There are so many things I want to talk about that are coming up, I had to start early!
City of Windows, by Robert Pobi. This buzz-worthy series launch introduces retired FBI agent (and astrophysicist) Dr. Lucas Page. In the field, Page was best known for his ability to survey a crime scene and allow him to break down the topography to math and statistical probabilities, like being able to pinpoint the origin of a sniper shot in the middle of a city. But the loss of a leg, an arm, and an eye during a shootout put an end to his FBI career, as well as his first marriage. There's nothing wrong with his brain, though, and ten years later he is teaching at Columbia University and writing books. He's reluctant to put his new life on the line when he's called upon to help investigate the shooting of his former partner, but old loyalties run deep. A tense plot and unique protagonist make this a good bet for a breakout thriller this summer.
The Doll Factory, by Elizabeth MacNeal. Psychological suspense meets 1850's London in this sharp new novel. A chance encounter in a crowd is a brief, forgettable encounter for alluring artist Iris, but for curiosity collector Silas, it is the beginning of an obsession--one that will only deepen and darken as Iris's star begins to rise among the city's artists. Fans of Caleb Carr's The Alienist should be placing their requests now.
Inland, by Tea Obreht. Obreht made quite a name for herself with 2011's award-winning novel The Tiger's Wife. She returns now with a tale set in late-1800s Arizona, where Nora waits on the family farm while her husband treks for water to revive their failing farm. Her two older sons have vanished after a fight, leaving Nora to fend for herself when a local outlaw starts making his presence known. If your ideal summer read is full of larger-than-life characters and gorgeous prose, look no further.
The Perfect Wife, by J.P. Delaney. Five years ago, Abbie suffered a terrible accident and is finally coming back to consciousness with the help of new technology. She's a wonderful mother and a talented artist and certainly will be again, or so says the man who claims to be her husband. The catch? It's not really Abbie--the real Abbie disappeared and was never found. The Abbie who is waking up is actually a companion robot or "cobot", developed by the original Abbie's husband. It's as she begins to uncover her namesake's secrets that things start to get scary. Tech suspense with a twist.
Showing posts with label summer reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer reading. Show all posts
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Meg's Picks: July 2019, part 2
Summer reads come in all shapes and sizes. If your preferences run serious or suspenseful, these might just be what you were looking for!
The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead. Whitehead's 2016 novel The Underground Railroad won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the 2016 National Book Award for Fiction. So if we're eager to see what comes next, I think that's only natural. Here, the strand of history he's dramatized follows two boys sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim-Crow era Florida, based on an actual reformatory which operated for 111 years. If you prefer your summer reads serious and intense, you cannot miss this.
Lock Every Door, by Riley Sager. Riley Sager is totally a staff darling here at the library. We loved his debut, Final Girls, and his sophomore novel, The Last Time I Lied. We absolutely anticipate a hat-trick with Lock Every Door, in which Jules's new job as an apartment sitter in one of New York's oldest and most glamorous buildings may just cost more than it pays...
Stone Cold Heart, by Caz Frear. Frear is another new favorite, following her stellar suspense debut last summer, Sweet Little Lies, with a second novel featuring Detective Constable Cat Kinsella. She's back at London Metropolitan Police with her wisecracking partner Parnell, both of them trying to avoid the ire of boss DI Kate Steele. It's all business when they catch a case, though, involving a young Australian woman who's turned up dead following a party thrown by her new boss. The lead suspect's alibi is his wife, and she contradicts him, but which one is lying, and why? Murder is only the beginning of the mystery here.
Someone We Know, by Shari Lapena. Following 2018's An Unwanted Guest. Someone has been sneaking into houses, and their inhabitants computers, in a quiet suburb in upstate New York. They've been learning their neighbors' secrets, and perhaps sharing them. Who is he? What might he have learned? After two anonymous letters show up, rumors circulate, suspicions grow, and then a woman is found murdered. How far will these nice, unassuming neighbors go in order to keep their secrets?
The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead. Whitehead's 2016 novel The Underground Railroad won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the 2016 National Book Award for Fiction. So if we're eager to see what comes next, I think that's only natural. Here, the strand of history he's dramatized follows two boys sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim-Crow era Florida, based on an actual reformatory which operated for 111 years. If you prefer your summer reads serious and intense, you cannot miss this.
Lock Every Door, by Riley Sager. Riley Sager is totally a staff darling here at the library. We loved his debut, Final Girls, and his sophomore novel, The Last Time I Lied. We absolutely anticipate a hat-trick with Lock Every Door, in which Jules's new job as an apartment sitter in one of New York's oldest and most glamorous buildings may just cost more than it pays...
Stone Cold Heart, by Caz Frear. Frear is another new favorite, following her stellar suspense debut last summer, Sweet Little Lies, with a second novel featuring Detective Constable Cat Kinsella. She's back at London Metropolitan Police with her wisecracking partner Parnell, both of them trying to avoid the ire of boss DI Kate Steele. It's all business when they catch a case, though, involving a young Australian woman who's turned up dead following a party thrown by her new boss. The lead suspect's alibi is his wife, and she contradicts him, but which one is lying, and why? Murder is only the beginning of the mystery here.
Someone We Know, by Shari Lapena. Following 2018's An Unwanted Guest. Someone has been sneaking into houses, and their inhabitants computers, in a quiet suburb in upstate New York. They've been learning their neighbors' secrets, and perhaps sharing them. Who is he? What might he have learned? After two anonymous letters show up, rumors circulate, suspicions grow, and then a woman is found murdered. How far will these nice, unassuming neighbors go in order to keep their secrets?
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Meg's Picks: July 2019, part 1
History, humor, and heart. These are just some of the bounty of July's new novels.
Dragonfly, by Leila Meacham. At the height of World War II, a group of young Americans receive a mysterious summons from their government, asking if they willing to fight for their country. While they are from very different backgrounds, each heeds the call for their own personal reasons. The group, code name Dragonfly, bond immediately. This is war, however, and the stakes in the cat-and-mouse game they're playing are incredibly high. One or more of them will have to pay the ultimate price... For fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, most definitely.
The Chelsea Girls, by Fiona Davis. Hazel and Maxine meet as USO performers in Italy at the end of World War II, one a sheltered daughter of a renowned theater family, the other facing discrimination owing to a German-born grandfather. Following the war, Hazel pens a Broadway-bound play based on her experiences during the war, and Maxine comes from Hollywood to star...but a secret will threaten to tear their friendship apart. Davis has been developing quite a fan-base with novels like The Dollhouse and The Address--this latest is sure to be in demand.
You've Been Volunteered, by Laurie Gelman. Gelman's debut, Class Mom (2017), introduced snarky 40-something mom Jen Dixon whose appointment to kindergarten class mom put her smack in the middle of PTA drama with hilarious results. In this follow-up, Jen's son Max is now in third grade and Jen is once again catapulted into the role of class mom, even as her family life gets pulled in a dozen different directions. If your perfect summer read is a laugh-out-loud speed read, this is for you!
The Lager Queen of Minnesota, by J. Ryan Stradal. I adored Stradal's 2015 debut, Kitchens of the Great Midwest, and I've been anxiously awaiting her new novel, inspired by true events in Stradal's own family. Once upon a time, Helen Blotz inherited the family farm, which alienated her sister Edith. Helen used the proceeds from the sale of the farm to invest in her husband's family soda business, helping to turn it into the hottest brewery in Minnesota. Two generations later, the brewery's success is waning, though Edith's granddaughter's brewpub may bring family together again. Stradal's characters are deftly drawn and are deeply memorable. Have I mentioned I can't wait?
Dragonfly, by Leila Meacham. At the height of World War II, a group of young Americans receive a mysterious summons from their government, asking if they willing to fight for their country. While they are from very different backgrounds, each heeds the call for their own personal reasons. The group, code name Dragonfly, bond immediately. This is war, however, and the stakes in the cat-and-mouse game they're playing are incredibly high. One or more of them will have to pay the ultimate price... For fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, most definitely.
The Chelsea Girls, by Fiona Davis. Hazel and Maxine meet as USO performers in Italy at the end of World War II, one a sheltered daughter of a renowned theater family, the other facing discrimination owing to a German-born grandfather. Following the war, Hazel pens a Broadway-bound play based on her experiences during the war, and Maxine comes from Hollywood to star...but a secret will threaten to tear their friendship apart. Davis has been developing quite a fan-base with novels like The Dollhouse and The Address--this latest is sure to be in demand.
You've Been Volunteered, by Laurie Gelman. Gelman's debut, Class Mom (2017), introduced snarky 40-something mom Jen Dixon whose appointment to kindergarten class mom put her smack in the middle of PTA drama with hilarious results. In this follow-up, Jen's son Max is now in third grade and Jen is once again catapulted into the role of class mom, even as her family life gets pulled in a dozen different directions. If your perfect summer read is a laugh-out-loud speed read, this is for you!
The Lager Queen of Minnesota, by J. Ryan Stradal. I adored Stradal's 2015 debut, Kitchens of the Great Midwest, and I've been anxiously awaiting her new novel, inspired by true events in Stradal's own family. Once upon a time, Helen Blotz inherited the family farm, which alienated her sister Edith. Helen used the proceeds from the sale of the farm to invest in her husband's family soda business, helping to turn it into the hottest brewery in Minnesota. Two generations later, the brewery's success is waning, though Edith's granddaughter's brewpub may bring family together again. Stradal's characters are deftly drawn and are deeply memorable. Have I mentioned I can't wait?
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Reading Ahead: July 2019
I know, we're already talking July! But this summer's books just cannot wait any longer! And some of your favorite best-selling authors are leading the charge!
The New Girl, by Daniel Silva. Legendary chief of Israeli intelligence Gabriel Allon (last seen in 2018's The Other Woman) has spent much of his life fighting terrorists. Now, he's the one man who can be trusted to track down the men who have brutally kidnapped the daughter of the much-maligned crown prince of Saudi Arabia and rescue the young woman in question. In the process, Gabriel and the prince become uneasy allies in a secret game that may change relations in the Middle East forever. If you like your espionage plotted at breakneck speed, this is for you.
Under Currents, by Nora Roberts. At a distance, the Bigelow family looks like perfection: successful surgeon father, stylish wife, two children who excel. But those children, Zane and Britt, know the truth: appearances can be very deceiving. As Zane's father's abuse becomes more severe, and his mother ever complicit, Zane tries to protect his little sister, even as he counts down the time until he can be free of this oppressive household. It's only after one final act shatters the facade that Zane realizes that there is both pain and freedom in facing the truth, and he vows to do better as he forges a new life and starts a family of his own. How long will it be, though, before darkness looms again in his life?
