Good Reads & Views

Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins
Fiction

About the Author: Kristan Higgins is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty novels. She is the mother of two and she enjoys gardening. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, a dog, and a cat.

Reviewers say: “New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins welcomes you home in a funny, emotionally charged must-read novel about the complications of life, love and family” (Amazon).

You might also like: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center or Family Tree by Susan Wiggs

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The Ludwig Conspiracy by Oliver Pötzsch
Fiction

What it's about: A rare books dealer and an art detective are forced to go on the run when they start investigating a diary, written in code, about Ludwig, the fairytale king of Bavaria, who was declared insane, disposed, and found dead the next day.

Reviewers say: "While readers will find broad parallels with Dan Brown's thrillers, Pötzsch's sophisticated plotting and good use of a real-life historical puzzle place this far ahead of most Da Vinci Code wannabes" (Publishers Weekly).

Good to know: This is very enjoyable on audio, read by the excellent Simon Vance, British accent included. Available from hoopla.

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Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
Fiction

What it’s about: In this sparkling fairy-tale-come-true, Vivian joins her daughter, a stylist for the British royal family, at the royal estate for the holidays—where she meets the man of her dreams.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy stories of finding love in mid-life, this witty tale of unexpected joy will delight you. Also, if you look for light and happy books set during the holiday season—or if you’re a royal watcher—this is a great choice.

Series alert: While this book is the fourth in the Wedding Dates series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. But if you’d like to read them all (and who wouldn’t?) you can start with the first book, The Wedding Date.

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Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Fiction 

What it's about: Two college friends (who used to date) get tangled up in the lives of a married couple. The wife, Melissa, is an artist, and husband Nick is an actor. Both seem to gravitate towards Frances (the narrator) and Bobbi, two women who perform spoken word poetry in Dublin. Soon bonds are formed and secrets are kept. Lovers of book to screen adaptions, this is for you. Now a 12-episode TV show on Hulu. All episodes are out and available to stream.  

An aside: If you’ve never read Sally Rooney, she is known for writing in the third person and doesn’t use quotation marks for dialogue. The words that Rooney chooses are deliberate and not wasted. Her characters are flawed and are relatable to millennials.  

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Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
Fiction 

What it’s about:  Flapper Phryne Fisher agrees to go from 1920s England to Melbourne, Australia, to investigate a suspected wife-poisoning. While there she becomes enmeshed in uncovering the “king of snow” who has taken over the local cocaine trade and an illegal, butcher-like abortionist. Phryne takes it all in stride, gathering an entourage of human rescue cases as she breezes along. 

Why you might like it: If you like your cozy mysteries mixed with strong local color and some tasteful but erotic scenes, give the Hon. Phryne Fisher’s first mystery a try. 

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A Week at the Shore by Barbara Delinsky
Fiction

What it’s about: Encouraged by her daughter and feeling the need to reconnect with her father, Mallory returns home after 20 years. A captivating story about family secrets and how complex and difficult they can be. It also touches on how life can be when you have a parent that has dementia. The stress it puts on caregivers and family.

Why you might like it: This book is about brokenness, family trials, heartache, love and forgiveness.

You might also like: Everything We Didn’t Say by Nicole Baart

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Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett
Fiction

What it’s about: A medical school dropout, Emma was born with the healing touch, but lost it while working in a nursing home. Feeling adrift, Emma returns to her small hometown to find herself and help her family. Emma's parents are on the verge of divorce, her father Clive is ill and haunted by a charming ghost, her brother Auggie is recovering from addiction, her mother Ingrid feels betrayed and disappointed, and her friend Crystal is an opioid addict and has gone missing. Emma eventually takes a substitute teaching job for a classroom of complicated, charming children, and spends her spare time aiding her father’s search for Crystal. Despite the difficult circumstances, this lovely story about coming to terms with loss and finding one's way in the world is hopeful, joyous, and witty.

Why you might like it: This tender and quirky tale is narrated by a chorus of the town's dead, who have an active interest in, and serve as a cheering section for, the living residents of this small town. Clive’s illness and his interest in the town history result in charming stories about a menagerie of historical, imagined, and real animals. Harnett’s second novel is a big-hearted, magical tale, layered with warmth and generosity.

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Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing is Matthew Perry’s memoir about his addiction, his illness, and his paralyzing loneliness. He takes us through his “hell” but doesn’t wallow. Ultimately, this book is filled with hope for the future.  

