The author of Peace Like a River showcases his supreme storytelling skills in Virgil Wander, a novel about how a small town and its citizens try to stay relevant in the face of changing times. Continue reading
Category Archives: Fiction
Book Review: Ghosted by Rosie Walsh
In Ghosted, thirty something Sarah Mackie is on vacation in her native England when she meets Eddie David. They have a passionate seven day affair that concludes with talk of love and being together permanently. But then Sarah never hears from Eddie. He ghosts her. And then Sarah proceeds to behave like a complete lunatic. Continue reading
Book Review: The Secret of Santa Vittoria by Robert Crichton
The Secret of Santa Vittoria takes place in a small village in the mountains of Italy during WWII. It is a brilliant commentary about human nature, relying on deadpan and sometimes dark humor to cover topics like love, honor, power, community dynamics and prejudices. Robert Crichton cleverly weaves a parable that pits Italian peasants against German soldiers in a cat and mouse game involving the wine that serves as the lifeblood of the little village. Continue reading
Book Review: All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
All We Ever Wanted examines what happens when parents of teenagers are asleep at the wheel. It also contains some other rather tedious social commentary. Continue reading
Book Review: Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly
Dark Sacred Night is the latest novel by bestselling author Michael Connelly. It pairs two of his police detective characters, Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard, to solve the cold case murder of 15-year-old Daisy Clayton. Continue reading
Book Review: Then She Was Gone, by Lisa Jewell
In Then She Was Gone, Laurel Mack is a woman who is trying to put her life back together ten years after her teenage daughter, Ellie, disappeared. But just when things finally start to look up, clues from the past begin to surface. Continue reading
Book Review: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Rules of Civility is a beautifully written novel set in post-depression New York City. It tells the story of Kate, a wise and well-read working girl, who suddenly finds herself maneuvering through the sparkling upper echelons of high society. This is a coming of age tale for people in their twenties, as it explores aspirations, relationships and finding a place in life that makes you mentally and morally ok with yourself. Continue reading
Book Review: The Tuscan Child, by Rhys Bowen
In The Tuscan Child, Joanna Langley is distraught when her estranged father dies. Regretting that she didn’t know him better, she travels to the Tuscany region of Italy to find out more about what happened to him when he was shot down in the area during World War II. But someone wants the secrets of the past to stay buried. Continue reading
Book Review: Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
In Something in the Water, Erin and Mark are honeymooning in Bora Bora when they discover something completely unexpected floating in the water. It could be the answer to their prayers or it could rip apart their fledgling marriage. Will they do the right thing? Continue reading
Book Review: Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens
Sometimes books stay with you long after you finish them. Where the Crawdads Sing is that kind of book. Part coming of age story, part romance, part murder mystery, part court room drama, this beautifully written novel will squeeze a lot of different emotions out of you. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 