So Long, See You Tomorrow

by William Maxwell

Vintage International/PRH

   This is the story of the friendship between two young teenagers in the 1920s and how easily that relationship is destroyed by things they have no control over. It is also a story of memory and its failings, as one of the grown men tries to understand what happened.  A brilliantly written look into the lives of two boys and the things that they can't and don't want to know.

    This is probably still taught in high schools, but may be best read at a later age to appreciate the subtlety and strength of Maxwell's art.

If you would like to know more about or own this book, please try your local bookstore or bookshop.org.

The Gospel of Orla

by Eoghan Walls

Seven Stories Press/PRH

    This is the strangest book I've read in a long time. It's also absolutely wonderful.  Fourteen year old Orla's voice is unique and compelling - her grief so real and her hope so strong that you can't help wishing for a miracle. There's also Jesus and an elephant named Fantasmo who are important characters in Orla's world.

If you would like to know more about Orla, or own this book, please check your local independent bookstore orbookshop.org

Standing in the Shadows

by Peter Robinson

Wm.Morrow/HarperCollins

   If you haven't read any of the Inspector Banks books, this is not the place to start. Gallows View is the first, but In a Dry Season is my favorite. They are all very well crafted British police procedural mysteries with a great cast of characters.

   It is very sad that Robinson passed away in 2022, so this will probably be his last, unless the publishers have a manuscript somewhere. This is an interesting story told from two very different points of view - the ex boyfriend of a young woman murdered many years ago and the police tracking down the truth behind a not ancient skeleton found at an archaeological dig. It all comes together very well.

If you would like to know more about this book, or try the series, please contact your local independent bookstore or bookshop.org .

The Queen of Dirt Island

by Donal Ryan

Viking Press

    The form of this novel is superb. Each chapter is a prose poem of two pages; all connecting to create the story of the Aylward women - strong, funny, profane and loving across their generations.

    There is tragedy and heartbreak but mostly love. There is such warmth and humor in these pages you can't help but smile throughout, even when the going gets rough.

    I've enjoyed other books by Ryan but this is his best, so far.

If you would like to know more about this book or own it, please try your local independent bookstore or bookshop.org

 The Wind Knows My Name

by Isabel Allende

Ballantine Books/PRH

June 6, 2023

    Among the memorable characters in this novel are Simon Adler, who as a child is sent by his tearful mother away from Vienna in 1938 on a kindertransport to England and Anita Diaz whose mother is separated from her at the Mexican border in 2019. The story follows both of these refugees as they make their way to new lives and the people who help them forward. Allende manages to create feeling for all the individuals in very succinct and distinct ways.

If you would like to know more about  or own this book, please try your local independent bookstore or bookshop.org