The Reimagining of Thornwood House

THE REIMAGINING OF THORNWOOD HOUSE by Jaleigh Johnson is an absolutely delightful fantasy debut. The author says that “this book turned out to be a strange alchemy of things I needed to write to comfort myself during hard times, and gifts I wanted to give to other people.” The gentle story about a young witch, Evie, and her adopted daughter (also with magical abilities), Ruby, is indeed a gift. The two stake their future together on a new posting to a sentient house in a rural area, only to find upon their arrival that the house has run away. Together with their neighbor, Gil, and many of the other villagers, Evie and Ruby gradually repair the house and slowly gain its trust. “You nurture it, allow it to grieve, and, when it's ready, help it to reimagine itself and what it's going to be moving forward. It won't be the same as it was, but it can still be something amazing.” Nature – there is a lovely Mood Garden and Star Oak tree – plays a key role. But there is danger about and a mystery to solve before the house can be fully restored. This is a hopeful story and is highly recommended, especially for readers who enjoyed the cozy fantasy titled The Teller of Small Fortunes. Another gentle story involving “found families” is Loon Point, although it has a contemporary setting without magic. I am also going to look for the author's middle grade series (published about a decade ago) about The Mark of the Dragonfly. 

Whistler by Ann Patchett

It was just announced that Ann Patchett won the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction, to be officially awarded at the National Book Festival in Washington on Aug. 22. Her latest novel is titled WHISTLER and Booklist (“tale of complicated marriages, secret love, fear, fury, courage, and reconciliation”), Kirkus (“evocative and moving”), and Publishers Weekly (“one of her best”) all gave WHISTLER starred reviews. This book tells the story of Daphne, now 53, meeting her former stepfather, Eddie Triplett (now 76), by chance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Eddie and Daphne had both wanted to be writers – he edited books for years and years and she teaches literature at a girl’s school. It takes a while for Patchett to explain the background to their surprisingly deep and affectionate relationship that was suddenly severed by Daphne’s mother after Eddie and Daphne were in a serious car accident when she was nine years old. Daphne’s Mom remarried for a third time long ago and Daphne and her sister, Leda (a psychiatrist), have two adult half-brothers. Patchett herself had an “abundance” of fathers (also three) as she wrote several years ago in The New Yorker and her collection of essays, These Precious Days.

Book groups will adore WHISTLER, filled as it is with reflections, “There is so much randomness to youth. The person assigned to share your room becomes your friend, the girl you pass on your way out the door becomes your wife, and from these random encounters our entire lives are built, four beautiful children come into the world, and they, in turn, found the people they were meant to spend their lives with.” 

Or, contemplating death: “‘It's okay,’ her father said. ‘You'll be back later.’ ‘We'll still be here,’ Jeffrey said. ‘You won't believe how fast it goes. Might as well be a minute.’ ‘You'll look after everyone?’ she asked her son. ‘No,’ he said. ‘We'll look after you.’”  And Robert Frost’s Wild Grapes: “And the life I live now’s an extra life / I can waste as I please on whom I please.”

Or, simply Patchett’s wry wit: “We write each other notes, back and forth, back and forth. It's like texting for people with large collections of stationery.” Ann Patchett is the narrator for the audio book version of WHISTLER and she does an excellent job, gently evoking the characters and their complex emotions.

The May House by Jillian Cantor

THE MAY HOUSE by Jillian Cantor (The Hours Count) is a book about sisters and the week they spend together each year (“‘It’s my favorite day of the year,’ she called out. ‘May day!’”) at their Grandmother Vera’s house on the beach at Coronado Island near San Diego. The story is sometimes confusing because it skips around in time and shifts focus between Julia (the eldest, obsessing over rules and scheduling), Emily (big-hearted middle sister struggling to find a purpose in life) and Nora, (the youngest, pursuing an acting career despite opposition from their widowed father). Over thirty years, they experience personal and professional upheaval, including marital problems, parenthood for some, and an unrequited crush on next door neighbor, Nate, a local surfer. Given the sisters’ lack of contact during the year, THE MAY HOUSE is somewhat like the Alan Alda rom-com, “Same Time, Next Year,” providing opportunity for readers to judge the choices being made and to observe the characters’ growth. Still, they do care about each other: Julia muses, “Her sisters. She would never love anyone in quite the same frustratingly wonderful way that she loved Emily and Nora. They'd bickered their whole lives. But being sisters always transcended everything else. Their shared history, their shared trauma, their shared DNA. It was all irreplaceable.” Cantor drops plenty of hints about a not-so-secret secret that eventually emerges and propels the sisters forward, embracing the many blessings they have.

