The Queen's Coronation by Jennifer Ryan

THE QUEEN'S CORONATION by Jennifer Ryan (The Kitchen Front and more) is a work of historical fiction set in early 1950’s Britain. Based in large part on reminiscences from her grandmother, Ryan has written numerous books set during WWII and I would recommend those over this latest. Here, readers will again find women building a community and supporting each other, but this book seemed to focus more on their problems and to be more repetitive than Ryan’s other novels. THE QUEEN'S CORONATION is still a good story involving Caroline, an assistant dresser to the Queen; Lucy, a beautiful aspiring singer who is taken advantage of; and Miranda, a self-centered, independent newspaper woman. Because of events in their pasts (an out of wedlock pregnancy, potential for stepparent abuse; and widowhood), each of these women struggles with her own feelings of inadequacy. Whereas Ryan’s books are often more about a group of women actively encouraging each other, this one seems to focus on the individual plights and the unhappiness and abandonment faced by Caroline, Lucy, and Miranda. Earlier works are more uplifting; this one compensates with some “inside” details on the coronation and the young queen as she, too, copes with 1950s gender stereotypes and expectations.

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

THE UNICORN HUNTERS by Katherine Arden is a work of historical fiction, based in part on a real person, Anne, Duchess of Brittany. The story occurs in 1491 and centers around her attempts to keep Brittany separate from France, despite the efforts to have her wed the French King. Initially, the unicorn hunt is conceived as a delaying tactic, but it opens connections to The Lost Lands and the magic – sorcery and enchantments – still practiced there. As a result, Anne, her sister, and her kingdom are in great peril. In its starred review, Booklist says, “The lush historical details, descriptive language, and intriguing relationships will draw readers into this world of mystery, deception, danger, and fantasy.” THE UNICORN HUNTERS blends romance (including some bedroom scenes), folklore (with a legendary missing city and sea dragons), pageantry, and political intrigue for a memorable reading experience.

Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davis

JUDGE STONE by James Patterson and Viola Davis (narrator) shares the tale of the title character, Mary Stone, who draws the judicial assignment of overseeing a court case involving Bria Gaines, a local doctor, and the accusation that Bria has performed an illegal abortion on a thirteen-year-old, Nova Jones. The setting is a small town, Union Springs, in present day Alabama and feelings run high, often prompting recall of past traumas. Activists from both sides, including Klan members, convey their views (sometimes with violence) on this triggering and divisive subject. As Mary’s sister says, “Call it abortion, pro-life, pro-choice, women's reproductive health. Doesn't matter how you label it, there is no middle ground. None. Not here in Alabama. The issue fires people up. Makes them unhinged.” Even the governor and state officials try to convince Judge Stone to recuse herself. As expected, Patterson provides plenty of action, with a murder, a bombing, and other threats. JUDGE STONE received a starred review from Booklist. Readers who would like to listen to Viola Davis’ expressive reading can find a sample of the audiobook at this link.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

LADY TREMAINE by Rachel Hochhauser is an impressive debut, containing a clever retelling of the Cinderella story, this time focusing on its title character, the stepmother. Twice widowed and impoverished, Lady Ethel Tremaine struggles to provide for her two daughters (Matilda and Rosamund) and ungrateful, detached step-daughter (Elin), constantly hoping that a fortuitous marriage will improve their fortunes. With its themes of motherhood (“The love of a mother does away with scales and measurement altogether; It envelops and understands and embraces what is cracked along with what is beautiful.”), social standing, resilience, and feminism, this title would be an interesting and discussion-provoking choice for book groups. LADY TREMAINE received starred review from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. It is both a LibraryReads selection and an IndieNext pick for March.

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

MEET THE NEWMANS by Jennifer Niven is an adult debut for the author of some truly memorable young adult titles like All the Bright Places or Holding Up the Universe or, more recently, Breathless. Like her earlier work, this newest title probes feelings and emotions as the main characters struggle to define their own identities. In MEET THE NEWMANS it is 1964, and Del and Dinah along with their two sons, Guy (the steady, older one) and Shep (the rebellious and very popular musician) have been America’s TV family for well over a decade. Recently, though they are falling behind shows like “Flipper, Lassie, and My Favorite Martian.” The country, too, is rapidly changing, and these family members are very unhappy behind the scenes (“when you grew up in front of thirty million people, it was hard to have and keep something of your own.”). A serious accident sidelines Del who has been the leader while writing scripts and negotiating with the network and sponsors. The need to keep the show going and afloat prompts Dinah (having recently read The Feminine Mystique) to start writing and to change her character’s attitudes and actions. Guy wants to develop directing abilities and strives to acknowledge a relationship with a fellow actor while “bad boy” Shep (only 17) acts out. Although a bit slow at spots, MEET THE NEWMANS is an interesting look back at a time of transition for the country, the influential role of network television (The Dick Van Dyke Show ran That’s My Boy? Episode in 1963), and impact on the roles within a family. 

