In our four exciting choices for Teen Read Week (October 14-20), readers can root for heroes and heroines who fear near-impossible challenges with uncommon courage and a little magic.
In our four exciting choices for Teen Read Week (October 14-20), readers can root for heroes and heroines who fear near-impossible challenges with uncommon courage and a little magic.
A true beach read takes the reader somewhere new and fascinating, and tells a juicy story that keeps the pages turning. Whether you’re looking for something to take on vacation—or just a mental vacation!—these five books are guaranteed to transport you.
A true beach read takes the reader somewhere new and fascinating, and tells a juicy story that keeps the pages turning. Whether you’re looking for something to take on vacation—or just a mental vacation!—these five books are guaranteed to transport you.
Whether exploring the unknown through unforgettable adventures or telling tales of the heart, these four choices for Teen Read Week (October 13-19) encourage reading just for the fun of it.
Whether exploring the unknown through unforgettable adventures or telling tales of the heart, these four choices for Teen Read Week (October 13-19) encourage reading just for the fun of it.
Looking for a novel that reflects the spirit of the season? The usual best-selling suspects—and a few surprises—are ready with some exciting and festive new releases.
SILENT NIGHT
A homeless boy leads Spenser into the case of a lifetime in this new adventure, completed by Parker’s longtime literary agent and friend Helen Brann.
STARRY NIGHT
When a successful gossip columnist comes upon the scoop of a lifetime in small-town Alaska, she must decide between her career or her heart.
THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE
It’s Christmas in the Cotswolds, and a humble candle maker is visited by a mysterious angel who gives him a dubious gift: The ability to grant one Christmas miracle.
CHRISTMAS BLISS
Savannah antiques dealer Weezie Foley would enjoy Christmas a lot more if she weren’t trying to juggle a wedding and a pregnant maid-of-honor.
TIME FOR ME TO COME HOME
A big-time country superstar realizes that the only place he wants to spend Christmas is at home in Oklahoma in this heartwarming tale by the mother of real-life superstar Blake Shelton.
THE DOGS OF CHRISTMAS
When Josh finds an abandoned, pregnant dog on his doorstep, he inadvertantly becomes the patriarch of a very furry family—and gets a chance at love with a beautiful shelter employee.
A CHRISTMAS HOPE
A boring holiday gathering with the haute ton turns into something more when a prostitute joins the party—and turns up dead—in Perry’s 11th Christmas mystery.
Looking for a novel that reflects the spirit of the season? The usual best-selling suspects—and a few surprises—are ready with some exciting and festive new releases.
SILENT NIGHT
A homeless boy leads Spenser into the case of a lifetime in this new adventure, completed by Parker’s…
A new take on baby steps
In Small Move, Big Change, Caroline Arnold introduces the “microresolution,” a pint-sized action that leads to long-term gain in the areas of losing weight and becoming kinder, more organized, fiscally solvent and more. Since you’re advised to work on only two microresolutions at a time, the adjustment to each new habit has time to sink in before you move on to the next. Framing goals in positive language helps, too. Arnold’s attempts to stop speed-eating finally bore fruit when she quit harping on her bad habit, resolving instead to “savor” each meal.
The idea of breaking a task into smaller units isn’t new, but Arnold’s intent is to help readers see the futility of merely resolving to “be nicer” (nicer than who?), and instead live that goal with small, structured actions, like complimenting your spouse at least once a day.
Not only are these small projects relatively easy, but they seem fun as well, since each one has to be tailored to your own schedule, habits and idiosyncrasies or it will likely fail. If there’s a habit you’ve been pushing against without a breakthrough, check out Small Move, Big Change. Reading it may be one of the last macroresolutions you ever make.
—Heather Seggel
Living wisely, your whole life through
In A Short Guide to a Long Life, David B. Agus, author of The End of Illness and a prominent oncologist and biomedical researcher, distills his rules for living wisely into three sections—What to Do, What to Avoid and Doctor’s Orders—that contain a total of 65 ways to use preventive measures to achieve a better, healthier, longer life.
While that number may sound daunting, readers are likely following some of the rules already, such as “Grow a Garden,” “Cohabitate” or “Smile.” More challenging suggestions include “Find Out What Exercise or Activity You’re Bad at and Focus on It.” Agus’ reasoning: This challenges the body and brain, thus strengthening them—and it might turn out to be fun, too.