Labyrinth, by Catherine Coulter. The new FBI thriller from Coulter (Paradox, 2018, etc.) finds Agent Sherlock navigating the winding roads of West Virginia only to lose control of her vehicle. She's knocked unconscious, but upon waking, she's sure she remembers someone else involved in the accident. Perhaps he is involved in the string of local murders she's investigating?
Smokescreen, by Iris Johansen. When forensic sculptor Eve Duncan learns that a guerilla attack on an African village has left a number of children burned beyond recognition, she races to the site to lend a hand in identifying the bodies for their desperate families. Upon her arrival at the site, however, she soon realizes that something even more dire is afoot. Series fans won't want to miss out.
Shamed, by Linda Castillo. Castillo returns to Painter's Mill and Police Chief Kate Burkholder as an Amish woman has been murdered and her young grandchild kidnapped. Kate now needs answers from the tight-lipped Amish community, and quickly, as she learns that long-kept secrets may be responsible for a current crime-spree. If you're looking for an Amish cozy, this isn't it--Castillo's Amish suspense series is gritty and deeply engrossing.
The New Girl, by Daniel Silva. Legendary chief of Israeli intelligence Gabriel Allon (last seen in 2018's The Other Woman) has spent much of his life fighting terrorists. Now, he's the one man who can be trusted to track down the men who have brutally kidnapped the daughter of the much-maligned crown prince of Saudi Arabia and rescue the young woman in question. In the process, Gabriel and the prince become uneasy allies in a secret game that may change relations in the Middle East forever. If you like your espionage plotted at breakneck speed, this is for you.
Under Currents, by Nora Roberts. At a distance, the Bigelow family looks like perfection: successful surgeon father, stylish wife, two children who excel. But those children, Zane and Britt, know the truth: appearances can be very deceiving. As Zane's father's abuse becomes more severe, and his mother ever complicit, Zane tries to protect his little sister, even as he counts down the time until he can be free of this oppressive household. It's only after one final act shatters the facade that Zane realizes that there is both pain and freedom in facing the truth, and he vows to do better as he forges a new life and starts a family of his own. How long will it be, though, before darkness looms again in his life?
Labyrinth, by Catherine Coulter. The new FBI thriller from Coulter (Paradox, 2018, etc.) finds Agent Sherlock navigating the winding roads of West Virginia only to lose control of her vehicle. She's knocked unconscious, but upon waking, she's sure she remembers someone else involved in the accident. Perhaps he is involved in the string of local murders she's investigating?
Smokescreen, by Iris Johansen. When forensic sculptor Eve Duncan learns that a guerilla attack on an African village has left a number of children burned beyond recognition, she races to the site to lend a hand in identifying the bodies for their desperate families. Upon her arrival at the site, however, she soon realizes that something even more dire is afoot. Series fans won't want to miss out.
Shamed, by Linda Castillo. Castillo returns to Painter's Mill and Police Chief Kate Burkholder as an Amish woman has been murdered and her young grandchild kidnapped. Kate now needs answers from the tight-lipped Amish community, and quickly, as she learns that long-kept secrets may be responsible for a current crime-spree. If you're looking for an Amish cozy, this isn't it--Castillo's Amish suspense series is gritty and deeply engrossing.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Reading Ahead: June 2019, part 4
Reconnecting seems to be a popular theme with summer reads this year--as evidenced by these three titles, all coming out in just a few weeks!
Mrs. Everything, by Jennifer Weiner. Growing up as young girls in the 1950s, Jo and Bethie Kaufman may be sisters, but that's about all they have in common. Jo is a tomboy and Bethie is the "pretty one" who loves to dress up. When their father dies unexpectedly, the Kaufman women have to learn to take care of themselves and one another in a time when women had few options. As time moves forward, the sisters grow apart and together again as they find their way in a changing world. Inspiring and insightful reading material from Weiner for your summer reading.
The Summer of Sunshine and Margot, by Susan Mallery. Twin sisters Sunshine and Margot grew up with a mother who spent more time with her boyfriends than raising them. Different but very close, the two stumble along as they raise themselves and help each other through work disasters and heartbreaks. Their heart-tugging journeys toward happily-ever-after are helped along once Margot is hired by a Hollywood Golden Age star who treats the twins as though they were her own daughters. Light and fast, but lively and feel-good from reader favorite Mallery.
Lost and Found, by Danielle Steel. We all wonder what might have been, about the ones that got away. In Steel's latest, Maddie Allen sets off on a cross-country road trip to reconnect with three very different men, each of whom she might have married once and didn't, after a forced pause from her busy career gives her the opportunity to look back...and ahead.
Mrs. Everything, by Jennifer Weiner. Growing up as young girls in the 1950s, Jo and Bethie Kaufman may be sisters, but that's about all they have in common. Jo is a tomboy and Bethie is the "pretty one" who loves to dress up. When their father dies unexpectedly, the Kaufman women have to learn to take care of themselves and one another in a time when women had few options. As time moves forward, the sisters grow apart and together again as they find their way in a changing world. Inspiring and insightful reading material from Weiner for your summer reading.
The Summer of Sunshine and Margot, by Susan Mallery. Twin sisters Sunshine and Margot grew up with a mother who spent more time with her boyfriends than raising them. Different but very close, the two stumble along as they raise themselves and help each other through work disasters and heartbreaks. Their heart-tugging journeys toward happily-ever-after are helped along once Margot is hired by a Hollywood Golden Age star who treats the twins as though they were her own daughters. Light and fast, but lively and feel-good from reader favorite Mallery.
Lost and Found, by Danielle Steel. We all wonder what might have been, about the ones that got away. In Steel's latest, Maddie Allen sets off on a cross-country road trip to reconnect with three very different men, each of whom she might have married once and didn't, after a forced pause from her busy career gives her the opportunity to look back...and ahead.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Reading Ahead: June 2019, part 3
There are certain authors that readers automatically associate with summer--characters we love, engaging story lines, settings that evoke all things summer. If that's right up your alley, here are a few titles to be on the lookout for this season.
The Bookshop on the Shore, by Jenny Colgan. Eager to escape the noisy crowds of London and provide a better life for her young son, single mum Zoe accepts help from a friend who finds her a job in a bookshop in the Scottish Highlands, where she'll be working for shop owner Nina (Colgan fans will remember Nina from The Bookshop on the Corner, 2016). A second job as an au pair for three motherless children will provide housing for Zoe and young Hari. While this all looks grand on paper, the reality is a bit more chaotic than Zoe had anticipated: the family's castle, while grand, is crumbling. The widower is in over his head after his three children have been kicked out of school, leaving them to run run wild and unsupervised. Is Zoe up to the challenge?
The Friends We Keep, by Jane Green. Evvie, Maggie, and Topher were the best of friends during their years at university, but time has dragged them apart over the decades that followed. Time also has a way of growing secrets, making them harder to hide, making the truth more painful once it comes to light. And when these three finally reunite at their 30th college reunion, they are hoping to reconnect after years of failing to keep in touch. The secrets that come out threaten to tear them apart all over again, making this a touching story of friendship and forgiveness.
Summer of '69, by Elin Hilderbrand. The four Levin siblings have spent every summer of their childhood at their grandmother's house on Nantucket, but 1969 is the year that everything changed: Blair, 24, is married and pregnant, and her husband Angus has requested she stay home in Boston with him this summer. Anti-war activist Kirby has been arrested twice during demonstrations and chooses friends and a job on Martha's Vineyard over family time on Nantucket this year. Tiger has been deployed to Vietnam, sending letters home to Jessie, 13 and alone on Nantucket with Nonny this summer. Hilderbrand has an excellent touch both with the cultural upheaval of the time, but also with the complications of family relationships.
The Bookshop on the Shore, by Jenny Colgan. Eager to escape the noisy crowds of London and provide a better life for her young son, single mum Zoe accepts help from a friend who finds her a job in a bookshop in the Scottish Highlands, where she'll be working for shop owner Nina (Colgan fans will remember Nina from The Bookshop on the Corner, 2016). A second job as an au pair for three motherless children will provide housing for Zoe and young Hari. While this all looks grand on paper, the reality is a bit more chaotic than Zoe had anticipated: the family's castle, while grand, is crumbling. The widower is in over his head after his three children have been kicked out of school, leaving them to run run wild and unsupervised. Is Zoe up to the challenge?
The Friends We Keep, by Jane Green. Evvie, Maggie, and Topher were the best of friends during their years at university, but time has dragged them apart over the decades that followed. Time also has a way of growing secrets, making them harder to hide, making the truth more painful once it comes to light. And when these three finally reunite at their 30th college reunion, they are hoping to reconnect after years of failing to keep in touch. The secrets that come out threaten to tear them apart all over again, making this a touching story of friendship and forgiveness.
Summer of '69, by Elin Hilderbrand. The four Levin siblings have spent every summer of their childhood at their grandmother's house on Nantucket, but 1969 is the year that everything changed: Blair, 24, is married and pregnant, and her husband Angus has requested she stay home in Boston with him this summer. Anti-war activist Kirby has been arrested twice during demonstrations and chooses friends and a job on Martha's Vineyard over family time on Nantucket this year. Tiger has been deployed to Vietnam, sending letters home to Jessie, 13 and alone on Nantucket with Nonny this summer. Hilderbrand has an excellent touch both with the cultural upheaval of the time, but also with the complications of family relationships.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Reading Ahead: May 2019, part 3
Summer is not far off, no matter what the temperatures outside may be like. Just look at the books on the horizon!
The Rosie Result, by Graeme Simsion. This third installment in Simsion's extremely popular Don Tillman trilogy (after The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect) finds Don and Rosie up against a new challenge: their eleven-year-old son, Hudson, who is having issues at school. Don's very familiar with being socially awkward, and figures he's the best person to help Hudson learn to fit in better. Of course, that may not go quite as smoothly as Don might have planned...
Sunset Beach, by Mary Kay Andrews. Drue Campbell isn't doing so well, adrift without a job, but insult is added to injury when her estranged father reappears in her life after a twenty year absence. And that reappearance? Is at her mother's funeral. Oh, and he's now married to Drue's arch-nemesis from middle school, and they're offering her a job. Out of options, she begrudgingly takes the position, only to find herself unwittingly investigating a possible case of corruption in her father's law firm. Andrews is great for a fast page-turner that will make you laugh--perfect for an early summer read.
Queen Bee, by Dorothea Benton Frank. Frank is another author that readers automatically associate with summer books, and they won't be disappointed here. Beekeeper Holly lives a quiet life on Sullivan's Island, tending her hives and working at the library. Holly calls her demanding hypochondriac mother The Queen Bee--Holly's sister Leslie married and moved away just to be free of the family drama. But when Leslie's marriage implodes and she moves back to the island, Holly's quiet life is upended and chaos reigns on all sides. Will she ever find a way back to peace?
