| Truth/Untruth by Mahasweta Devi; translated by Anjum KatyalWhat happens: the murder of a pregnant domestic servant in 1980s Calcutta (now Kolkata) reveals a viper's nest of greed, betrayal, and violence among its cut-throat, social-climbing elite.
For fans of: Liane Moriarty's twisty, suspenseful domestic thrillers.
Read this next: Small Deaths by Rijula Das. |
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| The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah FredericksHopewell, New Jersey, 1932: Nanny Betty Gow is horrifed to discover that her young charge, Charlie, is missing. She can only hope it's another of his father's strange pranks (as history records, unfortunately it isn't).
Read it for: Betty's wrenching first-person narration vividly conveys her love for Charlie, the palpable fear for his safety, and the gnawing distrust that someone close at hand is responsible.
For fans of: Historical mysteries with a true crime edge. |
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| The Night Ship by Jess KiddCast adrift: The lives of motherless children unfold in parallel narratives on an island off Western Australia's coast. In 1629, Mayken (disguised as a boy) navigates the brutal aftermath of a Dutch shipwreck. In 1989, Gil grieves his mother's death as local tensions escalate.
Take a taste: "The greatest shame of humankind is the failure of the strong to protect the weak."
Reviewers say: A "well-researched, spellbindingly dark and folklore-infused novel.... Recommended especially to Alma Katsu's fans" (Booklist). |
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| Dinosaurs by Lydia MilletWhat happens: Wealthy but brokenhearted Gil takes refuge in Arizona, where the activities of nearby neighbors (and desert wildlife) pique his interest. Although the novel explores themes of human cruelty (bullying, animal violence), its ending is affirming, joyful, and moving.
Read it for: a leisurely-paced, hopeful story with a likeable protagonist whose second act may be the best one yet.
Try this next: Matthew Quick's We Are the Light. |
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| None of This Would Have Happened If Prince Were Alive by Carolyn PrusaMeet: Ramona, would-be superwoman, juggling a demanding job while toilet training a toddler and fielding her mother's ongoing criticism. And that's before finding out her husband is unfaithful and there's an actual Category 4 hurricane on the way.
Read it for: Peak Gen X pop culture asides and relatable laugh-'til-you-cry scenes of ridiculous problem solving. |
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| When Franny Stands Up by Eden RobinsCalling all Marvelous Mrs. Maisel fans: Franny grows up in 1950s Chicago, feeling out of place both as a Jewish girl and within a family where trauma is very personal.
What happens: performing stand-up gives Franny (and her audience) a shared space to address difficult topics -- racism, war, trauma, guilt, gender identity and sexuality -- with honesty, warmth, and laughter.
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| Signal Fires by Dani ShapiroWhat it's about: A car crash leaves one teen dead and two siblings divided by a secret. The novel moves from era to era, back and forth in time, assembling a cast of characters who must first reconcile inner demons before connecting with others.
Read it for: richly developed, complex characters; a moving, thoughtful meditation on what gives life meaning.
Try this next: A Little Hope by Ethan Joella |
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| Flight by Lynn Steger StrongHoliday cheer: Three siblings (and spouses, etc.) gather for the first holiday since their mother's death. Some questions about what to do with the family home remain... it'll all probably be fine, right?
Read it for: Realistic blow ups that happen when families lovingly nurtures grudges for years -- and suprising events that can put things into more reasonable perspectives.
For fans of... Jonathan Tropper's This is Where I Leave You. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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