The doctor also offers food for thought via his take on vitamins (he’s not a proponent and recommends getting nutrients from food instead) and the importance of sussing out chronic inflammation through, say, better dental hygiene, taking a baby aspirin and a statin, and wearing comfortable shoes. Ultimately, while readers will have heard some of these rules before, perhaps even from their own mothers—“Strengthen Your Core and Maintain Good Posture” sounds a lot like “stand up straight!”—Agus explains how and why adhering to these edicts will work.
The truly motivated will appreciate the “Doctor’s Orders” section, which contains health-centric to-do lists organized by decade, plus top 10 lists covering everything from causes of death to useful websites. Throughout, Agus emphasizes the importance of being informed about one’s own health via exams, tests, measurements and even using devices and/or apps to track personal data over time.
—Linda Castellitto
Whoa, mother!
Rachel Macy Stafford lost two years of her children’s lives—not because she was deathly ill or away on a trip around the world, but because she was living distracted, struggling to find the energy to walk up her stairs at night, much less spend meaningful time with the small ones she loved most. To top it off, she was addicted to her phone and checked it compulsively. Sound familiar?
Stafford had what she calls her “breakdown break-through” moment while on a run and came home to scrawl a sort of manifesto on the back on envelope. Part of it reads, “Turn off the music in the car. Sit next to your child as she plays. Lie in bed with her after you say goodnight.” Such was the beginning of Stafford’s dramatic reorientation. Activities she used to regard as time wasters became, in her new economy, treasures she dubbed “Sunset Moments.” And now this “Hands Free Mama” (so named because she’s no longer chained to her devices) is calling others to join her.
If you feel like life is moving too fast and you are missing out on the most important things, this is a book that will encourage you to slow down and refashion your life. The 12 chapters, designed to be read one-per-month, bear titles like “Choose What Matters” and “Remember Life Is Precious.” Stafford’s message couldn’t be more timely and is at once convincing and encouraging.
—Kelly Blewett
Seven days, whole new you
Much of the advice in Younger Next Week is of the tried-and-true variety. If you want to look healthy and, perhaps more importantly, feel good, pulling all-nighters and eating a whole pizza at one sitting are not going to cut it. More water, less couch time, better sleep, a few blueberries and more attention to your real-life social network are all part of the plan here. But Younger Next Week has a secret weapon: author Elisa Zied.
Zied has provided health and fitness commentary on a slew of morning shows and knows her subject inside and out. It’s impressive that she can make truisms that we all know, yet seldom act upon, sound both accessible and fun. When trying to beat a craving, she advises stocking the house with healthy alternatives before the urge strikes: “Deciding whether to give in to a craving or satisfy it during the craving is like trying to draft a prenuptial agreement while in flagrante delicto.”
The book is peppered with delicious recipes (White bean and kale soup? Definitely making that!), easy exercise suggestions and “stressipes,” quick tips and to-dos to keep you on track. The diet portion of the plan is surprisingly liberal, emphasizing whole grains and fresh fruit and veggies, but also making room for russet potatoes, lean beef, milk, eggs and treats in moderation.
Zied gets bonus points for not demonizing any single food item. Sidebars labeled “Do It or Ditch It” look at artificial sweeteners, processed meats and other ingredients known to pose health risks. She lays out the evidence but acknowledges that virtually anything is OK as long as you limit your indulgences and enjoy them to the fullest.
The ideas laid out in Younger Next Week take just seven days to implement, but they’re the kind of changes you will likely want to stick with for the long haul.
—Heather Seggel
Quit biting your tongue
Anyone who’s ever thought, “Why didn’t I speak up?” or, conversely, “I can’t believe I said that!” will benefit from Carl Alasko’s Say This, Not That: A Foolproof Guide to Effective Interpersonal Communication. With this new book, the psychotherapist and author of the dramatically named Emotional Bullshit wants to help readers dial down the drama at home, at work and wherever well-stated, well-timed statements could help turn a potentially negative situation into a positive, even productive, one.
Drawing from 25 years of experience, Alasko acknowledges that while knowing whywe react a certain way is important, knowing what to say in the moment is even more useful. He wants to help readers “carefully choose words and . . . adopt nonthreatening gestures” that lead to better communication.