The Rosie Result, by Graeme Simsion. This third installment in Simsion's extremely popular Don Tillman trilogy (after The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect) finds Don and Rosie up against a new challenge: their eleven-year-old son, Hudson, who is having issues at school. Don's very familiar with being socially awkward, and figures he's the best person to help Hudson learn to fit in better. Of course, that may not go quite as smoothly as Don might have planned...
Sunset Beach, by Mary Kay Andrews. Drue Campbell isn't doing so well, adrift without a job, but insult is added to injury when her estranged father reappears in her life after a twenty year absence. And that reappearance? Is at her mother's funeral. Oh, and he's now married to Drue's arch-nemesis from middle school, and they're offering her a job. Out of options, she begrudgingly takes the position, only to find herself unwittingly investigating a possible case of corruption in her father's law firm. Andrews is great for a fast page-turner that will make you laugh--perfect for an early summer read.
Queen Bee, by Dorothea Benton Frank. Frank is another author that readers automatically associate with summer books, and they won't be disappointed here. Beekeeper Holly lives a quiet life on Sullivan's Island, tending her hives and working at the library. Holly calls her demanding hypochondriac mother The Queen Bee--Holly's sister Leslie married and moved away just to be free of the family drama. But when Leslie's marriage implodes and she moves back to the island, Holly's quiet life is upended and chaos reigns on all sides. Will she ever find a way back to peace?
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
What I've Been Reading: July 2018
I realize I say this every summer, but I love these long, light evenings, perfect for lounging with a good book. And I've been reading up a storm, in my usual array of different genres.
Calypso, by David Sedaris. Sedaris's new collection of cheerfully misanthropic essays, mostly autobiographical, was thoroughly entertaining. While slightly more maudlin and less raucously absurd than some of his previous work, his reflections on aging, middle age, and mortality are both wryly funny and thought provoking. Don't misunderstand me: I still laughed until my sides ached. But this collection is simply more reflective and thoughtful in some ways than his past work. I can never get enough. The audiobook, read by the author, is a stellar performance.
Only Human, by Sylvain Neuvel. Third in Neuvel's brilliant Themis Files series. As a child, Rose Franklin found a giant metal hand near her home in South Dakota. As an adult, she became a scientist who studied the hand and found the other pieces of the giant robot, assembling it and the team who would pilot Themis. She and her team used Themis to protect Earth from geopolitical conflict and an alien invasion. Now, returning to Earth after ten years on Themis's home planet, Rose finds her old alliances in shambles and the planet itself on the verge of collapse. Even as her oldest friends turn against one another, Rose must piece together the fragments of the Earth Defense Corps or all of her work will have been for nothing. This science fiction series reads more like psychological suspense, full of puzzles and twists--I love it.
Eleanor & Hick, by Susan Quinn. Having recently read Amy Bloom's fascinating latest novel, White Houses, about the relationship between AP reporter Lorena Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, of course I wanted to know more. Quinn's book briefly covers the vastly different childhoods of these two unlikely friends, and then moves on to their enduring relationship which spanned more than thirty years. These two fiercely compassionate women spurred each other on to right wrongs during their turbulent lifetimes, and held each other up through private hardships. Quinn's work was masterful, and I greatly enjoyed this in audiobook format.
Set This House in Order, by Matt Ruff. I revisited this old favorite, which I had read more than a decade ago. Andy Gage was born in 1965 and was murdered not long after by his stepfather. Only, it was Andy's soul which was murdered, and it shattered into over a hundred pieces, many of which became souls in their own rights. Now, together, these souls run Andy's body and struggle to coexist in his head. Andy's new coworker, Penny, is also a multiple, only not all of Penny's souls know that the others exist. It's only in helping Penny's souls to work together that the two discover a terrible secret that Andy has been hiding...from himself. Truly fascinating stuff.
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova. Genova, who writes about characters with neurological disorders (Left Neglected, Every Note Played, etc.), writes here about Harvard professor of cognitive psychology Alice Howland. She's esteemed in her field, has written a text book, is married to another Harvard professor and scientist. And then she starts to become increasingly forgetful, missing a conference where she was meant to be a speaker, losing track of her lectures during classes. When the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's turns her world upside down, Alice must choose how to make the best use of her time while she is still herself. A fast and compelling read which made for excellent discussion in my book club. This is also available in Large Print and audiobook. It has also been made into an award-winning film starring Julianne Moore.
The Uncoupling, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Interestings, The Female Persuasion) is adept at giving readers a fresh lens through which to look at different issues. When the new drama teacher at Stellar Plains High School chooses "Lysistrata" for the annual school play (the comedy by Aristophanes in which women stop having sex with men in order to stop a war), a strange effect falls over the community--the women lose interest in sex, for reasons they don't understand. Even more confused and upset are their husbands, boyfriends, and lovers. The result is that these couples must all reflect on their shared histories without sex in the picture, with a variety of outcomes. Unusual but enlightening. Also available as an audiobook.
Bring Me Back, by B.A. Paris. Finn and Layla, young and in love, are on vacation when Layla disappears. Authorities are alerted, and while Finn is the original suspect in her disappearance, he is eventually cleared. Layla never resurfaces. A decade later, Finn has started to finally move on. He's moved out of the cottage that he and Layla shared, though he cannot bring himself to sell it. He's engaged...to Layla's sister, Ellen. Then Finn get's a call from an old neighbor, a man who swears he's seen Layla near the old cottage. Long-lost items from Layla's past begin to appear out of nowhere. And then someone emails Finn...claiming to be Layla herself. An absolutely gripping novel from the author of Behind Closed Doors.
Also available in Large Print and audio.
Caged, by Ellison Cooper. This debut thriller had me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down. You can read my original review here.
The Supernatural Enhancements, by Edgar Cantero. Told in a series of letters, journal entries, and transcripts, Cantero's debut begins months after the last of the Wells sons jumped out of his bedroom window to his death. His heir, a long-distant cousin from across the Atlantic, arrives with his sidekick/bodyguard, Niamh, a young mute teen with a punk hairstyle. They're excited about their change of fortune, and the rumors that the mansion is haunted are just an added bonus. Until, that is, they start to dig into the house's mysterious past and find that ghosts are just the beginning. Ambitious and ultimately very rewarding. His sophomore novel, Meddling Kids, is still my favorite to date, though his new novel due out today, This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us, may change that--we'll see!
1Q84, by Haruki Murakami. It's 1984 in Tokyo and Aomame, following the advice of a taxi driver, begins to notice the puzzling anomalies in the world around her. She realizes that she has entered an alternate, parallel existence, one that she calls 1Q84, a world that bears a question. Meanwhile, aspiring writer Tengo takes on a ghostwriting project despite some deep misgivings. It is only as their two stories converge over the course of this single year that we learn just how deeply these two strangers are connected. Also available in audiobook.
Suicide Club, by Rachel Heng. Lea Kirino is a "Lifer". Her genetic makeup has given her the opportunity to live forever, if she does everything just right. Lea is an overachiever--she's risen steadily through the ranks as a trader for the New York exchange, where they now trade organs and upgrades instead of stocks. She has a beautiful apartment and a fiance who rivals her own genetic perfection. With the right balance of calibrated nutrition, low-impact conditioning and systematic upgrades, she just might live forever. Of course, the flip side of this is that she cannot die--death is not just taboo in this culture, but illegal. Then she finds she has a connection to the Suicide Club, a group of people who reject the societal drive for immortality. There lies the choice: live forever by the governmental regime, or go rogue and have a shorter life knowing the only family she has left. Heng's debut is catalogued as science fiction, but is more psychological, and philosophical, thriller than anything else. Totally engrossing and ultimately brilliant.
The Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang. Stella, at thirty, loves her work developing algorithms that predict customer purchases. For her, math is the one thing that unites everything in the world, and she revels in the logic of it. She has more money than she needs, and no social life. Definitely no boyfriend, despite her mother's repeated attempts to set Stella up with suitable bachelors--Stella's mother wants grandbabies, now. It might have something to do with Stella's seeing French kissing as akin to pilot fish cleaning a shark's teeth. She applies logic to her quandary and decides she needs lessons in relationships, from a profession. The escort she hires, Michael, agrees to go along and help her check off the boxes for the list she has compiled--he can't afford not to. And he realizes that Stella has Asperger's, which will make his approach that much more complicated. But when their partnership starts to make sense, can a real relationship follow? I have to say that this debut was one of the most surprisingly emotional novels I've read in some time. For what looks like it might be a bit of fluff, the author's deft hand with a variety of subject matters (Asperger's, cultural clashes, relationship pitfalls) and her beautifully drawn characters made this one of my favorite reads of late.
Calypso, by David Sedaris. Sedaris's new collection of cheerfully misanthropic essays, mostly autobiographical, was thoroughly entertaining. While slightly more maudlin and less raucously absurd than some of his previous work, his reflections on aging, middle age, and mortality are both wryly funny and thought provoking. Don't misunderstand me: I still laughed until my sides ached. But this collection is simply more reflective and thoughtful in some ways than his past work. I can never get enough. The audiobook, read by the author, is a stellar performance.
Only Human, by Sylvain Neuvel. Third in Neuvel's brilliant Themis Files series. As a child, Rose Franklin found a giant metal hand near her home in South Dakota. As an adult, she became a scientist who studied the hand and found the other pieces of the giant robot, assembling it and the team who would pilot Themis. She and her team used Themis to protect Earth from geopolitical conflict and an alien invasion. Now, returning to Earth after ten years on Themis's home planet, Rose finds her old alliances in shambles and the planet itself on the verge of collapse. Even as her oldest friends turn against one another, Rose must piece together the fragments of the Earth Defense Corps or all of her work will have been for nothing. This science fiction series reads more like psychological suspense, full of puzzles and twists--I love it.
Eleanor & Hick, by Susan Quinn. Having recently read Amy Bloom's fascinating latest novel, White Houses, about the relationship between AP reporter Lorena Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, of course I wanted to know more. Quinn's book briefly covers the vastly different childhoods of these two unlikely friends, and then moves on to their enduring relationship which spanned more than thirty years. These two fiercely compassionate women spurred each other on to right wrongs during their turbulent lifetimes, and held each other up through private hardships. Quinn's work was masterful, and I greatly enjoyed this in audiobook format.