Having It All by Corinne Low

HAVING IT ALL by Corinne Low, an associate professor of business economics and public policy at the Wharton School, is subtitled “What Data Tells Us About Women's Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours.” In her Introduction, Low says, “I reject the premise that the barrier preventing women from living optimally - or even just happily - is our failure to try hard enough to have it all or do it all.” She further states, “Women today face unsustainable demands on our time and efforts largely because economic forces have created an environment where gender roles have converged in the workplace and yet have not converged at home.” Low’s research seems to back up the idea that although men think they are carrying their weight, they really aren’t. So, how does one shift that paradigm without creating resentment or greater chaos in a relationship? Low seems to argue to take time for yourself and put yourself first which, of course, is difficult (perhaps totally unrealistic) to do as a parent. She encourages readers to delve into identifying their personal utility function and to explore ways (e.g., car-pooling) to free up more time. Low is a strident voice for women and her writing is research-based (approximately fifteen percent of the text is devoted to Notes); it’s just unclear how viable her action steps (e.g., levelling up vs. leaning in) really are. Family Action Network (FAN) recently hosted Dr. Low to speak about HAVING IT ALL. Learn more here:

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe

WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE by Mary Alice Monroe (a prolific writer for adults and children) is a compelling work of historical fiction set primarily in South Carolina during the early part of the twentieth century. Eliza Pinckney Rivers Chalmers Delancey is eighty-eight when the store begins in 1988. She is the matriarch who shares history of the family’s land holdings with two of her young female relatives. Eliza’s love of the land is obvious as she says: “To lose Mayfield is unthinkable. It cannot happen. Mayfield isn't business; it's personal. I do not own the land, but land owns me. I am merely the caretaker for my generation…” Readers are first transported back to 1908 and Eliza’s first meeting with Covey, a young Black girl and the daughter of the estate’s manager. Eliza and Covey form a firm bond, even getting educated together at home. A good balance to the often-impetuous Eliza, Covey is practical, a talented artist, and clever; valuing her experience: In the library, Covey’s “expression was filled with wonder: ‘I like being in here. I feel like I'm in church; you know, it's a holy place. All these words surrounding me just waiting for me to read them. They're like gifts from God.’” Many adventures, including a decisive horse race, involving Eliza’s brothers, Heyward and Lesesne, ensue. Monroe also weaves in plenty of commentary about the expectations for young girls and women and about the race restrictions of the time. I saw parallels to other family sagas (e.g., Bradford’s A Woman of Substance) and even to Scarlett in Gone with the Wind since Eliza has multiple loves (Hugh, Tripp, James) in her life, but ultimately cares for Mayfield most of all. The audiobook for WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE is narrated by Mary Alice Monroe, Jenna Lamia, and Cassandra Campbell (a personal favorite) and the quality is excellent. Together, they fashion the local accents and changes in age as Eliza recounts the events of her life. I am truly looking forward to a sequel. WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE received well-deserved starred reviews from both Booklist and Library Journal.

Seven Social Movements that Changed America

SEVEN SOCIAL MOVEMENTS THAT CHANGED AMERICA by Linda Gordon is a penetrating look at events and happenings during the twentieth century. Gordon, an author and historian who has won numerous prizes for her biography of Dorthea Lange, reflects on several movements that still reverberate today. For example, one is the early work on old age pensions, eventually included in the Social Security Act of 1935, and highlighting the elderly as an activist political force. Other chapters discuss the efforts to unionize farm workers, promote civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s, and the subsequent women’s liberation movement. A more distressing example is the influence of the Ku Klux Klan (developed even further in Gordon’s 2017 text The Second Coming of the KKK) – and echoed, sadly, in the “very fine people on both sides” comments about the white nationalists protesting in Charlottesville. Gordon writes, “I am telling these stories [the seven social movements] in a way designed to reveal their commonalities as well as their distinctiveness.” Her tone is rather academic, and she argues that “‘followers’ often exerted vital but less often-recognized leadership.” Whether she is exploring early settlement houses and the fight against poverty, or efforts to establish job programs in the 1930s, her text offers researchers and scholars a thoughtful analysis and many details of value. At least a fourth of the book lists references and footnotes.

