A Beautiful Loan: A Novel
by Mary Costello
Introspective and Contemplative (1/1/2026)
A Beautiful Loan by Mary Costello is a quietly reflective novel about a woman growing up and trying to figure out who she is. The narrator often looks to other people for validation, gauging her sense of self through relationships and interactions with others. The writing is contemplative, focusing on small moments and inner thoughts rather than big plot turns. Overall, it's a thoughtful read about identity, longing, and the slow process of becoming oneself.
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
by Elizabeth Arnott
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives (11/30/2025)
I really liked this book. It's fast-moving but still has emotional depth, and the stories of these women stuck with me. The characters feel believable, and the mix of tension and heart kept me hooked. It actually reminded me a bit of Lessons in Chemistry -- not the storyline, but the way it focuses on women figuring out who they are in tough situations. This one's definitely darker, though. Overall, a really engaging, well-told read.
Dandelion Is Dead
by Rosie Storey
Grief Makes You Do Crazy Things (9/29/2025)
Dandelion is Dead follows a woman dealing with her sister's death, and is a look at how grief can make you lose your mind a little. She meets a guy who's also dealing with his own loss, and they both end up making some pretty questionable decisions along the way.
Overall I enjoyed the story and it hooked me in, even if I didn't quite buy all the plot lines. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a romance with a bit of depth.
The Whyte Python World Tour: A Novel
by Travis Kennedy
The Whyte Python World Tour (4/2/2025)
Set in L.A. and Eastern Europe just before the fall of the Berlin Wall, The Whyte Python World Tour is a wild, entertaining ride. A rising rock star drummer finds himself entangled in a high-stakes plot to aid democracy in the crumbling Soviet bloc. With espionage, music, and plenty of hijinks, this novel delivers a fast-paced, fun romp through a pivotal moment in history. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
One Death at a Time
by Abbi Waxman
Engaging! (12/4/2024)
The novel follows a young woman navigating life after dropping out of school and joining Alcoholics Anonymous. As she rebuilds herself, she lands a job with an ex-con and ex-actress turned attorney, whose unorthodox methods and vibrant personality bring big energy to the story. Together, they dive into solving a murder.
With its clever plot, quirky characters, and a touch of Hollywood glamour, this book is a fun read for fans of mysteries, dramedies, and stories of self-discovery.
Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch
Pony Confidential (6/4/2024)
This book was not for me. Told in alternating points of view between Penny and her former pony, I found the book repetitive and cliched. Penny was an unbelievable character, constantly idolizing the portion of her childhood when she owned the pony. She gave very little thought to her current circumstances and situation, including a daughter who needed attention and love. And the choices she made were unrealistic. While the sections narrated by the pony were more interesting, they were full of platitudes. The pony character was used to impart simplistic lessons; so much so that I wondered about the intended audience, as at times it read more like a middle-grade novel.
This Strange Eventful History: A Novel
by Claire Messud
A moving tale of loss (4/7/2024)
Covering a span of 70 years, This Strange Eventful History tells the story of a family as they search for home. Uprooted from their lives for reasons as varied as war, love, and career, the Cassare family struggles to be happy where they land.
I was drawn to the moving depictions of the primary characters as they struggled with their relationships to their homes and one another. And I enjoyed the varied locations across the globe as the family moved around, including Algeria, Australia, and Argentina. I think anyone who appreciates a sweeping family saga would enjoy this book.
The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim
Difficult but worthwhile (11/12/2023)
The Stone Home is a difficult read about an unknown (to me at least) piece of history. A story about a mother and daughter in South Korea who are swept up by authorities attempting to "clean" the country of undesirables, mostly the poor and those on the fringes of society. Kept locked up against their will, The Stone Home tells of their life in a reform facility and the people with whom they come in contact and eventually form a family of sorts. The book does not gloss over the violence in this life, making it at times a difficult read. However, overall I was grateful to learn about this overlooked historical event.
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge
by Spencer Quinn
Enjoyable (3/30/2023)
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge was an enjoyable, light read about an older woman who gets herself into, and out of, trouble. I would have liked more character development as I never felt that I understood the characters' motives. The plot also felt a bit predictable. But overall it was fun to read about an older woman who stood up for herself.
Iron Curtain: A Love Story
by Vesna Goldsworthy
Entertaining historical fiction (1/3/2023)
Iron Curtain is the enjoyable story of Milena, a young woman who grows up the privileged daughter of a high-ranking member of a communist-bloc state's government prior to the dissolution of the USSR. She falls in love with a British man and moves to England to marry him. The viewpoint from her privileged upbringing provides an unusual background for the book, and was one that I enjoyed.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Fun read! (10/7/2022)
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise is a fun story with some surprising twists that I didn't see coming. It has a bit of everything, including self discovery, adventure, and romance. I very much enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining escapist read.
