The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

The Paper Palace is a debut novel set in the Back Woods, which is “a stand-in for Wellfleet, Mass.” according to The LA Times.  Elle has stayed at her family’s camp in the Back Woods . . . read more »

The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline

Angela, an event planner who lives in New York, is in a rut.  When her best friend finds love online, she decides to try online dating and meets a sailing instructor living on MDI.  Angela’s . . . read more »

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

When struggling author Jacob Finch Bonner meets an arrogant student in his writing group, he doesn’t know that his life is about to change forever.  The student, Evan Parker, privately shares a plot for a . . . read more »

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

The Other Black Girl tells the story of Nella, a 26 year old assistant at a major publishing house.  Nella is trying to rise in the company while dealing with the challenges that come with . . . read more »

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

In December 1926, mystery author Agatha Christie vanished, turning up at a Harrogate spa eleven days later registered under the name of her husband’s mistress. To this day, no one knows what really happened during . . . read more »

The Portrait of a Mirror by A. Natasha Joukovsky

The Portrait of a Mirror is a modern day take on the myth of Narcissus set in modern day NYC and Philadelphia. Wes and Diana and Dale and Vivien are enviable couples, but not very . . . read more »

The Survivors by Jane Harper

A mystery unfolds in Evelyn Beach, Australia as Kieran and his girlfriend Mia return to their hometown  for a visit.  As local law enforcement and community members investigate the case, they begin to see connections . . . read more »

The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel

Alison Bechdel, author of the graphic memoirs Fun Home and Are you my Mother? returns with a graphic memoir about her relationship with exercise over the course of her life. In The Secret to Superhuman . . . read more »

Good Company by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

Good Company tells the story of two couples:  Flora and Julian (known to some as “Florian”) and Margot and David.  Flora, Julian, and Margot are actors and much of the story is centered around “Good . . . read more »

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green

In the literary world, John Green is best known for his YA books, including Looking for Alaska, Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our Stars.  The Anthropocene Reviewed (also the name of . . . read more »

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders

George Saunders shares his MFA class on Russian Literature in this wonderful book, which includes short stories from Tolstoy, Chekov, Gogol, and more.  Each story is followed up with an essay from Saunders.  He doesn’t . . . read more »

Thinking Inside the Box: Adventures with Crosswords and the Puzzling People Who Can’t Live Without Them by Adrienne Raphel

This book covers the history of crosswords from their creation in 1913 to present day and includes the author’s personal history with puzzles.  Raphel details her visit to the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and her . . . read more »

The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox

I stumbled upon this book online and was intrigued because several reviewers said it was the best book they had ever read.  Needless to say, that was enough to get me to read it. Taryn . . . read more »

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Jorge Luis Borges once said ““I have always imagined that Paradise will be some kind of library.” In The Midnight Library, the library isn’t the final destination, but an in-between state between life and death.  The books on . . . read more »

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

Stuart Turton’s The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was one of my favorite reads this year, so I was very excited to pick up his latest book, The Devil and the Dark Water.  A . . . read more »

Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan

J. Courtney Sullivan’s latest book tells the story of two women in transition.  Elisabeth is figuring out the first year of motherhood and trying to fit in in her new town.  Sam, her nanny, is . . . read more »

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks is a children’s book series about Rosalind, Skye, Jane, Batty and their dog, Hound.  Although written for a young audience, readers of all ages will find these books endearing.  In the first book, . . . read more »

Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

Set in Cape Neddick, Maine tells the story of three generations and how they deal with the challenges in their lives.  Alice, the matriarch, is adjusting to life as a widow and grappling with the . . . read more »

The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger

Described as the 2.0 version of the epistolary novel, The Divorce Papers is just that–all of the papers, including forms, emails, memos, letters and legal documents that are associated with one divorce.  Sophie Diehl works . . . read more »

To Have and To Hoax by Martha Waters

To Have and To Hoax​ is a humorous, regency romance. It’s just this side of Harlequin but still manages to be a battle of the sexes as Violet is trying to build her marriage to . . . read more »

The Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

Elizabeth Peter’s The Crocodile on the Sandbank​ is a must read! The first of the Amelia Peabody series is set in the late 1800’s when British Archaeologists were taking over Egypt. Told from the perspective of . . . read more »

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot is a cotton candy murder mystery. The light, fluffy perspective of Heather Wells is delivered with Meg Cabot’s usual aplomb. The murder mystery is as engaging as the . . . read more »

The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

This thriller set on the coast of Maine is a perfect beach read.  Maine native Avery has always admired the Loman family’s status and wealth. When she meets Sadie Loman they become fast friends, delighting . . . read more »

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Sometimes I’m looking for a well-written, light read.  I found it in Evvie Drake Starts Over.  Evvie lives in a small (fictional) town in Maine and is trying to regroup after the sudden death of . . . read more »

The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen

Tess Gerritsen’s new novel, The Shape of Night, is a delightful read. Set in Maine, you can feel the rocky coast brush against your feet in her detailed descriptions. The book is loaded with intrigue . . . read more »

Ask Again Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Francis and Brian are two New York cops who end up becoming neighbors in the suburbs, raising their families together. Brian’s wife Anne struggles with mental illness, and a tragic event causes a rift between . . . read more »

Contagious You by Anese Cavanaugh

Contagious You is Anese Cavanaugh’s follow-up to Contagious Culture.  In this book, the author explores how each of us, regardless of position or status, are able to influence others.  She outlines a plan for empaths . . . read more »

Lights All Night Long by Lydia Fitzpatrick

This novel centers around Russian teenager Ilya, who lands a coveted spot as a foreign exchange student in the US. He comes from a small impoverished town where opportunities like this are rare. But his . . . read more »

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

This is a Mobius strip of a novel, a murder mystery with some science fiction elements – Quantum Leap meets Agatha Christie, with elements of the movie Memento. Aiden Bishop inhabits the bodies of various . . . read more »

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This novel traces the formation and breakup of the band Daisy Jones and the Six during the 60s and 70s, told in oral history format through “interviews” with the band members, family and friends. This . . . read more »