The Insomniacs
by Allison Winn Scotch
The Insomniacs (4/17/2026)
This story revolves around a group of folks who have connected over the lack of sleep. They meet online while everyone is up at night and converse, play games, etc. They begin meeting in person at an all-night diner and also befriend their waitress. As their story continues, their individual pasts start to be revealed. And everyone has secrets. But of course!! At times, funny and at others, poignant, we see their lives intertwine in so many ways. Betty seems to have the biggest secret which others are trying to unravel but the bonds that are created in a relatively short time are very compelling. The trials and tribulations of family drama are included in each person's life and that is what makes this a great read.
An Infinite Love Story
by Chanel Cleeton
An Infinite Love Story (4/2/2026)
This is not your ordinary love story. First, it is a love story of Vivian and Joe as they navigate the treacherous waters of being a NASA family. We get to know them through alternating chapters bringing us back to how they met and to the present where Joe is taking his first NASA mission. And this is also a love story of Humans and Space. The vast unknown of space travel has always fascinated us all. The rich characters and their lives move this novel along in swift fashion. Chanel Cleeton is a beautiful writer. This was the first book I'd seen by her that didn't have some relationship with Cuba, so it was definitely a different vibe from her earlier works. It truly kept me enthralled.
The Violin Maker's Secret
by Evie Woods
Magical! (3/5/2026)
This book is magical!! The story of a group of people brought together because of a violin at the airport’s lost and found. Sounds silly no? But it is so wonderful. It not only brings the three main characters Devlin, Walter and Gabrielle together, but it also brings the historical owners into the mix. We hear the stories of how this violin came to be and how it has been acquired throughout it’s life, mainly through the words of the violin itself. This personification of the instrument enriches the stories behind it. This book allowed me to escape from the horrible things happening in the world today. Just what I needed. I’ll be picking up Evie Woods other books thanks to this wonderful story.
A Crown of Stars
by Shana Abe
Crown of Stars (2/6/2026)
This beautifully written book tells the story of the Jolivet sisters heading out on their own for the first time with, God Forbid, no chaperone. The two are close and so supportive of each other throughout the story. It is both a coming of age and love story for both of the young women starting their paths into adulthood. While I of course was familiar with the name Lusitania, I really knew little about that tragedy. This book looks at the war through the eyes of Rita and Inez who are wonderfully creative women in a simpler time. Author Shana Abe gives us a glimpse of the difficulties faced by the French during WWII through vivid writing and character development. Yes, it’s a love story but so much more. I now will be seeking out other books by Abe as well as more on the Lusitania.
The Irish Goodbye: Micro-Memoirs
by Beth Ann Fennelly
Irish Goodbye (12/17/2025)
This book takes you from laughter to tears as we uncover glimpes of Beth Ann Fennelly's life on each page. A repeated theme is Beth Ann being haunted by the death of her sister. Memories of days gone by, peeks into a marriage, and thoughts coming out in each chapter giving us a look at a life well lived.
Dandelion Is Dead
by Rosie Storey
Dandelion is Dead (10/14/2025)
A unique love story and so much more. Poppy is mourning her sister Dandelion's recent death and happens upon her dating app account. She contacts a match as her sibling and the adventure ensues. Not to mention that Poppy already has a long term boyfriend at home. As she muddles through her grief, she gets to know Jake, a sweet guy who made a mistake in his last relationship that led to divorce. Poppy and Jake learn as much about themselves as they learn about each other. A complicated series of events leads to humor and self reflection in this lovely story.
Next Time Will Be Our Turn
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Laughter and Tears (9/1/2025)
I so enjoy Jesse Q. Sutanto's writing! She takes on real issues with grace and humor. This time we hear Magnolia's story as she shares it with grandaughter Izzy. This book addresses our patriarchal society, especially focusing on Indo-Chinese culture. Each chapter gives us more insight into what made Magnolia who she has become. Gaining an understanding of cultural norms from other countries is what we really need in these times of division. Jessie makes us laugh and cry through the adventures of a young girl finding her way in the world.
This Here Is Love: A Novel
by Princess Joy L. Perry
A tribute to a hurting people (8/10/2025)
This book will affect me for a very long time. The story of enslaved and indentured people and how their stories are similar yet so very different. Ms. Perry writes a poignant and deep perspective of people who are placed in horrible circumstances. We see how they cope with the atrocities of the time that people of color still are traumatized by. The character's lives intertwine in difficult and loving ways. How do you love someone that you know you could lose at any moment? How do you live when your child is certain to be taken from you? This Here Is Love will burrow into your soul and show you the pain of our historical past. It is at times heartwrenching and at other so very touching as each person deals with their plight. Everyone should read this book, surprisingly Ms. Perry's first.