Reviewers say:  “The beloved star of Friends takes us behind the scenes of the hit sitcom and his struggles with addiction in this ‘candid, darkly funny...poignant' memoir” (The New York Times).

You might also like: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey or Will by Will Smith

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21 Lessons for the 21^st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
Nonfiction

What it’s about: The author’s bestsellers Sapiens and Homo Deus dealt with the past and the future of humanity, whereas this book concerns itself with the present and immediate future. Great on audio.

Reviewers say: “Harari delivers yet another tour de force” (Kirkus); “This well-informed and searching book is one to be savored and widely discussed” (Publishers Weekly); “Highly recommended for general readers and academics alike” (Library Journal).

Some quotes: “Humans were always far better at inventing tools than using them wisely”; “We should never underestimate human stupidity. Both on the personal and on the collective level, humans are prone to engage in self-destructive activities”; “So the best advice I could give a fifteen-year-old stuck in an outdated school somewhere in Mexico, India or Alabama is: don’t rely on the adults too much. Most of them mean well, but they just don’t understand the world.”

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Back to the Garden by Laurie R. King
Fiction 

What it’s about: While obsessively investigating a 1970s serial killer case, a current-day cold case police detective learns of a body found at a former commune—and goes down the rabbit hole of investigating the possible connections. The story of the 2020s murder investigation interweaves with the 1970s story of the grand estate that became a haven for flower children. 

Why you might like it: Atmospheric and suspenseful, this novel is brimming with complex characters, red herrings, and some significant moral conundrums.  

Reviewers say: “King skillfully misdirects the reader as the action builds to a surprising resolution” (Publishers Weekly).  

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The Friend Zone (#1) by Abby Jimenez 
Fiction

What it’s about: Kristen Petersen is in a long-distance relationship with a military man. Knowing she can’t have children, Kristen refuses to fall for someone who wants children. Everything is going fine for Kristen, that is, until she meets Josh, a firefighter. Josh and Kristen instantly butt heads but continue to be drawn towards each other. If you enjoy the enemies to lovers’ trope, then pick this up. CONTENT WARNING: This book deals with health issues and death.   

Series alert: This is the first book of a three-book series. Each book follows a new pair and their journey to find love.  

Reviewers say: “Harnessing sass, heartfelt struggle, and unapologetic sexuality, Jimenez's debut is as hysterical as it is tear-jerking” (Publisher’s Weekly Review).  

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Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini 
Fiction

What it’s about:  To help the Allies fight World War One, General Pershing calls for telephone switchboard operators to enlist in the Army Signal Corps. We follow Grace, Marie and Valerie, each with their own motivations for joining the Signal Corps, from training in the US, overseas to war-torn France. The male soldiers they replaced had needed one minute to connect each call. The switchboard soldiers could do it in ten seconds. The danger they face is real and leaves little time for private life, but each young woman has a brush with romance along the way. 

Reviewers say: “So much new information is packed into this story that becomes the best kind of history lesson" (Library Journal); “Chiaverini's story will strike a chord with history buffs . . . An eye-opening and detailed novel about remarkable female soldiers” (Kirkus). 

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This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel
Fiction

What it’s about: This book follows a couple of shifting points of view. Natalie is a young professional who receives an email telling her that if she doesn’t tell her sister the truth, the unknown sender will. Her sister went away to a retreat where she’s been cut off from everyone and everything for six months and Natalie has no way to reach her without following the instructions sent by the person behind the email. In alternating POVs you begin to follow the life of an unnamed young woman with a controlling, abusive father, and a troublesome family dynamic. She’s forced to confront her fears and anything else her father wants her to do.

Is it for you? If you like books about intriguing cultish behavior, sibling dynamics and secrets, and questionable decision-making you should read this.

You might also like: Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker

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The Trees by Percival Everett
Fiction

For readers who enjoy: Jordan Peele’s films, Southern noir with an uncanny twist, dry humor, and spare prose.

What’s it about: Ed and Jim, Special Detectives ("that’s not just because we’re Black”) are called to the scene of a gruesome double murder in Money, Mississippi—two men are found horribly mutilated—one, a white man with a racist past, and across the room, a young Black man who bears a startling resemblance to Emmett Till. Then the body of the Black victim disappears, and reappears at a second murder scene, with a second white victim. The detectives soon learn that eerily similar murders are occurring all over the country. Short chapters, quick scene changes, and humor—punchlines, slapstick gags, and wordplay—move the action along. This satirical revenge novel is deeply tinged with horror and haunted by history.

