Today's Read: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

What would you do if you were stuck across the ocean from your native land living in relative isolation with your new husband, whose wealth did not translate into warmth and understanding? Alice took her cue from the strong women she met in 1930s America and found a way to help both others and herself: She volunteered for the newly formed mobile library, delivering books to rural Kentucky via horseback. Here's how Alice's story begins:

Prologue: December 20, 1937

Listen. Three miles deep in the forest just below Arnott's Ridge , and you're in silence so dense it's like you're wading through it. There's no birdsong past dawn, not even in high summer, and especially not now, with the chill air so thick with moisture that it stills those few leaves clinging gamely to the branches. Among the oak and hickory nothing stirs: wild animals are deep underground, soft pelts intertwined in narrow caves or hollowed-out trunks. The snow is so deep the mule's legs disappear up to his hocks, and every few strides he staggers and snorts suspiciously, checking for loose flints and holes under the endless white. Only the narrow creek below moves confidently, its clear water murmuring and bubbling over the stony bed, headed down toward an endpoint nobody around here has ever seen.

—The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (Pamela Dorman Books, Oct. 8, p. 1)

Quick Facts

• Setting: Baileyville, Kentucky; 1930s
• Circumstances: Alice marries a wealthy American, leaving behind her native England for what she hopes will be a better life. It turns out that small-town Appalachian coal country is as stifling as her new marriage. However, a new Works Progress Administration initiative promoted by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt offers Alice a way out. She becomes a Pack Horse Librarian of Kentucky and delivers books, magazines, and the Bible to rural homes, offering them dreams and solace and company in the hard days of the late Depression. Her husband and father-in-law are furious and set out to shut down the library because books are giving women, children, blacks, and the poor uppity ideas. Can Alice stand up to the obstacles she finds in her her new homeland?
• Genre & themes: historical fiction; marriage, friendship, literacy, race, class, feminism
• Why I want to read it: Moyes based her newest novel on true events: Eleanor Roosevelt did indeed start a horseback-based mobile library program as part of the WPA. Women braved the weather and criticism from men and the rich to deliver knowledge to rural Kentuckians. Reviewers praise The Giver of Stars for its vivid characters, rich descriptions of the landscape, and accurate period details. Plus—Jojo Moyes! Of course, I'm going to read this!
• Extra things to know: Moyes was inspired by a Smithsonian magazine article about this WPA program, especially the photographs (which you can see by clicking through). NPR also had a show about the Pack Horse Library Project. The novel has already been option for a movie. Don't miss the Reader's Guide, available through the Penguin Random House website.
• Acknowledgments: Thanks to Pamela Dorman Books for the review copy of The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Late Summer Reading

Happy Monday! It's been a while since I wrote a review post, so this is going to be long on books, but not necessarily long on words. Despite feeling overworked, I've still found time to make a dent in my reading list.

Even though it's September, I'm still reading summer books, though I just started listening to the new fall Elin Hiderbrand book. I couldn't wait any longer to read the next installment in her St. Johns trilogy.

We watched the movie Mary, Queen of Scots on HBO this past weekend. What a disappointment. Not only was it historically inaccurate but it was somewhat superficial. It didn't address any of the burning questions we have about Mary, so I'm not quite sure what the point of the movie was. Perhaps I was just too burned out from work to catch the details.

Someone We Know by Shari Lapena (Pamela Dorman Books; July 30): This thriller involves several families living in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in a small town in the Hudson Valley. The story starts off with a murder, and from there we learn about infidelities, betrayals, break-ins, and bad parenting. We meet best friends, troubled couples, a snoopy widow, and a couple of teenage boys with issues. Seriously, I would not want to live in that town. The gist of the book is figuring out who did the killing and why and whether any of the other neighborhood issues has anything at all to do with the death. Someone We Know held my attention, but there were a number of eye-rolling moments. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 7 hr, 50 min) was read by Kirsten Potter, who did a fine job with capturing the characters' personalities and their reactions to the various goings-on among their friends. (print and audio review copies provided by the publishers)

I Guess I'll Write It Down by Beth Evans (Morrow Gifts, June 11): This little hardcover journal is filled with a combination of lined and dot-grid pages, and at just over 6 x 4 inches, it's the perfect size to slip into your purse or tote bag. I'm not very good at keeping a journal on an everyday basis, but I do like to carry a small journal when I travel. It's the perfect size for jotting down info you want to remember: that restaurant you liked, the wine you tasted, or the museum you visited. You always think you're going to remember when you get back to your hotel, but I have better luck when I write things down right away. If you like to record your dreams, this little journal would be perfect for that too. I Guess I'll Write It Down would also make a nice stocking stuffer or hostess gift. (print copy provided by the publisher)

The Perfect Wife by J. P. Delaney (Ballantine, Aug. 6): This techno/domestic thriller has shades of the movie Stepford Wives. Five years after his wife disappears under mysterious circumstances, Tim -- a leading AI developer -- succeeds in building a companion robot with Abbie's face and memories. What happens when the bot-Abbie develops self-awareness and begins to wonder what really happened to Tim's wife? To make matters more complicated she is beginning to question how Abbie could have voluntarily left her autistic son. The mystery/thriller parts of The Perfect Wife are very twisty and make you think about some of the issues surrounding AI. In addition the novel tackles theories of treating children on the autism spectrum. I stuck with the story, but I didn't love it. The majority of the unabridged audiobook (Random House Audio; 10 hr, 42 min) was read by Saskia Maarleveld who did a fine job with the sections from bot-Abbie's point of view. Graham Halstead and Euan Morton read sections told by other characters. (digital copy provided by the publisher; audio copy for a freelance assignment)

