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Fiction A to Z December 2014
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"Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier." ~ Kathleen Norris, American novelist
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New and Recently Released!
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The Boston Girl
by Anita Diamant
Eighty-five-year-old Addie Baum tells the story of her life to her twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, who has asked her "How did you get to be the woman you are today." Addie is The Boston Girl, born in 1900 to immigrant parents who were unprepared for and suspicious of America and its effect on their three daughters. Growing up in the North End, then a teeming multicultural neighborhood, Addie's intelligence and curiosity take her to a world her parents can't imagine. Addie wants to finish high school and dreams of going to college. She wants a career and to find true love. New York Times bestselling author of The Red Tent and Day After Night, tells this unforgettable story about family ties and values, friendship and feminism.
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| Let Me Be Frank With You by Richard FordFrank Bascombe has already starred in three reflective, compassionate novels. In this latest outing, which consists of four novellas set in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Frank is 68, retired, and feeling old. A friend is dying, his ex-wife is suffering from Parkinson's, and he's stuck with the feeling that everything is in decline. Readers who have followed him through the years will enjoy reconnecting with Frank as he continues to muse (crankily if discerningly) about the ravages of life. |
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| Mermaids in Paradise: A Novel by Lydia MilletThere's trouble in paradise for honeymooners Deborah and Chip, who are staying at a luxurious Virgin Islands resort when they discover mermaids living along a nearby reef. Despite their wishes to keep the "mer" (the politically correct term) hidden and safe, a media frenzy erupts as the tourism industry quickly moves to monetize the mer. Narrated by the skeptical, piercing Deb, this darkly humorous, biting novel swims in similar satirical waters as Carl Hiaasen's Star Island. |
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| The Forgers: A Novel by Bradford MorrowIn this literary novel of suspense, we begin with the gruesome murder of rare book collector Adam Diehl. Narrated by a semi-reformed forger of literary works named Will, who is dating Adam's sister, The Forgers describes in rich detail the pleasure of rare books -- and the thrill of forging them. This latter is especially important, as Will's past as a forger is quickly catching up with him. Will, an unreliable narrator from the start, appears to have a stalker, and the question soon becomes -- did he kill Adam, or is he the next victim? |
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| Us: A Novel by David NichollsThe night before biochemist Douglas Petersen is scheduled to leave for a European trip with his wife of 25 years, Connie, and their 17-year-old son, Connie announces that's she's considering divorce. They go on the trip anyway, with Doug hoping to use it to win Connie back and improve his relationship with his son. Unfortunately, they have different ideas of what a perfect vacation looks like (Doug: detailed, strict itinerary; Connie: follow your whims), and their son alarmingly disappears in Amsterdam. Narrated by Doug, who has always felt bewilderingly out of step in his family, Us offers endearing characters and an engaging, often humorous tone. |
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| Vintage by Susan GlossVintage shop owner Violet Turner is fascinated by history, though she's happy to forget her own. The same is true of some of the women who come into the shop, including 18-year-old April, who wants to sell her unworn wedding dress. April has also recently lost her mother, while Amithi, who wants to sell some jewelry, has learned that her husband has long been unfaithful. Bonded by their love of vintage clothing (lovingly described here), their grief, and a threat to the store, these women quickly become friends; Vintage will appeal to fans of Kate Jacobs' Friday Night Knitting Club and similar tales of friendships between women. |
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| Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie LehmannSet in New York City, this engaging novel has two parallel narratives. In the current day, Amanda Rosenblum, the owner of a vintage clothing shop who's mourning impending losses, finds the journal of Olive Westcott, who lived in New York City 100 years ago. Olive's diary reveals the difficulties she -- and other women -- faced in wanting to work outside the home. Despite their differences, Amanda feels connected to Olive, and in the process of reading her journal finds the strength to take control of her own life. NYC history and descriptions of its architecture in both eras add an intriguing layer to this appealing story of finding independence. |
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| The Vintage Caper: A Novel by Peter MayleWhen the choicest bottles in a multi-million dollar wine collection are stolen from a Hollywood lawyer's cellar, the victim's insurance company hires wine connoisseur and ex-lawyer Sam Levitt to find the missing spirits. Having traveled to France in search of the vamoosed vino, Sam visits Paris, Bordeaux, and Provence and receives assistance from a beautiful French colleague. The 1st in a series of three (so far) culinary mysteries, The Vintage Caper will quench the thirst of gourmands, oenophiles, and Francophiles -- author Peter Mayle, the bestselling writer of A Year in Provence, clearly knows and loves food, wine, and France. |
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| A Vintage Affair: A Novel by Isabel WolffHaving suffered a series of losses, Phoebe Swift opens a designer vintage clothing shop in London, which is how she meets elderly Mrs. Bell, who wishes to sell her wardrobe. Seeing parallels to her own life, Phoebe is drawn to Mrs. Bell's slowly revealed story of losing her friend during the Holocaust. Despite that serious subject matter, this upbeat novel will appeal to readers of British chick lit, for it offers vivid descriptions of couture clothing and not one but two possible suitors for Phoebe. |
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Read Along with Us! Book Clubs @ HPL
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Needlework and Conversation Society Book Group
Wednesday, January 14,
6:00 pm
Heights Neighborhood Library, Meeting Room
A book discussion especially for needleworkers. This month's selection is The Drowning Spool by Monica Ferris.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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