The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung

THE LAST MANDARIN by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung is a stand-alone political thriller. In this novel, modern day terrorist attacks are occurring simultaneously all over the globe and a Chinese dissident, Vivien Li and her food-blogger daughter, Alice, are drawn into a mystery which even leading intelligence agencies are struggling to decipher. As readers would expect from Penny (Inspector Gamache series), there are numerous plot twists and surprises. She and Fung (an award-winning Canadian journalist) also convey the political intrigue (e.g., betrayal by supposedly loyal staff) and behind the scenes maneuvering (including a unique back channel for communications), in a manner reminiscent of writers like Allen Drury or Gore Vidal. Library Journal says, “this book is character-driven and nuanced,” and Publishers Weekly calls THE LAST MANDARIN “an eerily plausible nail-biter.” Louise Penny herself writes, “This is the story of political intrigue but it is, at its heart, about that relationship. About the wounds the struggles the need to connect with the parent.” Enjoy the rapprochement and the adventure!!

The audiobook is narrated by Eunice Wong who does an absolutely excellent job. A favorite scene is the online gathering of the experts from several countries and Wong’s ability to use her voice and convey their biases and country of origin.  Barnes & Noble and Abe Books each recommend more authors/titles in this genre. Looking for a political thriller in movie form? Try these suggested by IMDb.

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

CHANGE OF PLANS by Sarah Dessen (Lock & Key; Just Listen; The Truth about Forever and more) is her first novel in seven years and offers the chance for new readers to sample Dessen’s expressive writing. Booklist says, “Dessen’s greatest strength is her creation of vivid atmosphere, which enhances both her characters' personalities and their conflicts.” Here, the award-winning young adult author introduces readers to Finley, a graduating high school senior who lives with her stepmom, dad, and their young family. Finley has a strong, two-year relationship with Colin, but must decline his family’s invite to a cruise because her career-oriented and distant mother, Catherine (Cat) has plans for the two of them to travel together. Quite a bit does change when Colin meets another girl on the cruise and Finley’s Mom chauffeurs Finley to The Woods, a family home on a rural lake, instead of heading to New York City. Finley meets new friends (Clark, Ben, and Lana) and aunts (Liz and Kasey) as she begins to learn more about her Mom – and herself. CHANGE OF PLANS received starred reviews from Kirkus (“she discovers strength, independence, and the transformative power of being fully present …. A sweet, nuanced, and reflective coming-of-age love story filled with moments of true beauty between family and friends”) and Publishers Weekly (“delightfully layered, bighearted novel”). As Clark says, “Everything changes. You have a choice: make it hard or make it work. And there's enough hard shit already.”

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.

Love Me Tomorrow by Emiko Jean

LOVE ME TOMORROW by Emiko Jean is a young adult novel whose main character is high school senior, Emma. She is a violin prodigy, but resists following her dream of music school because she feels compelled to stay close to home in order to help her single Mom and grandfather. It is a bit difficult to reconcile that selfless view with her almost obsession with several boys in her life. Teen readers will likely enjoy the angst and the mystery about which boy is really right for her. There’s her longtime neighbor and quasi brother, Theo; her high school crush and fellow musician, Ezra;  and wealthy Colin whose parents are house cleaning clients of Emma’s Mom. The author weaves a mystery into the story due to a romantic letter Emma receives which is supposedly sent from the future. Can Emma and her best friend Delia discover who wrote it? What risks will it inspire her to take? Kirkus describes LOVE ME TOMORROW as a “charming, funny, time-traveling romance [which] weaves in themes of personal growth and shifting family relationships...” Booklist recommends for Grades 8 to 12 and a recent author interview indicates that a second book about Emma is in the works.