Book buzz: Shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize, the nominating committee calls The Trees “an irresistible page-turner, hurtling headlong with swagger, humour, relish and rage.”

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Things you save in a fire by Katherine Center
Fiction

About the author:  She’s the New York Times bestselling author of over half a dozen books, including How to Walk Away and What You Wish For. The movie adaptation of Katherine’s novel The Lost Husband hit #1 on Netflix, and her novel Happiness for Beginners is in production now as a Netflix original.  Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.

Reviewers say: "A story about survival that is heartbreakingly honest and wryly funny, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Elizabeth Berg" (Kirkus).

You might also like:  First Comes Love by Emily Giffin or Evvie Drake Starts Over by by Linda Holmes  

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The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves
Fiction

What’s it about: For fifty years a group of friends has met for reunions on the island where they all originally met during a school retreat. This time, one of them ends up hanged and DI Vera Stanhope and her team must find out what led up to the murder. Are secrets from the past to blame or are the motives for the murder of a more recent variety?

Reviewers say: "Cleeves crafts a clever central puzzle, then confers remarkable emotional complexity using her keenly drawn characters' advancing age, wistful nostalgia, and thorny shared history. A pinwheeling third-person narrative drives the pace, while Vera's candor tempers the plot's darker elements. Fair-play mystery fans will delight.” (Publishers Weekly).

Good to know:  The great Brenda Blethyn portrays the cantankerous but brilliant detective in a series of TV movies, available on dvd.

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Nonfiction  

What it’s about: It’s time to face the fact that we’ll never complete our to-do lists, and we’re making ourselves miserable thinking otherwise. (Is anyone else as freaked out by this idea as I am?) That’s the premise of this wide-ranging self-improvement book, which suggests that we acknowledge the limited amount of time we have on Earth—so we can then focus on what matters most to us.  

Why you should read it: Whether you love or dislike time management books, Four Thousand Weeks proposes a thought-provoking way of looking at how we spend our time. For those of us who like nothing better than a good life hack, this book challenges us to focus on the big picture before optimizing the small details.  

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The Bromance Book Club (#1) by Lyssa Kay Adams
Fiction 

Why this book: Besides the amazing title, this book explores the falling apart of a relationship and what it takes to put it back together. Gavin Scott is a baseball player in Nashville, TN. He is married to his college sweetheart and has two kids. Life is great until Gavin discovers a secret that his wife has been keeping from him. To win his wife back, Gavin joins the Bromance Book Club made up of other elite Nashville men. Will the Bromance Book Club help Gavin overcome his relationship hang-ups and save his marriage? 

Series Alert: There are five books already published in this series with more to come. Each book centers around one guy from the Bromance Book Club but also deals with a different subgenre of the romance genre.  

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Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Fiction 

What it’s about: For a totally madcap read, Dial A for Aunties! Meddelin Chan is a daughter and niece of an Indonesian-Chinese family and the photographer for the family business: planning weddings. She loves her aunties and mother even though they drive her crazy. They want to see Meddelin married and set her up online, but the guy tries to date rape her. In defending herself, she kills him! That’s when the aunties step in – they don’t call the police, they just hide the body in a cooler. Trouble is, they have a big wedding to cater to, and the corpse takes on a life of its own. 

Reviewers say: “Readers will die for the delightfully absurd hijinks in this dark comedy” (Kirkus); “Dial A for Aunties, indeed, as they navigate a high-profile wedding with a corpse in tow. Sound preposterous? Perhaps, but you'll be glad you went along for the yacht ride” (Booklist). 

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A List of Cages by Robin Roe
YA Fiction 

What it’s about: Robin Roe did a fantastic job of writing a heart-wrenching yet charming novel centered around the friendship between two teen boys. Adam is a senior in high school who is well known by many of the students and teachers. Julian is a freshman at the same school who deals with constant bullying. The story is beautifully written bringing out such depth of compassion and bravery. That a life changing friendship could come from betrayal and tragedy is a miracle. 

Why you might like it: If you enjoy realistic fiction books with well-developed characters, written from a dual narrative perspective, you’ll love this book. 

