Reviews+
PREMIUM
The Library of Legends
Chang (Dragon Springs Road) has created a lovely novel that is both joyful and lighthearted and deeply tragic as she explores a culture and people who are forced to accept that their country will never be the same following the war and the departure of the spirits that protected their land for centuries.
PREMIUM
The Last Bathing Beauty
Historical fiction readers will enjoy the references to long-ago vacation destinations such as the Catskills and the Poconos, along with Nathan’s clever and accurate descriptions of women’s lives in the 1950s. This novel of first loves and second chances will resonate with fans of historical fiction authors such as Beatriz Williams or Lauren Willig.
This gripping narrative is presented in alphabetical “chapters” (“F Is for Firing Squad”) that move quickly and seamlessly between past and present, a device that adds immediacy and depth. Highly recommended to readers interested in accounts of wartime Europe or psychological studies of evil. [See Prepub Alert, 11/4/19.]
PREMIUM
The Lost Orphan
Halls’s (The Familiars) mysterious tale is full of intrigue. The characters are quirky, and their personalities will keep readers invested. The Georgian setting also plays a huge role, as does the formidable hospital. This is a page-turner with a satisfying and harmonious ending.
PREMIUM
Private Means
LeFavour, author of the memoir Lights On, Rats Out, is an award-winning cookbook writer, but don’t expect a foodie novel. Fans of Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s Fleishman Is in Trouble or Ann Beattie’s short stories will enjoy this wry, sophisticated, and intelligent rendering of modern, privileged city life. [See Prepub Alert, 12/9/19.]
PREMIUM
The Lucky Star
This novel is premised on a powerful notion of a love magic that is severely tested in a laboratory of desperate human desire; highly recommended for those who like the scenic route home.
An attention-grabbing, cleverly plotted, character-driven yarn. [See Prepub Alert, 11/4/19.]
PREMIUM
How To Bury Your Brother
Although the title suggests that this is a mystery, it’s actually literary fiction about a particularly dysfunctional Southern family with dark secrets, featuring a woman who confronts hard truths. This is an accomplished, insightful debut ideally suited for book groups, with reading group guide and author interview included.
PREMIUM
Someone Like You
Kingsbury’s “Baxter” series is a perennial favorite and a required purchase for inspirational collections. The plot is predictable, but it raises interesting questions about science, fertility, and the legal status of frozen embryos. With a Baxter TV series in the works, libraries should purchase according to demand.
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