking with them for guidance.

For example, Pearson’s AI study tool was intentionally designed to prioritize active learning and engagement, effective feedback, and scaffolded support to drive student learning and success.

Here’s how it works: If a student answers a practice test question incorrectly in their digital course materials, the AI tool breaks down the complex problem into simpler parts and provides helpful explanations. It also allows students to ask follow-up questions related to the topic, encouraging deeper understanding and extended learning. This builds confidence and helps them master subjects.

And it’s making a difference. During the 2024-2025 school year, the Pearson AI study tool was embedded in the Connections Academy biology and world history learning materials, accessed by thousands of high school students.

The results? According to data collected by Pearson, high school students using AI study tools to build understanding achieved higher grades and pass rates. Biology students using the AI tools saw an 11% increase in end-of-semester passing rates and a 5% boost in final course scores. Similarly, world history students using the AI tools achieved a 7% rise in passing rates and a 5% increase in final scores.

Why building AI skills now matters for your child’s future

AI skills aren’t just for tech careers. These skills are highly transferable to various industries. According to the University of Texas at San Antonio, a data scientist who can analyze vast amounts of data and extract meaningful insights is valuable in virtually any industry.

Furthermore, job postings for non-computer science and information technology roles are increasingly requiring generative AI skills. Whether your child wants to become a doctor, a designer or an entrepreneur, learning how to use AI responsibly now can give them a competitive edge.

Responsible AI use doesn’t happen by accident. Parents have the power to guide kids toward safe, smart and creative AI use that both enhances academic success and prepares them for tomorrow’s workforce.

Learn more about Connections Academy at ConnectionsAcademy.com or visit the Connections Academy Blog for more learning and AI tips.

2026-03-27T13:11:00

(BPT) – When school is out on break, many families look for ways to keep their children engaged while still encouraging learning. STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — activities can turn everyday moments into opportunities for discovery, helping build skills while having fun.

Research from the U.S. Department of Education suggests early exposure to STEM supports learning across subjects and helps children build important cognitive skills. Data also shows strong connections between early learning experiences and later academic and developmental outcomes. For example, a study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that children’s early experiences with play and learning activities can support the development of self-regulation and early reading and math abilities.

Programs like those offered at Kiddie Academy^® Educational Child Care encourage young learners to explore STEM concepts through hands-on play and guided exploration.

“Children are naturally curious about the world around them,” said Joy Turner, vice president of education at Kiddie Academy. “When parents encourage their little ones to observe, experiment and ask questions, they’re helping build critical-thinking skills that support learning for years to come.”

The good news for families: STEM learning doesn’t require expensive supplies or complicated lessons. Many engaging activities can happen right at home, or anywhere your family travels during break.

Explore nature up close

A walk along the beach, park trail or even your own backyard can become a mini science expedition. Pack a magnifying glass and encourage your children to examine shells, rocks, leaves or insects. As they explore, ask questions like:

• How are these objects different?
• What colors do you see?
• What textures do you notice?
• Why are some objects smoother than others?

These simple comparisons encourage curiosity and observation while helping your kids practice early scientific thinking. Outdoor exploration can also support physical development through movement and play.

Make slime and explore chemistry

Slime-making is a favorite activity for many children that also introduces basic chemistry concepts. Encourage your child to test variations by adding colors or textures to the mixture. Before they mix, ask what they think will happen. Making predictions helps build reasoning skills and introduces the idea that experiments can have different outcomes.

Slime or other basic chemistry recipes often involve common household ingredients, which means adult supervision is recommended at all times. Always read labels, avoid mixing products not intended to be combined and keep ingredients out of reach of young children. Adults should ensure the activity and the materials used are age appropriate and should be used at their own discretion.

Design an egg-drop challenge

Turn engineering into a fun family challenge by asking your little one to design a way to protect an egg from breaking when dropped.

Using materials like cardboard, tape, paper or cotton balls, children experiment with cushioning, structure and problem-solving. After testing their designs, talk about what worked and what they might change for next time. Activities like this help your kids learn that trying again and improving their ideas is part of the process.