Loon Point by Carrie Classon

LOON POINT by Carrie Classon is a debut novel which will melt your heart. I read this in about two days and was enamored with the characters and the found family they eventually manage to create. Set in the North Woods of Minnesota at the Last Resort (which is camp run by Norry Last), the story introduces readers to a darling (and rather self-sufficient) 8-year-old girl named Lizzie. She’s living in a rundown trailer with her Mom who is battling pain and addiction. A nearby and elderly neighbor is Wendell who seems neurodivergent or at least unaccustomed to being around other people since his own Mom’s death. Norry is middle aged, single, and has taken over the running of the camp after her own father’s death. She becomes a maternal figure of sorts for both Lizzie and Wendell. Those three share the narrating duties which moves the story along in an engaging manner. And then there’s Bud, a handyman with a strong desire to help others, who uses his local connections with foster care, addiction treatment, and senior housing to try to put things right. Sad events occur, but overall, LOON POINT is a feel-good book with memorable characters: “Maybe that was the trick. Maybe that's how people always managed to stay so much happier than Wendell had. They didn't complicate things -- the happy ones didn't, anyway. They knew what they needed, and they decided to be grateful for what they had.” Book Club Questions are included. 

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

To be published in early March, LAKE EFFECT by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney is a multi-generational story with a Rochester, New York setting. I loved the many local references like Sibley’s or McCurdy’s department stores and several restaurants as well as the Lilac Festival. With a story that focuses mainly on the last third of the twentieth century, D'Aprix Sweeney also subtly weaves in historical details like Mr. Bubble (loved that!), Lollypop Farm, and the new concept of personal computers and the “undo” button for mistakes. She writes about cooking, Weight Watchers, divorce, Xerox corporate strategy, growth of supermarket chains, the AIDS epidemic and much more… all against a framework of two intertwined middle-class families, the Larkins and the Finnegans. I could readily picture them going to church on Sunday, socializing, and raising children in a close-knit town where so many folks worked for Kodak or Xerox (like Sam Larkin). Finn Finnegan pursues the family business, updating and expanding the local grocery chain (shades of Wegman’s?). But both their marriages are unhappy and changes impact them, their spouses (Nina and Honey), and their high school age children, Clara and Bridey (Bridgid) Larkin and Dune and Fern Finnegan. Subsequent events track the life choices of that younger generation (particularly the relationships between mothers and daughters), with a poignant ending. Overall, I would recommend this novel, but caution readers that there are some explicit scenes, including the rape of a fifteen-year-old girl. LAKE EFFECT received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus (“An inviting family drama with the warmth, interest, and edge readers love in Sweeney’s work.”), and Library Journal. Marin Ireland performs well as the audiobook narrator. 

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

To be available on Tuesday, THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM by Laura Dave is the sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me and once again (it is five years later) Hannah and Bailey are forced to run to stay safe. This LibraryReads January 2026 Hall of Fame Selection is a very quick read … I had finished thirty percent in just one sitting … and the suspense and plot twists will keep readers engaged. Owen (Hannah’s husband and Bailey’s father) and Nicholas (Bailey’s grandfather) play prominent roles with multiple timelines and perspectives adding to the tension and feeling of trepidation. Another excellent thriller from Laura Dave which will appeal to those who enjoyed Alias Emma, Going Zero, and First Lie Wins.

Deeper than the Ocean by Mirta Ojito

DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN by award winning author Mirta Ojito is beautifully written. The story takes place in two time periods, contrasting a tale that is set in the modern day with one that begins in the early years of the twentieth century. It is a story of family, of secrets, and of thwarted love. In 2019, Mara Santander, an investigative journalist, is mourning her husband: “What I needed, what I wanted was life assurance, the guarantee, in writing, if possible, that he would live as long as I did, that his side of the bed would never be pristine and that my hand would always find his in the dark. He laughed off my fears and hugged my worries away. Now, of course, I'm grateful for his foresight.” She eventually travels to the Canary Islands in search of information about her great grandmother, Catalina. Married to one man and in love with another (“my love for you is higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean”), Catalina experiences the heartbreak and trauma of an ocean storm and eventually rebuilds her life in Cuba which is where, many years later,  Mara emigrated from (“What do you do when you can’t stay, and you can’t go back?”). DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN is a very moving debut novel, where “hope … could be even more heartbreaking than grief,” and is recommended by USA Today for “fans of Isabel Allende, Julia Alvarez, and Kristin Hannah.” The settings are beautiful, the culture is exquisitely shared, and the emotions are complex. 

