Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
by Jesse Q Sutanto
From Trophy Wife to Chef (4/23/2026)
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block was a laugh out loud read for me. I literally had to stifle giggles while reading it in public. The novel follows a privileged older woman who discovers that her husband of forty years is leaving her for their much younger private chef. Determined to win him back, Mebel decides the only solution is to become a chef herself.
Naturally, YouTube tutorials won’t do, she must attend the very best culinary school in Paris. Except she doesn’t. Upon arrival, she discovers she has accidentally enrolled in sister school in England instead. Within her first few hours in England, her bags are stolen, her room turns out to be tiny, and she quickly learns that she must do everything on her own.
At its heart, this is a novel about self discovery. Through hilarious culture clashes with her fellow students and the challenges of starting over, Mebel learns she is capable of far more than just being a trophy wife. Her journey is both funny and unexpectedly empowering. I can't wait to read more by this author.
Happy Land
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
A Land that I Never Knew (3/16/2026)
Happy Place is a perfect example of why I adore reading historical fiction. It offers a glimpse into the experiences of individuals whose stories are often overlooked in history books. I had no idea that formally enslaved people sometimes founded their own townships and kingdoms to build communities where they could own land and experience true freedom. The use of dual timelines in the narrative brilliantly weaves together the perspectives of both a descendant of the kingdom and the original queen of the kingdom herself. It’s a beautiful read that I will recommend to everyone.
The Violin Maker's Secret
by Evie Woods
Mysterious Violin (2/23/2026)
The Violin Maker’s Secret is an unexpected gem, warm, whimsical, and wonderfully charming. The story begins simply, with three ordinary people and a lost/stolen violin, but it quickly unfolds into something much richer. The violin carries secrets that lead our characters on an adventure to who can uncover its mysterious origins. Because the violin was stolen, those who took it are going to reclaim it any way possible, adding suspense throughout the novel.
As we follow the trio and the violin across time and the violin's memory, we learn how this remarkable instrument ended up in Heathrow Airport’s Lost and Found. The characters are endearing, each bringing heart and humor to the journey. My favorite element is the magical realism woven through the story. The violin is a spirit guiding presence that connects everyone it encounters.
It is a sweet, imaginative novel, and now I want to read more of Evie Woods’ work.
Cursed Daughters: A Novel
by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Was it a curse? (2/4/2026)
I will read anything Oyinkan Braithwaite writes, and Cursed Daughters immediately shot to the top of my TBR. I’m always drawn to stories involving curses and magic, especially when they’re woven into culture and history. I used to have conversations with my father about ghosts and magic how belief didn’t matter because they were simply part of life and culture. That idea closely mirrors the discussions between the two daughters about whether curses are real. Through its multi-generational narrative, the book explores unresolved trauma and the weight it carries across time. The curse itself felt like a self-fulfilling prophecy. The women’s attempts to hold onto love would ultimately push it away, working against the very futures they hope to protect.
Everything Lost Returns: A Novel
by Sarah Domet
Women, Secrets and Soap (1/15/2026)
I really enjoyed this book! It's such a unique story with a mix of mystery and just a touch of magical realism that kept me hooked. The dual timelines (1910 and 1986) are connected through the Earthshine Soap Company and Halley's Comet, and I thought that was such a clever way to tie everything together. What stood out most to me were the themes: women's rights, spiritualism, and how corporations can put profit over people, often with devastating consequences. The story made me think about how history repeats itself in different ways.
The writing is beautiful, and even when I wasn't sure where the story was going, I couldn't stop reading. It's one of those books that stays with you after you finish. The story combines history, mystery, and a little magic.
The Women: A Novel
by Kristin Hannah
Unknown heroes of the Vietnam War (1/6/2026)
Wow, that was a lot of tears on this book. I can't believe I waited this long to read it. I have always loved Vietnam War stories. I just fell in love with Frankie, Ethel, and Barb. I can't wait to see it on the big screen.
The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai: A Novel
by Ruiyan Xu
Beautiful novel about language and relationships (10/30/2010)
A man goes has a brain injury and forgets his dominant language. He can only speak in English, the language he learned and used as a child. He can no longer communicate with his family and they enlist the help of a famous US neurologist, who specializes in bilingual amnesia.
The book is about the difficulties of language and how communication is the most important part of relationships. I feel the characters were very real and I could easily sympathize with them. The novel is beautifully written but I feel the ending could have been better.
Daughters of the Witching Hill: A Novel
by Mary Sharratt
A cunning novel of witchcraft (4/6/2010)
This book is a great historical fiction novel that puts together magic, religious persecution, and witch hunts. Bess Southerns a poor widow starts using her gifts to help those in her village. She teaches her cunning craft to her granddaughter and best friend. One goes to the dark side with the craft and a witch hunt begins. Before this novel I have only really heard about the Salem Witch Trials so this was a nice change. It was written beautifully in the first person. A lot of research went into this novel.
Serena: A Novel
by Ron Rash
Beautiful work of Southern fiction (9/20/2009)
This work of art transformed me to the Carolina's during the Great Depression. It was a dark novel and I felt what all the characters were feeling, especially the author's Lady Macbeth herself, Serena. It was amazing to see how greed transforms the characters from beginning to the fantastic twists and turns of the plot. I will look for more novels by Ron Rash in the future.
Gifts of War: A Novel
by Mackenzie Ford
A beautiful story set in the turbulent times of WWI (4/24/2009)
During the Christmas Truce in WWII, a moment when enemies stopped fighting to celebrate life and Christmas, two men shared a moment that would change their lives forever. A British soldier made a promise to find the German soldier's girlfriend and tell her that he was thinking of her. After getting hurt on the battlefield the British soldier, Hal, went to keep his promise. He didn't expect to fall in love with the girl himself. The novel is not just a love story, but is a mix of espionage, adventure, families, and the "moral cost of war." This has been one of my best reads this year.
Something Like Beautiful: One Single Mother's Story
by Asha Bandele
An intense, emotional memoir about love, single motherhood, and depression. (1/6/2009)
In this powerful memoir Asha shares her life with the reader. Her emotions are so beautifully shared and it is not just about being a single mother or about loving an unavailable man, but a book about depression, family, and reflection. The writing feels a bit disjointed at times but I think it is Asha's poetic style of writing. I am looking forward to reading her other novels.
Greasing the Piñata
by Tim Maleeny
Greasing the Piñata - Cape Weathers, PI (11/5/2008)
This is the third and in my opinion, the best Cape Weathers' Investigation novel. The characters are all very unique, including the reappearance of Sally, the beautiful trained assassin sidekick. The novel includes politics, drugs, the environment, and murder--everything to make a great crime novel. I hope to see more from Tim Maleeny and Cape Weathers.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson
Exciting mystery by a Swedish author (9/27/2008)
I had never heard of this novel when I received it, although it has been a bestseller all over Europe. I had a long plane ride from Seattle to Tokyo and needed a long book to get me through it. What a delightful surprise this novel ended up being. I fell in love with the characters, especially Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo. I didn't sleep on the plane because I couldn't put the book down. It is filled with scandals, politics, computer hacking, and murder. I am usually good about guessing endings to novels and I was surprised at the ending. I can't wait until the other two in the trilogy are translated into English.
Holding My Breath: A Novel
by Sidura Ludwig
Holding my Breath (6/8/2008)
I can't believe this is a work of fiction. I felt like a member of Beth's family with the wonderful character descriptions in the novel. The family felt so real and you could tell that the author loved them with the amount of care she put into each character. I think any person that loves reading about family ties, strong women, or generation gaps in 1960's Canada would enjoy this book.