The book’s six sections—Dating, Long-Term Relationships, Parenting, Friendships, Workplace and Everyday Situations—contain scenarios and scripts. Alasko has an accessible, to-the-point writing style, and possible responses, reminders (“Be strategic”) and insight (“There’s no negotiating with authentic . . . passive-aggressive behavior. The only strategy is to avoid any form of dependence.”) will boost preparedness and confidence, whether dealing with a chronically late carpooler, a financially oblivious partner or a gossipy neighbor. Alasko believes “Saying the most effective words in the right moment is a skill that can be learned,” and with his guidance, it’s absolutely do-able.
—Linda Castellitto
The power of the paintbrush
Painting Your Way Out of a Corner delivers on its promise of “a new twist on journaling with brushstrokes instead of words.” Like its written counterpart, a painting journal can offer stress relief, along with avenues for personal growth, inspiration and healing. This concise how-to manual for expressing yourself in watercolors also offers a scholarly exploration of the unconscious mind and its relationship to the creative process.
An artist and art educator in New York City, Barbara Diane Barry has drawn on many years of research and practice. She adheres to the Jungian theory of a “collective consciousness,” and this rich reservoir, she explains, combined with our own individual experiences and sense memories, provides a huge image “library” within our brains.
Barry’s “unplanned painting” method evolved as she faced her own creative or emotional “corners.” Seeking a means of a combating her inner critic and alleviating the fears that sometimes stymied her work, she tried out various media, ultimately discovering the “looseness, flow, and sense of play” she was seeking in the fluidity of watercolor paints. As she points out, the results are fresh, spontaneous and sometimes surprising.
Painting Your Way Out of a Corner offers plenty of starter exercises, step-by-step guidance and many of Barry’s own journal paintings as examples and inspiration.
—Linda Stankard
Ah, love—everyone wants it, but many feel unsure how to get it or keep it. These titles offer valuable, often entertaining insight on many facets of love. Personal stories, wit and wisdom abound. Go forth and be romantic!
FINDING A LATER SPARK
The New York Times “Modern Love” column has launched many memoirs, and Eve Pell’s popular 2013 essay has grown into Love, Again: The Wisdom of Unexpected Romance. “How do old people meet new loves?” Pell writes. “Here’s how it happened for me: I schemed.” She, 67 and twice-divorced, asked a mutual friend to invite Sam, a 77-year-old widower, to a party. Next came a movie date . . . and three years later, they married. Pell shares their stories, plus those of 14 more couples who found later-life love. Times are changing, Pell notes: “Old people who follow their own hearts are not considered exceptional or outlandish—less Auntie Mame and more Judi Dench.” She adds that, since there will likely be a caretaker (and grieving spouse) in every older couple, “old love” can feel risky, but some find the best way to face the truth of mortality is to seek happiness and enjoy each moment. Pell’s greatest lesson learned: “Trust yourself. Whatever your age, you have the right to live as fully as you can, as fully as you want to.” This lovely, poignant read will bring out the romantic in readers of any age.
DEVOTION’S DARK SIDE
Lisa A. Phillips tackles a timely, deeply personal topic in Unrequited: Women and Romantic Obsession. Phillips admits that, 20 years ago at age 29, she became obsessed with “B.” The two dated despite his long-distance girlfriend, but as Phillips (fresh off a breakup) fell in love, he pulled away. “For years after I stopped pursuing B.,” she writes, “I could not acknowledge that I’d gone too far.” Friends comforted her, but if she’d been a man, “They would have accused me of stalking.” Phillips acknowledges that, and uses it as a powerful jumping-off point for her far-ranging exploration of women’s obsessive love and its consequences. Unrequited features women’s personal stories and examines obsessive behavior through the lenses of psychology, literature and popular culture. Phillips herself eventually decided that unrequited love was not to be her fate. Meeting her now-husband and years of self-assessment got her there; for others, cognitive behavioral therapy helped with “disrupting the unsatisfying cycle.” Phillips also explores obsession’s impact on its objects, and cautions readers against the “gender pass” (downplaying women’s stalking behavior as somehow less dangerous than men’s). This is a compellingly written, eye-opening guide.