You might also like: Everybody Sees the Ants by A. S. King

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Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Fiction

Read this if you like: Reuniting estranged siblings, family secrets, murder mysteries, and expert storytelling. 

What it’s about: Ocean scientist Byron and his sister Benny, a creative but lost soul, reluctantly reunite after their mother Eleanor’s death. She has left them an audio recording and a Caribbean black cake in the freezer, with instructions to listen to the recording together, and to “share the cake when the time is right. You’ll know when.”  Puzzled, confused, and grieving, they listen to their mother’s story—where she almost immediately reveals a deep secret, and then begins a tale of a young island woman, accused of murder, who escapes into the sea. This delectable family saga is told in tasty bites that change perspective and timelines. It is a rich and flavorful read, made with ingredients carefully chosen and mixed with care, like the black cake made by Eleanor. 

Book buzz: A Hulu TV series of Black Cake is in development by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment. 

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Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
Nonfiction

About the author: “Chelsea Handler is an accomplished stand-up comic and actress, as well as the bestselling author of My Horizontal Life. She was the star of her own late-night show on E!, Chelsea Lately; was one of the stars of Girls Behaving Badly; has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with David Letterman; and has starred in her own half-hour Comedy Central special. Chelsea makes regular appearances in comedy clubs across America and lives in Los Angeles” (Amazon).

Reviewers say: "Ms. Handler's style is a friendlier, more workaday version of the haughty self-abasement practiced by Sarah Silverman, leavened by the everywoman spirit of Kathy Griffin... She seems like a cruel queen bee from an expensive college: There's something suspiciously sophisticated about how her jokes line up that suggests the moral austerity of a comic not of [Joan] Rivers's bad-girl school: Tina Fey" (New York Times).

You might also like: Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog by Lisa Scottoline or Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me by Chelsea Handler

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Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick
Fiction

What it’s about: This is a big, folksy story about a Texas ranch family, the joys of quilting, and strong generations of women. Mary Dell and her sister Lydia Dale join forces to become a quilting duo, as they weather and overcome heartache in their personal lives. Their large and often quirky family adds warmth and coziness to a story about marriage, motherhood, and reinventing oneself.  

Why you might like it: If you like heartwarming but realistic family stories, this first-book-in-a-series will pull you into the rhythm of ranch life. It’s also an inspiring story of a woman who finds her own strength and develops her creativity.  

You might also like: Jennifer Chiaverini’s The Quilter’s Apprentice is another warm story of a woman for whom quilting is a refuge. If you like stories of sisters and ranch life, check out The Wilder Sisters by Jo-Ann Mapson. 

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Marked Man by Archer Mayor
Fiction

What happens: A medical student working on a body that was donated to science discovers that the assumed “natural” death attributed to the cadaver might have actually been murder. Turns out the dead local philanthropist and millionaire wasn’t actually who he pretended to be and Joe Gunther and his team at the Vermont Bureau of Investigation look into the murder and others that follow.

Reviewers say: “it's been clear for quite awhile that Mayor's series--a perfect mix of character, setting, and story--is one of the best American police procedurals going” (Booklist Review); “Mayor matches vivid characters with clever plot twists. This is a perfect jumping-on point for newcomers” (Publishers Weekly).

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The Duchess Deal: Girl Meets Duke by Tessa Dare
Fiction 

Why this book: If you like historical romance and haven’t read a Tessa Dare book, do yourself a favor and read this. Tessa Dare is not only a fabulous writer, but she makes her characters jump off the page. Even though this book takes place in 18^th century England, I found myself relating to the main character Emma a lot. The Duke of Ashbury was scarred during a war and has shut himself off from love and happiness. Realizing he needs an heir, he decides to set up rules to protect himself from getting hurt. Little does he know that the woman he has landed on, Emma, has rules of her own.  

Good to know: This book is amazing on audio. It is read by two narrators, each covering one of the two main characters. This really helps to get into the man and woman’s point of view. Plus, being read to by a British man is always great…that accent! 

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Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins
Fiction

What it’s about: Lillie Silva is steeling herself to send her son and only child off to college when another blow falls: her husband of 20 years wants a divorce so he can “find joy.” Turns out “joy” is living near by with Melissa, a young rich widow who just came to town. Lillie lashes out with pranks like setting a skunk loose in Melissa’s spotless home, but eventually she turns to her network of friends and family who take her side, and she comes out stronger. You’ll feel hopeful for her by the end of this funny, poignant story.