Set This House in Order, by Matt Ruff. I revisited this old favorite, which I had read more than a decade ago. Andy Gage was born in 1965 and was murdered not long after by his stepfather. Only, it was Andy's soul which was murdered, and it shattered into over a hundred pieces, many of which became souls in their own rights. Now, together, these souls run Andy's body and struggle to coexist in his head. Andy's new coworker, Penny, is also a multiple, only not all of Penny's souls know that the others exist. It's only in helping Penny's souls to work together that the two discover a terrible secret that Andy has been hiding...from himself. Truly fascinating stuff.
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova. Genova, who writes about characters with neurological disorders (Left Neglected, Every Note Played, etc.), writes here about Harvard professor of cognitive psychology Alice Howland. She's esteemed in her field, has written a text book, is married to another Harvard professor and scientist. And then she starts to become increasingly forgetful, missing a conference where she was meant to be a speaker, losing track of her lectures during classes. When the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's turns her world upside down, Alice must choose how to make the best use of her time while she is still herself. A fast and compelling read which made for excellent discussion in my book club. This is also available in Large Print and audiobook. It has also been made into an award-winning film starring Julianne Moore.
The Uncoupling, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Interestings, The Female Persuasion) is adept at giving readers a fresh lens through which to look at different issues. When the new drama teacher at Stellar Plains High School chooses "Lysistrata" for the annual school play (the comedy by Aristophanes in which women stop having sex with men in order to stop a war), a strange effect falls over the community--the women lose interest in sex, for reasons they don't understand. Even more confused and upset are their husbands, boyfriends, and lovers. The result is that these couples must all reflect on their shared histories without sex in the picture, with a variety of outcomes. Unusual but enlightening. Also available as an audiobook.
Bring Me Back, by B.A. Paris. Finn and Layla, young and in love, are on vacation when Layla disappears. Authorities are alerted, and while Finn is the original suspect in her disappearance, he is eventually cleared. Layla never resurfaces. A decade later, Finn has started to finally move on. He's moved out of the cottage that he and Layla shared, though he cannot bring himself to sell it. He's engaged...to Layla's sister, Ellen. Then Finn get's a call from an old neighbor, a man who swears he's seen Layla near the old cottage. Long-lost items from Layla's past begin to appear out of nowhere. And then someone emails Finn...claiming to be Layla herself. An absolutely gripping novel from the author of Behind Closed Doors.
Also available in Large Print and audio.
Caged, by Ellison Cooper. This debut thriller had me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down. You can read my original review here.
The Supernatural Enhancements, by Edgar Cantero. Told in a series of letters, journal entries, and transcripts, Cantero's debut begins months after the last of the Wells sons jumped out of his bedroom window to his death. His heir, a long-distant cousin from across the Atlantic, arrives with his sidekick/bodyguard, Niamh, a young mute teen with a punk hairstyle. They're excited about their change of fortune, and the rumors that the mansion is haunted are just an added bonus. Until, that is, they start to dig into the house's mysterious past and find that ghosts are just the beginning. Ambitious and ultimately very rewarding. His sophomore novel, Meddling Kids, is still my favorite to date, though his new novel due out today, This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us, may change that--we'll see!
1Q84, by Haruki Murakami. It's 1984 in Tokyo and Aomame, following the advice of a taxi driver, begins to notice the puzzling anomalies in the world around her. She realizes that she has entered an alternate, parallel existence, one that she calls 1Q84, a world that bears a question. Meanwhile, aspiring writer Tengo takes on a ghostwriting project despite some deep misgivings. It is only as their two stories converge over the course of this single year that we learn just how deeply these two strangers are connected. Also available in audiobook.
Suicide Club, by Rachel Heng. Lea Kirino is a "Lifer". Her genetic makeup has given her the opportunity to live forever, if she does everything just right. Lea is an overachiever--she's risen steadily through the ranks as a trader for the New York exchange, where they now trade organs and upgrades instead of stocks. She has a beautiful apartment and a fiance who rivals her own genetic perfection. With the right balance of calibrated nutrition, low-impact conditioning and systematic upgrades, she just might live forever. Of course, the flip side of this is that she cannot die--death is not just taboo in this culture, but illegal. Then she finds she has a connection to the Suicide Club, a group of people who reject the societal drive for immortality. There lies the choice: live forever by the governmental regime, or go rogue and have a shorter life knowing the only family she has left. Heng's debut is catalogued as science fiction, but is more psychological, and philosophical, thriller than anything else. Totally engrossing and ultimately brilliant.
The Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang. Stella, at thirty, loves her work developing algorithms that predict customer purchases. For her, math is the one thing that unites everything in the world, and she revels in the logic of it. She has more money than she needs, and no social life. Definitely no boyfriend, despite her mother's repeated attempts to set Stella up with suitable bachelors--Stella's mother wants grandbabies, now. It might have something to do with Stella's seeing French kissing as akin to pilot fish cleaning a shark's teeth. She applies logic to her quandary and decides she needs lessons in relationships, from a profession. The escort she hires, Michael, agrees to go along and help her check off the boxes for the list she has compiled--he can't afford not to. And he realizes that Stella has Asperger's, which will make his approach that much more complicated. But when their partnership starts to make sense, can a real relationship follow? I have to say that this debut was one of the most surprisingly emotional novels I've read in some time. For what looks like it might be a bit of fluff, the author's deft hand with a variety of subject matters (Asperger's, cultural clashes, relationship pitfalls) and her beautifully drawn characters made this one of my favorite reads of late.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Meg's Picks: August 2018, part 2
Love a good suspense novel that has a character's plot come back to haunt them? Here are two excellent choices being published in just a few short weeks!
The Drama Teacher, by Koren Zailckas. It's 2008 and Gracie (or whatever other alias she chooses to use) is struggling to maintain her middle-class lifestyle while her husband hunts for a new job out of town. Gracie, you see, was raised to survive by lying, stealing and grifting. So when times are tough for her and her two kids, and her husband is mostly absent, old instincts kick in. In short order, she ingratiates herself to a wealthy woman, fakes her teaching credentials, and gets herself hired as a drama teacher at a prep school, gaining entry for her kids in the process. But even the longest con has to end sometime, and when Gracie's past begins to haunt her new life, the result will be gloriously messy. This should make for excellent poolside reading.
Sweet Little Lies, by Caz Frear. Detective Cat Kinsella is investigating the murder of a housewife, but the case links to her past in ways she couldn't imagine. Eighteen years ago, Cat's family became friendly with a girl named Maryanne while on holiday, and when Maryanne disappeared, Cat's father lied to the investigators. Could her estranged father, who owns a nearby pub, be involved in this case as well? Big buzz for fans of Tana French and Clare Mackintosh.
The Drama Teacher, by Koren Zailckas. It's 2008 and Gracie (or whatever other alias she chooses to use) is struggling to maintain her middle-class lifestyle while her husband hunts for a new job out of town. Gracie, you see, was raised to survive by lying, stealing and grifting. So when times are tough for her and her two kids, and her husband is mostly absent, old instincts kick in. In short order, she ingratiates herself to a wealthy woman, fakes her teaching credentials, and gets herself hired as a drama teacher at a prep school, gaining entry for her kids in the process. But even the longest con has to end sometime, and when Gracie's past begins to haunt her new life, the result will be gloriously messy. This should make for excellent poolside reading.
Sweet Little Lies, by Caz Frear. Detective Cat Kinsella is investigating the murder of a housewife, but the case links to her past in ways she couldn't imagine. Eighteen years ago, Cat's family became friendly with a girl named Maryanne while on holiday, and when Maryanne disappeared, Cat's father lied to the investigators. Could her estranged father, who owns a nearby pub, be involved in this case as well? Big buzz for fans of Tana French and Clare Mackintosh.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
What I've Been Reading: June 2018
Sometimes I'm lucky enough to get a really good run of fast, compelling reads that I whip through each of them in just a few days. It's rare that I get an entire month full of just such books, but when it does? Well, then I get what follows.
A Summer in Sonoma, by Robyn Carr. Originally published in 2010 and re-released this summer, this tale of four friends who help each other through crises is classic Carr. Cassie has terrible taste in men, until she becomes friends with a guy who helped he when she was in trouble. Too bad he's completely unsuitable... Beth, a doctor whose body is betraying her for a second time, is trying to go it alone. Good friends don't let that sort of thing happen, though. Marty's husband is taking her for granted, and Marty has reached her breaking point. And Julie, married and a mother just out of high school, is struggling to keep her family together. Friends are always there to help one another through...at least when Robyn Carr is writing, anyway. Excellent easy beach reading.
Close Enough to Touch, by Colleen Oakley. After ten years in solitude, tragedy finally forces Jubilee Jenkins out her front door and into the world. She's not an ordinary librarian. She's a woman with an extremely rare allergy--the touch of another human could kill her. Eric Keegan has troubles of his own. He's left behind his ex-wife and daughter while he takes a temporary work assignment hours away, but he's trying to raise his adopted son, the child of his deceased best friend. Endearing and heartfelt, this tale of two people who want what's just out of reach is a compelling read. Highly recommended, especially for fans of JoJo Moyes and Liane Moriarty.
The Female Persuasion, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Uncoupling, The Interestings, etc.) is a favorite of mine, so when I got my copy of her latest novel, I couldn't stop myself from reading it in the span of two days. Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation when she meets feminist icon Faith Frank after a presentation at her university. This chance encounter draws Greer into a life she'd never dared imagine for herself, and further from her high school boyfriend, Cory, whose own life has derailed due to family tragedy. With overarching themes of honesty, loyalty, and admiration, this was a powerful, character-driven story. Excellent. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
White Houses, by Amy Bloom. Bloom (Lucky Us, Away, etc.) is one of my favorite writers--her style is spare, the books seeming deceptively short, but each word is so artfully chosen that a reader is immersed with just a few short phrases. Here, she explores the openly secret relationship between prominent female reporter Lorena "Hick" Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. After taking a job with the administration and moving into the White House, Hick is not only close to Eleanor, but she also develops an admiring understanding with Franklin, whose own lovers are also an open secret. Fascinating, beautiful, and told with a deft hand. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Favorite Sister, by Jessica Knoll. Knoll's 2016 debut, Luckiest Girl Alive, was a staff favorite here at the library, so we've been eager to see how her sophomore effort holds up. The good news? It's just as scathing and savagely funny as her first. The cast and crew of reality TV show Goal Diggers are gearing up for a fifth season, and while some of their onscreen alliances are scripted, they're even more cut-throat in their personal lives. Every one of them has secrets, and some are worth dying...or killing...to keep. Fan favorite Brett is perfectly at ease on camera, but her personal life is a disaster that's getting worse on the daily. Her sister and business partner Kelly, a single mom, is hopeful she'll get cast in the new season and finally move out of her sister's shadow. Stephanie, the veteran, had a bestselling debut novel, but her second and third have been lackluster, and she's desperate for her memoir to hit big to reestablish her relevance and her brand. But is that going to be her downfall? Bold, wry, and witty, this is a tale that highlights just what it takes, and what it can cost, to be successful. Also available in Audio.