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr

DEAD MONEY by Jakob Kerr is an exciting mystery set amongst the risks, potential corruption, and infighting which surround venture capital funding for innovation and technology firms. Kerr is an insider, having worked as a lawyer and communications executive in the tech industry, including nearly a decade at Airbnb after starting as one of its first employees. And he does a remarkable job of conveying the excesses of that business culture which sets the tone for Mackenzie Clyde, a young lawyer-turned-investigator for a key rainmaker named Roger Hammersmith. Hammersmith has invested billions in Journy (a transport firm with scooters, buggies and soon-to-come autonomous vehicles) whose CEO and founder is murdered. Eventually, the FBI gets involved and Mackenzie joins the investigative team. Current Journy employees, including key executives, are quickly suspect. Utilizing flashbacks to provide background and motivation, Kerr also weaves in organized international thuggery and numerous surprises. DEAD MONEY received starred reviews from Kirkus (“[this] twisty, propulsive debut explores Silicon Valley’s dark side through the eyes of a wily outsider heroine”) and Publishers Weekly (“Impressively unpredictable.”).

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict received a starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist; it was also a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for February. In her latest work of historical fiction (1930s England and France), Benedict conveys the personalities of five Golden Age mystery writers.  She teams Dorothy Sayers with Agatha Christie, plus Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. As part of an effort to impress the male writers at the Detection Club, these women work together to solve a murder of a young English nurse, May Daniels, in France. They trace her stops at the ferry and various shops, often employing their own characters’ techniques to learn much more than the local police while still providing plenty of suspense for readers. In the process, they redeem Daniels’ reputation and enhance their own. A great historical whodunit.

I was fortunate in being able to listen to the Audio Book narrated by Bessie Carter. She did a great job of using Benedict’s words to help readers picture these five authors and their varied personalities. 

The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan

THE CLIFFS by J. Courtney Sullivan features an old, possibly haunted, house near Awadapquit, Maine. The other main character, a young woman called Jane, used the abandoned house as an isolated refuge when she was a lonely high schooler. She soon left town for college and ultimately found a “dream job” as an archivist specializing in women’s issues at a Cambridge Library. Over the years, she introduces her future husband to the house when they visit her mother and sister, who work together in the resale field and both of whom struggle with alcoholism. Then, at 38, Jane ends up back in Awadapquit, with both her marriage and career in jeopardy due to her own overindulgence with alcohol (“Sometimes the tragedies of a person's life didn't happen neatly, single file, one at a time, but all at once, so that it was impossible to know how you felt about any part of the whole.”). At that time, the new owner hires Jane to learn more about the house’s history and her capable research was my favorite part of the book. Sullivan expands upon Jane’s findings about the sea-faring captain who built the house; she devotes entire chapters to his wife and her maid, giving each a voice in describing their lives. Readers also meet the next owner, a talented artist who experienced a family tragedy. And there are even sections on the Indigenous people who named the area. Sullivan has included numerous threads – spiritualism and mediums (“…bodily death is not the end of consciousness. It is merely the passing of the soul into another plane.”); the Shaker religion; abuse and misuse of historical artifacts; women’s roles over time; alcoholism’s impact across generations; and modern-day entitlement. Both The Washington Post and The New York Times (“This skillful novel makes the case that knowing what came before offers us our best chance to truly understand our connections to one another, and what we owe to the land we inhabit.”) also reviewed THE CLIFFS which received a starred review from Kirkus and was the July 2024 Reese’s Book Club selection.

Take Care of Them Like My Own by Ala Stanford

TAKE CARE OF THEM LIKE MY OWN by Ala Stanford, pediatric surgeon and founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, deserves a wide readership. It is a fascinating tale, although there could be some triggering due to the discussions of child abuse. Stanford embraces her life story (subtitled “Faith, Fortitude, and a Surgeon's Fight for Health Justice”) and relates it in great detail. Clearly, Stanford confronted prejudice and discrimination throughout her pioneering and remarkable career. She comments on biases in the medical system, including a lack of “generational knowledge, kind of like generational wealth” and relates numerous shocking (to me) instances such as when a supervisor torpedoes Stanford’s chances at a future placement by outright lying about her. She is an accomplished, inspirational fighter, and I hope that many readers locate TAKE CARE OF THEM LIKE MY OWN. It is well-written and an engrossing read. Book Groups could consider promoting it with the newly published Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson.