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins (Gallery; July 30): This fun, light story has a touch of magic and a lot of charm. The small Southern town of Dove Pond is in trouble: businesses are moving out and the mayor isn't keeping close tabs on the town's budget. Sarah Dove (a descendant of the town's founding family) has grown up believing that she will save the town with a bit of the famous Dove luck. Meanwhile Grace Wheeler's life has been turned upside down when her sister overdoses, leaving behind a young daughter just when their foster mother (known as Mama G) begins to show signs of dementia. In a desperate plan to regroup, Grace moves her cobbled-together family to Dove Pond, Mama G's home town, hoping familiar surroundings and old friends will help the older woman feel less at sea. As it turns out Sarah's part in saving the town is convincing Grace, a business wizard, to take charge of the annual Fall Festival. A predictable plot is the comfortable backdrop for some of the larger issues found in The Book Charmer: aging, PTSD, found families, friendship, and trust. I really liked this sweet, small-town story -- perfect escape fiction. The unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 11 hr, 42 min) was jointly read by Tavia Gilbert, Amanda Ronconi, and Sebastian York. Their voices blended well and each nicely portrayed their character's point of view. (audio copy for a freelance assignment)

Cat Breed Guide by Gary Weitzman and Stephanie Warren Drimmer & Angela Modany / Dog Breed Guide by Gary Weitzman and T. J. Resler (National Geographic Kids, Sept. 3): These books are definitive guides to all things about our favorite pets. These books may be labeled for kids, but they're really for anyone who wants to know more about domestic dogs and cats. The heart of each book is devoted to the different breeds of dogs and cats. The specific breed pages contain a photograph plus information about the animal's history, characteristics, and general disposition and include a quick-look chart on the breed's, size, grooming requirements, personality, and (for dogs) exercise requirements. But the books are filled with so much more: such as how to read dog and cat body language, how to communicate with your pet, stats on their senses (smell, sight, hearing, etc.), how to know which breed will be the perfect pet for your home and circumstances, how to prepare for and care for your pet, and how to train your pet. Plus you'll find features on dogs and cats in folk lore, art, and literature and you'll learn about dog and cat intelligence. Cat Breed Guide and Dog Breed Guide are must-have resources for any pet lover. (print copies provided by the publisher)

By the way, I finished Carnegie Hill by Jonathan Vatner (see my feature here for information) and enjoyed getting to know the residents of this New York City apartment building. The book was generally light reading with a broader eye on relationships and marriage as well as on socioeconomic class and the generation gap. Recommended.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Fiction and Nonfiction to Read Right Now

Good morning! I hope your week is already off to a good start. I love the cooler temperatures and blue skies of late, even though I'm in a work crunch until after Labor Day and can't get outside much.

The county fair is starting soon, and I'm looking forward to seeing the exhibits (quilts, photography, farm products) and animals (including the horse show). The best part, though, is eating our way through the fair. All the really bad for you but so, so delicious food. We never miss the fair.

As far as reading, I realized the other day that I totally failed on my goal of reading a short story every week this year. Thus I'm not quite sure why I'm starting a new goal, but here goes. I was going through my bookshelves and book piles and saw so many books I really, really wanted to read but never got to. My new goal is to try to read at least two books a month from my personal back list -- whether it's a print book, a digital book, or an audiobook.

Do you also get drawn in by the new and shiny? I hope I'm not alone.

Marilou Is Everywhere by Sara Elaine Smith (Riverhead, July 30). I was attracted to this book because it takes place in Pennsylvania and features socioeconomic issues that are often overlooked in contemporary fiction. Cindy and her older brothers are on their own after their mother abandons them (yet again), leaving no word of her whereabouts. The family didn't have much to begin with, but now food is scarce and the electricity is turned off. When her brother Virgil's girlfriend fails to return after a girls' camping weekend, everyone assumes she simply ran away, leaving behind her half-crazy, alcoholic mother (Bernadette) and rural, nowhere town. Cindy gets her first glance at another kind of life, when she starts to look after the wealthy Bernadette. Soon Cindy begins to feel more at home at the big house--enjoying hot baths, fancy foods, good music, and a full home library--than she does around her brothers. At 14, though, Cindy's choices are self-serving, and she eventually must face the consequences of her behavior. Marilou Is Everywhere is about a young girl who is ultimately forced to do the right thing and the surprising things she learns about herself, her family, and the possibilities of the world. If you like coming-age-stories, you'll like this. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 6 hr, 45 min) is wonderfully read by Kristen Sieh, a new-to-me narrator. Her expressive delivery nicely captures all of Cindy's moods, from her dreams to her fears to her everyday getting on with a hard life. (digital and audiobook editions provided by the publisher)

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal (Pamela Dorman; July 23). I don't what I expected when I started this story of two Minnesota sisters who stopped speaking to each other when their widowed father left his entire farm to Helen (the younger), who sold the land to fund her dream of starting a brewery. Helen and her husband grew rich producing light beer in the typical American style, though the company has a hard go of it in the new millennium, as the big producers merge, as the economy sags, and as the craft beer movement takes hold. Edith (the elder) struggled all her life, along with her husband, to make ends meet and raise their children. Edith finds a little success when the pies she bakes for a nursing home win statewide acclaim. However, after her husband dies, and then her daughter, she struggles once again to feed and raise her orphaned granddaughter, Diana. Thanks to the generosity and faith of an IPA brewer, Diana is saved from a juvenile criminal record and discovers her true passion and talent. The story is about how the three women carve out a place for themselves, find redemption and hope, and stay true to their very different natures. Despite the heavy-sounding themes of loss, grief, ambition, and betrayals, The Lager Queen of Minnesota is, ultimately a charming and engaging novel with believable characters whom you want to help and root for. I highly recommend it, even if you aren't a beer lover or a pie eater. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 11 hr, 13 min) was read by Judith Ivey, whose performance is terrific. I loved her characterizations and subtle Minnesota accent. (digital copy provided by the publisher; audiobook provided for a freelance review)

The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America by Karen Abbott (Crown; Aug. 6). Jazz Age, bootlegging, and true crime? Yes, please. Abbott's newest nonfiction account is primarily set in southern Ohio and begins with the Volstead Act and how George Remus, a one-time lawyer, positioned himself to be one of the major dealers in the whiskey trade, making millions selling booze all over America to day laborers, famous politicians, and everyone in between. The story of Remus and his double-crossing wife goes well beyond a single marriage. Their story (and that of the Prohibition Era in general) had far-reaching effects on the U.S. attorney general's office, government agents, law enforcement, criminal justice, plea bargains, and criminal defense. I was surprised to learn that much of what happened to Remus foreshadowed the fates of more famous Prohibition mobsters of later years. The Ghosts of Eden Park introduces us to a host of real-life characters, including U.S. Assistant Attorney General Mabel Walker Willebrandt, the highest-ranking woman in the federal government at the time; a young J. Edgar Hoover; and several presidents and their families. Abbott's sense of drama, accessible writing style, and natural storytelling ability brings this well-researched account of Remus's rise and fall to life. I read this book practically in one go.  As a side note: I had a great-uncle who served in Leavenworth for rum running. I got a small thrill when I read that Remus had runners from Toledo. I wonder if my great-uncle (who, I'm told, drove a yellow Cadillac convertible in the early 1920s) was one of Remus's boys. (copy provided by the author)

