Evelyn in Transit: A Novel
by David Guterson
Different, thought provoking characters living their "right" way (11/30/2025)
At first, reading Guterson's latest work one might feel that it is quite different from his past works. Yet, upon thinking about Evelyn, his main character, and the journey she takes through her life, it actually does not differ from many of his previous works. Evelyn In Transit deals with families, life journeys, and the people you meet along the way. In contrasting two cultures, Evelyn's and Tsering's, the reader will find that we all are seeking to "live the right way", and that the right way can be very different for each of us.
This novel is not only a fun read, but one in which book clubs will find much to discuss.
This Strange Eventful History: A Novel
by Claire Messud
An historical saga you will not forget (4/8/2024)
Each of our lives can be described as a "strange eventful history" and Claire Messud masterfully depicts one family's intertwined relationships through almost a century and across several continents. The characters are richly developed through the years as they navigate world events and each other and the reader can readily relate to both the familial relationships and the events playing out. This is one of those books that you don't want to end. Any reader who loves historical fiction and complex character development will thoroughly enjoy this book.
The Mystery Writer: A Novel
by Sulari Gentill
Fast paced, fun read (12/17/2023)
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill is a fast paced, tightly woven thriller with many twists and turns. In fact, though the reader wants to keep reading at a fast pace to find out what will happen next, it is advisable to slow down to catch up with some of the twists this novel takes. The plot line includes many current day references to conspiracy theorists which adds to the uncertainty of exactly where the story is taking the reader. And the ending, itself, leads to an open ended question of what might happen next. The inclusion of murder, conspiracy theories, and romance weave a story that makes for a very good read.
Day: A Novel
by Michael Cunningham
One Day leaving many questions (10/3/2023)
Day, by Michael Cunningham is another novel which is set in the time period of COVID and its aftermath. Cunningham uses an intriguing device of following an extended family through the same day in 2019, 2020, and 2021. This is a very effective way of showing the the thoughts and interactions that families went through during this time.
However, I found some of his characters thoughts and actions slightly disjointed, leaving the reader with many unanswered questions. In particular, the 5 year old daughter seems too self-aware for her age. Also the interaction of Dan and Robbie seems to be left hanging in the air.
On the whole, an intriguing premise to a story that perhaps could have been better fleshed out.
The Continental Affair: A Novel
by Christine Mangan
The Continental Affair (6/30/2023)
The term "affair" has various nuanced meanings in this novel which leads the reader through a journey of time as well as place. The author uses a well developed past and present timeline to allow the reader to learn the storyline through the eyes of both characters as the suspense builds to the denouement; followed by an epilogue that leaves the reader wanting just a bit more. The evolving timeline, paired with wonderful descriptive scenes of the countries included in this journey and historical literary references make for an intriguing suspenseful story. All in all, an intriguing literary suspense story.
The Poet's House
by Jean Thompson
An intriguing look into a poet's world (6/16/2022)
The Poet's House is a good title to read if you enjoyed Lovers and Writers or Groundskeeping. It brings the reader into the world of writers, in this case poets. I had some difficulty relating to the main character, but then realized that her nonreading habit was basically due to dyslexia and the author did a very good job explaining how the character related to the written word because of this condition. There were many intriguing characters and relationships in the book which would bring forth some interesting discussion, making this title a good pick for book clubs.
Fencing with the King: A Novel
by Diana Abu-Jaber
Fencing within Families? (12/11/2021)
I have read several earlier works of Abu-Jaber's books and always enjoyed them. I did eagerly read this one and her plot keeps the reader engaged to the end, involving a lot of family history and interrelationships which all families can relate to. Abu-Jaber also throws in a lot of Middle East political history which was a good backdrop to the events of the story. The ending was a bit weak in its denouement, but did not detract from the reader's engagement with the book and perhaps left it open for some thought and discussion if used for a book club selection.
Ariadne
by Jennifer Saint
A fun way to learn Greek mythology (3/17/2021)
It took me quite awhile to decide to read Circe by Madeline Miller as I wasn't sure Greek mythology was my thing, but once I had read it I wanted more. So I was delighted to read Ariadne. Again I found myself looking up the characters to find out more about them and how they interconnected with each other in history. Jennifer Saint tells a compelling story that makes you want to keep reading to find out how these Greek mythological characters will play out against each other.
Hieroglyphics
by Jill McCorkle
Hieroglyphics, by Jill McCorkle (6/12/2020)
This story is told through the voices for 4 characters from three different generations who are connected together through the place which they live. The chapters go back and forth throughout time from the 1940s through the early 2000s as the author slowly develops their life histories and how they connect with each other using real life events, place names, and products. Book clubs would enjoy unraveling the characters and discussing how memories can evolve over time.
