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 »

The Elements of Fiction by Walter Mosley

The Elements of Fiction is a follow-up to the book This Year You Write Your Novel. Walter Mosley is a prolific author who also has the gift of knowing how to share his expertise.  As . . . read more »

The Vexations by Caitlin Horrocks

This is a historical fiction novel about the French composer Erik Satie and his two siblings, Louise and Conrad. Horrocks takes an interesting approach in making the siblings’ stories very primary to the plot, especially . . . read more »

EPL Librarians share their favorite banned books

In honor of Banned Books Week, here are the EPL librarian’s favorite books which have been banned or challenged in the past.  Happy Reading! Amy Wisehart, Director:  My banned book pick is Song of Solomon . . . read more »

Orange World by Karen Russell

Orange World is the latest short story collection from the masterful Karen Russell.  One of my favorite writers of all time, Russell is known for her ability to craft incredibly rich short stories as well . . . read more »

The History of Living Forever by Jake Wolff

The History of Living Forever, the spectacular debut novel from Jake Wolff, tells a multi-layered story about mankind’s quest for immortality throughout the ages.  This book combines the beautiful prose of literary fiction with the . . . read more »

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing Every marriage has its secrets. Mr. and Mrs. Smith seem to be the perfect couple. Their kids are usually behaved, but they have a secret life that no one . . . read more »

Girl Most Likely by Max Allan Collins

When Krista Larson becomes the female police chief in the county. After 20 years, she did not expect a murder in her small Midwest town. Her retired Dad, a former decorated detective, is willing to . . . read more »

The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger

What does it mean to have a gifted child and why is it so important?  The Gifted School explores this question from many angles, following four families who have children ready to enter middle school.  . . . read more »

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

Rachel Klein, a divorced mother, is on her way through the Boston traffic to an oncology appointment when she gets the call. Her teenage daughter, Kylie, has been kidnapped. The stranger on the phone informs . . . read more »

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

The Tuesday Readers meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. to discuss a book.  Everyone is welcome to attend!  The group will be discussing An American Marriage by Tayari Jones for . . . read more »

The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky

The Wolf in the Whale is a really beautifully written story about Omat, a girl born with the soul of a hunter and raised by her grandfather as the Inuit tribe’s next angakkuq, or shaman. . . . read more »

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert is an epistolary novel recounting the life of Vivian Morris, a young woman growing up in New York City in the 1940s.  Though much of the book focuses on Vivian’s . . . read more »

The Rationing by Charles Wheelan

Set in the near future, The Rationing takes place when the government supply of a modern miracle drug, Dormigen, is depleted just as a disease erupts that calls for that drug. The story is from the . . . read more »

The Bees by Laline Paull

The Bees by Laline Paull, is without a doubt the most unusual book I have read. Flora 717 is a sanitation worker, born to the lowest class of the hive. She’s born large and hideous . . . read more »

Liar by K.L. Slater

After Ben’s wife dies, his mother Judi does everything she can to help Ben raise his two boys. To Judi family is everything and nothing is too much to do for her “boys”. Then, Ben . . . read more »

The Mother-in-law by Sally Hepworth

This book shows how complicated relationships within families can be. When Lucy met her mother-in-law, there was definitely a chill in the air.  Her mother-in-law, Diana, was polite, but it seemed Lucy was not good . . . read more »

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury chronicles the summer of 12 year old Douglas Spaulding in the fictional town of Green Town, Illinois.  Drawing from his own childhood, Bradbury captures the magic of the summer months, . . . read more »

All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung

This is a beautifully written memoir about adoption and family. Nicole Chung was born premature to a Korean American family and given up for adoption. Her adoptive parents are white and she grew up in . . . read more »