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Today's Read: A Good Enough Mother by Bev Thomas

Is it possible for a therapist to help her patients when she herself is dealing with unresolved emotional issues? Ruth, head psychotherapist at the NHS Trauma Unit in London, always maintains the line between patient and doctor, until the day she doesn't. The consequences of her singular lapse in judgment are devastating.

Here's how the book opens:

On paper, Dan Griffin was nothing out of the ordinary. He was anxious, he was urgent, he was like any other patient we see at the Trauma Unit. “Unremarkable” was how I described him to the police. When they looked for answers in those early therapy sessions, they read about the bruise on his face, the terror in his voice, and the flashbacks that were so visceral they took his breath away, but there was nothing to hint at his capacity for violence. Nothing at all to suggest what he was capable of. It took awhile to understand that the question to ask wasn’t Why didn’t I see it coming? but Why didn’t I move out of the way?

—A Good Enough Mother by Bev Thomas (Pamela Dorman, April 30,, p. 1 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times; London
• Circumstances: Ruth's life has been crumbling ever since her 17-year-old son disappeared. Not knowing whether her boy is alive or dead, she cannot properly grieve, though she can worry. Her marriage has suffered, and her relationship with Tom's twin sister has also been broken. Ruth, however, is keeping her personal problems a secret from her colleagues at the NHS; she doesn't want their pity or advice. Although she's always maintained a strong doctor-patient wall, she falters when she meets George, a new patient who bears a strong resemblance to Tom. Ruth's blindness to George's tamped-down anger will have far-reaching effects.
• Genre & themes: thriller, domestic thriller, motherhood, family drama, twins, surviving trauma
• Why I want to read it: Author Thomas was a clinical psychologist for the NHS and uses her personal experiences and expertise to add authenticity to her debut novel. I like thrillers, especially domestic thrillers, and I generally trust Pamela Dorman Books.
• Reviews: Publisher's Weekly gave A Good Enough Mother a starred review, and Kirkus was also very positive. The Goodreads rating is 3.91. Many reviewers thought the descriptions of psychotherapy were very well done, and others found the book to be emotionally powerful. On the other hand, some reader-reviewers had trouble getting into the story, and a few figured out the ending fairly early on.
• Acknowledgments: thanks to Pamela Dorman Books for a digital review copy of Bev Thomas's debut novel, A Good Enough Mother.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 4 Good Books and a Story

Good morning. If you're in the United States, I hope you're adjusting to the time change. I actually do better with the spring forward than I do with the fall back. Maybe that's because I love the idea that I can now take an outdoor walk after work. Yay for evening daylight.

I had a decent reading week, but that might be because most of the books I read were short and didn't require a lot of thought. Always a good choice after editing all day.

We haven't watched anything in particular on television. We're not huge basketball fans, so we're escaping March Madness. The most interesting show that comes to mind is the new season of True Detective on HBO. At first I didn't like the multiple time periods, but after I got to know the characters, I really liked the set up and the mystery.

The Tornado Scientist by Mary Kay Carson with photography by Tom Uhlman (HMH Books for Young Readers, March 19). You've heard it from me before, but it's true: I can't say enough good things about HMH's Scientists in the Field series. In this installment (out next week), we meet Robin Tanamachi, who is not only a research meteorologist but a storm chaser who is interested in learning as much as she can about tornadoes in an effort to help protect people who live in areas prone to these destructive winds. I grew up in tornado country in northern Ohio long before we had the sophisticated technology that weather scientists now depend on. It was really interesting to see how Robin's van was set up as a mini research and weather station and to learn how a storm transforms from a bout of heavy rain and winds into a twister. The amazing photographs of funnel clouds and the mind-numbing scenes of the after-storm destruction drives home the power of tornadoes; easy-to-interpret graphics illustrate the physics. Robin's stories of chasing storms and collecting data give young readers (and adults) a clear picture of what it's really like to be a tornado specialist. The book ends with an overview of how the field data are used and a look at the newest weather probes and other equipment. Recommended for readers of all ages. (review copy provided by the publisher)

Death in Provence by Serena Kent (Harper, Feb. 19). I always love it when I can get into a series on the ground floor. This cozy mystery is set in St. Merlot, France, and features a middle-aged woman who is looking for a new start after a divorce and early retirement. Penelope Kite isn't your ordinary British ex-pat who buys a house in Provence and then gets embroiled in a murder mystery, though. She used to work in the forensics lab of the Home Office. Although she doesn't have a professional degree, she has much experience interpreting crime scene data, so when she doubts the local police chief's assessment that the man floating in her swimming pool died of accidental drowning, she knows what she's talking about. The only problem is that she's not sure whom she can trust in her new town. This first in series was a lot of fun. Penny isn't stupid, but she makes classic outsider mistakes, is unaware of long-term family feuds, and is no where near as stylish as her real estate agent cum new BFF. Among the locals are a cute mayor, a cranky neighbor, a wonderful baker, and a charming electrician. It's France, so expect good wine and lots of good food. The mystery itself was well set up and kept me guessing all the way to the end. I may have had an extra glass or two of wine along the way. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Harper Audio, 10 hr, 17 min) read by Antonia Beamish, whose accents and characterizations were delightful. For more, see AudioFile magazine. (review copy provided by the publisher; audio for assignment)