Fly! by Steph Wagner

FLY! by Steph Wagner is subtitled “A Woman's Guide to Financial Freedom and Building a Life You Love.” Wagner has extensive experience in the financial sector, and she provides context by sharing her story “from private equity executive to stay-at-home mom, to single mother facing financial uncertainty, to successful businesswoman.” Wagner readily empathizes with her readers, saying, “If I, with my financial background, feel this lost and overwhelmed, how must women without that same knowledge feel when thrown into similar circumstances?” I found FLY! to be an excellent resource filled with numerous well-explained and action-oriented steps. For example, Wagner lists a series of questions to ask a potential financial advisor and also provides links to helpful websites. Wagner writes with a confident, but collegial tone. And she notes steps to take (have a will, a durable power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney, and a medical directive, also known as a living will) and then provides definitions of each for her readers who may be less familiar with these documents. FLY! feels like a text which can be adapted to meet readers where they are – whether consulting an attorney at a major law firm or choosing a free online service – especially since she suggests evaluation criteria to use. This approach extends to a discussion and explanation of investment vehicles (Mutual Funds, EFTs, etc.) and other topics. The foreword provides my favorite description: “This book isn't just a guide. It's a road map. It's full of tangible steps, real life stories, and the kind of practical wisdom that makes you feel like you're having coffee with a really smart, really honest friend.”

Port Anna by Libby Buck

PORT ANNA by Libby Buck is a gentle story about starting over and second chances. Set in small-town coastal Maine (Port Anna is named for Anna Vale, a long-ago lighthouse keeper), this debut features Gwen Gilmore whose younger sister Molly drowned several years ago. Having lost a teaching position, Gwen decides to move back to Maine and encounters friends from her childhood and youth; later musing that “the defining moments of our lives happen before we turn 18.” She struggles to make peace with past events and to overcome hardship, including housing challenges, while gradually amassing the start of a new life with elements of romance, friendship, protectiveness towards a runaway teen, and developing a shared community at the local high school, her new employer. Throughout the story, Gwen reflects on love and grief and how “You cannot have one without the other. … In the middle of grief, there were also gifts: a smushed loaf of banana bread from a friend who knew she forgot to eat, the caress of a man covered in blue paint, and the skinny girl’s indomitable spirit.” When reviewing this novel, Publishers Weekly said, “Readers looking for a sweet, summery outing … will want to check this out." Overall, PORT ANNA is an engaging, feel-good read enlivened by Buck’s strong affection for Maine, as she says, “I am deeply grateful for its many gifts -- the bounty and diversity of the land and seascape as well as the fascinating, complicated people who call it home.” 

The View from Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani

THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO by Adriana Trigiani is a coming-of-age story from a favorite author about Italian American families, culture, and expectations. Trigiani introduces readers to Giuseppina Capodimonte Baratta (called Jess), a recently divorced thirty-something who has moved back in with her parents in Lake Como, New Jersey and handles household chores (e.g., the big Sunday dinner) somewhat resentfully. Jess was not able to go away to college and has worked for her childless Uncle Louie as a designer at his marble and stone importing company. She is finally allowing herself to dream a bit, especially about the trip to Italy that Louie has promised. A premature death thwarts those plans, but Jess perseveres and challenges herself to find independence and forgiveness. Amongst the advice for her: “When adapting to a new environment, be kind to yourself. Making friends and acclimating is a process. Seek comfort and familiarity but set a goal to talk to someone you don't know every day. You will be empowered to form bonds and make friends.” Romance, family history, and a visit to the original Lake Como await. THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO received starred reviews from Booklist (“this may be her best yet”) and Library Journal (“a captivating and memorable read”). Be sure to also look for Trigiani’s debut novel Big Stone Gap (published 25 years ago), Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon or one of over a dozen other titles she has written.

Where You're Planted by Melanie Sweeney

WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED by Melanie Sweeney was a fun read, but contained a bit too much physical description of some romantic trysts. I kept wondering about the reader to whom I would feel comfortable recommending this title. The story itself is poignant, especially given the recent events in the Texas Hill Country, with a public library branch and a local garden impacted by a hurricane. There is some initial friction, but the two organizations really learn to lean into each other’s strengths. Similarly, the characters challenge themselves to think and act differently. Library Head Tansy and new Garden Director Jack provide alternating viewpoints and move the story forward, with one remarking, “I wasted years believing my own lie. Years I'll never get back. And if that's how it had to happen for me to get here with you, then fine, but I didn't have to be so goddamned afraid.” Discussion questions are provided as well as a heartfelt note from the author about her own family’s experiences after a hurricane in the Houston area.