Reviewers say: “A beautifully told blend of grief, hope, and humor that showcases Higgins at her best” (Kirkus); “This will be satisfying for readers who like to see a strong woman thrive during times of trial” (Library Journal).

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The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith
Fiction 

What it’s about: Indie rock darling Greta James hasn’t been able to make music since she had an onstage meltdown after the sudden death of her mother. She reluctantly agrees to take her mother’s place on an Alaskan cruise with her father, hoping to mend their broken relationship and recover her lost creative drive. She doesn’t expect to connect with the ship’s guest lecturer, but the erudite and charming Ben Wilder might be just the balm she needs. 

Why you might like it: This is a warm and tender examination of parent/child relationships, resolving differences, and coping with grief—all tempered with a little light romance. The writing is thoughtful, and the story is sentimental in a good way and is filled with characters to care about. The descriptions of the Alaskan scenery are vivid. You may not be surprised by the ending, but it is handled with delicacy and grace.  

You might also like: One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle, Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes, and Float Plan by Trish Doller 

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You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow
YA Fiction

What it’s about: This is a heart wrenching story of teenage drug addiction and its effects on one family. The story of Emory and Joey explains how much you can love an addict and how desperate you are to help but it isn’t enough. The struggle Emory feels in trying to be happy with her life while helping an addict.

Is it for you? This is a story of addiction, but also a story of healing. The book and its rawness display a family’s love for an addict and the battle it can take to get them help. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with addiction or who has a loved one with addiction.

You might also like: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

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When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger
Fiction

Series alert: This is the third book in the Devil Wears Prada series. Read The Devil Wears Prada and Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns.

Reviewers say: “With rich people behaving scandalously on every page, this lemon is juicy and delicious… Having a kick-ass girl posse is not only great fun, but essential for survival in this town filled with moms obsessed with SoulCycle, trophy kids, and plastic surgery” (Kirkus Reviews).

You might also like: The Stylist by Rosie Nixon or According to a Source by Abby Stern.

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Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones 
Fiction 

What it’s about: Set in the midst of the Atlanta child murders, this poignant story is told through three children’s perspectives. While the tone is somber and atmospheric, the fifth graders’ day-to-day lives are at the center of the story—though the terror of children disappearing lurks in the background.  

Why you might like it: If you enjoy stories that build gradually and invite you as the reader to see the connections among various perspectives, this book will be a very satisfying read. The storylines weave together to create a textured narrative.  

Reviewers say: “This strongly grounded tale hums with the rhythms of schoolyard life and proves Jones to be a powerful storyteller” (Publishers Weekly). 

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Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari 
Nonfiction

What’s it about: In this provocative and thought-provoking tome, Historian Harari (author of the international bestseller Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind) discusses achievements of the civilized world in the areas of disease, famine, and war, and speculates on humanity’s evolutionary goals for the future - immortality, happiness, and divinity.

Reviewers say: "Harari paints with a very broad brush throughout, but he raises stimulating questions about both the past and the future” (Publishers Weekly); “A relentlessly fascinating book” (Kirkus Reviews).

Want a taste?  “Every day millions of people decide to grant their smartphone a bit more control over their lives or try a new and more effective antidepressant drug. In pursuit of health, happiness and power, humans will gradually change first one of their features and then another, and another, until they will no longer be human.”

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The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
Fiction 

What it’s about: A debut novel that will leave you charmed by its characters, plot, and idyllic town of Chawton, located in the United Kingdom. This historical novel is centered around Chawton House, which is where Jane Austen spent the last eight years of her life. The world is recovering from WWII and the distant relatives of Jane Austen are unable to keep up with the maintenance of Chawton House. A group of Austen lovers join forces to save Chawton House and restore it to its full grandeur. Chapters are told by alternating characters and readers discover the past of the characters and why they are so invested in Jane Austen and saving Chawton House.  

Why you might like it: Fans of Jane Austen will enjoy reading about her life and how this real-life society helped to preserve Chawton House; if you are interested in reading about the aftereffects of WWII and how it shaped people in the small town; those who enjoy reading romance stories that include “will they/won’t they” get together plots.

