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The Leisure Seeker
By Michael Zadoorian $13.99
Ella has major health problems and her husband, John, is suffering from dementia. Despite protests from their adult children and doctors, they set off in
their camper to enjoy their twilight years and many bitter-sweet adventures compliment their travels.
--Carol
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Everyman His Own Gravity
By Andrew Weaver $12.95
A delicious compendium of brief pieces that read like 21st Century Chekhovian short stories. Lugubrious, sanguine ideas expressed ecstatically in stupendously unique ways.
Not a book for the dim of wit: excellent choice for the erudite thinker on your list. Even the most hebetudious critic will appreciate the non-fugacious worth of this work. A couple more books like this one and a Pulitzer will be his.
--Jim
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Curse of the Spellmans
By Lisa Lutz $7.99
This is the 2nd novel about the wacky, but weirdly lovable Spellmans. Izzy Spellman is a hilarious character and I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do next. The 3rd book
in the series Revenge of the Spellmans is out in trade and the 4th and final book in the series is due this spring. It’s laugh-out-loud fun.
--Jean
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Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
By Beth Hoffman $25.95
Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt has been living in Willoughby, Ohio with her mentally ill mother and an absentee father. When her mother suddenly dies, it’s her Great Aunt
Tootie that takes charge and bring her to Savannah, GA to begin her new life.
--Jean
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Breaking The Silence
By Diane Chamberlain $13.95
A dying father’s last wish, a husband’s shocking suicide and a daughter’s inexplicable muteness are linked. This is an emotionally compelling story of secrets and “six degrees of
separation”
--Carol
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Remarkable Creatures
By Tracy Chevalier $26.95
Another very readable historical fiction novel by the
author who wrote “Girl With A Pearl Earring”.
The story revolves around the relationship of two female
fossil hunters in England in the early
1800’s. Based on two real-life,
but little known people.--Marcia, Phil
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The Sleeping Beauty Proposal
by Sarah Strohmeyer $14
What would you do if your boyfriend of 5 years proposed to another woman on national television? Admissions counselor Genie Michaels decides to pretend that she's the one who's engaged. Check out the
admissions essay in Chapter 7 and you'll understand why I love to read Sarah Strohmeyer.--Jean
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The Cinderella Pact
by Sarah Strohmeyer $14
What I love about Sarah Strohmeyer's characters is that they seem so real to me. Nola Devlin and her two friends decide to finally lose the weight they've been carrying around for years, The Cinderella Pact. These ladies are hilarious and so much fun. You won't want to put it down until you're done. Find a cozy chair, grab a glass of wine (or diet coke) and enjoy.
--Jean
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The Whiskey Rebels
By David Liss $15
What was America like
after the Revolutionary War for those who fought for and stayed in this new country? This historical thriller revolves around western frontier and crisis and scandal in the new government. Well written, with
interesting characters
--Lynn & Phil
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The Pig Did It
by Joseph Caldwell $13.99
I was drawn to this
book by it's cover and it doesn't disappoint. This Irish tale has a little bit for everyone: a mystery, a love story, a pig, some fine Irish whiskey and a lot of fun. The Pig Did It is the first of a trilogy. The
second book, The Pig Comes to Dinner is now in hardcover.
--Jean
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Bound
By Sally Gunning $13.99
Another great historical fiction
novel by the author of “The Widow’s War” with a cameo appearance by several of the same characters. Well written and well researched.
--Phil
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The Widow’s War
By Sally Gunning $13.99
For anyone who enjoys
excellent historical fiction. It would also make a terrific book club choice. A very compelling look at an independent woman’s plight on Cape cod in the mid-1700’s. Read this one before reading “Bound” by
the same author.
--Phil
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The School of Essential Ingredients
By Erica Bauermeister $15
A remarkable debut novel. Normally I don’t read this
type of book, but that day I was hungry and
I liked the cover.
I was delighted and
amazed to find this author’s writing was every
bit as tasty as the recipes she concocts.
Bon appetite!
--Phil
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Wednesday Sisters
By Meg Waite Clayton $14
In the summer of 1968, five very different women meet at a playground in Palo Alto and begin a writing group. This is a nostalgic look back at the events of that time, the women we were, and how much we’ve
changed. A good summer read.
--Lynn
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The Missing
By Tim Gautreaux $25.95
A man returns to New Orleans after being overseas during WWI. In a tragic turn, a little girl is kidnapped from the store that he manages and he is compelled to search for her. A very engrossing
historical read with vivid characters and scenery.
--Phil
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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows $22
Despite having a lackluster cover and a weird title, this is actually a wonderful novel. History, humor, tragedy and romance all rolled
together into one great book. One of the best this year!
--Phil, Lynn
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The Historian
By Elizabeth Kostova $9.99
Legends come alive in this
chilling novel as a young girl narrates a search for the truth about the vicious Vlad Dracula. The story unfolds a family legacy that refuses to stay buried. Kostova evokes exotic European locales beautifully and
enthralls readers with tantalizing historical details. A great book to sink your teeth into!
--Hannah
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The Long Walk Home
By Will North $13.95
When New Yorker Alec
travels to Wales to scatter his ex-wife’s ashes, he meets Fiona who runs a Bed-and-Breakfast. They begin a mid-life love affair complicated by their feelings of loyalty and duty. If Nicholas Sparks wrote a book
set in North Wales, it would read like this. Enjoy this story of love, loss and hope in a breath-taking setting.
