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The Hundred-Foot Journey
By Richard Marais $15
A restaurant family leaves Mumbai after a tragedy. They settle in a small French town & open an inexpensive Indian restaurant opposite an
esteemed French one. Chef Hassan Haj vs. the famous chef Madame Mallory. A favorite of my book group.
--Lori Zaim
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Daughter of Providence
By Julie Drew $24.95
Long-buried family secrets are unearthed when the newly discovered half-sister of Anne Dodge comes to Rhode Island to live with Anne and her father. But that’s not the only drama unfolding in their small
industrial town; a murder investigation pends as the town’s union immigrants threaten to strike. Daughter of Providence is an engrossing story of discovery, tragedy and redemption.
--Hannah
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Wanna Get Lucky?
By Deborah Coonts $5.99
If you’re a fan of Stephanie Plum, you’ll love Lucky O’Toole. A quick, easy read, perfect for the beach, plane or curling up in your favorite chair. The second in the series is due this
February.
--Jean
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Clara & Mr. Tiffany
By Susan Vreeland $26
With meticulous
research and rich imagination, the status of the working woman is explored through the story of Clara Driscoll, a designer of leaded glass for Louis C. Tiffany. I waited for over a year for this book and it did not
disappoint!
--Judi
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City Of Dreams
By William Martin $9.99
What do the American Revolution, Hell’s Kitchen, 9/11 and the current financial crisis all have in common? Peter Fallon, of Lost Constitution fame, has an opportunity to “save America.” New York City
lovers will find this fast paced novel full of familiar historical places and intrigue. I could not put this book down.
--Sandy
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Sacred Heart
By Sarah Dunnant $15
What to do with surplus females in 16th century Italy? Send them to a convent! Serafina’s noisy arrival inside the cloistered walls begins this engrossing novel of a handful of remarkable women, whose skills are not accepted in the outside world but are welcomed and respected in the convent. This is my favorite of historical novels about women.
--Lynn
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Don of the Dead: A Pepper Martin Mystery
By Casey Daniels $6.99
Recommended by Elizabeth Bleick, I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and breezy mystery set in Cleveland. Familiar landmarks, a surprising ending and lots of laughs make this a mystery for just about everyone.
--Jean
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Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy
By Sharon Lathan $14.99
I loved Pride & Prejudice or maybe
I just love Colin Firth playing Mr. Darcy. He's the one I pictured as I read this incredibly romantic continuation of the story. It starts right after the end of Pride & Prejudice and takes the reader through
the first months of their married life. The series continues with Loving Mr. Darcy and My Dearest Mr. Darcy and a fourth to come out this fall. I can't wait!
--Jean
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Everyman His Own Gravity
By Andrew Weaver $12.95
A delicious compendium of brief pieces that read like 21st Century Chekhovian short stories. Lugubrious, sanguine ideas expressed ecstatically in stupendously unique ways.
Not a book for the dim of wit: excellent choice for the erudite thinker on your list. Even the most hebetudious critic will appreciate the non-fugacious worth of this work. A couple more books like this one and a Pulitzer will be his.
--Jim
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Curse of the Spellmans
By Lisa Lutz $7.99
This is the 2nd novel about the wacky, but weirdly lovable Spellmans. Izzy Spellman is a hilarious character and I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do next. The 3rd book
in the series Revenge of the Spellmans is out in trade and the 4th and final book in the series is due this spring. It’s laugh-out-loud fun.
--Jean
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Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
By Beth Hoffman $15
Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt has been living in Willoughby, Ohio with her mentally ill mother and an absentee father. When her mother suddenly dies, it’s her Great Aunt
Tootie that takes charge and bring her to Savannah, GA to begin her new life.
--Jean
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Remarkable Creatures
By Tracy Chevalier $15
Another very readable historical fiction novel by the
author who wrote “Girl With A Pearl Earring”.
The story revolves around the relationship of two female
fossil hunters in England in the early
1800’s. Based on two real-life,
but little known people.--Marcia, Phil
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The Sleeping Beauty Proposal
by Sarah Strohmeyer $14
What would you do if your boyfriend of 5 years proposed to another woman on national television? Admissions counselor Genie Michaels decides to pretend that she's the one who's engaged. Check out the
admissions essay in Chapter 7 and you'll understand why I love to read Sarah Strohmeyer.--Jean
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The Cinderella Pact
by Sarah Strohmeyer $14
What I love about Sarah Strohmeyer's characters is that they seem so real to me. Nola Devlin and her two friends decide to finally lose the weight they've been carrying around for years, The Cinderella Pact. These ladies are hilarious and so much fun. You won't want to put it down until you're done. Find a cozy chair, grab a glass of wine (or diet coke) and enjoy.
--Jean
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The Whiskey Rebels
By David Liss $15
What was America like
after the Revolutionary War for those who fought for and stayed in this new country? This historical thriller revolves around western frontier and crisis and scandal in the new government. Well written, with
interesting characters
--Lynn & Phil
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The Pig Did It
by Joseph Caldwell $13.99
I was drawn to this
book by it's cover and it doesn't disappoint. This Irish tale has a little bit for everyone: a mystery, a love story, a pig, some fine Irish whiskey and a lot of fun. The Pig Did It is the first of a trilogy. The
second book, The Pig Comes to Dinner is now in hardcover.