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The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan
Fiction

What it’s about: Three very different women, in England during World War II, forge a friendship while repairing a wedding dress. Grace is a clergyman’s daughter who tries to find meaning for herself in serving others. Cressida is a designer of clothes who uses her work to fill the loneliness in her life. Violet is a spoiled upper class young woman who thinks her role in life is to marry a man with a title. As they come together to repair Grace’s mother’s gown for Grace’s wedding, each learns more about herself and what her life could really be.

Reviewers say: “Comforting but still rich with interesting history, this will please fans of cozy WWII fiction” (Booklist); “The pleasurable plot focuses on overcoming adversity through friendship, with plenty of romance” (LibraryReads).

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The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson
Fiction

What it’s about: The Lucky Ones is the tragic story of a girl who was the only survivor of a school shooting while her brother was killed, and a boy whose life was altered forever once his mother, a defense attorney, took the shooter's case.

Why you might like it: It's a story of mental health and people trying to do the right thing amidst devastating circumstances. It is both a heart wrenching and uplifting read.

You might also like: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

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Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
Fiction

Read this if you like: Masterful writing about broken families, a gutted community, toxic masculinity, innocence lost, and the redemptive power of love.

What it’s about: First love between two 1990s Glasgow boys—one Protestant, the other Catholic—what could go wrong? Mungo and James should be sworn enemies. Mungo’s older brother is the brutal leader of a Protestant gang, his mother is a drunk, and his older sister fills in for his mother as best as she can. Mungo is isolated and lonely, unable to fit in anywhere. James’s mother is dead and his father away working on an oil rig. They meet when Mungo wanders into Catholic territory and stumbles across James’s dovecote, where he raises pigeons. Their friendship grows into intimacy—they have much to share. But when his family finds out about James, Mungo’s mother sends him on a fishing trip into the Scottish wilds with two men she knows from her AA meetings “to make a man of him.” Again, what could go wrong? Suspenseful, gut-wrenching, horrifying, tender and bittersweet, and ultimately hopeful.

You might also like: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, and The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi Durrow.

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I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
Nonfiction

About the author: “Michelle McNamara (1970-2016) was the author of the website Truecrimediary.com. She earned an MFA in fiction writing from the University of Minnesota, worked as a consultant for "Dateline NBC," and had sold television pilots to ABC and Fox and a screenplay to Paramount. She lived in Los Angeles and is survived by her husband, Patton Oswalt, and their daughter, Alice” (https://www.bookreporter.com/authors/michelle-mcnamara).

Reviewers say: “What makes McNamara’s work so compelling is her empathy and sensitivity toward the people touched by these crimes.... I wish I could read the next 10 books she would have written” (Kate Tuttle, Los Angeles Times).

You might also like: When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain or Chase Darkness With Me by Billy Jensen (Journalist).   

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Ancestor Trouble: A Reckoning and a Reconciliation by Maud Newton
Nonfiction   

What it’s about: In this candid, vulnerable, and engaging mash-up of memoir, genealogical research, science, and sociology, the author investigates her troubling family history. From shocking stories about her parents to disturbing discoveries about her Southern ancestors, Newton faces the unsettling truths about her family. Interspersed with her genealogical quest, she explores genetic research to learn more about nature vs. nurture, and she does some serious soul searching to determine how to respond to her findings.

You might also like: Readers of The Glass Castle will find Newton’s family story similarly compelling. To read another memoir about life-changing genealogical discoveries, pick up Dani Shapiro’s Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love.

Reviewers say: “An engaging and thoroughly researched memoir relaying a family history that is at turns recognizable and abhorrent, as an honest and typical history of American exceptionalism, racism, and misogyny. Will appeal to lovers of memoirs, family secrets, genealogy, and the sociological makeup threading U.S. history” (Library Journal).

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Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen 
fiction

Starring: Caterer Claire, who works magic with food; Claire’s sister Sydney, who works magic with hair; and Sydney’s 5-year-old daughter Bay, who always knows exactly where everything belongs.

What happens: The Waverley sisters are long estranged, but when Sydney and her daughter are on the run from an abusive boyfriend, the one place Sydney knows they will be safe is her old childhood home.

Reviewers say: “... the blending of horticultural folklore, the supernatural and a big dollop of Southern flavor should find favor with a wide swath of readers” (Publishers Weekly); “Spellbindingly charming, Allen's impressively accomplished debut novel will bewitch fans of Alice Hoffman and Laura Esquivel” (Booklist).