Why hands-on STEM matters

Research shows that active, hands-on learning is one of the most effective ways for young learners to engage with STEM concepts. These experiences help develop problem-solving, persistence and creativity — skills that will support your little one across any discipline.

“STEM at any age is about exploration,” added Turner. “When children are encouraged to investigate how things work, they begin building the confidence to ask questions and tackle new ideas.”

Whether you’re traveling on vacation or spending time close to home, everyday moments can become meaningful learning opportunities. By encouraging young innovators to explore, build and experiment, parents can help nurture the curiosity that fuels lifelong learning.

2026-03-26T13:41:00

(BPT) – Thanks to advanced technology, many chores don’t have to take up so much of your time and energy anymore. By using all the smart features available to you, you’ll free up space for the things you really love to do — and your chores will be a breeze.

Technologies that make life easier — and last longer

LG’s smart technologies don’t just make chores easier — they help your appliances last longer and perform better over time. From AI-powered cycles that learn your habits to proprietary innovations like TurboWash™ which uses stronger wash motions along with increased water temperatures to enhance and speed up the wash cycle without wash performance, inverter direct drive motors for higher efficiency without any belt or pulley, ThinQ^® connectivity which allows you to remotely control, monitor, and manage smart appliances, and Smart Diagnosis™ which provides a diagnosis service, as well as offering tips & recommendations to maintain your product. LG appliances are engineered for long-lasting performance that consistently ranks among the best in the industry. These built-in technologies mean fewer maintenance issues, greater energy efficiency, and smarter, user-friendly features that keep improving through updates. LG is known for stylish, high-performance appliances — but it’s what’s under the hood that truly sets them apart.

Here are some ways smart appliances and connected features can help transform your life.

Laundry that practically does itself

Managing your clothes can be a lot easier if you let LG’s ThinQ^®-enabled washers, dryers and LG Stylers Steam Closets take over some of the work for you, with smart features that help you get your laundry done right. Thanks to the ThinQ app, you can start, stop and monitor laundry remotely, getting notifications when your clothes are ready. You can even send specialized cycles and settings to your laundry appliances over Wi-Fi, or use voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to control your washer, dryer and LG Styler.* You can also pair your LG washer and dryer through ThinQ to save time and effort: Your washer can communicate with your dryer over Wi-Fi to select the appropriate setting, based on the clothes that were just washed.

Worried about running out of laundry supplies? Worry no more. Link your ThinQ app with your Alexa device so you’ll know when your laundry detergent and fabric softener are running low — and even have more ordered for you, automatically!

Appliances that care for themselves, and take the guesswork out of fabric care

Doing laundry gets easier with the newest features. For example, with LG’s smart dryers like the 7.4 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Smart Front Load Electric Dryer with TurboSteam^®, AI Sensing and Hybrid Electronic Controls with LCD Display, FLOWSENSE^® will notify you via the ThinQ app when dryer vent ducts need cleaning, helping to prevent lint buildup and improving performance, safety and efficiency for lower utility bills, worry-free operation and fewer service calls. This model also offers features like self-diagnosing technology, and built-in AI sensors that detect load characteristics to select the optimal dry settings for every load.

To help you take better care of your favorite clothes, LG Styler Steam Closet uses the ThinQ app to help you monitor its progress as it refreshes, deodorizes and dries your clothes, fabrics or hard-to-wash items. You’ll receive a notification when each cycle is finished, so you can wear your clean, refreshed clothes right away.

Every home chef’s best friends

Storing, organizing and preparing nutritious food for your family can be a delicious expression of your culinary creativity, especially with the right smart tools to help you in the kitchen. ThinQ helps you manage your kitchen appliances, ensuring they run smoothly and keeping you connected and in control so you can enjoy what matters — from flawless family dinners and epic movie nights to cozy slumber parties and festive holiday celebrations. A ThinQ-connected kitchen means you can remotely control your fridge, oven or dishwasher from your phone. Even better, ThinQ operates in the background, ensuring that all your kitchen appliances continually work the way you need them to, while learning from your preferences and lifestyle.

