Stone Mattress: Nine Tales, by Margaret Atwood. Atwood has been a favorite of mine for many years, and she hasn't disappointed me yet. And since reviewers are calling this "vintage Atwood...think Alias Grace", I'm more than a little intrigued. Short stories are also perfect for this time of year--there's something delicious in the accomplishment of reading a story in a single evening. This collection, her first in nearly a decade, is full of acute psychological insight and turbulent interpersonal relationships. I'm definitely looking forward to this one.
The Children Act, by Ian McEwan. Fiona is a High Court judge presiding over family court in London, well-versed in her particular field of law. Professionally, she is hard-working, brilliant and successful, but personally, she is unraveling as her marriage crumbles. A particularly complicated case involving the welfare of a teenager whose family's religious beliefs conflict with his medical needs gives Fiona a way to lose herself in her work, but only for so long. I'm a fan of McEwan's writing style--there's a reason he's won so many awards--so this will likely be on my to-read list in the future.
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, by Jan Karon. Karon's Mitford novels have been a mainstay for readers for decades. Now she brings readers a new tale in Mitford, as Father Timothy returns from his long post-retirement travels and finds himself at a loss for how he fits into the fabric of his community. Indeed, he finds Mitford has changed while he was away and must wonder: does the Mitford he remembers still exist? Does it still take care of its own? Fans will definitely need to pick this up.
I'll be back next week with a list of my picks for September releases, as well as catching up with what I've been reading. Enjoy a book this weekend!
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