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Joust by Mercedes Lackey
Fiction

What it’s about:  In the kingdom of Tia, young Vetch is an Altan serf, lower in rank than a slave, living a miserable existence. One day a Jouster in need of a boy to care for his dragon takes him from his owner. Vetch is torn between gratitude to Jouster Ari for a much better life and loyalty to Alta, which is at war with Tia. When the opportunity arises to steal a dragon egg, Vetch learns just how deep love for a dragon can be.

Reviewers say:  ”Lackey gives us a wonderfully visualized society, similar in terrain, climate, religion, and the differing circumstances of slave, serf, and free person to ancient Egypt. Moreover, she fills the book with well-limned characterizations and convincing, detailed dragon lore to make up a whole in which Vetch's coming-of-age becomes an integral part” (Booklist); “Lackey combines meticulously detailed dragon lore with emotionally intense, realistic human characters” (Publisher’s Weekly).

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Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton & James Patterson
Fiction

What it’s about: Annie Lee is young, driven, and talented. She goes to Nashville to chase her dreams and make it big as a singer songwriter. I’m a big fan of Dolly Parton. Once I learned that Dolly was a part of the narrating cast, I was sold on listening to the audiobook. She didn’t disappoint. I was immediately absorbed into the book.

Is it for you? It is a very inspirational story about strength and perseverance through some pretty rough hardships and the ability to overcome some of the worst things you can imagine. The characters are relatable and have a genuine feel.

You might also like: What are the Chances by Kenny Rogers.

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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Fiction

For readers who enjoy: Heart-warming, relationship focused reads; stories about family, community, and overcoming loneliness and loss; and charming and wise characters.

What it’s about: Marcellus is a misanthrope, but after 1299 days of captivity, who could blame him? Marcellus is a giant Pacific octopus, an unwilling resident of a small-town aquarium in Washington state, a keen observer of the humans around him, and one of the narrators of this quirky and heartwarming first novel. The one person Marcellus does like is Tova, the grieving widow who cleans the aquarium every night—she shares her deepest thoughts with him, and on more than one occasion has rescued him when his secret nightly raids on other tanks have gotten him into trouble. Tova is mourning the recent loss of her husband as well as the disappearance of her son more than 30 years earlier. When newcomer Cameron—in town seeking his long-lost father—joins Tova on the night shift, Marcellus realizes that his two human friends may be able to help one another.

Reviewers say: “Van Pelt has written an irresistibly wonderful, warm, funny, heartbreaking first novel, full of gentle people (and one octopus) bravely powering through their individual scars” (Library Journal).

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The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
Fiction

What’s it about: Nantucket sweetheart Lizbet Keaton is named the new general manager of the newly reopened Hotel Nantucket, trying to overcome its bad reputation, which it gained after a fire in 1922 that killed a chambermaid, Grace Hadley. While the hotel seems to be doing well, there is a lot of drama with both staff and guests including Grace, the ghost, gleefully haunting the halls.    

Reviewers say: "In her 25th novel, Hilderbrand gets everything right and leaves her ardent fans hungry for No. 26. Hilderbrand sets the gold standard in escapist fiction" (Kirkus Reviews).

You might also like:  Hotel Portofino by J. P. O’Connell or The Summer House by Jenny Hale.  

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Wahala by Nikki May
Fiction

What it’s about: In this intensifying story about female friendship and betrayal, the bonds within a tight-knit group of friends are strained when a fourth woman joins their circle. “Wahala” is the Nigerian word for “trouble,” and that’s exactly what their new frenemy brings to each woman’s life as she exploits their secret vulnerabilities.

Why you might like it: This book is a character-driven page turner that will pull you into the lives of three Anglo Nigerian women living fabulous lives in current-day London.

You might also like: For another riveting story about a group of women whose lives are upended by a “friend,” read The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood.

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The Betrayal of Trust by Susan Hill
Fiction

What’s it about: DCI Serrailler has two murder cases to solve when torrential rainstorms unearth two bodies dating back 16 years. One was a missing girl, but who was the other and are their deaths connected? Quality-of-life issues also feature prominently in this sixth outing of the series.

Reviewers say: “Fully realized characters and efficient prose” (Publishers Weekly); "Fans and newcomers to Hill's series … will appreciate the characters' deep humanity” (Kirkus).