When it comes to optimal food storage, LG refrigerators feature innovations like InstaView™ Door-in-Door for quick access to what’s in your fridge without energy loss, Smart Diagnosis™ for troubleshooting, Smart Cooling technologies for maintaining food freshness, plus LG Mini Craft Ice™ and Craft Ice™ makers to help you level up your beverage and mixology game. With the ThinQ app, you’ll receive timely alerts if your smart LG refrigerator detects temperature issues, allowing you to act fast and preserve your groceries. When life gets busy and someone forgets to close the refrigerator door, ThinQ will let you know.

Easy meals become even more effortless

To help make delicious meals happen in your kitchen, LG’s ThinQ-enabled ranges, wall ovens and microwaves are all designed to make home cooking easier, so you can express your best culinary self. The ThinQ app is like a virtual kitchen assistant, continually working with your cooking appliances to help you create the perfect meal, every time. The ThinQ app can help you by accessing thousands of recipes, instantly ordering ingredients for delivery and pickup, and even sending cooking instructions to your oven.

With LG smart ranges like the 30″ Elec. 6.3 cu ft. Range | Self Clean, EasyClean^® & Smart, Stainless, Slide-in, you’ll have ThinQ technology that can start your oven, set times or check on dinner from anywhere — or just speak to control your oven with Alexa or Google Assistant.**

Ready to make everyday tasks simpler than ever? Learn how to make all your household chores easier with smart appliances and the ThinQ app at LG.com.

* Google is a trademark of Google LLC. Amazon, Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
** Participating products may vary. Refer to ThinQ app for details.

2026-03-26T16:03:00

(BPT) – On the night of March 2, 2026, millions of workers around the world opened their laptops and found Claude — one of the world’s most widely used AI assistants — was down. The outage lasted hours. It was a small but pointed reminder of how dependent modern work has become on AI, and how fragile the infrastructure behind it can be. The grid that powers that infrastructure is under more strain than most people realize — and the vulnerabilities don’t stop at the data center door. They come home with us.

Today, the world is spending hundreds of billions of dollars building the energy infrastructure needed to power AI, including data centers, grid upgrades and new power plants. That scale is just beginning. Fast forward to 2030, when the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects global data center electricity consumption will nearly double.

Here’s why: A single AI hyperscaler (like Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure or AWS) consumes as much electricity as 100,000 households, driving an estimated $720 billion in grid spending through the end of the decade.

The world recognizes that AI needs a massive energy infrastructure. But what do homes need in this era of AI-powered functionality? Leading provider of innovative solar generators and renewable energy solutions Jackery has been anticipating this question for 14 years.

The AI revolution comes home

While data centers power the AI infrastructure, the AI revolution is rapidly moving into homes — and with it, each home needs what data centers need: reliable, always-on, clean power.

But that power is far from guaranteed. The tension between AI’s explosive energy appetite and the fragility of the grid it depends on is not a future concern — it’s playing out right now. A single AI workload consumes roughly 1,000 times more electricity than a traditional web search, while geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions and an already-strained electrical grid are exposing just how vulnerable that infrastructure is. Homes are no exception to this vulnerability.

How fast is this happening? The average U.S. home has 21 connected devices today, which will only keep increasing. The AI smart home market is growing at 21.3% annually, toward $104 billion by 2034, with the smart home penetration forecast to reach 92.5% globally by 2029.

The grid powering all of it is already under pressure. According to NERC’s 2025 Summer Reliability Assessment, several major U.S. regions — including Texas, the Midwest and the Southwest — face a real risk of supply shortfalls during peak demand periods. Most people can’t control what happens at the grid level. But they can start building energy resilience at home.

Smart homes need reliable power for optimal functionality, and this demand will be increasingly crucial over the next several years. Fortunately, Jackery has already built solutions homes need for the AI era.