The Time Museum by Matthew Loux (First Second, Feb. 2017). I picked up this middle grade speculative fiction (science fiction?) graphic novel because I noticed that the second book in the series is coming out in a couple of months. A small group of young teens are given a chance to win a prestigious internship at a natural history museum, but these aren't just any kids and this isn't your ordinary museum. The Time Museum is in fact a portal to all of earth's history, from its earliest habitable days and into the distant future; within its walls are exhibits representing the plants and animals of all these times. The kids are smart and capable, each with unique skills and each from a different time period--Ice Age to the 5000s. Delia (from our time) is given a chance to win the internship because her uncle helps runs the museum, but she must still earn her place by passing three time-traveling tests. This was a fun graphic novel about curious, smart kids who learn to balance friendship and cooperation with competition. The story has plenty of action, including a time-traveling bad guy, mixed with some laugh-out-loud humor and a twist at the end. All the children have white skin, but despite the lack of diversity, I really liked the book and am looking forward to the second installment. The artwork was colorful and the scenery and creatures from the past and future gave me a lot to look at. The action and emotions were well rendered. (copy borrowed from the library)

Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza (Flatiron, March 12). Marlowe Jensen was born with a congenital heart defect that guaranteed her a short life unless she received a heart transplant. When she's about 16 and on death's door, Marlowe's life is saved: the heart of a teenage boy is suddenly available, and she spends the next year (which would have been her senior year in high school), in and out the hospital in rehabilitation, regaining her strength, building her immunity system, and getting used to the anti-rejection drugs. Her mother, owner of a vegan, organic wellness store, is naturally a little overprotective of Marlowe but supports her daughter's decision to return to high school instead being home schooled. Meanwhile, her mother opens a new store right next to an established family butcher shop and immediately goes into ultra-liberal protesting against meat eaters, and her younger brother dresses up in a new creative (gender-bending and genre-mashing) costume every day. So this is Marlowe's outward reality: zany but lovable family, medical issues, and a return to school where she's not only older than everyone else but is thought of as the Heart Transplant Girl. This book explores a slice of contemporary life that we rarely read about: life after an organ transplant. Marlowe contends with bullying, trying to make friends, and her first true crush all while trying to find the confidence to live outside her mother's careful control and coming to terms with having someone else's heart in her chest. I was quickly caught up in Marlowe's story, cheering her on as she tried to find some sort of normality. She makes blunders and is a little socially awkward, but she's also smart and holds her own when pushed. Keep the tissues handy, Marlowe's journey isn't always easy. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

Other Books and a Story

• Soulkeeper by David Dalglish (Orbit, March 19). I have mixed feelings about this first in a new epic fantasy series. The basic premise is that creatures and magic from the world's earliest days are reawakening and human life is forever altered. While I liked the action and interesting world-building, there was way too much going on in this book (zombies, talking mountains, assassins, soulless beings, fairies, fire spirits, wizards, healers . . .) and the plot lines didn't really coalesce until the end. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 19 hr) was read by Nicholas Tecosky. His performance was only okay. I would have liked to have heard a little more drama or emotion in his delivery. (audio review copy provided by the publisher)
• The Size of Truth by Andrew Smith (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 26). I was interested in this middle grade book because it featured a boy who wanted to be a chef even though his parents thought he should be a scientist. The story fluctuates between Sam in eighth grade and Sam at four years old when he was trapped in a well for three days before rescuers dug him out. Smith's writing style was a mismatch for me and the well sections were too much like The Girl in the Well Is Me (which I loved). I ended up skimming the eighth grade sections just to see what happened. There are some good lessons, but you could safely skip this. (digital copy provided by the publisher)
• "Crocodile Shoes" by Jo Jo Moyes from Paris for One and Other Stories (Pamela Dorman, Oct. 2016). I really liked this story about a woman who picks up the wrong bag at the gym and is forced to wear someone else's high heels for the day with unexpected consequences. A fun contemporary story. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

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Today's Read: Ghosted by Rosie Walsh

What if you met the love of your life, your soulmate, and then he disappeared . . . just like that. Would you ever stop thinking of him? Stop wondering what happened? Almost two decades after Sarah met her one and only, she still feels the hole Eddie left in her heart, but she refuses to let go.

It's exactly nineteen years since that luminous morning when we smiled and said good-bye. That we would see each other again was never in doubt, was it? It was a question of when, not if. In fact, it wasn't even a quesiton. The future might have seemed as insubstantial as the curled edge of a dream, but it unequivocally contained us both. Together.

And yet it didn't. Even after all these years I find myself stunned by that.

—Ghosted by Rosie Walsh (Pamela Dorman Books, July 2018; p. 3, uncorrected proof)

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times in the UK
• Circumstances: Just as Sarah's marriage is breaking up, she meets Eddie, and they have a whirlwind six-day romance. He leaves on a scheduled trip, promising to call from the airport, but Sarah never hears from him again. Closing in on her forties, she just can't forget Eddie, and in her heart she knows he has a good reason for disappearing. Will her perseverance pay off?
• Genre: contemporary woman's fiction.
• Themes: secrets, romance, second chances, grief
• Why I want to read this book: I like the opening and generally trust Pamela Dorman's taste in books. Kirkus says it will be good match for fans of JoJo Moyes (me!) and other reviewers have mentioned the emotional depth of Walsh's American debut novel. I could use some good escape reading, and this might fill the bill. Ghosted also has a good rating on Goodreads.
• The flip side: I sometimes have trouble with romantic women's fiction, and some reviewers have mentioned the insta-love doesn't ring true. Others are bothered by the idea of a forty-year-old being unable to move past a week-long fling.
• And yet: I want to know what the secrets and connections are! Booklist gave it a starred review, and even Kirkus was gentle. Book of the Month Club picked it for a July selection. I'm giving it a try!
• Something to know: The UK title is The Man Who Didn't Call.

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6 Novels Written by Women to Read in May

May is always blessed with an abundance of must-read books, just in time for better weather and long evenings of reading on the porch or by the pool. Today’s roundup of woman-authored fiction has an underlying theme of family; the books featured here explore marriage, siblings, secrets, forgiveness, and second chances. Which novels are calling to you?

