The Best Short Stories 2024: The O. Henry Prize Winners, edited by Amor Towles
Amor Towles curates the 20 best short stories of 2024, authored by a variety of voices. Enjoy this meaningful, tender, jarring collection.
Read MoreThe City and Its Uncertain Walls, by Haruki Murakami
A story of a mysterious city with high walls, the separation of our real and shadow selves, and the utility of dreams. A novel of magical realism, offering metaphors and posing questions about life.
Read MoreLong Island, and Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin
Read Brooklyn and Long Island as a pair, the story of emigrant Eilis Lacey, and her life in Ireland and the United States, from the Fifties to the Seventies.
Read MorePlayground, by Richard Powers
Powers brings his wonder and awe as a writer to Earth’s oceans in this story of ecological peril and human relationships, both fragile.
Read MoreTell Me Everything, by Elizabeth Strout
The latest installment in Strout’s story of Lucy Barton, Olive Kitteridge, and Bob Burgess, characters you will come to know and love.
Read MoreCreation Lake, by Rachel Kushner
A depressing story of a disenchanted female secret agent, deployed to undermine a commune seeking to thwart destructive corporate plans. Pacing is too slow, protagonist too unlikeable.
Read MoreIn Ascension, by Martin MacInnes
A speculative, science fiction novel that explores the big questions about the relationship humans have with other life on Earth, and our quest to understand the universe and ourselves. Fascinating intellectually, but not heart warming.
Read MoreThis Other Eden, by Paul Harding
A 2023 National Book Award finalist, this richly layered novel is a worthwhile literary read. Read my review for a cautionary note, however.
Read MoreBear, by Julia Phillips
A modern day fairy tale, set in the natural beauty of San Juan Island, Washington state, when a bear intrudes on the lives of two sisters. Expect this book to get award nominations.
Read MoreRecent Reads: Brief Mentions
A grab bag of my recent reads that might make for good additions to your summer reading list.
Read MoreJames, by Percival Everett
Everett successfully takes Twain’s character of the runaway slave Jim, making him a surreptitious reader and writer, on a dangerous journey of freedom for himself and his family.
Read MoreBabel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution, by R.F. Kuang
Ambitious fantasy novel, through clever metaphor, demonstrating the power of language, and how it can be exploited for power and material gain.
Read MoreTable for Two, by Amor Towles
Enjoy Towles’ collection of well-crafted short story gems, each filled with great humor and clever plot twists.
Read MoreMariette in Ecstasy, by Ron Hansen
In this Easter season, I share my views on my favorite novel, by the fine author, Ron Hansen.
Read MoreKristin Lavransdatter, by Sigrid Undset
Enjoy this classic trilogy, published just over one hundred years ago, but whose characters feel as genuine and real as anyone you know.
Read MoreThe Berry Pickers, by Amanda Peters
Sensitively written fiction story of a young child kidnapped from a Mi’kmaq family, and the repercussions for both families. Excellent story.
Read MoreTom Lake, by Ann Patchett
This may be your favorite fiction novel of the year. Add to the pleasure by listening to the audiobook, read by Meryl Streep.
Read MoreHello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano
A modern homage to Little Women, but so much more. Lessons on depression, family relationships, and how love is always the best choice. A perfect summer read!
Read MoreThe Latecomer, by Jean Hanff Korelitz
A book about the importance of family, love, and personal responsibility, told with excellent plotting, character development, and great humor.
Read MoreNow Is Not the Time to Panic, by Kevin Wilson
Two teens who discover the excitement and risks of creativity in a boring rural town. Great novel.
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