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The Windsor Knot by S. J. Bennett
Fiction

What it’s about: Queen Elizabeth II is appalled to learn that one of the guests at Windsor Castle, a Russian pianist, was found hanged in his bedroom. Was it a sexual escapade gone wrong, or something more sinister? Everyone is trying to shield the Queen from the tawdry details, but what they don’t know is that she has been discreetly solving crimes behind the scenes for years. It’s a delight to watch her solve this one with the help of her private secretary, British Nigerian Rozie Oshodi.

Reviewers Say: “Bennett’s depiction of the warm, wise, and witty queen and the insights into her royal life are fascinating” (Publisher’s Weekly); “…the queen makes a wonderfully self-effacing sleuth” (Kirkus Reviews).

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The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson
YA Fiction

What it’s about: The Agathas is a captivating mystery set in small-town coastal California. The story is told from two different points of view. The first person’s point of view is Iris (written by Glasgow), a hard-working, financially struggling teen eager to elude a complicated and perilous home life; the second person is rich girl Alice (written by Lawson), who is struggling to deal with the relationship between her former best friend, Brooke, and ex-boyfriend, Steve, as well as the consequences of her own social fallout.

Is it for you? If you like reading brilliantly developed and authentic characters who deal with their pains and problems in realistic ways, then you should read this book.

You might also like: You’re so Dead by Ash Parsons

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The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Fiction

For readers who like: Space operas, the TV show Firefly, found family, and ordinary people in extraordinary situations.

What it’s about: Loner Rosemary Harper joins the motley crew of the Wayfarer, an aging and patched-up spaceship tasked with constructing wormholes for interstellar travel. When the rag tag crew members—who are wildly and imaginatively diverse—are offered the job of a lifetime, they agree to take on the challenge, despite the enormous risks involved. Narrated by multiple characters, this warm-hearted debut novel is a delight and a joy to read.

Series alert: This is the first book in the Hugo award-winning Wayfarers series. Titles can be read in any order—each title also works as a stand-alone. The follow-up titles—A Closed and Common Orbit and Record of a Spaceborn Few, and The Galaxy, and the Ground Within—are equally focused on character, complex relationships, and asking tough questions.

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The Return by Nicholas Sparks
Fiction

What it's about: Trevor Benson returns to his hometown of New Bern, NC to claim the dilapidated cabin that he inherited from his grandfather who recently passed away. While taking care of his grandfather's beloved beehives, he meets and falls for deputy sheriff Natalie Masterson and encounters the mysterious teenage girl, Callie. These two women have secrets that will change the course of his life. 

Reviewers say: "As much a family drama as it is a love story...If you, like Trevor, are looking to slow down and focus on what's really important, The Return is the heartwarming read you've been waiting for" (BookPage).

You might also like: One Summer by David Baldacci or The Favorite Daughter by Patti Callahan Henry   

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Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom by Carl Bernstein
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Before he became famous for his Watergate reporting at the Washington Post, Carl Bernstein started his newspaper career as a teenage copy boy at the Washington Star. This engaging, spirited memoir tells the story of a young man finding his calling in the rollicking newsrooms of the early 1960s. Bernstein provides a wide-eyed, first-hand, behind-the-scenes view of reporting major 20^th century news stories, including the Civil Rights Movement, Sputnik, and the Kennedy assassination.

Why you might like it: Bernstein is a great storyteller, and the people of the newsroom are quirky, larger than life, and unforgettable—so this memoir reads like fiction (even though it’s true).

You might also like: While the timeframe and setting are completely different, Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi is another exuberant memoir of mastering skills through on-the-job training.

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Men in My Situation: A Novel by Per Petterson
Fiction

What it's about: After Arvid’s parents and two brothers perish in a ferry accident, his wife divorces him and takes their three daughters with her. For the next year, Arvid drinks, has many one-night stands, and often sleeps and drives around in his old Mazda, but fails to deal with his grief. Then the oldest daughter, Vigdis, reaches out to him for help and Arvid is finally forced to come to terms with the trajectory his life has taken.

Reviewers say: “Petterson has written a beautifully nuanced, deeply felt, and powerful story of survival” (Library Journal); “Petterson's bracing latest captures the rhythms and anomie of grief…” (Publishers Weekly).

Good to know: The narrative style here is almost stream of consciousness writing but with its often simple, yet elegant prose, it accentuates Arvid’s story instead of distracting from it. If you liked the author’s award winning Out Stealing Horses, you should also enjoy this portrait of a life going to pieces.

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