• Mr. Flood’s Last Resort by Jess Kidd (Atria, May 1): It’s always hard for me to say no to a novel with Irish characters (though the book is set in London). Kidd's newest centers around the relationship between Maud, a caregiver, and elderly Mr. Flood, who’s determined to live out his days in his dark mansion, over his son’s objections. Both of them have dark pasts and secrets, giving the book a Gothic feel.
• Shadow Child by Rahna Reiko Rizzuto (Grand Central Publishing, May 8): The mother-daughter and twin relationships and the mid-20th-century time period caught my attention. This story of three women (twins and their mother) explores broken family bonds, racism, the Japanese American experience, and the hope for redemption and forgiveness.
• You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac (Pamela Dorman Books, May 1): I couldn’t resist an uplifting story set in the French countryside. Jess decides to spend the summer in France so her son can get to know his father, who has never been part of their lives. At the same time, Jess can’t help but dream of a romantic reunion, despite her ex-boyfriend’s own future plans.

• A Theory of Love by Margaret Bradham Thornton (Ecco, May 8): I’ll read pretty much anything Ecco publishes. When a cutting-edge British journalist meets a French American financier, sparks fly. But is their relationship and eventual marriage based on intimacy and partnership or on a lifestyle that takes them around the world and feeds their individual ambitions?
• The Devil’s Reward by Emmanuelle de Villepin (Other Press, May 1): I like the way books in translation broaden my perspective. Three generations of tense mother–daughter relationships in a French family may find resolution as stories and secrets of the past come to light in a Paris apartment. Other themes include marriage, fidelity, and personal freedom.
• How to Walk Away by Katherine Center (St. Martin’s Press, May 15): One of my favorite plot lines is how life can utterly change in a single moment. Margaret’s future is bright, complete with a dream job and fiancé, until it suddenly isn’t. Reviewers promise that this book about the struggle to find a silver lining even under the worst circumstances is neither sappy nor depressing.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: What I Read Last Week

If I recall last week, I think I foolishly thought my busy season was winding down. Hahahahaha. I had one free afternoon and then suddenly I was once again almost overbooked for another two weeks.

Granted, I am not complaining. I love my work and am grateful to have good clients. But so much for finding extra reading time.

By the way, I finally finished all seven seasons of Parenthood, so I'm up for suggestions: what's one of your favorite binge-worthy shows? I need a new television/streaming addiction.

I finished two audiobooks last week and got about halfway through a print book--Sometimes I Lie--which I'll review next week.

I wasn't really sure how I'd feel about Mira T. Lee's Everything Here Is Beautiful (Pamela Dorman Books, Jan 16) because it touches on some difficult issues. It deals with sisters, immigration, relationships, motherhood, and most especially with mental illness. Lucia's first loses her grip on reality soon after China-born mother dies. Her diagnosis is vague and shares elements with schizophrenia, dissociative disorder, and bipolar disorder. The story is told from several perspectives--Lucia's and that of important people in her life--and presents a heartbreaking but realistic picture of life under the cloud of a mental disorder. Lucia struggles with determining what's real and what's hallucination; she wants to live life large, but the pills that stabilize her give her headaches, make her fat, zap her energy, and/or flatten her emotions. For everyone else, life is unpredictable and revolves around Lucia's mental state. It's impossible to let down your guard. Guilt, anger, frustration, and fear are all caught up in feelings of love and and the desire to protect. Everything Here Is Beautiful gives you quite a bit to think about and so would be great book club choice (you can find a reading guide at the Penguin Random House website). The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 13 hr, 18 min) is read by a full cast, though Cassandra Campbell performs the bulk of the story. Unlike many full-cast productions, there are no weak links in this audiobook and the narrators as a group created believable accents (Chinese, Israeli, Latino, New York City, Swiss German) and nicely handled both Lucia's breakdowns and the reactions to those events. (My full audiobook review will be available via AudioFile Magazine.)

I was reminded last week that I'm behind in Kelley Armstrong's Cainsville series, so I loaded the fourth book, Betrayals (Audible Studios; 13 hr, 15 min; Oct. 2017), onto my phone. The audiobook is read by Carine Montbertrand, who appears on all the books in the series, and Julie McKay replaces Mozhan Marno, who performed on the first three books. In earlier reviews, I described the series as "paranormal light," and that still holds. While there are indeed otherworldly beings (fae, gobblins, living gargoyles) the core of the story is less fantasy than it is about ancient rivalries, the cycle of fate, Old World tales and myths, and solving a mystery. There is also a complicated relationship among the three main characters: a wealthy socialite turned PI, a biker gang leader getting an MBA, and a pickpocket turned high-powered Chicago lawyer. I like the way Armstrong doles out clues to the main characters' ultimate fates, which are guided by both twenty-first-century expectations and the deep traditions set by their fae blood. You have to read this series in order to see the build up of events and to understand the characters' motivations. Although I can recommend the books themselves, I'm not quite sure why I've committed to listening this series because I have problems with the audiobooks. First, I don't know why the producers decided there should be two narrators. I realize the point of view sometimes changes, but I think one narrator could have handled that. Second, I don't really love the performances. The pacing is good and the dialogue is distinct, but for some reason (which I can't pinpoint), I'm just not wowed. Each time I listen to a Cainsville book, I tell myself to read the next one in print. We'll see what I do with book 5. (personal copy)

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Today's Read and Giveaway: Still Me by Jojo Moyes

Have you ever been at a crossroads in your life? When Louisa Clark is given a choice of sticking with the familiar or taking a chance on new experiences, she decides to listen to the voice of a dear, departed friend and accepts a job that will take her far from home.

It was the mustache that reminded me I was no longer in England: a solid gray millipede firmly obstructing the man's upper lip; a Village People mustache, a cowboy mustache, the miniature head of a broom that meant business. You just didn't get that kind of mustache at home. I couldn't tear my eyes from it.

—Still Me by Jojo Moyes (Pamela Dorman Books, 2018, opening lines)

Quick Facts

• Setting: contemporary times; New York City
• Circumstances: This third Lou Clark book is set in New York, where Lou has been hired as a personal assistant to a woman whose marriage transformed her from Polish massage therapist to Upper East Side uber-rich. As Louisa settles into the rhythm of the 7000-square-foot, two-story "apartment," and learns to mingle with high society, she begins to question her choices.
• Genre: contemporary women's fiction
• Themes: family, love, figuring out what's really important
• Why I want to read this: I really liked the first two Louisa books: Me before You and After You, so of course I need to see what happens next.
• Extras! For an interview with JoJo Moyes on her new book, including themes and influences, see Chick with Books. For a word from Moyes herself, watch the following short video.