FUN AND MARRIAGE
Tim Dowling professes to be surprised at his evolution from Manhattan bachelor to London husband of 20 years and father of three boys. Of course, as the humor columnist for The Guardian reveals in How to Be a Husband, he’s not really surprised—but he does find it amazing he had the gumption. His relationship started with a meet-cheat: He decided he must be with his now-wife so he cheated on and dumped his long-term girlfriend to do so. It wasn’t characteristic of him, but with new love came more changes, like visits to her London home, immigration-related stress and finally, “We simply agreed —we’ll get married—with the resigned determination of two people plotting to bury a body in the woods.” Dowling admits this is far from a self-help book, as his “successful marriage is built of mistakes.” But he shares lessons despite himself, like the Twelve Labors of Marriage (“Housework,” “Finding Things,” “Nameless Dread”) along with the 40 Precepts of Gross Marital Happiness: “It’s okay to steal small amounts of money from each other” and “Go to bed angry if you want to.” With these clever lists and remembrances of joy, grief and hilarity, Dowling has crafted a heartfelt tale of his married life so far. He pokes fun at stereotypes and advises the hapless: “I’ve always felt that being a good husband and father is a simple matter of occasionally reminding one’s wife and children that they could do a whole lot worse.”
LONG-LIVED LOVE
When you want to learn something, you look to the experts. It worked for Karl Pillemer’s 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans, and he knew it would work for 30 Lessons for Loving: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage. The seeds of Pillemer’s second book originated from the Marriage Advice Project: He and his team interviewed 700 older Americans in committed relationships lasting from 30 to 70 years, including cohabitants and widows/widowers. Pillemer writes, “For them, it’s no longer a mystery as to how everything will turn out —it’s already happened.”
According to stories the elders share, what we all hear about long-term love (don’t hold grudges; share the chores!) aren’t just empty phrases, but rather words to live by. Readers can start with one of the book’s five sections (“Lessons for Finding a Mate”; “Communication and Conflict”) or delve into 30 lessons on topics like manners, in-laws, work and children. Pillemer, married 36 years, shares his own perspective-shift: “I came to a revelation. They are talking about marriage as a discipline . . . a developmental path where you get better at something by mindfully attending to it and continual practice.” Also, seeing is believing: “Nothing convinces you of the value of making a lifelong commitment like being in the presence of couples who have done just that.” Long live love!
This article was originally published in the February 2015 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
Summer is the perfect time to get swept away by a great romance while you relax by the water, and we’ve rounded up three great romance novels about love by the bay. These novels are the perfect beach read—even if the only beach you’ll be visiting is in your imagination!
GOING FOR IT IN NANTUCKET
The Montgomery-Taggert saga continues in Ever After, the final novel in romance legend Jude Deveraux’s wildly popular Nantucket Brides trilogy. As a physical therapist, Hallie Hartley is used to taking care of people, even at the expense of her own happiness. She has long been the guardian of her spoiled, self-centered stepsister, but Shelly has finally pushed her too far. So when Jared Montgomery arrives on her doorstep and tells her that she has inherited a mansion in Nantucket, she takes the first plane out—literally.
Part of the deal for her immediate move to Nantucket is her acceptance of a position as a live-in physical therapist for the guarded Jamie Taggert, who, she is told, was injured in a skiing accident. Hallie assumes Jamie is a spoiled trust-fund playboy, but as Hallie gets to know him, she suspects there is more than meets the eye. Jamie is plagued by horrible nightmares, and it’s obvious that his wounds go far deeper than the physical. But when the truth of Jamie’s past is finally revealed, can Hallie get over the betrayal and look toward a future together?
Both Jamie and Hallie have their guards up, but as the beautiful island of Nantucket works its magic on them, they find it hard to resist falling in love, especially when Jamie’s relatives arrive to celebrate a wedding. Throw in a pair of matchmaking ghosts, and these two really don't stand a chance against love. Filled with family, friends, ghosts and the magic of love, Ever After is sure to please longtime fans of Deveraux, as well as new readers.
LAKESIDE LOVE
RaeAnne Thayne returns to Haven Point in her latest novel, Redemption Bay. McKenzie Shaw loves her adopted hometown of Haven Point, so when she was nominated for mayor, she happily accepted the position. But the charming small town nestled in the Idaho mountains and surrounded by a pristine lake has its fair share of issues. And in McKenzie’s mind, there is one man to blame for all of them: Ben Kilpatrick.
After a privileged but unhappy childhood in Haven Point, Ben was glad to leave the small town filled with bad memories behind. But his desertion left Haven Point in the lurch; his decision to sell his family’s boatworks factory devastated the town’s economy, and by abandoning his numerous downtown properties, he’s almost single-handedly destroyed Haven Point’s tourism potential.