--Lynn
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The Uncommon Reader
By Alan Bennett $12
When Elizabeth II accidentally borrows a book from the bookmobile, the results turn out to be astonishing. This is a witty and surprisingly reflective look at reading and the change in perspective it can
bring. A fun book!
--Lynn
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Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage & Survival
By Velma Wallis $12.95
Left behind by their tribe in a winter famine, two complaining old women decide they can just die of “die trying.” This award-winning adaptation
from an old Alaskan legend is as pertinent today as it has been for generations. A great story of survival and forgiveness
.--Lynn
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The Cleaner
By Brett Battles $6.99
Welcome to the world of Jonathan Quinn, a professional “cleaner” in the world of espionage. A well-written suspense novel that will have you looking forward to the next one! An excellent choice for a “beach
read”.
--Phil
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Time Traveler’s Wife
By Audrey Niffenegger $14.95
This is a
completely unique and beautiful story. Don’t let the time traveling theme turn you off, it is not a sci-fi book. Simply put, it’s a lovely story of a man, Henry, who due to some genetic defect can travel through
time, his ever-faithful wife, Claire and the great love they share.
--Jean
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A Thousand Splendid Suns
By Khaled Hosseini $16
An extremely well written novel about the plight of women in Afghanistan that chronicles several decades of Afghan history. One of the best books that I read in 2007. A guaranteed great
read.
-- Phil
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Thread of Grace
by Maria Doria Russell $15
There are many strong women and men who are heroes in this book set in Italy during WWII; some, like priests and rabbis are called to be heroes every day;
some surprisingly, are the enemy. Throughout, women hold their families together despite great odds.
--Marcia
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Dark Angels
By Karleen Koen $15.95
Alice Verney at the Court of Charles II is as compelling as “The Other Boleyn Girl” and is also caught in the intrigues and treachery of the
times. I was swept up in the lavish and dangerous courts of France and England in this excellent historical novel. --Lynn
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Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven
By Fannie Flagg $13.95
This is my favorite Fannie Flagg novel! I laughed out loud and have been thinking about heaven ever since. A great feel-good read for the
summer. --Lynn
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The Spellman Files
by Lisa Lutz $7.99
This light and funny novel is a wonderful summer read. Izzy Spellman is trying to leave the family business which happens to be a private investigation firm. But Izzy has one last job to do
before she can get out. Not that she knows what to do once she leaves. Unfortunately for her it's the only job she's ever had. Literally, she started when she was just 14 years old. The whole family is a hoot,
especially Izzy’s sister Rae.
--Jean
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Dream When You’re Feeling Blue
By Elizabeth Berg $14
The three Heaney girls are growing up during WWII. A compelling story, rich in detail, the girls exchange letters with the men that they love serving
overseas. A vivid and nostalgic picture of the time. --Lynn
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The Madonnas of Leningrad
By Debra Dean $13.95
As Marina slips away from the present, she carries us to the “Hermitage” in Leningrad as the priceless art collection is removed for safe-keeping.
Her story unfolds as she survives the brutal siege by recreating the art in her mind. A haunting story with an unforgettable conclusion.. --Lynn
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The Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives
by Sarah Strohmeyer $14
The one word to describe this book would be fun! Desperate Housewives in northeast Ohio – I loved it. It’s the kind of book you’ll stay up late
reading, saying to yourself “just one more chapter…”
--Jean
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Two Days After the Wedding
by Joan Medlicott $13
This is a wonderful new book about “the ladies of Covington” – how they confront the joys and sad events of daily living and wisely come to terms with the men in their lives. --Jane
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An Assembly Such As This
by Pamela Aidan $14
For any one who loved the classic Pride and Prejudice and/or the A&E
miniseries starring Colin Firth as Fitzwilliam Darcy will love this novel. This time the story is told from Darcy’s point of view and it’s fantastic! This is the first of three books in the series. --Jean, Lynn
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A Can Of Peas
by Traci DePree $12.99
Visit Lake Emily, a small farming community in Minnesota and you may want to stay on permanently. A wonderful book with warm, caring friends and neighbors coping with the joys and problems of
everyday life.
--Jane
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Ahab’s Wife
by Sena Jeter Naslund $15.95
This compelling adventure, set in mid 19th c. New England, is both suspenseful and romantic. A deep knowledge of both the sea and the heart,
strong characterization and original writing make this an unforgettable treat.
--Sandy
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The Queen’s Fool
by Philippa Gregory $16
I loved this second book in the series as much, if not more than The Other Boleyn Girl. Our narrator is a young girl caught between Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth. Told with great period detail, a story we all know is told so masterfully that it is filled drama, intrigue and suspense. This is a great trilogy!
--Lynn
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Other Boleyn Girl
by Philippa Gregory $16
A fascinating account of love, sex, ambition and intrigue in the court of Henry VIII. The story revolves around two sisters competing to be the Queen of England. A guaranteed page-turner!
--Jane, Lynn
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More Than You Know
by Beth Gutcheon-$13.95
This is a ghost story that takes place in a small town on the coast of Maine, bridging two centuries and two intense love stories. Beautifully and peacefully written, showing how love and hatred shape lives and families.-Jane H.
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