The Giveaway

Thanks to the nice people at Viking, I'm able to offer one of my readers a copy of JoJo Moyes new book, Still Me. All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is to have a USA mailing address and to fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner via random number generator on January 30. Once the winner has been confirmed and his or her address has been passed along to the publisher, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good Luck!

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12 New Crime Fiction Books Written by Women

There's something about long winter nights that say crime fiction to me. Maybe it's because these books tend to draw me in completely and beg to be read in one long go, testing my solving abilities and sometimes making me get up to double-check that the doors are locked. This week I'm featuring 12 mysteries and thrillers, all written by women and published this month, to get you through snowy evenings. You'll recognize some of the titles, but I hope you find a few new books too.

• Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan (Atria/Emily Bestler Books): When a high-profile British politician and family man is accused of rape, the ensuing trial pits two women lawyers, each determined to win the case. This very timely story, told from three view points, will have you adding up the evidence to make your own guilty or not guilty declaration.
• Best Friends Forever by Margot Hunt (MIRA): When two Florida women, Kat and Alice, meet by chance while flying home, they form a tight, trusting friendship, despite their lifestyle differences. But when Kat's husband dies under questionable circumstances, Alice is forced to reassess what she really knows about her friend, especially when Kat stops answering her texts.
• Blood Sisters by Jane Corry (Pamela Dorman Books): Alison, an art teacher, still suffers from survivor's guilt after a childhood car accident left her sister brain damaged and institutionalized and their young friend dead. The women's lives are good as can be expected, until Alison starts to find notes implicating she had a role in the tragedy and someone is out for vengeance. Secrets and twists.

• The Burial Society by Nina Sadowsky (Ballantine): An American businessman is murdered in Paris, setting off a chain of events that threatens to expose his grown children's secrets. When the siblings meet a mysterious woman who heads a dark net organization that helps people disappear, they discover their family may be the target of a dangerous killer.
• In a Cottage in a Wood by Cass Green (HarperCollins): An escape to the country is just what Neve needs to set her life back on course. But the little country cottage she unexpectedly inherited isn't at all what she had envisioned. Is the house haunted or is someone playing mind games and watching her every move? What exactly drove the previous owner to suicide? A creepy psychological thriller.
• Need to Know by Karen Cleveland (Ballantine): A CIA analyst is hot on the trail of a Russian sleeper cell embedded firmly on American soil. She's about to celebrate her successful mission when she discovers one of the enemy agents is someone she knows very well: her husband. Now she must weigh family, country, and loyalties and decide on her next move without tipping her hand to anyone.

• The Other Side of Everything by Lauren Doyle Owens (Touchstone): A serial killer is targeting elderly women in a small Florida town, bringing three generations of townspeople together in unexpected ways. For the survivors, the past doesn't seem to want to stay in the past, and the prime suspect begins to worm his way into the heart of a local lonely teenager. Kirkus calls this a slow-burning thriller.
• Scones and Scoundrels by Molly MacRae (Pegasus): A killer is afoot in the small Scottish town of Inversgail, and the owners of the bookstore / tea room are among the prime suspects because the victims were patrons of their establishments. Janet and her partners must find the villain before he (or she) strikes again. This is the second installment in a twisty cozy mystery series.
• Sunday Silence by Nicci French (William Morrow): London psychologist Frieda is no stranger to crime, as she often works with the police, but this time murder and danger are hitting too close to home. While she works to keep herself and her loved ones safe, she must also try to figure out if the killer is a nemesis returned from a faked suicide or a copycat killer--or maybe there're are two men out to get her.

• The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey (Soho Crime): Set in 1920s Bombay, this first in series introduces Perveen Mistry, one of the first woman lawyers in India. While doing the paperwork for three Muslim widows who are donating their shared inheritance to charity, Perveen smells a rat. Why would the women give up their future security and who is encouraging them to do so? Great period details.
• The Wife by Alafair Burke (Harper): This domestic thriller set in New York City has all the elements of a great read: a whirlwind romance, a wife with secrets, a husband with even more secrets, a crime, and a possible coverup. Can Angela trust her new husband and just how much is she willing to risk to insist on his innocence after one of his female interns goes missing? Solid plotting and plenty of twists.
• The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (St. Martin's Press): Newly divorced from her controlling husband, Vanessa is out to prevent his remarriage to a much younger preschool teacher. Meanwhile Nellie might be having second thoughts on giving up her freewheeling party life to settle down as the perfect businessman's wife. Everyone has secrets, everyone has a story, but who is telling the truth? Read this thriller all in one go.

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14 Standalone Thrillers to Read This Summer

There's something about pairing summer with a good mystery or thriller, but at the same time, there's the issue of not wanting to start a new series. I'm here to say you can have your page-turner without a making a commitment. Take a look at these 14 recent standalone novels, perfect for warm-weather entertainment. (Publishing dates are in parentheses.)

• Defectors by Joseph Kanon (Atria Books, June 6): Two brothers on different sides of the cold war star in this story of a divided family, spies, and politics.
• Don't Close Your Eyes by Holly Seddon (Ballantine, July 4): The past comes back to haunt shattered, estranged twins, forcing the sisters to face their demons.
• Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker (St. Martin's Press, August 8): Two teenage sisters go missing; three years later, one returns with a questionable story of abduction and a mysterious island.

• Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips (Viking, July 25): Set in a zoo after closing, a woman and her four-year-old son are caught in a deadly game of hide and seek in the midst of an active mass shooting.
• Final Girls by Riley Sager (Dutton, July 11): Years after surviving a mass shooting, a woman once again fears for her life when she realizes she may be the next victim of a serial killer.
• The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter (William Morrow, August 8): A teenage survivor of a home intrusion grows up to be a lawyer tapped to investigate a school shooting; the incidents may be related.
• The Lying Game by Ruth Ware (Simon & Schuster, July 25): Four friends, reunited after seventeen years, face the long-reaching consequences of a series of lies they circulated when still teenagers.

• Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (Harper, June 6): A murder mystery within a murder mystery discovered by the editor of a best-selling author.
• The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond (Bantam, July 25): Newlyweds join an organization that promises to make their relationship last a lifetime, until they realize there's no quitting the group.
• My Sister's Bones by Nuala Ellwood (William Morrow, July 11): A war reporter, just back from the Mideast to bury her mother, must sort out her PTSD symptoms from a possible crime involving a child.

• The Other Girl by Erica Spindler (St. Martin's Press, August 22): While a Louisiana police officer investigates the ritualistic murder of a professor, she transitions into a suspect.
• The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham (Scribner, July 11): Two pregnant Londoners--one successful, one not; both with secrets--cross paths with devastating consequences.
• A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena (Pamela Dorman, August 15): A double-crossing by a third party leaves a husband and wife full of doubts and accusations.
• You Belong to Me by Colin Harrison (Sarah Crichton, June 6): Who knew an auction of antique maps could set off a violent chain of events, including kidnapping, murder, and a mystery?

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12 Novels to Read in January; Or What's on My eReader

It's a new month (and a new year), and I'm in the mood to look forward. Although I still have plenty of backlist books that live near the top of my reading list, today I'm all about what's coming out in January. I was just looking at my ebooks for my next read, and found 12 novels that caught my eye.

Thrills and Chills

• Different Class by Joanne Harris (Touchstone): Harris's newest novel is a thriller set in a British prep school and involves a Latin teacher, a new headmaster, and a past scandal.
• Containment by Hank Parker (Touchstone): The first sign of trouble is seen in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in this bioterrorism thriller that pits a mad scientist against the good ones.
• My Husband's Wife by Jane Corry (Pamela Dorman): A newly married London lawyer makes some questionable friends who, years later, threaten to turn her world and marriage upside down.

Leave the USA Behind

• Savage Theories by Pola Oloixarac (Soho): Set in Argentina, this novel in translation tells the story of a student gone slightly off-kilter and explores humanity: past, present, and future.
• Dance on the Volcano by Marie Vieux-Chauvet (Archipelago): Newly translated into English this story about sisters is set during the Haitian revolution and looks at racial and economic divides.
• A Word for Love by Emily Robbins (Riverhead): An American exchange student in Syria gets caught up in the life, loves, and secrets of her host family.

Past Wars

• Days without End by Sebastian Barry (Viking): In the mid-1800s, a young man, newly arrived from Ireland, joins the U.S. Army to fight first the western Indians and then the southern Rebels.
• The Signal Flame by Andrew Krivak (Scribner): Set in the Vietnam War era in a small town in Pennsylvania, this novel focuses on the effects of war on three generations of men and their families.
• The Echo of Twilight by Judith Kinghorn (Berkley): In 1914 England, a young woman accepts a position as lady's maid for a Northumberland family, unprepared for how war would affect her relationship with the family.

Contemporary Life

• The Antiques by Kris D'Agostino (Scribner): Set in upstate New York, this book is about a dysfunctional family reunited as their father lies dying during a hurricane; humor lightens the mood.
• Traveling Light by Lynne Branard (Berkley): This road trip story is about a woman who decides to leave North Carolina for the west after inadvertently becoming the caretaker of a stranger's ashes.
• Perfect Little World by Kevin Wilson (Ecco): In a psych experiment / utopia gone wrong, can a young mother and an idealistic child psychologist find a brighter future?

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Sound Recommendations: 4 Summer Audiobooks

Catching up with some short reviews today, all in my current summer favorites of fantasy and thriller.

Parents, Watch Your Children

• What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan: I'm not sure why I held off on reading this much-buzzed book. It is a very well done thriller about a young boy who goes missing after getting permission from his mom to run ahead to a playground. The story is told from multiple viewpoints and different times. Macmillan did a good job with how both traditional media and social media can quickly move from sympathetic to vicious. I was particularly drawn to the male detective and how the case affected him. The audiobook was read by Penelope Rawlins and Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, who kept my attention throughout; I had a hard time turning off the book! (Harper Audio; 12 h, 2 min; print: William Morrow, December 2015)
• The Couple Next Door by Shari Lepena: I didn't realize when I started this audiobook that it was going to be another missing child story, although the circumstances here are different. When Anne and Marco's baby-sitter cancels last minute, the couple decides to have dinner with the neighbors anyway. They set up the baby monitor and take turns checking on the baby every half hour, but when they get home at 1:00 a.m., their daughter's crib is empty. This is a good twisty thriller with a small cast. I was completely caught up in working out exactly who did what and why. I didn't really like any of the characters (except maybe the detective), but I don't think we are meant to like them. The audiobook was read by Kirsten Potter, who set the mood and picked up on the characters' personalities. (Penguin Audio, 8 hr, 40 min; Pamela Dorman, August 23, 2016)

Visit a Fantasy World

• Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson: I loved Pearson's Jenna Fox dystopian books, so decided it was a safe bet to try her fantasy series (the third installment is out this fall). The story features Lia, a princess who doesn't want either the position or the arranged marriage that goes with it. She runs away to start a new life as a peasant girl, but two boys are tracking her. One an assassin and the other her intended husband. For the first two-thirds of the book, neither Lia nor we know which boy is which--very clever.  I give the book 4 stars for characters and world building, but the audiobook, read by Emily Rankin, was only so-so. I have no real complaints, I just wasn't wowed. (Listening Library, 13 hr, 31 min; Henry Holt, July 2014) 
• Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan: Why oh why haven't I read Sullivan before? I loved, loved, loved this book and its creatures, people, and politics. The story has many familiar epic fantasy elements, but there are enough twists so not everything is predictable. Excellent world building and relatable, flawed characters plus a terrific mix of fantasy and reality (including war and racial tensions). I can't wait for the next book, but in the meantime I'm going to read Sullivan's other books set in the same world but in a different time period. It took me a little bit to get into Tim Gerard Reynolds's performance of the audiobook, but then it clicked, and I devoured it, enjoying his pacing and expressive narration. (Recorded Books, 16 hr, 35 min; Del Rey, June 2016)

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6 Thrillers to Read in August

How can it be August already? Time to pack the bags and head off on vacation to escape the summer heat. Along with your bathing suit, sun block, and beach chair, don't forget a stash of books. Here are a half dozen new thrillers; look for them at a bookstore near you.

