Lost Lambs: a Novel

by Madeline Cash

FSG/Macmillan

    A wonderfully irreverent, funny and surprisingly heartfelt story of a quirky family who are all trying very hard. None of them are anywhere near perfect, but the story is very close to it. It is a lovely escape from our real world and includes domestic terrorism, blood theft and other unexpected pieces that come together into a satisfying whole. 

    You don't want to miss this one - I think we all need it right now.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org. Pre-order it!

The Typewriter and the Guillotine

by Mark Braude

Grand Central Publishing/Hachette 

  

    The serial killer in Paris is the dullest part of this amazing book. Braude covers Janet Flanner as she writes dispatches, mostly from Paris, for The New Yorker during the time just before WWII. Her life, her loves, her appreciation for not just the facts of pre-War Paris, but for the feeling of it, make for a fascinating addition to what we know of this difficult, dreadful time. The New Yorker editors are fun to read as they are torn between caring for her safety and caring for her work.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org. Pre-order it!

Drayton and Mackenzie

by Alexander Starritt

Atlantic Monthly Press/Grove/Atlantic Inc.

pub date 6/2/2026

      This is such a great, moving, lifetime of a book. Two young men meet in school and end up partners in an ambitious, brave business. Sounds simple, but you get to know and care very much for both of them - their humor, their errors and especially their concern for each other. It's a big tome and worth every word of it. 

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org. Pre-order it!

Departure(s)

by Julian Barnes

Knopf/PRH

       This is a wonderful farewell gift. It examines memory, friendship, love, work and mortality - all with humor, warmth and great philosophic insights. 

    You don't want to miss Jimmy - a great and loving part of the story.

    Thank you Mr. Barnes for this last marvelous work.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org

Ruins

by Lily Brooks-Dalton

Grand Central Publishing/Hachette

pub date 3/31/26

        Brooks-Dalton has a way of doing lots of different things together - a character study, an academic critique, a failed marriage, a love story, a vast adventure. You do finish this wanting more of Ember's story. Which is not at all a bad thing.

    If you haven't read her others, they are also warm, thoughtful and books you don't want to miss -  The Light Pirate and Good Morning, Midnight.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org