Home power solutions for the future

The Jackery company anticipated this residential convergence 14 years ago, and has been building toward it ever since. Back in 2012, Jackery built a portable battery for outdoor adventures. Building on principles of flexibility, independence and reliability, the company’s strategy focused on developing products putting power safely and predictably in the hands of homeowners to meet growing energy needs.

Fourteen years later, the company has expanded its portfolio beyond solar generators, solar panels, and power stations into the Jackery Essential Home Backup Solution (EHB) — a whole-home energy category built around what homeowners actually need. It matches the output of a traditional gas generator without the noise, fumes, fuel costs or safety hazards. It reduces dependence on an increasingly strained grid, putting control back in the hands of the homeowner. It’s a long-term investment that pays off through lower energy bills and lasting independence. And it runs on clean, renewable energy — silent, emissions-free and ready when the grid isn’t. Products like the HomePower 3600 Plus and the Solar Generator 5000 Plus bring that vision to life in homes today.

Today, Jackery’s vision includes groundbreaking energy solutions designed specifically for the AI era — including products on the horizon that will keep homes powered and connected even when the grid goes dark. That vision is already taking shape with innovations like the Solar Mars Bot, debuted at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, which uses AI-enhanced computer vision to autonomously drive as it offers mobile energy, intelligently repositioning itself based on light conditions and recharging using its own retractable solar panels.

The company also seeks effective global partnerships, signing a Proactive Safety Battery Cell R&D alliance with DeSay Battery to co-develop the world’s first safer and smarter DIY home energy storage solution. Jackery also founded a consortium of leading global consumer technology brands that run on its infrastructure. The Jackery Consortium shares Jackery’s commitment to catalyze the next era of energy storage, management and independence. It also helps consumers maximize energy independence by ensuring consumer devices and AI systems are compatible with their power stations.

These crucial milestones highlight Jackery’s roadmap to the AI revolution, which the company has been actively preparing for over the past decade.

Key technology investments

Success in times of rapid technological change depends on meeting the moment in terms of the details while also envisioning future needs. A proactive, whole-home approach anticipates energy requirements for multiple interconnected smart devices. Even better is a system that analyzes energy consumption, solar yield and live electricity prices in real time.

Anticipating problems and protecting power stations from potential safety hazards and structural damage, Jackery’s exclusive AI-powered ChargeShield 2.0 technology integrates 62 protective mechanisms, ensuring comprehensive battery management and enhanced safety for the power station and any connected devices.

These technology advancements exemplify how the company invests its time and resources. Jackery sees the big picture — including the need to create a power infrastructure that other AI brands can depend on. From the R&D leadership exemplified by last year’s Desay Battery Proactive Safety AI Prismatic Cell alliance from RE+2025 to the founding of the Jackery Consortium together with Rokid, Viture, XTOOL and Heybike, the company prioritizes strategic partnerships during this age of rapid tech developments.

Why energy needs to be “always on”

No longer just a convenience, today’s AI-powered devices and systems require uninterrupted power to effectively respond to commands. AI relies on continuous connectivity and ongoing analysis in order to offer real-time security and integration of each home’s AI-powered devices and energy management systems.

When there’s a power grid failure, the Jackery Essential Home Backup (EHB) system’s 0ms–20ms Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) switchover means AI-powered homes experience zero perceptible interruption, providing the safety net devices and systems need to keep running without losing data or crashing.

Jackery energy systems optimize energy usage in real time, making more efficient use of photovoltaic systems for solar yield optimization and increasing self-consumption of solar power. Additional safety features include Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery cells technology for enhanced stability. And for homeowners who want to stay ahead of the curve, Jackery has a new generation of AI-integrated energy systems on the way, purpose-built for a world where keeping the lights on is no longer optional.

Jackery’s Solar Mars Bot was created with energy independence in mind, with AI-enhanced computer vision that lets it autonomously reposition itself for maximum solar yield.

Always-on, always-ready devices and systems ensure AI-powered homes provide homeowners with continuous safety, comfort and energy.

Homes of tomorrow

Building on today’s technology, Jackery envisions the home of tomorrow as generating its own clean energy, managed with AI intelligence that’s shared across connected devices — and never going dark. Jackery is already working toward that vision.