• The Darkness Knows by Cheryl Honigford: After the murder of a radio star, an up-and-coming actress helps a handsome private detective solve the crime. Set in 1930s Chicago, this debut sets the stage for a new series and introduces a likeable duo. (Landmark, August 2)
• The House between Tides by Sarah Maine: I'm just past halfway in this atmospheric Gothic mystery set in the Outer Hebrides. Alternating between the early 1900s and modern times, the story has pulled me in totally--crumbling mansion, a skeleton beneath the floor, and closed-mouthed islanders. (Atria, August 2)
• Watching Edie by Camilla Way: Set in England, this psychological thriller focuses on two childhood friends who are reunited in their thirties. One is a single mom; the other moves in, saying she can lend a hand, but what are her true motives? (New American Library, August 2)

• The Couple Next Door by Sheri Lapena: I just started to listening to this thriller about a parent's worse nightmare. After a night of celebrating with their neighbors, Anne and Marco discover their infant daughter has been taken from her crib. The police aren't buying the couple's story. (Pamela Dorman, August 23)
• Unknown Caller by Debra Spark: When Joel goes to the airport to pick up the teenage daughter he's never met, she fails to get off the plane. Is this a cruel joke played by his ex-wife, or has something really happened to the girl? (Louisiana State University Press, August 22)
• Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris: This sounds like a pretty creepy psychological thriller. Everyone wants to be Jack and Grace. But if they are really the perfect couple, how come Grace is never seen out and about on her own? (St. Martin's Press, August 9)

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Today's Read & Giveaway: Like Family by Paolo Giordano

How fully could you welcome a housekeeper/nanny into your home? For the unnamed narrator of this novel, his wife, and their son, Mrs. A soon becomes indispensable, not just in practical matters but also in smoothing out the family dynamics.

On my thirty-fifth birthday, Mrs. A. abruptly gave up the determination that in my eyes characterized her more than any other quality and, already laid out in a bed that by then seemed too big for her body, finally abandoned the world we all know.

—Like Family by Paolo Giordano (Pamela Dorman Books, 2015, p. 1) [And, yes, I shared this same quote last week.]

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times; Italy
• Circumstances: When a young woman's first pregnancy becomes difficult, the family hires Mrs. A to help out. After the baby is born, the older woman stays on, becoming an integral part of domestic life. How much she is "like family" becomes especially clear when she's diagnosed with cancer.
• Characters: the unnamed male narrator; Nora, his wife; Emanuele, their son; Mrs. A
• Genre: literary fiction; in translation
• Themes: family, marriage, parenting, friendship, love, mortality
• Thoughts: A beautifully written slip of a book with an emotional depth that will capture your attention from beginning to end. This snapshot of an ordinary family and marriage reveals its secrets layer by layer in a perfect tempo. Like Family is a don't-miss read and a contender for my best of 2015 list.

Bonus Teaser

"What do you miss most about her?" I asked [Nora].

"I miss the way she encouraged us. People are so stingy with their encouragement. They just want to be sure you're more needy than they are. . . . Not her, she was always rooting for us." (p. 16)

The Giveaway

Thanks to Penguin Random House, in celebration of today's release of Paolo Giordano's Like Family, I'm happy to be able to offer one of my readers with a U.S. mailing address a copy of this short novel. All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is to fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner, via a random number generator, on December 10. Once the winner has been confirmed and I've passed the name and address along to the publisher, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!

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Thanksgiving Thoughts and Reading Plans

To all my friends in the United States, I wish you a happy, healthy, and relaxing holiday weekend. Hope you find time to read a book or two between tending the turkey and visiting with friends and family.

To everyone else, pardon our many photos of food over the next twenty-four hours and may your upcoming weekend be filled with all things good.

We're planning a quiet weekend at home. Besides cooking and eating, I'm looking forward to reading, walking, and doing some book culling. I may even get around to watching Jessica Jones.

Here are some the books I have at the top of my reading list. I may read these or pick up something else entirely. I'm going to see where my mood takes me.

A couple of years ago I read and liked Paolo Giordano's The Solitude of Prime Numbers, so when I was offered a copy of his newest novel, Like Family, I didn't hesitate to say yes. According to the publisher's description, this is a story of a young family and their housekeeper. The themes seem to be marriage, parenthood, family, facing personal setbacks, and negotiating adulthood. I have high hopes. First sentence:

On my thirty-fifth birthday, Mrs. A. abruptly gave up the determination that in my eyes characterized her more than any other quality and, already laid out in a bed that by then seemed too big for her body, finally abandoned the world we all know.

I'm giving away a copy of this next week.

Even though the second volume of The Outlandish Companion by Diana Gabaldon entered my house in October, I haven't had time to sit down and read it. I don't plan to read this book front to back all in one go. Instead, I'll flip through, reading the essays (on language, on writing, on the television show, etc.), browsing the maps, and skimming the synopses of the more recent Outlander books. Good fun ahead. Here's the first sentence of the first chapter:

The Outlander series includes three kinds of stories: The Big, Enormous Books, which have no discernible genre (or all of them).

It's true: It's damn near impossible to describe the Outlander books by genre.

Also high on my list is the novel by Robert J. Mrazek. I can't resist a mystery / thriller that stars an archaeologist. The first book in the series, Valhalla, involved a discovery of Viking ruins in Greenland. The Bone Hunters concerns hominid fossil remains found in China. The premise promises politics, the military, religious beliefs, and science combined with a twisty and action-packed plot. Good escape reading. Here's the first sentence of the prologue:

It was one of the two darkest nights Corporal Sean Patrick Morrissey could ever remember.

The opening scene is set in China in 1941, but chapter one takes us to Boston in modern times. I'll be giving away copies of both Mrazek books in a couple of weeks.

I have a gazillion other books on my plate, so we'll see what I really get around to reading over the next few days. Enjoy the weekend, and see you Saturday for Weekend Cooking!

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