The Sister's Curse
by Nicola Solvinic
Cold Case Mystery (7/13/2025)
This book is a crime mystery with an underlying paranormal element. It tells the story of Anna who is the daughter of a serial killer. She works to slove a cold case that is crippling a small town. Her determination to get to the bottom of a years old murder are admirable. With professed witches and the presence of the dreaded Rusalka, the story takes on some paranormal elements that keep the reader guessing. I did find a few slow spots in the story but overall this was entertaining.
One Death at a Time
by Abbi Waxman
Cozy Mystery Alert (12/20/2024)
Funny and quirky mystery based in Hollywood. While I enjoyed the book overall, I thought there were too many characters that were only touched on so I had a hard time tracking them all and differentiating. If you enjoy a cozy mystery, you will like this one.
Happy Land
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Lovely historical fiction (11/17/2024)
A tale of family, land ownership, and freedom. Learning the history of this intentional community shows the perseverance of a people. The love and heartbreak we can feel within our families is shown throughout this book. It gives hope through history.
Harlem Rhapsody
by Victoria Christopher Murray
Beautiful prose (9/22/2024)
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the life of Jessie Redmon Fauset. I was not aware of her or her amazing impact on the Harlem Renaissance. Her wisdom and groundbreaking work led to so many great works of literature including her own. It was also eye opening to get a different perspective of W.E.B. DuBois. Their professional and personal relationship made them both strong advocates for the black community and literary works. Thank you to Victoria Christopher Murray for her beautiful prose. Learning about a little known historical figure was so meaningful.
The Waters: A Novel
by Bonnie Jo Campbell
The Waters (12/15/2023)
The Waters is full of rich characters and secrets. We meet a family of women healers who need their own healing. While we watch Dorothy, Donkey, grow up and learn so much about her family and life itself, the mysteries of the Waters unfold. Many times I felt like I was reading about a swampy area of Louisiana rather than the setting of Michigan. This book is a bit of a roller coaster, both in the story and the writing. It is a slow start and worth the time spent getting through that to enjoy the adventure of this strange and loving family.
All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher
A cautionary tale (6/18/2023)
This is a beautiful story of the brave women who risked everything to protect a woman's right to choose before Roe v. Wade was passed. I spent most of my life not having to worry about my choices should I be faced with an unwanted pregnancy. This is the land before that which unfortunately we are heading to again.
The characters stand up to the law, their families and their friends in order to provide safe abortions when they were illegal. Thank God there were people like this who pushed back to protect women.
This cautionary tale is one that is needed in our current society.
Paper Names: A Novel
by Susie Luo
Paper Names (3/20/2023)
A touching story of an immigrant family in search of the "American Dream". At each step they face racism, otherism, and difficulty. Characters are well developed and you see the strengths and weaknesses that they each encounter along the way. Parents who are just trying to make a better life for their child sacrifice career and their own lives. The mistakes they make to give Tammy success in this new country are heartbreaking. A truly beautiful story.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Nice little escape (10/25/2022)
A cute caper with a young woman and her mysterious charge. Who knew that Louise would prove to be such a handful? It was fun to watch the relationship grow.
River Sing Me Home
by Eleanor Shearer
A story that must be told (9/24/2022)
River Sing Me Home is a triumph of tragedy and hope. Joining Rachel's journey to find the family that she lost over many years of slavery was sometimes difficult but always with a glimmer of anticipation that she would be reunited with her loved ones. Eleanor Shearer's lyrical prose and story that is in need of being told to everyone touched my heart. We cannot allow this type of history to be repeated. Thank you Eleanor for keeping the hope alive that a better world is within our grasp.
Take My Hand
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Heartwrenching (9/21/2021)
Take my hand is a heartwrenching and beautiful story of horrible medical experiments being performed on your black girls. Civil is a kind and caring nurse who discovers this atrocity and fights to shine a light on these acts. It's so sad to know that though this was based in 1970, our healthcare system still is full of bias and racism.
New York, My Village: A Novel
by Uwem Akpan
Disappointed (9/6/2021)
I started out really enjoying this book and the odd adventures of Ekong but about midway through the book I was struggling.
Morningside Heights: A Novel
by Joshua Henkin
Great read (4/6/2021)
Really enjoyed this story of a blended family and the unfortunate things they suffer through over the years. The characters are developed quite well and it reads beautifully. Pru is faced with a difficult diagnosis for Spence and this novel shows how she deals with it with and without her daughter and Spence's son. These people are so real and the situation is heart wrenching. The relationship that Pru forms with Spence's caretaker Ginny is also a vital part of the story.
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