Mothers and Sons                            

by Adam Haslett

Little Brown/Hachette

    Ann and Peter do not have an easy relationship, to put it mildly. Haslett shows you, in his simple, straightforward way, the inner reasonings of both mother and son - you see Ann's selfishness and can't dislike her for it.  Peter's loneliness is only made clear when you learn more about his youth. Violence, misunderstandings, fear and love combine to make this a shattering and still hopeful novel.

    Haslett is a master at creating characters that you learn from and are very glad you've met.

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

Wild Houses 

by Colin Barrett

Grove Atlantic 

    This is a funny, suspense-filled and moving story of small town life and all that can go wrong, especially when everyone knows everyone.

    Beautifully written with a pure and honest language all its own.

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

The Teller of Small Fortunes

By Julie Leong

Ace/PenguinRandomHouse

    Sometimes in Winter you need something warm, like a good hot chocolate. This isn't that sweet but it is filled with fun characters who develop a strong friendship and help each other along the road to learn where they need to be.

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

 

The City and Its Uncertain Walls                           

by Haruki Murakami

PenguinRandomHouse

    Two worlds can intersect and someone may find a perfect future in one, but probably not in both. Loneliness, love, loss, and finding a place where you can belong; the importance of libraries and walls that can move, or be moved. This is a fascinating book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book (which I highly recommend as you'll want to read it again), please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place:bookshop.org

Paris in Ruins: Love, War and the Birth of Impressionism

by Sebastian Smee

W.W.Norton

    Smee weaves together the lives and works of several Impressionists - mainly Berthe Morisot and the Manet brothers - with the horrors of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War. He shows the human turmoil and the destruction of the city, the civil war inside the city and the effects it all had on their art world. A fascinating story.

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

Gabriel's Moon               

by William Boyd

GroveAtlantic/IPS

    You believe in Gabriel from the beginning; he's a normal human suddenly finding himself in an abnormal world. He's naive, but not so much that you want to yell at him. Boyd bring the suspense level up so quietly that you hardly notice you've skipped lunch and need to cancel your afternoon appointments. You feel the right hand pages getting slimmer with a growing sense of dread; not just because you're afraid for Gabriel, but also you are so enjoying the book that you don't want it to end.

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

Twice-Spent Comet

by Ziggy Schutz

Meercat Press/ IDG

    Ziggy Schutz manages to put a great deal into a very slim book. This is a moving story of freedom, responsibility, love and how incredibly important friendships can be.

    I hope there are more books coming from this wonderful writer.

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