When Ben returns to his hometown in order to scope it out as an expansion site for his hugely profitable tech company, McKenzie is loathe to see him. But when she learns that he might be bringing new revenue to the town, she’s determined to put her best foot forward. To her immense surprise, however, she finds herself enjoying spending time with Ben. Grilling out and lounging by the lake with their dogs doesn’t feel like business—it feels like pleasure. And Ben can’t help but be charmed by the feisty young mayor. As they wrestle with their feelings toward each other and cope with deep pain from their pasts, the unlikely pair find themselves wondering if embarking on a new journey together might just be worth the risk.
FINDING SAFE HARBOR
Donna Kauffman kicks off her Brides of Blueberry Cove series with Sea Glass Sunrise. After being blindsided when her seemingly perfect boyfriend turns out to be married and expecting his first child, headstrong and high-powered D.C. attorney Hannah McCrae heads back to her coastal hometown of Blueberry Cove, Maine, for her brother’s wedding and a little solace. But on the way to her childhood home, she’s again blindsided—this time by a stop sign—and narrowly misses town contractor Calder Blue’s pickup, crashing her sports car into an old wooden sign.
Calder rushes to her aid, and after the airbag dust settles, an undeniable attraction arises between them. Calder also has family in the Cove, but this particular branch hasn't spoken to his side in generations. He’s hoping to make peace while he’s there and build the town’s new yacht club, but he’s convinced that there’s something sinister going on behind the contested project—and he’s determined to find out what. Hannah’s wounded, judicious heart doesn’t take long to warm up to Calder’s gentle pursuit, and the unlikely pair finds they have many surprising things in common, including a secret love for classic Hollywood films.
Fans of cozy small-town settings—where everybody knows your name and your business, but also has your back—will be eager to see what happens next in this bayside New England locale.
There aren't many images more emblematic of the romance genre than a strong, kilted hero standing on the moors. To celebrate these burly heroes, we've reviewed three of the best recent Highland romances. Make sure you've got a tartan blanket and a hot toddy ready to enjoy with these novels!
STEALING KISSES
Jennifer Ashley’s latest installment in her Mackenzies series, The Stolen Mackenzie Bride, reaches back to the height of the Jacobite uprising in 1745 as this tale of courtship between two beloved Mackenzie ancestors unfolds.
English noblewoman Lady Mary Lennox is resigned to leading a dutiful, if not especially blissful, life as the soon-to-be-wife of one of her father’s political allies—until she locks eyes with Malcolm Mackenzie.
Mal has spent the past few years chasing skirts and enjoying his fair share of whisky, but one look at Mary and the mischievous Scot’s mind is made. She’s the elegant, passionate woman of his dreams, but he’ll have to find a way to break Mary’s legally cemented engagement—and break the fact of her British birth to his high-born Scottish father.
The politically unstable Edinburgh of the mid-18th century is not the most swoon-worthy setting for star-crossed love, and there are plenty of dark, violent moments that make this abundantly clear. Mary is given little choice in her life, and she is frequently used as a political bargaining chip by the warring sides, but the convention-breaking Highlander sparks her desire for respect and independence, and she makes some surprisingly daring decisions where she can. Mal may be a fierce, rugged warrior who gets what he wants, but his charm and emotional maturity make him an especially lovable hero. This is a sweeping saga in which a rare love blossoms in the shadow of war and political brutality.
AN UNLIKELY LOVE
The romance in Paula Quinn’s The Taming of Malcolm Grant, part of her MacGregors series, develops in the most unlikely of places. When the Grant brothers are in need of a bit of relaxation, the womanizing Highlander Malcolm knows the perfect place to unwind: his old friend Harry Gray’s brothel, Fortune’s Smile.
Unfortunately, almost immediately upon arrival, the brothers spark up a brawl with the wrong people. Malcolm and his brother, Cailean, are injured and in desperate need of medical attention. Luckily, Harry Gray is willing to hide the brothers above the brothel, and his sister, Emmaline, is a skilled healer.
Blinded at a young age by the fever that killed her parents, Emmaline has spent most of her life sequestered away, learning the art of healing. However, she has recently reunited with her brother, whom she barely knows. Uncertain what exactly to do with Emmaline and worried about her safety, Harry rarely allows her to leave her upstairs quarters above the raucous brothel, and never without a companion to guide her.