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

BY ANY OTHER NAME by Jodi Picoult tells the story – in different time periods – of two women writers, real life Emilia Bassano, a contemporary of William Shakespeare, and her fictional descendant Melanie Green, a modern playwright. Both struggle for recognition and combat the many prejudices against female writers. In fact, Melanie’s fellow playwright, a young black man named Andre, submits her play (about Emilia Bassano) to a contest and then must pretend to be Mel Green so as to get the play produced. Also bending to society’s dictates, Emilia’s life is one of proximity to the court of Elizabeth I as she (at age 13) becomes mistress to the Lord Chamberlin. Once pregnant, she experiences an unhappy marriage with a cousin and eventually, per Picoult’s telling, writes plays long attributed to William Shakespeare. Although given Emilia’s situation there are a number of sex scenes, Picoult’s many fans will appreciate the details of daily life in Elizabethan England as well as her exploration of the sacrifices women must make so that their voices can be heard. BY ANY OTHER NAME received a starred review from Booklist and was named to the LibraryReads Hall of Fame selections for August.

I recently read FOOLS AND MORTALS by Bernard Cornwell which is also set in Shakespeare’s time and tells the tale of his younger brother, Richard. Our book club agreed that the opening in this novel was too slow and that while the mystery surrounding stolen plays was diverting, we would recommend other works by Cornwell instead.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Today is National Book Lovers’ Day and I am going to recommend one of my favorite book of the year so far: SANDWICH by Catherine Newman. The main character is a woman called Rocky who is dealing with life changes – the physical ones associated with menopause and the shifts in her identity as a mother, spouse, and grown child. She says, “Life is a seesaw, and I am standing dead center, still and balanced: living kids on one side, living parents on the other. Nicky here with me at the fulcrum. Don't move a muscle, I think. But I will, of course. You have to.” The story takes place at the home her family rents every year on Cape Cod and over the course of a week Rocky reflects on other years and the activities of her children Willa and Jamie, on the many joys and difficulties that motherhood brings. She faces some sad times, too: “I’ve heard grief described as love with nowhere to go.” But so many of her observations are heartfelt and hilarious (“she is long married to a beautiful man who understands between twenty and sixty-five percent of everything she says”); readers will be laughing out loud at her commentary and the family dynamics. SANDWICH by Catherine Newman was also recommended by Ann Patchett on PBS and is the Top Pick for LibraryReads in June. Plus, it received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, and Library Journal. This is one not to miss: “We keep showing up for each other. Even through the mystery of other people's grief. What else is there?” 

Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan

WOMEN OF GOOD FORTUNE by Sophie Wan is a fun, entertaining escapist read. Set in Shanghai, Wan’s debut novel features three good friends who are dissatisfied with their life circumstances. Lulu feels beholden to her economically struggling parents and trapped in an engagement to a wealthy young man. Jane, herself in a marriage of convenience, wants to change her appearance to be more conventionally attractive and Rina is a hard-working career woman who cannot seem to get the respect and promotions she deserves. A truly improbable quest to steal the red envelopes (cash gifts) from Lulu’s future wedding suddenly becomes their focus. A large part of the humorous novel is about their efforts to circumvent the security system and arrange for a get away driver, etc. However, there are also many serious underlying themes, particularly the uncomfortable mother-daughter clashes. Over several months prior to the wedding, each of the women also experiences growth in her relationship with a significant other (fiancé Harv, husband Zihao, and quasi-boyfriend bad-boy Vic). Readers may need to suspend belief regarding some of the heist twists (and way over the top wedding expenses) but will come to root for the three friends’ abilities to value each other and to ultimately make wise choices. WOMEN OF GOOD FORTUNE received a starred review from Booklist. Discussion questions are included for interested book groups.

