Beartown is Fredrik Backman’s bestselling novel about life in a small town where hockey is king and winners are revered, sometimes at the expense of the people they have hurt. The author explores some dark themes in this story, with the characteristic wisdom and insight that make all of Backman’s novels thought provoking. Continue reading
Category Archives: Contemporary Fiction
Book Review: The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
The Hotel Nantucket is light and deeply entertaining, with just the right amount of romance, food, intrigue, interesting characters, food, and the supernatural to make it a page turner. Not just a “beach read”, The Hotel Nantucket is escapist literature that can satisfy your need to immerse yourself in something not so heavy for a while. Continue reading
Book Review: The Push by Ashley Audrain
The Push is an immersive psychological drama that explores mental illness and the bond (or lack thereof) between a mother and her children. If you’re thinking about having your first child, DO NOT read The Push until your child is grown and out of the house. 😉 Continue reading
Audio Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, Narrated by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie
Filled with human decency, Remarkably Bright Creatures is Shelby Van Pelt’s “remarkably bright” debut novel. Add in terrific narration by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie, and you have a fantastic audio book. Continue reading
Book Review: A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
A Dog’s Purpose is narrated by a Good Dog who is trying to figure out the meaning of his multiple reincarnations. It’s heartfelt and sweet, and will make you laugh and maybe cry, especially if you’re a dog lover. Continue reading
Book Review: The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings
The Descendants is a novel about a dysfunctional family that has to pull itself together as their wife/mother lies dying in the hospital. Continue reading
Book Review: Cold Storage, Alaska by John Straley
Cold Storage, Alaska is a quirky novel that alternates between humor, violence, and pathos. I liked it! Continue reading
Book Review: Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen
Harry’s Trees is a treasure of a novel about overcoming grief and figuring out how to keep moving forward. It’s so good I’ve added it to my top 10 favorite books list (which exists only in my head). Continue reading
Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is the story of Addie, who has lived 300 years because she sold her soul to the devil in exchange for freedom and more time. An unexpected part of the deal is that no one, not even her parents, remember Addie, leaving her to grapple with the curse of not being able to leave her mark on the world. Continue reading
Book Review: The Girl in Green by Derek B. Miller
In The Girl in Green, an American soldier and a British journalist try to save an Iraqi girl from violence in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm. Over twenty years later, they reunite in Iraq after seeing the girl’s doppelganger on some news footage. The Girl in Green is a sharp-witted commentary on the absurdity and futility of conditions in the war-torn Middle East. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 