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Fiction A to Z September 2020
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Anxious people : a novel
by Fredrik Backman
What happens: Taken hostage by a failed bank robber while attending an open house, eight anxiety-prone strangers—including a redemption-seeking bank director, two couples who would fix their marriages and a plucky octogenarian—discover their unexpected common traits.
Why read it: “Anxious People” is a thought provoking, heart-wrenching, comical novel that leaves you in wonderment. It’s Fredrik Backman at his best. At its heart, this book deals with human connection and the impact people have on each other. (Goodreads)
Reviewers say: "Fredrik Backman's writing is lyrical, whimsical, and heartwarming. It feels like hanging out with a very witty and observant friend who has the language to describe everything you are witnessing together perfectly and humorously."
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| Empire of Wild by Cherie DimalineWhat happens: A year after her husband Victor disappears following an argument, Joan Beausoleil encounters him at a tent revival, calling himself Reverend Wolff (and denying any knowledge of Victor).
But... Is it really him? A Canadian Métis elder believes he's been possessed by a rogarou; Joan comes to agree and determines to track the half-man, half-wolf creature and save her husband.
Read it for: suspenseful, haunting descriptions; immersion into the stories of the Métis Nation in Canada (the author is a member); an understanding of the threat the Métis are under by those who desire their land. |
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| The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke EmeziWhat it's about: the mysterious death of young Nigerian Vivek Oji; friendship and family loyalty; gender identity; and deeply rooted transphobia.
Read it for: the many narrative perspectives, the description of middle-class Nigeria and the generational contrast in beliefs, the elegant writing style, and the raw depiction of grief.
Reviewers say: "There's just no way to finish this powerful novel and not feel more deeply than ever the ghastly consequences of intolerance" (The Washington Post). |
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| Crossings by Alex LandraginWhat it is: a nonlinear tale in three parts; you can read it in order, or follow instructions to jump around.
What you might find: a lost story by Baudelaire; Coco Chanel; remote Pacific islands; the transmigration of human consciousness into another body; a "seductive literary romp" (Publishers Weekly).
Read it if: you liked the literary puzzle of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, Martin Seay's The Mirror Thief, or even Stuart Turton's The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. |
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The brilliant life of Eudora Honeysett : a novel
by Annie Lyons
What it's about: Wanting to organize an assisted death on her own terms, a world-weary octogenarian forges an unexpected bond with an exuberant 10-year-old who drags her to tea parties, shopping sprees and other social excursions.
Read it for: a feel good story to lift your spirits with some laugh out loud moments.
Reviewers say: This is a terrific book! I truly enjoyed being part of Eudora’s life and watching her change through the book.
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Monogamy : a novel
by Sue Miller
What it's about: Derailed by the sudden passing of her husband of 30 years, an artist on the brink of a gallery opening struggles to pick up the pieces of her life before discovering harrowing evidence of her husband’s affair.
Reviewers say: With a title like, “Monogamy”, you know going in that it’s going to be, in part, about adultery. And it is. But most essentially it’s about marriage, grief, family, and our uniquely American culture regarding these things.
Why read it: Seeing into the heart of families, reflected in Miller's amazing character portrayals are all apparent in this insightful and quiet novel. Marriages, motherhood, friendships and grief.
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| The Terranauts by T.C. BoyleWelcome to: a self-sustaining, totally enclosed space colony prototype in the Arizona desert, where eight people will live and work for two full years of physical hardships, emotional betrayals, and other complications.
For fans of: unusual workplaces, unique settings, and complex social settings. For a chillier locale, try Ashley Shelby's South Pole Station.
Based on real events: the prototype was real; if you're interested in learning more, try the documentary Spaceship Earth, which was released in May. |
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| If I Had Your Face by Frances ChaSet in: a Seoul apartment building that's home to four young women trying to navigate a society that holds them to unattainable standards of beauty.
Read it for: an enlightening if heartbreaking view of sexism at work in South Korea; an exploration of the way that women's roles are changing; an understanding of how beauty impacts status; a chatty, engaging writing style.
Want a taste? "About half of our school got their eyes done there that year because the teacher offered us a 50 percent discount." |
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| The Big Finish by Brooke FosseyHome is: an assisted living facility for curmudgeonly senior Duffy Sinclair and his best friend Carl. But their semi-independent lives are under threat by the profit-minded owner, who'd take any excuse to kick them out.
What happens: Carl's estranged granddaughter climbs through the window one night, bringing with her a host of troubles -- and maybe a reason for Duffy and Carl to fight for what matters.
For fans of: Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove. |
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| The Dutch House by Ann PatchettThe family home: a stately mansion known as the Dutch House, from which Danny and Maeve are banned by their stepmother after their father's early death.
What it is: a family saga spanning 50 years, narrated by Danny and full of astute observations on human nature.
For fans of: complex family relationships, such as those in CJ Hauser's Family of Origin or Ann Packer's The Children's Crusade. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Forsyth County Public Library 660 W 5th Street Winston Salem, North Carolina 27101 336-703-3030www.forsythlibrary.org |
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