What Wild Women Do by Karma Brown

WHAT WILD WOMEN DO by Karma Brown is an intriguing novel involving feminist philosophy, a treasure hunt, and two different time periods. One is the post-pandemic present day when screenwriter Rowan and her long-time boyfriend and YouTuber, Seth, decide that their creative efforts will benefit from time in the Adirondacks, closer to nature. The other time period is the mid-70s when socialite Eddie Callaway hosted empowering women’s retreats on a nearby property, sharing insights like Amelia Earhart’s: “Use your fear. It can take you to the place where you store your courage.” Rowan begins to learn about Eddie (who mysteriously disappeared) and is drawn closer to her insights on the importance of women taking care of themselves. The text effectively combines elements of mystery and a coming-of-age story. The characters are likeable and relatable, and the descriptions of nature are well-written. In fact, Brown says of her novel that it is “a love letter of sorts to my 1970s hippie childhood, and the forests of my youth…” 

The Sisterhood by Liza Mundy

THE SISTERHOOD by Liza Mundy is subtitled “The Secret History of Women at the CIA” and Mundy writes that “this book tells the story of one of the biggest transformations in CIA culture, from a male dominated institution where women were seen as typists and sexual playthings to one where women propelled some of the agencies most important successes.” Mundy, a bestselling author and an award-winning journalist, has written previously about the contributions of women in unusual, potentially dangerous occupations (Code Girls). This lengthy tome (480 pages) is also thoroughly researched; at least fifteen percent is devoted to detailed notes and an extensive bibliography. Plus, over 100 interviews were conducted. Those stories are what really capture the readers’ attention. They are split into three parts: The Assessment of Men; Ladies Doing Analysis; and Getting Their Guys, each of which has multiple chapters. As just one example, Mundy chronicles the career of Lisa Manfull, a diplomat’s daughter who spoke numerous languages and was recruited after graduation from Brown in 1966, hired at a GS level below her male counterparts, and faced significant resistance and discrimination, even from other women at the agency. Her “housewife cover” offers a fascinating look at operations in Europe and Africa during the Cold War as well as her own struggles to establish a career in balance with her marriage. THE SISTERHOOD received starred reviews from Booklist (“every page is electric with revelations”) and Kirkus (“a vivid, compelling, and important book”).

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok

THE LEFTOVER WOMAN by Jean Kwok received a starred review from Booklist (“highly recommended”) and was chosen as a LibraryReads selection for October. Another stunning text from an award-winning author, this novel portrays two women who grapple with gender expectations across different cultures. One, Jasmine Yang, is a poor immigrant from China who has come to the US to find her daughter, adopted by an infertile white couple. That wife, Rebecca Whitney, is an editor seeking to prove herself in an industry where her father was well-known and respected. Both need to better define themselves in their roles as wife, mother, artist, worker. In fact, Jasmine contemplates her situation, saying, “Back home, so much of my identity was mirrored through other people's eyes. The village I came from, the school I went to, my family name, those all had meaning in China. Here they stood for nothing -- all those details disappeared when you were an immigrant and suddenly all that was left of you was whatever you carried inside.” Rebecca speaks to an author she is cultivating about “the price of ambition, displacement, and adoption. … themes of motherhood, identity, romantic love, and race…” – all of which are reflected in Kwok’s excellent prose, too. THE LEFTOVER WOMAN is a suspenseful read and the pace moves along as these two women make poor choices and must learn to find the inner strength to deal with the consequences. 

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

HELLO BEAUTIFUL by Ann Napolitano (Dear Edward) is an extremely well-written novel set primarily in Chicago. The multi-generational story centers around the lives of four sisters, their parents, and children: “The four Padavano girls shared their lives, celebrating and utilizing one another’s strengths, covering for one another’s weaknesses. Julia was the organizer and leader, Sylvie the reader and measured voice, Emeline the nurturer, and Cecelia the artist.” With multiple narrators and much introspection, Napolitano encourages her readers and characters to contemplate questions like “Was life constructed of arrivals and departures?” In a book that I did not want to put down, she explores themes of family, love, and sacrifice.

Yes, there are several sad points when the story encounters potential suicide, mental health issues, and fatal disease. But there are many uplifting moments like Cecelia’s growth as an artist and the murals she creates to honor strong women – recently in Freemantle, Australia I saw one (shown here) that helped me imagine the power of her work. The relationships between mothers and daughters are probed, as well as the importance of a father’s support. Plus, parallels to classic literature are noted when the siblings compare themselves to the March sisters. All of which would make for a fascinating book group discussion (in fact, this title is an Oprah’s Book Club Pick). HELLO BEAUTIFUL is also a LibraryReads selection for March and received a starred review from Booklist. Highly recommended.