The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner. Kushner's gritty latest finds Romy Hall in 2003, serving two consecutive life sentences in Stanville Women's Correctional Facility deep in California's Central Valley. She's been severed from the outside world, from the San Francisco of her youth and from her young son, Jackson. Inside, there is a new world to learn and navigate, that of hustling to survive, the absurdities of institutional living, and casual violence. While not for the faint of heart, this is a novel full of brilliantly diverse stories interwoven into a mesmerizing tale. Also available in Audio.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara. The Golden State Killer was an elusive rapist turned murderer who terrorized California in the late 1970s and early 1980s before, it seems, going dormant, leaving over fifty unsolved cases and ten dead in his wake. Thirty years later, true crime journalist Michelle McNamara, creator of TrueCrimeDiary.com, pored over police reports and interviewed victims and neighbors, determined to identify the unknown perpetrator. This is her work, culled in parts from her notes, unfinished at the time of her untimely death. Note: this helped reignite interest in these cases, and the GSK was caught in April 2018. Compulsively readable and fascinating. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor Oliphant has a flat and a job. She struggles with appropriate social interactions and her weeks are governed by a schedule that includes weekly phone calls with her mother and weekends dulled by vodka. It's only when she meets new coworker Raymond, and they together help Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, that Eleanor's careful routines begin to change. It's only as each of these lonely souls open up to one another that Eleanor finally begins to work out that she's only been existing, and that connecting with others is part of really living. Funny and thoughtful and absolutely perfect--I highly recommend it, and the audiobook is particularly exceptional. Oh, and this has been optioned for film with Reese Witherspoon attached to produce, so expect Eleanor Oliphant to be a household name in the future. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center. For those who love heartfelt novels about overcoming obstacles, like Me Before You, Center's new novel is an absolute must-read. I can't tell you the last time I so much wanted to see a character come out on top after adversity. Margaret Jacobsen is on the cusp of all of her happily-ever-afters. She's got her dream job lined up. She's getting engaged. Then in an instant, Margaret must learn to start over. Nothing can ever be the same, but as the old falls away, new relationships are built. Old hurts can be healed, but some things must be let go before we can move on. I loved this book and these characters and I recommend it very, very highly.
Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts. In the span of eight minutes, the normal evening at the Down East Mall in Portland, Maine is shattered. That's how long it takes from the first shot fired to the last of three rampaging teen shooters to be taken down. The survivors, in their grief and shock, do their best to cope in the aftermath. For the young waiter on break, it is the impetus to enroll in the police academy. For the first person to call 9-1-1, it becomes a wellspring of creative inspiration as she uses art to work through her grief. But for one individual, the evening was unfinished. For the mastermind behind the three shooters, the survivors are simply new targets. And those who remain must work to stop it before they're in the cross-hairs. A little different for Roberts, but excellent reading. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Outsider, by Stephen King. King, who has shifted in recent outings to more suspense with a supernatural twist (what I'm saying here is, if you think his work is too scary for you, try the new stuff), brings readers a new fight between good and evil. When a crime is committed in a small community, people are shocked and appalled. When the apparent perpetrator turns out to be well-loved teacher and Little League coach Terry Maitland, there is outrage and fury. Before his day in court can happen, however, Maitland is killed--but the investigation has only just begun. Because there's no way Maitland could have done it, not only because it was so uncharacteristic, but because he was in a different part of the state, on television, with witnesses, at the time the crime was committed. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't let the page-length put you off, because this is a fast, gripping read. Just a helpful hint from your friendly librarian, though--if you haven't read King's recent Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch), you might want to read that first, as one of the key characters in said trilogy makes an important appearance in The Outsider.
Waking Gods, by Sylvain Neuvel. Second in Neuvel's spellbindingly unique Themis Files, following his debut, Sleeping Giants (2016). As a girl, Rose Franklin accidentally discovered a giant metal hand buried in the earth. As an adult, she has devoted her life to the study of the hand, and of the other pieces that fit together with it. Why was this giant robot disassembled, the pieces scattered across the planet? With every answer comes more questions. The situation grows dire when a second robot appears on Earth, only to attack. Then, more robots, each appearing in highly populated areas. If their intent is malicious, can they be stopped? No sophomore slump here, this is both action-packed suspense and thought-provoking philosophy wrapped up in an incredibly fast read. I'd recommend this for fans of Andy Weir's The Martian or Ernest Cline's Ready Player One.
Have a safe and happy 4th!
A Summer in Sonoma, by Robyn Carr. Originally published in 2010 and re-released this summer, this tale of four friends who help each other through crises is classic Carr. Cassie has terrible taste in men, until she becomes friends with a guy who helped he when she was in trouble. Too bad he's completely unsuitable... Beth, a doctor whose body is betraying her for a second time, is trying to go it alone. Good friends don't let that sort of thing happen, though. Marty's husband is taking her for granted, and Marty has reached her breaking point. And Julie, married and a mother just out of high school, is struggling to keep her family together. Friends are always there to help one another through...at least when Robyn Carr is writing, anyway. Excellent easy beach reading.
Close Enough to Touch, by Colleen Oakley. After ten years in solitude, tragedy finally forces Jubilee Jenkins out her front door and into the world. She's not an ordinary librarian. She's a woman with an extremely rare allergy--the touch of another human could kill her. Eric Keegan has troubles of his own. He's left behind his ex-wife and daughter while he takes a temporary work assignment hours away, but he's trying to raise his adopted son, the child of his deceased best friend. Endearing and heartfelt, this tale of two people who want what's just out of reach is a compelling read. Highly recommended, especially for fans of JoJo Moyes and Liane Moriarty.
The Female Persuasion, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Uncoupling, The Interestings, etc.) is a favorite of mine, so when I got my copy of her latest novel, I couldn't stop myself from reading it in the span of two days. Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation when she meets feminist icon Faith Frank after a presentation at her university. This chance encounter draws Greer into a life she'd never dared imagine for herself, and further from her high school boyfriend, Cory, whose own life has derailed due to family tragedy. With overarching themes of honesty, loyalty, and admiration, this was a powerful, character-driven story. Excellent. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
White Houses, by Amy Bloom. Bloom (Lucky Us, Away, etc.) is one of my favorite writers--her style is spare, the books seeming deceptively short, but each word is so artfully chosen that a reader is immersed with just a few short phrases. Here, she explores the openly secret relationship between prominent female reporter Lorena "Hick" Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. After taking a job with the administration and moving into the White House, Hick is not only close to Eleanor, but she also develops an admiring understanding with Franklin, whose own lovers are also an open secret. Fascinating, beautiful, and told with a deft hand. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Favorite Sister, by Jessica Knoll. Knoll's 2016 debut, Luckiest Girl Alive, was a staff favorite here at the library, so we've been eager to see how her sophomore effort holds up. The good news? It's just as scathing and savagely funny as her first. The cast and crew of reality TV show Goal Diggers are gearing up for a fifth season, and while some of their onscreen alliances are scripted, they're even more cut-throat in their personal lives. Every one of them has secrets, and some are worth dying...or killing...to keep. Fan favorite Brett is perfectly at ease on camera, but her personal life is a disaster that's getting worse on the daily. Her sister and business partner Kelly, a single mom, is hopeful she'll get cast in the new season and finally move out of her sister's shadow. Stephanie, the veteran, had a bestselling debut novel, but her second and third have been lackluster, and she's desperate for her memoir to hit big to reestablish her relevance and her brand. But is that going to be her downfall? Bold, wry, and witty, this is a tale that highlights just what it takes, and what it can cost, to be successful. Also available in Audio.
The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner. Kushner's gritty latest finds Romy Hall in 2003, serving two consecutive life sentences in Stanville Women's Correctional Facility deep in California's Central Valley. She's been severed from the outside world, from the San Francisco of her youth and from her young son, Jackson. Inside, there is a new world to learn and navigate, that of hustling to survive, the absurdities of institutional living, and casual violence. While not for the faint of heart, this is a novel full of brilliantly diverse stories interwoven into a mesmerizing tale. Also available in Audio.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara. The Golden State Killer was an elusive rapist turned murderer who terrorized California in the late 1970s and early 1980s before, it seems, going dormant, leaving over fifty unsolved cases and ten dead in his wake. Thirty years later, true crime journalist Michelle McNamara, creator of TrueCrimeDiary.com, pored over police reports and interviewed victims and neighbors, determined to identify the unknown perpetrator. This is her work, culled in parts from her notes, unfinished at the time of her untimely death. Note: this helped reignite interest in these cases, and the GSK was caught in April 2018. Compulsively readable and fascinating. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor Oliphant has a flat and a job. She struggles with appropriate social interactions and her weeks are governed by a schedule that includes weekly phone calls with her mother and weekends dulled by vodka. It's only when she meets new coworker Raymond, and they together help Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, that Eleanor's careful routines begin to change. It's only as each of these lonely souls open up to one another that Eleanor finally begins to work out that she's only been existing, and that connecting with others is part of really living. Funny and thoughtful and absolutely perfect--I highly recommend it, and the audiobook is particularly exceptional. Oh, and this has been optioned for film with Reese Witherspoon attached to produce, so expect Eleanor Oliphant to be a household name in the future. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center. For those who love heartfelt novels about overcoming obstacles, like Me Before You, Center's new novel is an absolute must-read. I can't tell you the last time I so much wanted to see a character come out on top after adversity. Margaret Jacobsen is on the cusp of all of her happily-ever-afters. She's got her dream job lined up. She's getting engaged. Then in an instant, Margaret must learn to start over. Nothing can ever be the same, but as the old falls away, new relationships are built. Old hurts can be healed, but some things must be let go before we can move on. I loved this book and these characters and I recommend it very, very highly.
Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts. In the span of eight minutes, the normal evening at the Down East Mall in Portland, Maine is shattered. That's how long it takes from the first shot fired to the last of three rampaging teen shooters to be taken down. The survivors, in their grief and shock, do their best to cope in the aftermath. For the young waiter on break, it is the impetus to enroll in the police academy. For the first person to call 9-1-1, it becomes a wellspring of creative inspiration as she uses art to work through her grief. But for one individual, the evening was unfinished. For the mastermind behind the three shooters, the survivors are simply new targets. And those who remain must work to stop it before they're in the cross-hairs. A little different for Roberts, but excellent reading. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Outsider, by Stephen King. King, who has shifted in recent outings to more suspense with a supernatural twist (what I'm saying here is, if you think his work is too scary for you, try the new stuff), brings readers a new fight between good and evil. When a crime is committed in a small community, people are shocked and appalled. When the apparent perpetrator turns out to be well-loved teacher and Little League coach Terry Maitland, there is outrage and fury. Before his day in court can happen, however, Maitland is killed--but the investigation has only just begun. Because there's no way Maitland could have done it, not only because it was so uncharacteristic, but because he was in a different part of the state, on television, with witnesses, at the time the crime was committed. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't let the page-length put you off, because this is a fast, gripping read. Just a helpful hint from your friendly librarian, though--if you haven't read King's recent Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch), you might want to read that first, as one of the key characters in said trilogy makes an important appearance in The Outsider.
Waking Gods, by Sylvain Neuvel. Second in Neuvel's spellbindingly unique Themis Files, following his debut, Sleeping Giants (2016). As a girl, Rose Franklin accidentally discovered a giant metal hand buried in the earth. As an adult, she has devoted her life to the study of the hand, and of the other pieces that fit together with it. Why was this giant robot disassembled, the pieces scattered across the planet? With every answer comes more questions. The situation grows dire when a second robot appears on Earth, only to attack. Then, more robots, each appearing in highly populated areas. If their intent is malicious, can they be stopped? No sophomore slump here, this is both action-packed suspense and thought-provoking philosophy wrapped up in an incredibly fast read. I'd recommend this for fans of Andy Weir's The Martian or Ernest Cline's Ready Player One.
Have a safe and happy 4th!
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Meg's Picks: July 2018, part 3
It's that time again! School's out, summer reading is in and books are flying off the shelves here at the Trumbull Library. We have summer reading programs for adults and for kids, so stop on in to sign up! And of course we have some excellent displays full of titles perfect for a lazy summer afternoon or toting with you on vacation. Just remember, books and liquids are not friends!
Dear Mrs. Bird, by A.J. Pearce. In 1940s London, Emmeline Lake is doing her bit for the war effort by volunteering as a telephone operator for the Auxiliary Fire Services, but she dreams of being a war correspondent. When she sees a job advertisement for the London Evening Chronicle, Emmeline believes her time has come. The job, however, turns out to be as a typist for the paper's advice columnist, Henrietta Bird. Undeterred, Emmeline vows to work hard, even as the exacting Mrs. Bird requires any letters containing "unpleasantness" be immediately discarded, unanswered. Unable to resist the pleas of women desperate for help, those unwilling to evacuate their children or who find themselves discarded by their men going off to war, Emmeline begins to answer these letters in secret. A novel by turns funny and touching about the strength of ordinary people in extraordinary times, this is perfect for fans of moving novels about World War II, like Lilac Girls or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
The Garden Party, by Grace Dane Mazur. The garden party is the rehearsal dinner where two very different families will meet for the first time. Adam Cohen, a poet from a very eccentric, scholarly family is marrying Eliza Barlow, the daughter of stuffy, proper Boston lawyers. The story takes place over the course of a day, with romance in the air and an extended cast that ensures hilarity and mishap at every turn. The event itself this lovely summer evening, of course, does not go according to plan, either. Elegant prose and deft storytelling make this an enchanting summer read.
Dear Mrs. Bird, by A.J. Pearce. In 1940s London, Emmeline Lake is doing her bit for the war effort by volunteering as a telephone operator for the Auxiliary Fire Services, but she dreams of being a war correspondent. When she sees a job advertisement for the London Evening Chronicle, Emmeline believes her time has come. The job, however, turns out to be as a typist for the paper's advice columnist, Henrietta Bird. Undeterred, Emmeline vows to work hard, even as the exacting Mrs. Bird requires any letters containing "unpleasantness" be immediately discarded, unanswered. Unable to resist the pleas of women desperate for help, those unwilling to evacuate their children or who find themselves discarded by their men going off to war, Emmeline begins to answer these letters in secret. A novel by turns funny and touching about the strength of ordinary people in extraordinary times, this is perfect for fans of moving novels about World War II, like Lilac Girls or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
The Garden Party, by Grace Dane Mazur. The garden party is the rehearsal dinner where two very different families will meet for the first time. Adam Cohen, a poet from a very eccentric, scholarly family is marrying Eliza Barlow, the daughter of stuffy, proper Boston lawyers. The story takes place over the course of a day, with romance in the air and an extended cast that ensures hilarity and mishap at every turn. The event itself this lovely summer evening, of course, does not go according to plan, either. Elegant prose and deft storytelling make this an enchanting summer read.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Meg's Picks: July 2018, part 1
Anyone can read what's on the bestseller's list. But what about those breakout novels that no one saw coming? What about about the sleeper hits, or the genre novels, or the in-house favorites that your local librarian is raving about? These? These are some of those. Curious why they're on my radar and should be on yours? Read on!
All Your Perfects, by Colleen Hoover. Hoover is the bestselling author of It Ends With Us, and her new novel is the story of a troubled marriage...and the one long-forgotten promise that might be able to save it. Quinn and Graham are perfectly in love, but that is threatened by their most imperfect marriage. The memories and mistakes and secrets that have accumulated over the years are slowly tearing them apart. Is it possible to repair that which seems irreparable between two flawed people? If you like losing yourself in a character-driven story, this really should be on your list this summer. It is already on mine!
The Disappearing, by Lori Roy. Roy, who won an Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 2012 for Bent Road (the library's copy is being replaced!) returns to readers here with the tale of a small Southern town where the girls disappear and the boys run away. Lane Fielding fled her tiny Florida hometown after high school, setting out for NYC and vowing never to return home. Twenty years later, she's newly divorced with two teenage daughters and she's living with her parents, tending bar in the local dive. Home is just as unwelcoming as when she left, however, and when her older daughter suddenly vanishes, Lane's uneasy truce with the town is shattered. Has a long-dormant serial killer resurfaced to terrorize the town once more? Lane must dig deep within the past--her own as well as those of the town and her family--to find the answer and to save her daughter. If your ideal summer read is a page-turner guaranteed to send chills down your spine, you'd be wise to place your hold now.
All These Beautiful Strangers, by Elizabeth Klehfoth. Lies, deception and a secret society drive this addictive new psychological thriller. One summer day, Grace Fairchild, young wife of a local real estate mogul, vanishes from the family's vacation house, leaving behind her seven year old daughter Charlie...and a slew of unanswered questions. Ten years later, Charlie is still struggling in the shadow of her mother's disappearance and is trying to leave her past behind. She throws herself into her schoolwork, but finds herself tapped by the "As", the school's secret society. As a result, she's embroiled in a semester-long high-stakes scavenger hunt to prove she's worthy of membership, but a dark past and a dark present converge in such a way that Charlie may not survive to graduate. Juicy and clever, this may be one of the summer's biggest reads.
All Your Perfects, by Colleen Hoover. Hoover is the bestselling author of It Ends With Us, and her new novel is the story of a troubled marriage...and the one long-forgotten promise that might be able to save it. Quinn and Graham are perfectly in love, but that is threatened by their most imperfect marriage. The memories and mistakes and secrets that have accumulated over the years are slowly tearing them apart. Is it possible to repair that which seems irreparable between two flawed people? If you like losing yourself in a character-driven story, this really should be on your list this summer. It is already on mine!
The Disappearing, by Lori Roy. Roy, who won an Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 2012 for Bent Road (the library's copy is being replaced!) returns to readers here with the tale of a small Southern town where the girls disappear and the boys run away. Lane Fielding fled her tiny Florida hometown after high school, setting out for NYC and vowing never to return home. Twenty years later, she's newly divorced with two teenage daughters and she's living with her parents, tending bar in the local dive. Home is just as unwelcoming as when she left, however, and when her older daughter suddenly vanishes, Lane's uneasy truce with the town is shattered. Has a long-dormant serial killer resurfaced to terrorize the town once more? Lane must dig deep within the past--her own as well as those of the town and her family--to find the answer and to save her daughter. If your ideal summer read is a page-turner guaranteed to send chills down your spine, you'd be wise to place your hold now.
All These Beautiful Strangers, by Elizabeth Klehfoth. Lies, deception and a secret society drive this addictive new psychological thriller. One summer day, Grace Fairchild, young wife of a local real estate mogul, vanishes from the family's vacation house, leaving behind her seven year old daughter Charlie...and a slew of unanswered questions. Ten years later, Charlie is still struggling in the shadow of her mother's disappearance and is trying to leave her past behind. She throws herself into her schoolwork, but finds herself tapped by the "As", the school's secret society. As a result, she's embroiled in a semester-long high-stakes scavenger hunt to prove she's worthy of membership, but a dark past and a dark present converge in such a way that Charlie may not survive to graduate. Juicy and clever, this may be one of the summer's biggest reads.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Reading Ahead: July 2018, part 3
One of the best parts of summer, for me, is the opportunity to take one of those long, lazy afternoons and lose myself in a book. If you're looking for a story to lose yourself in this summer, try one of the following, due out next month.
Clock Dance, by Anne Tyler. In a novel of defining moments and transformation, Tyler (Ladder of Years, etc.) introduces readers to Willa Drake, whose life is captured in snapshots of pivotal moments: the disappearance of her mother, a newlywed, a young widow. What happens next is completely out of character, a leap of faith that takes her across the country to care for a family she's never met, surrounded by neighbors that look out for one another, impulse leading to solace. Tyler is a favorite for a reason. Also available in Large Print.
The Summer Wives, by Beatriz Williams. In 1951, Miranda is still a schoolgirl still mourning the loss of her father in WWII. When her mother marries Hugh Fisher, Miranda is suddenly thrust into a life of the moneyed elite, arriving unprepared at the Fisher summer home on Winthrop Island. World-weary new stepsister Isobel is eager to introduce Miranda into the arcane customs of the summer families on Winthrop, but Miranda is uneasy, preferring the company of Joseph Vargas, whose father is the island's lighthouse keeper. As the summer winds to a close, though, Miranda is caught up in a catastrophe that changes the island's cherished tranquility forever. When she returns to the island eighteen years later, everything is the same on the surface. What lurks beneath, though, are secrets that Miranda means to reveal, no matter the cost.
A Question of Trust, by Penny Vincenzi. 1950s London. Tom is a man on the rise, charismatic, bent on political reform. His wife, a former nurse, shares his vision. Then a woman from his past resurfaces--Diana seems to be everything he means to change in the world, but there's still a certain allure. The affair between them could destroy them both, and when Tom's child becomes ill, he will have to make choices that put his marriage and his political career in serious jeopardy. Classic Vincenzi.