The Immortal King Rao: A Novel
by Vauhini Vara
The Immortal King Rao (4/4/2022)
The Immortal King Rao is seemingly about technology and how, in the future, tech has become the overarching world political authority. However, it is also about family relationships and how we are tethered to our family. I enjoyed the story of King Rao, a Dalit in India who becomes CEO of the global government before his downfall. Interspersed with his story is that of his daughter, Athena, who chafes at the ties holding her to her father.
Peach Blossom Spring: A Novel
by Melissa Fu
sweeping epic (2/14/2022)
Peach Blossom Spring takes place over 70 years, following a family trying to survive during a time of great upheaval. The book confronts questions of identity and the social, historical, and cultural factors that shape a person's relationship with the world at large. I especially enjoyed learning more about Taiwanese history and its relationship to the Republic of China.
The Latinist: A Novel
by Mark Prins
The Latinist (10/8/2021)
The Latinist did not totally work for me. I didn't feel connected to either of the main characters -- Ph.D. candidate Tessa Templeton and her mentor Oxford professor Chris Eccles. And although I generally love to learn something while reading fiction, at times I felt that this book went into too much detail on ancient Roman poets, Latin, and the studies/work of Tessa and Chris. In my opinion, the depth of details sometimes slowed the story down.
I suspect this might be a good book for a book club, as there is much to discuss including love/obsession, family relationships, and professional callings.
A Theater for Dreamers
by Polly Samson
Highly evocative (3/10/2021)
A Theater for Dreamers is a fictionalized account of the expatriate community in Hydra, Greece in 1960. The novel is fabulously atmospheric. As I read, the sights and smells of Hydra came alive. But the story itself could have been stronger; not a whole lot happens as this group of people go about their daily life. However, I felt the ending wrapped things up nicely, and left me with a better understanding of the characters. I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes a very strong sense of place.
Raft of Stars
by Andrew J. Graff
Beautifully written (11/2/2020)
I loved this emotionally powerful story of two boys and the community that forms around when they find themselves in trouble. The writing is lush with a very strong sense of place, in this case the woods of northern Wisconsin. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys character-driven novels.
The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir
by Sara Seager
I'm dreaming of the stars (6/23/2020)
The Smallest Lights in the Universe was a fascinating look at both Sara Seager's career and her home life. The book is split between discussing her work as an astrophysicist and her personal life, mostly as a widow after her husband's death. I found the discussions of her work particularly captivating. I gained a deeper understanding of the universe and an appreciation for the scientists studying space. However, the sections concerning her home life, especially after her husband's death, left me wanting a bit more. Especially as a working parent, I wanted to know more about the people who helped her at home and with her children and how they managed. But overall I am very glad to have read this book and will definitely be recommending it to others.
The Mountains Sing
by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
Engrossing family tale (1/13/2020)
Since visiting Vietnam prior to the U.S. establishing diplomatic relations with the country, I have been drawn to books that are set in the country. So I was quite excited to read The Mountains Sing. I very much enjoyed this look at the history of Vietnam in the 20th century, as told through the experiences of a girl and her grandmother. I found the perspectives of this North Vietnamese family especially fascinating, as so much of the literature has a pro-Western bent. My only quibble with the book was the alternating viewpoint chapters. I found it distracting for the first half of the book. I was unable to totally lose myself in the story when I had to figure out with each chapter what was going on and who the characters were again.
Nonetheless, I would absolutely recommend this book. Especially now, as both the U.S. and much of the world seem to be slipping into divisiveness, it's so important to remember another time in our past when such divisiveness reigned.
American Dirt: A Novel
by Jeanine Cummins
Haunting (11/6/2019)
American Dirt is the best book I've read this year. It tells the story of a mother and son as they flee drug cartel violence in their hometown of Acapulco. They head north, facing many dangers, and have to draw upon reserves of inner strength they did not know they had. Author Jeanine Cummins has done a wonderful job conveying the experiences of these refugees. The story is beautifully written and I have been unable to stop thinking about the characters since finishing the book a number of days ago. I think American Dirt would make a fantastic pick for book groups.
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing As We Age
by Mary Pipher
A book to return to over the years (5/1/2019)
Although I am (slightly) under the stated target age for Women Rowing North, I found the book to be an insightful guide to aging for women. I greatly enjoyed Mary Pipher's exhortations to mindfulness and making the most of the life we actually have. As I read the book, I was able to immediately apply parts of it to my current life. And I can see myself coming back to this book many times as I grow older, using it as a touchstone for my outlook on aging, to help me get through difficult experiences, and reminding myself of what is truly important.