Malcolm is stunned to find the gentle likes of Emmaline in Fortune's Smile, but as she works to heal the gravely injured Cailean, Emmaline’s sweet-tempered demeanor and empathetic nature unexpectedly begin to heal Malcolm’s hardened heart, as well. Will it be the quietly confident Emmaline who finally tames the notorious Malcolm, or will a lingering threat end their relationship before it begins?
QUITE THE MISTAKE TO MAKE
When Riona Duff is awakened in her uncle’s York home by hand over her mouth and a gruff Scottish voice telling her to get dressed, she assumes the worst. But in The Wrong Bride, the first book in Gayle Callen’s Highland Weddings series, a bevy of assumptions are proven false.
Lady Catriona Duff was promised to clan chief Hugh McCallum when they were both children, but her father now renounces the betrothal, and Hugh refuses to accept the slight. His clan desperately needs the money from Catriona’s dowry, and he believes he has no choice—he either claims his bride or his clan will suffer. Hence sneaking into the Duff’s estate in the dead of night and stealing Catriona away to his Highland keep.
However, there is a flaw in Hugh’s plan. A large one: He’s stolen the wrong Duff woman. The very stubborn Hugh refuses to believe he’s made this big of a mistake, assuming that she is lying in an attempt to weasel out of their impending nuptials. But the woman is resolute: He is betrothed to her cousin, not her.
However, this does nothing to abate the searing attraction between the two. Hugh is determined to court and seduce his wary bride, and Riona, who has spent a lifetime in the shadow of her sister, has a hard time resisting. Even though Riona knows she is not truly his betrothed, she finds herself tentatively falling in love with the burly laird. However, when Hugh’s scandalous past is revealed and Riona’s true identity is proven, their burgeoning hope for love may be dashed. Rich with historical detail and sexual tension, the first of Callen’s new series is a winner.
Big money largely designates who runs, who wins, what issues are raised, how they are framed, and finally, how legislation is drafted. That is the charge former Hawaiian Congressman Cecil Heftel makes in this brief but well-documented assault on the way American political campaigns are now funded.
A Democrat who grew up admiring Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Heftel served from 1976 to 1986 in the House of Representatives, where he served on the Ways and Means Committee. Before going into politics, he earned a fortune by buying radio stations and building their audiences. His wealth enabled him to finance his own successful campaigns. His victories, however, served to reinforce his conviction that money rather than merit rules in politics. In backing his conclusions, Heftel draws on his experiences as a Washington insider and on relevant data compiled by other critics. His scorn for the way things are done is refreshingly even-handed and non-partisan.
To drive home the point that campaign funding by special interests is both rampant and socially destructive, Heftel devotes a chapter each to explaining how strings-attached contributions affect the budget deficit, the tax structure, defense spending, health insurance policies, the environment, and regulation of the auto industry.
Once he has outlined the problem, Heftel then proposes to alleviate it with a Clean Money Campaign Reform movement. It involves the voluntary public financing through an annual donation of less than $10 per citizen of any aspiring candidate who can demonstrate that he or she has a specified number of supporters. A candidate participating in this approach would further have to agree not to accept any special interest money. Although Heftel concedes that he is fighting an uphill battle, he argues that a few passionate reformers can eventually galvanize the public and then go on to win the war. Even when they are less than spelled out and fully argued, Heftel’s ideas are worth pondering. Edward Morris is a Nashville journalist.
Big money largely designates who runs, who wins, what issues are raised, how they are framed, and finally, how legislation is drafted. That is the charge former Hawaiian Congressman Cecil Heftel makes in this brief but well-documented assault on the way American political campaigns are…
Have you discovered your favorite new author of 2016 yet? If not, we have a few ideas. Though these novels cover a range of settings and genres, they each feature a distinctive new voice readers will want to hear more from.
Nicole Dennis-Benn
HERE COMES THE SUN
For fans of: Edwidge Danticat, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Rohinton Mistry.
First line: “The long hours Margot works at the hotel are never documented.”
About the book: Three generations of Jamaican women struggle with love, family and finances in this beautifully complex novel.
About the author: Jamaican-born writer Nicole Dennis-Benn lives with her wife in Brooklyn, New York, where she teaches writing.