The Quiet Side of Passion, by Alexander McCall-Smith. The day-care gate is often a good place for parents to meet one another. So it is that Isabel, mother of two, meets Patricia, a single mother and musician. Patricia takes to Isabelle, but Isabel is wary, trying to be civil and supportive while keeping Patricia at arm's length. When she sees Patricia with a man, she is convinced that it is the biological father of Patricia's son, and her determination to get to the bottom of things turns everything on its head. What happens when you find you've misjudged all of the people in your life? Isabel is about to find out.
Clock Dance, by Anne Tyler. In a novel of defining moments and transformation, Tyler (Ladder of Years, etc.) introduces readers to Willa Drake, whose life is captured in snapshots of pivotal moments: the disappearance of her mother, a newlywed, a young widow. What happens next is completely out of character, a leap of faith that takes her across the country to care for a family she's never met, surrounded by neighbors that look out for one another, impulse leading to solace. Tyler is a favorite for a reason. Also available in Large Print.
The Summer Wives, by Beatriz Williams. In 1951, Miranda is still a schoolgirl still mourning the loss of her father in WWII. When her mother marries Hugh Fisher, Miranda is suddenly thrust into a life of the moneyed elite, arriving unprepared at the Fisher summer home on Winthrop Island. World-weary new stepsister Isobel is eager to introduce Miranda into the arcane customs of the summer families on Winthrop, but Miranda is uneasy, preferring the company of Joseph Vargas, whose father is the island's lighthouse keeper. As the summer winds to a close, though, Miranda is caught up in a catastrophe that changes the island's cherished tranquility forever. When she returns to the island eighteen years later, everything is the same on the surface. What lurks beneath, though, are secrets that Miranda means to reveal, no matter the cost.
A Question of Trust, by Penny Vincenzi. 1950s London. Tom is a man on the rise, charismatic, bent on political reform. His wife, a former nurse, shares his vision. Then a woman from his past resurfaces--Diana seems to be everything he means to change in the world, but there's still a certain allure. The affair between them could destroy them both, and when Tom's child becomes ill, he will have to make choices that put his marriage and his political career in serious jeopardy. Classic Vincenzi.
The Quiet Side of Passion, by Alexander McCall-Smith. The day-care gate is often a good place for parents to meet one another. So it is that Isabel, mother of two, meets Patricia, a single mother and musician. Patricia takes to Isabelle, but Isabel is wary, trying to be civil and supportive while keeping Patricia at arm's length. When she sees Patricia with a man, she is convinced that it is the biological father of Patricia's son, and her determination to get to the bottom of things turns everything on its head. What happens when you find you've misjudged all of the people in your life? Isabel is about to find out.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Reading Ahead: July 2018, part 1
As usual, July is absolutely chock-full of excellent options for every flavor of summer read you can imagine. Here are a few to get the ball rolling...
The Other Woman, by Daniel Silva. Silva's protagonist, fan-favorite art restorer and occasional Israeli secret agent Gabriel Allon is back to unravel a new conspiracy. Lured into the hunt for a traitor after his contact deep within the Russian intelligence network is brutally assassinated while trying to defect, Gabriel will work his way to the truth, back through time, to the greatest act of treason in the twentieth century. Silva's work is hugely popular, and if you're a reader in search of lightning-fast reads full of intrigue, this is for you.
A Gathering of Secrets, by Linda Castillo. Tenth in Castillo's popular Kate Burkholder suspense series (following 2017's Down a Dark Road) follows Chief of Police Burkholder and her small force as they work a case of deadly arson--an Amish barn was burned to the ground...with Daniel Gingerich inside. It wasn't an accident, and Daniel wasn't the sweet guy he appeared to be, either. When his death is ruled a murder, the list of possible suspects begins to grow exponentially.
Rescued, by David Rosenfelt. Sardonic defense lawyer Andy Carpenter and dog-rescuer would rather spend time working for the Tara Foundation, his dog rescue, and helping a truck-load of dogs find their forever homes instead of stepping back into the courtroom again. He's more reluctant still when the man accused of murdering the truck's driver needs Andy to defend him--the man is Andy's wife's ex-fiance. Twisted from the word go, this case may be Andy's hardest yet.
Paradox, by Catherine Coulter. Coulter's 22nd FBI thriller (after 2017's Enigma) finds Chief Ty Christie of Willicott, Maryland out on her porch one morning, overlooking the lake, only to find herself witness to a murder. When the lake is dragged, not only is the victim's body found, but also dozens of skeletons. Working with FBI couple Savich and Sherlock, Christie discovers a chilling connection between the bones and an escaped psychopath. If your ideal summer read is one to send shivers down your spine, add this to your list.
The Other Woman, by Daniel Silva. Silva's protagonist, fan-favorite art restorer and occasional Israeli secret agent Gabriel Allon is back to unravel a new conspiracy. Lured into the hunt for a traitor after his contact deep within the Russian intelligence network is brutally assassinated while trying to defect, Gabriel will work his way to the truth, back through time, to the greatest act of treason in the twentieth century. Silva's work is hugely popular, and if you're a reader in search of lightning-fast reads full of intrigue, this is for you.
A Gathering of Secrets, by Linda Castillo. Tenth in Castillo's popular Kate Burkholder suspense series (following 2017's Down a Dark Road) follows Chief of Police Burkholder and her small force as they work a case of deadly arson--an Amish barn was burned to the ground...with Daniel Gingerich inside. It wasn't an accident, and Daniel wasn't the sweet guy he appeared to be, either. When his death is ruled a murder, the list of possible suspects begins to grow exponentially.
Rescued, by David Rosenfelt. Sardonic defense lawyer Andy Carpenter and dog-rescuer would rather spend time working for the Tara Foundation, his dog rescue, and helping a truck-load of dogs find their forever homes instead of stepping back into the courtroom again. He's more reluctant still when the man accused of murdering the truck's driver needs Andy to defend him--the man is Andy's wife's ex-fiance. Twisted from the word go, this case may be Andy's hardest yet.
Paradox, by Catherine Coulter. Coulter's 22nd FBI thriller (after 2017's Enigma) finds Chief Ty Christie of Willicott, Maryland out on her porch one morning, overlooking the lake, only to find herself witness to a murder. When the lake is dragged, not only is the victim's body found, but also dozens of skeletons. Working with FBI couple Savich and Sherlock, Christie discovers a chilling connection between the bones and an escaped psychopath. If your ideal summer read is one to send shivers down your spine, add this to your list.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Meg's Picks: June 2018, part 2
Are you a fan of those great beach reads, you know the ones? The ones full of secrets and lies, truths hidden so long that they couldn't possibly be exposed...until they are and everything comes crashing down in spectacular fashion? The dishy ones you can't possibly put down? Yeah, those ones. If you are, here are a few you won't want to miss, coming to the library next month!
Jar of Hearts, by Jennifer Hillier. Georgina "Geo" Shaw is a high-powered executive with a wealthy CEO fiance, but all of that comes crashing down when it's uncovered that 14 years ago, her then-boyfriend killed her best friend Angela...and that she helped him dispose of Angela's body. Her role, and her silence, get her up to five years of jail time. Told alternating between past and present, the story begins at the start of Geo's jail term, and with one mystery solved, it's only a matter of time before more truth is uncovered. If you're looking for a slick, sharp thriller with plenty of twists, this is for you.
You Were Made for This, by Michelle Sacks. If you liked A.J. Finn's The Woman in the Window, you'd do well to check out Sacks's buzzworthy debut. Merry and Sam seem like the perfect married couple, complete with adorable baby boy. Merry appears to be a devoted wife and mother, and Sam's pleased to see Merry as such a domestic goddess. Sam seems to be the quintessential breadwinner, but has encountered scandal at work. She doesn't seem to notice his erratic behavior, and he misses her discontent in the role he's made for her. No one notices, in fact, until Merry's childhood friend comes for a visit and immediately sees through Merry's facade. But each woman holds a piece to the other's secrets...who will be left standing when truths are revealed?
Social Creature, by Tara Isabella Burton. Small town girl Louise is managing to scrape by in New York City. Then she meets wealthy, off-kilter Lavinia, who introduces the country mouse to champagne, private box seats at the theater, and underground cabaret. The two become inseparable besties, until Lavinia's darker nature starts to show itself, and then it may be too late for Louise. There is a lot of good word-of-mouth going about this debut, sort of a modern day The Talented Mr. Ripley. Expect your friends to be talking this up before the summer's over.
Jar of Hearts, by Jennifer Hillier. Georgina "Geo" Shaw is a high-powered executive with a wealthy CEO fiance, but all of that comes crashing down when it's uncovered that 14 years ago, her then-boyfriend killed her best friend Angela...and that she helped him dispose of Angela's body. Her role, and her silence, get her up to five years of jail time. Told alternating between past and present, the story begins at the start of Geo's jail term, and with one mystery solved, it's only a matter of time before more truth is uncovered. If you're looking for a slick, sharp thriller with plenty of twists, this is for you.
You Were Made for This, by Michelle Sacks. If you liked A.J. Finn's The Woman in the Window, you'd do well to check out Sacks's buzzworthy debut. Merry and Sam seem like the perfect married couple, complete with adorable baby boy. Merry appears to be a devoted wife and mother, and Sam's pleased to see Merry as such a domestic goddess. Sam seems to be the quintessential breadwinner, but has encountered scandal at work. She doesn't seem to notice his erratic behavior, and he misses her discontent in the role he's made for her. No one notices, in fact, until Merry's childhood friend comes for a visit and immediately sees through Merry's facade. But each woman holds a piece to the other's secrets...who will be left standing when truths are revealed?
Social Creature, by Tara Isabella Burton. Small town girl Louise is managing to scrape by in New York City. Then she meets wealthy, off-kilter Lavinia, who introduces the country mouse to champagne, private box seats at the theater, and underground cabaret. The two become inseparable besties, until Lavinia's darker nature starts to show itself, and then it may be too late for Louise. There is a lot of good word-of-mouth going about this debut, sort of a modern day The Talented Mr. Ripley. Expect your friends to be talking this up before the summer's over.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Reading Ahead: June 2018, part 5
From the heartwarming to the dishy, June's beach reads are sure to please even the pickiest reader!
The Perfect Couple, by Elin Hilderbrand. It wouldn't be summer without an entertaining new beach read from the Queen of Summer herself. Summer, aka Nantucket wedding season, has arrived and the Otis-Winbury wedding will be an affair to remember. The groom's family owns a posh oceanfront estate, after all, and are sparing no expense. But the big day may be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is found in the harbor just hours before the ceremony is scheduled to begin. Everyone, including the wedding party, is considered a suspect. As the police interview the families and friends, what becomes apparent is that nobody is what they seem...and no couple is perfect. Also available in Large Print.