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess

WELCOME TO MURDER WEEK by Karen Dukess is a delightfully quirky, frothy offering which combines mystery and romance set in England’s Peak District. After the death of her often-estranged Mom, Cath Little heads to the UK to participate in a pretend murder contest. No one knows why her Mom had purchased the tickets without telling Cath. Soon, however, Cath and her detective team (roommates Wyatt, struggling in his marriage to a birding shopkeeper, and Amity, a romance author with writer’s block), are investigating not only the supposed death of local resident Tracy Penny, but also a series of strange coincidences involving Cath, her childhood, and her Mom. The tiny village of Willowthrop is also home to several memorable characters, including handsome barman and artisanal gin crafter named Dev who is attracted to Cath. This entertaining tale fulfills the author’s description: “Murder, revenge, lies, abandonment – they’re a respite from the mess and confusion of our own lives. Fictional chaos is a holiday, a beautiful distraction. We can go along for the ride and shiver from the danger without worrying that we'll get hurt.” WELCOME TO MURDER WEEK received a starred review from Library Journal (“just the thing for a rainy afternoon and a cup of tea”). Enjoy.  

Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins

SPEAK TO ME OF HOME by Jeanine Cummins (American Dirt) is worth a read, but beware that the story is told out of sequence and from multiple viewpoints. The focus is on the lives of a Puerto Rican-Irish family across four generations from the 1950s to present day. The patriarch, Papamio loses his job in disgrace and the family is forced to modify its lavish lifestyle, with daughter Rafaela (Rafa) leaving private school and becoming a secretary on a Naval base. There, she meets her future husband, a white Irish Catholic, choosing security over her romantic interest in the son of the family’s former housekeeper. After several years of marriage (and accompanying tension) Rafa and Peter Brennan move to the States with their two children, Benny and Ruth. Benny is older and struggles to acclimate, but Ruth establishes friendships and begins speaking only English, thinking of herself as white. As an adult, Ruth also has a choice between a Puerto Rican man and an Irish one. Eventually she raises three children, Vic, Daisy, and Carlos, largely on her own. Ruth “wanted them to feel the kind of belonging she had always learned for and could never achieve. But she hadn't told them that. She had never explained.” The family members struggle with questions of class, ethnicity, and where to call home with Daisy moving to Puerto Rico where she is seriously injured in a storm, prompting a family reunion and revelation of a long-suspected secret. Book groups may enjoy this title, especially the emphasis on mother-daughter relationships.

Songs of Summer by Jane L. Rosen

SONGS OF SUMMER by Jane L. Rosen is the third novel in her On Fire Island trilogy. These intertwined stories offer a marvelous escape to a beautiful summer setting populated with kind and caring people. This time, there’s the wedding for ferryboat Captain Jake and newly full-time island resident Renee which is “crashed” by Maggie May Miller, a young woman trying to get to know her birth mother. Maggie poses as girlfriend for Matt whose Mom is the bride. There are secrets and deception as well as efforts to deal with the consequences of long-ago actions. One of the best parts is all the “love” Rosen shares for music – Maggie May has her own record store and Matt writes for The Rolling Stone. Each chapter references a song like 500 Miles, What’s Going On? (Marvin Gaye), (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay, or Should I Stay or Should I Go? and Rosen must have had such fun choosing them (she even created a Spotify list). 

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.

Trust Me on This by Lauren Parvizi

TRUST ME ON THIS by Lauren Parvizi is a quick read with likeable characters, two sisters who seem so dissimilar due to different mothers, different life experiences, and different dispositions. Zahra Starling is older, divorced, angry, and abrupt. Aurora (or Aura Star, her professional name) is younger, vulnerable, more naïve, and generally optimistic. Their father, a powerful force in their lives, tells them he is quite ill and asks to see them together. Thus begins a crazy road trip from Los Angeles, through Paso Robles, to Seattle. Along the way, there is plenty of angst with each of their Moms, a budding romance and a horribly broken one, plus reflection by each on her career goals. Of course, it turns out that these sisters need each other even if they cannot see it at first. Zahra “prefers stability to surprises,” finds cooking to be “an equation she could solve,” “a form of active meditation.” Aura is a people pleaser which has created deep conflicts for her. The growth that both experience – largely due to emulating aspects of the other’s personality – pulls in readers who will be rooting for both sisters to overcome trauma and learn to forgive and to trust each other. Parvizi writes with empathy and insight: “you spend so much time wondering when and how your number might be called, but once it happens, the specifics hardly matter …. It was impossible to remember the last time you did the smallest things you took for granted, and it was usually those things you wished you could remember most.” Evoking abundant emotions, TRUST ME ON THIS is a family drama filled with descriptions of wonderful food and scenery (e.g., the cathedral of redwoods).  Enjoy the journey.