Read it for: A hard-hitting, realistic portrayal of those who live year-round in paradise.
Krys Lee
HOW I BECAME A NORTH KOREAN
For fans of: Adam Johnson, Chang-rae Lee, Yiyun Li.
First line: “Home still begins as an image for me.”
About the book: The lives of a Chinese-American genius, a wealthy North Korean student and a desperate defector collide in a Chinese border town.
About the author: Krys Lee teaches creative writing in South Korea; her story collection, Drifting House, was published to much acclaim in 2012.
Read it for: A masterful portrayal of the personal side of world politics and Lee’s understanding of the complexities of immigrant life.
Scott Stambach
THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF IVAN ISAENKO
For fans of: Coming-of-age tales with remarkable young narrators, such as The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
First line: “Dear Reader, whom I do not know, who may never be, I write not for you but for me.”
About the book: Confined to a children’s hospital in Belarus for all of his 17 years, spunky Ivan Isaenko is determined to transcend his severe physical deformities. His world brightens with the arrival of Polina, an orphaned girl with leukemia.
About the author: Scott Stambach teaches high school and college math and physics in San Diego.
Read it for: An unforgettable lead character and Stambach’s powerful writing, which captures the small acts of kindness and the incidental tragedies that are part of institutional life.
Heather Young
THE LOST GIRLS
For fans of: Jennifer McMahon, Kate Morton, Laura McHugh.
First line: “I found this notebook in the desk yesterday.”
About the book: Sixty years after the disappearance of her younger sister, Lucy Evans bequeaths the family’s Minnesota lake house to her grandniece, Justine—along with a notebook that recounts some devastating family secrets.
About the author: Heather Young practiced law for a decade and raised two kids before turning to fiction. She has an MFA from Bennington College Writing Seminars.
Read it for: The feeling of sinking into the complications of generational skeletons, like a plunge to the bottom of a cold lake.
Forrest Leo
THE GENTLEMAN
For fans of: Wilde, Wodehouse, “The Addams Family” and Northanger Abbey.
First line: “My name is Lionel Savage, I am twenty-two years old, I am a poet, and I do not love my wife.”
About the book: A 19th-century London poet blows his fortune on books and must marry for money. When he strikes up a conversation with the Devil at a society soirée, Lionel (accidentally?) sells his new wife—and her soul. Hijinks ensue as Lionel and a band of misfits set off on a half-baked rescue mission.
About the author: A playwright and NYU graduate, Forrest Leo was raised on an actual Alaskan homestead and has practiced dogsledding, carpentry and photography.
Read it for: Monty Python-esque levels of absurdity, endlessly entertaining footnotes, period–appropriate illustrations, swashbuckling adventure and romance.
Adam O'Fallon Price
THE GRAND TOUR
For fans of: Fredrik Backman and Michael Chabon’s Wonder Boys.
First line: “Sir?”
About the book: Richard Lazar is reluctantly embarking on an alcohol-fueled book tour for his dark horse hit memoir about the Vietnam War. When Richard meets a hopelessly eager fan named Vance, the author surprises himself by letting Vance tag along.
About the author: A former musician and screenwriter, Adam O’Fallon Price grew up in California, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. He currently lives in Iowa with his wife and cat.
Read it for: The oddly tender friendship that develops between the gruff author and the awkward Vance.
This article was originally published in the August 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
Nicole Dennis-Benn photo: Jason Berger
Krys Lee photo: Matt Douma
Forrest Leo photo: Abigail Sparrow
Award-winning author Randall Kenan, known for his stylish short story collection, Let the Dead Bury Their Dead, checks the pulse of Black America at the close of the 1990s with an extensive cross-country survey, Walking on Water: Black American Lives at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century. The question asked was: “What does it mean to be black?” The respondents cover the spectrum of the black experience, including a former gang member, a welfare mother, a judge, a business type, and a host of others of every social stripe. Kenan asks all the right questions; even Chicago talkmeister Studs Turkel couldn’t have done a better job.
Wisdom exudes from every page of Steven Barboza’s The African American Book of Values. Barboza uses a timely collection of “classic moral stories” to revive undervalued themes of faith, love, loyalty, self-discipline, respect, and self-esteem, among others, for a community seeking to recapture lost traditions. The list of authors, artists, sages, and cultural icons sampled in the groundbreaking volume is very impressive.
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