Dreams of Falling, by Karen White. Lark fled her home of Georgetown, South Carolina nine years ago, humiliated and vowing never to return. When she discovers her mother has disappeared, however, she realizes she has no choice but to go back to the place she both loves and dreads, the place where her friends and family have never stopped missing her. When Lark's mother is found, she's injured and unconscious, found in the crumbling ruin of her ancestral plantation house. Lark digs for answers, but what she finds is startling--secrets buried more than fifty years, love, sacrifice, and betrayal. Also available in Large Print.
Between You and Me, by Susan Wiggs. When Philadelphia surgeon Reese Powell is called upon to treat an Amish boy severely injured in a farming accident, she never expects it to be more than a routine case. The attraction she feels for the boy's guardian, Caleb, is a surprise to both parties. Is there any hope of a future together when their worlds are so very different? Also available in Large Print.
The Perfect Couple, by Elin Hilderbrand. It wouldn't be summer without an entertaining new beach read from the Queen of Summer herself. Summer, aka Nantucket wedding season, has arrived and the Otis-Winbury wedding will be an affair to remember. The groom's family owns a posh oceanfront estate, after all, and are sparing no expense. But the big day may be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is found in the harbor just hours before the ceremony is scheduled to begin. Everyone, including the wedding party, is considered a suspect. As the police interview the families and friends, what becomes apparent is that nobody is what they seem...and no couple is perfect. Also available in Large Print.
Dreams of Falling, by Karen White. Lark fled her home of Georgetown, South Carolina nine years ago, humiliated and vowing never to return. When she discovers her mother has disappeared, however, she realizes she has no choice but to go back to the place she both loves and dreads, the place where her friends and family have never stopped missing her. When Lark's mother is found, she's injured and unconscious, found in the crumbling ruin of her ancestral plantation house. Lark digs for answers, but what she finds is startling--secrets buried more than fifty years, love, sacrifice, and betrayal. Also available in Large Print.
Between You and Me, by Susan Wiggs. When Philadelphia surgeon Reese Powell is called upon to treat an Amish boy severely injured in a farming accident, she never expects it to be more than a routine case. The attraction she feels for the boy's guardian, Caleb, is a surprise to both parties. Is there any hope of a future together when their worlds are so very different? Also available in Large Print.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Reading Ahead: June 2018, part 2
So many series, so little time! Need help deciding what to add to your reading list? Read on!
The Pharaoh Key, by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. This fifth entry in the bestselling duo's Gideon Crew series (following 2016's Beyond the Ice Limit) takes professional thief Crew and his loyal sidekick Manuel Garza, from their home base in NYC after their employer mysteriously and abruptly shuts down operations, to Egypt in search of the treasure that had been the object of their last, unfinished case. Crew, terminally ill, believes that the contents of the stone tablet they seek could in fact save his life...or end it with a bang. Preston and Child are masters of suspense, and fans of their Agent Pendergast series should absolutely be reading this spinoff series, too.
Turbulence, by Stuart Woods. Woods keeps cranking out new Stone Barrington novels, almost faster than fans can read them! Stone and some friends are vacationing in Florida when a hurricane dampens their vacation. Worse still, the storm blows a particularly obnoxious politician onto their doorstep. Though they part ways quickly, Stone soon finds he hasn't seen the last of his unpleasant new acquaintance. This official has some shady friends and a nefarious plot in the works. Could Stone have finally met his match? Also available in Large Print.
The Woman in the Woods, by John Connolly. Connolly's latest Charlie Parker thriller (after 2017's A Game of Ghosts) is a perfect blend of natural and supernatural. The body of a woman is found in the woods, and Charlie is tasked with tracking down the woman's infant, as it is obvious that she gave birth shortly before she was killed. However, a terrifying pair with sinister intentions is also in search of the child. A story that is both unnerving and moving, populated by Connolly's signature well-drawn characters, this is a tale of death versus betrayal, and readers will be unable to put it down. Connolly only keeps getting better.
Tom Clancy: Line of Sight, by Mike Maden. Two decades ago, Jack Ryan, Jr.'s mother, a doctor, saved the eyesight of a young Bosnian, Aida, who had been injured during the Balkans conflict. Now Aida has disappeared from the streets of Sarajevo, and as Jack Jr. searches for her, he learns that for Aida, the war never really ended. Also available in Large Print.
The Pharaoh Key, by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. This fifth entry in the bestselling duo's Gideon Crew series (following 2016's Beyond the Ice Limit) takes professional thief Crew and his loyal sidekick Manuel Garza, from their home base in NYC after their employer mysteriously and abruptly shuts down operations, to Egypt in search of the treasure that had been the object of their last, unfinished case. Crew, terminally ill, believes that the contents of the stone tablet they seek could in fact save his life...or end it with a bang. Preston and Child are masters of suspense, and fans of their Agent Pendergast series should absolutely be reading this spinoff series, too.
Turbulence, by Stuart Woods. Woods keeps cranking out new Stone Barrington novels, almost faster than fans can read them! Stone and some friends are vacationing in Florida when a hurricane dampens their vacation. Worse still, the storm blows a particularly obnoxious politician onto their doorstep. Though they part ways quickly, Stone soon finds he hasn't seen the last of his unpleasant new acquaintance. This official has some shady friends and a nefarious plot in the works. Could Stone have finally met his match? Also available in Large Print.
The Woman in the Woods, by John Connolly. Connolly's latest Charlie Parker thriller (after 2017's A Game of Ghosts) is a perfect blend of natural and supernatural. The body of a woman is found in the woods, and Charlie is tasked with tracking down the woman's infant, as it is obvious that she gave birth shortly before she was killed. However, a terrifying pair with sinister intentions is also in search of the child. A story that is both unnerving and moving, populated by Connolly's signature well-drawn characters, this is a tale of death versus betrayal, and readers will be unable to put it down. Connolly only keeps getting better.
Tom Clancy: Line of Sight, by Mike Maden. Two decades ago, Jack Ryan, Jr.'s mother, a doctor, saved the eyesight of a young Bosnian, Aida, who had been injured during the Balkans conflict. Now Aida has disappeared from the streets of Sarajevo, and as Jack Jr. searches for her, he learns that for Aida, the war never really ended. Also available in Large Print.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Reading Ahead: June 2018, part 1
Need a new thriller to peak your interest? There are so many to choose from coming out in the next few weeks. Here's a sampling, just to whet your appetite...
The President is Missing, by Bill Clinton & James Patterson. Filled with the kind of inside information that only a former president can know, this new thriller written by Clinton and Patterson is groundbreaking. Uncertainty grips the nation as whispers of espionage and cyberterror begin to circulate. Security at the White House is tight, but after the President himself comes under suspicion, he goes missing from public view. Readers are lining up already, so I suggest placing your hold now!
Also available in Large Print.
The Outsider, by Stephen King. Coming out toward the end of May (the publication date was moved up, as sometimes happens), King's latest is an extension of his Bill Hodges detective trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch). Det. Ralph Anderson seems to have beloved baseball coach Terry Maitland dead to rights when he publicly arrests him for the grisly murder of an 11-year-old boy. Except that even though Maitland's DNA and fingerprints had been found at the scene, he's got a rock-solid alibi. These contradictions bring investigators to work with Holly Gibney, the former assistant of Hodges. What begins as a hunt for a possible doppelganger soon takes a classic King turn for the supernatural. Fans, myself included, cannot wait.
Liar, Liar, by Lisa Jackson. To detectives, it looks like a straightforward suicide, or perhaps a publicity stunt gone wrong--a leap from a skyscraper by an aging former Las Vegas celebrity impersonator after publishing a tell-all memoir. But her star was on the rise again after decades out of the business, so why would Didi have killed herself. Her daughter, Remmi, however, knows something more sinister is up. Because the woman on the sidewalk? That wasn't her mother, even if Remmi hadn't seen her in fifteeen years. But if it isn't Didi, then who is it? And what is the connection?
Bloody Sunday, by Ben Coes. Thriller writer Coes's star is on the rise, and fans of authors like Brad Thor and Vince Flynn should absolutely be checking out his work. (If you like to start at the beginning of a series, his Dewey Andreas series begins with 2010's Power Down.) In this eight series entry, CIA agent Dewey is ready to retire. Until, that is, he gets a new assignment: stop a nuclear arms deal between North Korea and Iran that would spell certain destruction. Only an agent with Dewey's skills could pull this off as the clock ticks down. If you're not reading Coes, you are absolutely missing out.
The President is Missing, by Bill Clinton & James Patterson. Filled with the kind of inside information that only a former president can know, this new thriller written by Clinton and Patterson is groundbreaking. Uncertainty grips the nation as whispers of espionage and cyberterror begin to circulate. Security at the White House is tight, but after the President himself comes under suspicion, he goes missing from public view. Readers are lining up already, so I suggest placing your hold now!
Also available in Large Print.
The Outsider, by Stephen King. Coming out toward the end of May (the publication date was moved up, as sometimes happens), King's latest is an extension of his Bill Hodges detective trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch). Det. Ralph Anderson seems to have beloved baseball coach Terry Maitland dead to rights when he publicly arrests him for the grisly murder of an 11-year-old boy. Except that even though Maitland's DNA and fingerprints had been found at the scene, he's got a rock-solid alibi. These contradictions bring investigators to work with Holly Gibney, the former assistant of Hodges. What begins as a hunt for a possible doppelganger soon takes a classic King turn for the supernatural. Fans, myself included, cannot wait.
Liar, Liar, by Lisa Jackson. To detectives, it looks like a straightforward suicide, or perhaps a publicity stunt gone wrong--a leap from a skyscraper by an aging former Las Vegas celebrity impersonator after publishing a tell-all memoir. But her star was on the rise again after decades out of the business, so why would Didi have killed herself. Her daughter, Remmi, however, knows something more sinister is up. Because the woman on the sidewalk? That wasn't her mother, even if Remmi hadn't seen her in fifteeen years. But if it isn't Didi, then who is it? And what is the connection?
Bloody Sunday, by Ben Coes. Thriller writer Coes's star is on the rise, and fans of authors like Brad Thor and Vince Flynn should absolutely be checking out his work. (If you like to start at the beginning of a series, his Dewey Andreas series begins with 2010's Power Down.) In this eight series entry, CIA agent Dewey is ready to retire. Until, that is, he gets a new assignment: stop a nuclear arms deal between North Korea and Iran that would spell certain destruction. Only an agent with Dewey's skills could pull this off as the clock ticks down. If you're not reading Coes, you are absolutely missing out.
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