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 »

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood is a unique retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey.  What happened during the 20 years that Odyssey was away?  Atwood alternates chapters from Penelope’s perspective with songs from the twelve handmaids.  . . . read more »

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Escape into the labyrinthine world of Ellingham Academy as teen detective Stevie Bell takes on the crime of the century that has remained unsolved since the 1930s.  As Stevie adjusts to life away from home, . . . read more »

Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep

This is a fascinating non-fiction book that is part true crime, part literary biography. In the 1970s a black preacher named Willie Maxwell received life insurance payouts for five family members who died under mysterious . . . read more »

The Wall by John Lanchester

This novel imagines a near future in which sea level rise has caused much of the world to become uninhabitable. Joseph, the main character, has become a “defender” and must guard the wall keeping his . . . read more »

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

This is a historical fiction novel about the writing and reception of the novel Doctor Zhivago during the height of the Cold War. When Boris Pasternak wrote the novel, it was considered very subversive. The . . . read more »

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

Amy, a diving instructor living in Florida, is happy in her suburban life with her husband and stepdaughter.  When a woman called Roux shows up at her door, her secure, happy life is thrown for . . . read more »

Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing as We Age by Mary Pipher

As we age, we cannot we cannot function as we did when we were younger. Women, especially, need to successfully find a new identity as they are no longer taking care of a family and . . . read more »

A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson

Families never believe that the worst may happen to them—especially if Dad is a pastor and Mom is a lawyer. But it did, and their 18 year old daughter is accused of the murder of . . . read more »

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn is a twisty page turner set in present day Harlem.  Anna can’t leave her house, so she watches her neighbors–tracking their every move and following their lives . . . read more »

Those People by Louise Candlish

The new people moving in do not fit in with this family friendly neighbor. They are noisy, unpleasant, and begin an unsightly renovation as well as starting a used car lot. Then a horrible death . . . read more »

Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe (the “Witch of Aeaea”) is best known for transforming Odysseus’ men into pigs in Homer’s The Odyssey.  What if they story had been told from her point of view?  Madeline Miller returns with a . . . read more »

Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle

Running away from an abusive husband took Beth Murphy more than a year. Constantly moving, Beth has a new name, new look and resides in a new city miles from her violent husband.  Miles away, . . . read more »

The Liar by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen

The Liar by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen tells the story of a teenage girl named Nofar who feels invisible.  After she tells a lie that grows out of control, she is recognized everywhere she goes.  In Part . . . read more »

EPL Librarians share their favorite scary stories and movies

Boo!  If you’re looking for a scare, check out these books and movies that are sure to give you a fright this Halloween season.  Read on, if you dare! Neil: “Mountains of Madness” by H.P. . . . read more »

Eventown by Corey Ann Haydu

Eventown, a middle grade novel by Corey Ann Haydu, is a good introduction to utopian fiction for tweens.  Elodee and her family have lived through a traumatic event and are looking to escape their reality . . . read more »