--Jean
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Bound
By Sally Gunning $13.99
Another great historical fiction
novel by the author of “The Widow’s War” with a cameo appearance by several of the same characters. Well written and well researched.
--Phil
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The Widow’s War
By Sally Gunning $13.99
For anyone who enjoys
excellent historical fiction. It would also make a terrific book club choice. A very compelling look at an independent woman’s plight on Cape cod in the mid-1700’s. Read this one before reading “Bound” by
the same author.
--Phil
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The School of Essential Ingredients
By Erica Bauermeister $15
A remarkable debut novel. Normally I don’t read this
type of book, but that day I was hungry and
I liked the cover.
I was delighted and
amazed to find this author’s writing was every
bit as tasty as the recipes she concocts.
Bon appetite!
--Phil
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Wednesday Sisters
By Meg Waite Clayton $14
In the summer of 1968, five very different women meet at a playground in Palo Alto and begin a writing group. This is a nostalgic look back at the events of that time, the women we were, and how much we’ve
changed. A good summer read.
--Lynn
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The Missing
By Tim Gautreaux $15
A man returns to New Orleans after being overseas during WWI. In a tragic turn, a little girl is kidnapped from the store that he manages and he is compelled to search for her. A very engrossing
historical read with vivid characters and scenery.
--Phil
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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows $14
Despite having a lackluster cover and a weird title, this is actually a wonderful novel. History, humor, tragedy and romance all rolled
together into one great book. One of the best this year!
--Phil, Lynn
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The Long Walk Home
By Will North $13.95
When New Yorker Alec
travels to Wales to scatter his ex-wife’s ashes, he meets Fiona who runs a Bed-and-Breakfast. They begin a mid-life love affair complicated by their feelings of loyalty and duty. If Nicholas Sparks wrote a book
set in North Wales, it would read like this. Enjoy this story of love, loss and hope in a breath-taking setting.
--Lynn
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Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage & Survival
By Velma Wallis $12.95
Left behind by their tribe in a winter famine, two complaining old women decide they can just die of “die trying.” This award-winning adaptation
from an old Alaskan legend is as pertinent today as it has been for generations. A great story of survival and forgiveness
.--Lynn
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A Thousand Splendid Suns
By Khaled Hosseini $16
An extremely well written novel about the plight of women in Afghanistan that chronicles several decades of Afghan history. One of the best books that I read in 2007. A guaranteed great
read.
-- Phil
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Thread of Grace
by Maria Doria Russell $15
There are many strong women and men who are heroes in this book set in Italy during WWII; some, like priests and rabbis are called to be heroes every day;
some surprisingly, are the enemy. Throughout, women hold their families together despite great odds.
--Marcia
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Dark Angels
By Karleen Koen $15.95
Alice Verney at the Court of Charles II is as compelling as “The Other Boleyn Girl” and is also caught in the intrigues and treachery of the
times. I was swept up in the lavish and dangerous courts of France and England in this excellent historical novel. --Lynn
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Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven
By Fannie Flagg $13.95
This is my favorite Fannie Flagg novel! I laughed out loud and have been thinking about heaven ever since. A great feel-good read for the
summer. --Lynn
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The Spellman Files
by Lisa Lutz $7.99
This light and funny novel is a wonderful summer read. Izzy Spellman is trying to leave the family business which happens to be a private investigation firm. But Izzy has one last job to do
before she can get out. Not that she knows what to do once she leaves. Unfortunately for her it's the only job she's ever had. Literally, she started when she was just 14 years old. The whole family is a hoot,
especially Izzy’s sister Rae.
--Jean
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Dream When You’re Feeling Blue
By Elizabeth Berg $14
The three Heaney girls are growing up during WWII. A compelling story, rich in detail, the girls exchange letters with the men that they love serving
overseas. A vivid and nostalgic picture of the time. --Lynn
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The Madonnas of Leningrad
By Debra Dean $13.95
As Marina slips away from the present, she carries us to the “Hermitage” in Leningrad as the priceless art collection is removed for safe-keeping.
Her story unfolds as she survives the brutal siege by recreating the art in her mind. A haunting story with an unforgettable conclusion.. --Lynn
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The Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives
by Sarah Strohmeyer $14
The one word to describe this book would be fun! Desperate Housewives in northeast Ohio – I loved it. It’s the kind of book you’ll stay up late
reading, saying to yourself “just one more chapter…”
--Jean
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Two Days After the Wedding
by Joan Medlicott $13
This is a wonderful new book about “the ladies of Covington” – how they confront the joys and sad events of daily living and wisely come to terms with the men in their lives. --Jane
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An Assembly Such As This
by Pamela Aidan $14
For any one who loved the classic Pride and Prejudice and/or the A&E miniseries starring Colin Firth as Fitzwilliam Darcy will love this novel. This time the story is told
from Darcy’s point of view and it’s fantastic! This is the first of three books in the series. --Jean, Lynn
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A Can Of Peas
by Traci DePree $12.99
Visit Lake Emily, a small farming community in Minnesota and you may want to stay on permanently. A wonderful book with warm, caring friends and neighbors coping with the joys and problems of
everyday life.
--Jane
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