“When Jackery started 14 years ago, our mission was simple: give people reliable power wherever life takes them. Over the past decade, we’ve earned trust by solving real problems with portable power as the way people live, work and rely on electricity has fundamentally shifted,” said Steven Wang, VP of Jackery’s Americas Business Department. “Looking ahead to the next 10 years, we’re expanding that original promise into a broader vision of power self-sufficiency, transforming the home into an intelligent, solar-powered ecosystem. This is the beginning of our next chapter, where energy is cleaner, smarter and firmly back in the hands of consumers.”

Discover where the future of energy is headed at Jackery.com.

2026-03-25T05:01:00

(BPT) – Love sinking your teeth into a gripping read that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let you go until the final chapter ends? From mystery and thriller to romantasy and speculative fiction, these engrossing new additions to your “must-read” list will keep you turning pages all season long.

Relive someone else’s death.

The Found Object Society, by Michelle Maryk

Greta Davenport has spent decades flirting with death, but nothing hits quite like the experience offered at the invite-only Found Object Society. This group’s secret underground archive is a playground for the rich, for every object in their collection is a ticket into a stranger’s final moments. The power is intoxicating. It’s dangerous. And it’s hiding answers Greta is not supposed to find.

Fans of The Midnight Library and The Book of Form and Emptiness will plunge into a time-bending, morally gray tale of grief, addiction, and obsession.

Become a nerdy criminal.

Dirty 20, by Bill Schweigart

Art school was supposed to be Tommy Fugue’s escape from his crime-lord father, Big Al. But with his mother gone and tuition tied to the gangster’s good graces, he’s forced to help the Family figure out how to clean a dirty twenty grand online. (Is there anything worse than teaching your parents about computers?)

Scrubbing the money through a crowdfunding site seemed easy, but when the fake roleplaying game Tommy makes goes viral, Big Al smells money. Lending Tommy his killers, dealers, and pimps to make the fantasy game real and collect the pledge proves just as dangerous as life on the streets. And when fantasy and reality start to get confused? Time to level up that crime game.

Get a bachelor’s in bloodlust.

Thrall, by Rebecca Mahoney

Lucy Easting is thrilled for her new beginning at Rollins University, a cozy school buried deep in the Appalachian Mountains. But after blacking out at a party, she wakes up with a memory block … and a bite on her neck. With the help of an eccentric campus radio host and a beguiling archery champion, she realizes she is being hunted by a vampire.

Lucy and her new friends must go up against entitled classmates and a toxic campus administration that protects the university’s reputation over its students … who are ripe for the vampire’s next meal.

Forget yourself in romantasy.

The Alchemary, by Rachel Vincent

Amber Fallbrook awakes in a castle tower with no memory of who she is or why she is at the realm’s premier university for alchemy magic. Then a half-naked man stirs in the bed next to her, and another man bursts through her door. It only gets more confusing for Amber from there.

But the mystery of these two brothers she’s apparently known all her life is soon but a secondary worry. Because in preparing for the deadly Alchemy Trials to complete her schooling, Amber must solve the riddle not just of her amnesia but of the Alchemary itself — an institution obsessed with creating the legendary Philosopher’s Stone at any cost.

Rediscover a childhood that never was.

Mr. Yay, by Emily Jane

Do you remember that television show The Adventures of Mr. Yay? The one that taught you to explore new things and be true to yourself? You can find it online … oh wait, it seems to have disappeared. How strange.

Now there’s only this other Mr. Yay, the rap group climbing the charts and producing the song of the summer. The adults are going crazy for it … and maybe a little crazy in general.

The Queen of Quirk, Emily Jane, pens a hilarious, genre-blending speculative novel that’s all about love and marriage, rappers and dogs, private detectives, nostalgia, and embracing your true self. In a world where the past is different than what you remember, you can either accept change or have it thrust upon you.

Once you’ve ordered your copies of these fantastic reads, alert your book club and clear your calendar so you’ll have time to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.