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The hope chest
by Viola Shipman
Three individuals—including fiercely independent ALS patient Mattie, her devoted but in-denial husband and her caretaker—unlock a parent's hope chest, in which they discover long-ago treasures that trigger inspirational memories. By the author of The Charm Bracelet.
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The tea girl of Hummingbird Lane
by Lisa See
Explores the lives of a Chinese mother and her daughter, who has been adopted by an American couple, tracing the very different cultural factors that compel them to consume a rare native tea that has shaped their family's destiny for generations.
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| All grown up by Jami AttenbergAndrea Bern is about to turn 40 -- and though she's got a good-enough career in advertising, she's convinced that everyone else is doing a better job at being an adult than she is. Or, at least, she's convinced that by not having the husband and the baby that provide benchmarks for adulthood (neither of which she really wants), others don't see her as properly grown up. "Deeply perceptive and dryly hilarious" (Kirkus Reviews), this novel of a woman's desire to find meaning in life is told in a series of raw and honest vignettes. Fans of stories that take place in New York City will also appreciate the dynamic setting. |
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Bright air black
by David Vann
"Following the success of Aquarium which was a New York Times Editor's Choice and garnered numerous rave reviews, David Vann transports us to 13th century B.C. to give a nuanced and electric portrait of the life of one of ancient mythology's most fascinating and notorious women, Medea. In brilliant poetic prose Bright Air Black brings us aboard the ship Argo for its epic return journey across the Black Sea from Persia's Colchis--where Medea flees her home and father with Jason, the Argonauts, and the Golden Fleece. Vann's reimagining of this ancient tale offers a thrilling, realist alternative to the long held notions of Medea as monster or sorceress. We witness with dramatic urgency Medea's humanity, her Bronze Age roots and position in Greek society, her love affair with Jason, and her tragic demise. Atmospheric and spellbinding, Bright Air Black is an indispensable, fresh and provocative take on one of our earliest texts and the most intimate and corporeal version of Medea's story ever told"
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NK3
by Michael Tolkin
In a Los Angeles devastated by a weaponised microbe that has been accidentally spread around the globe, deleting human identity, two new classes have formed, The Verified, who still have the power of memory, and the rest, whom The Verified control with an invented mythology. By the author of The Player.
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| Exit west: A novel by Mohsin HamidBestselling author Mohsin Hamid has been a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award (Moth Smoke) and short-listed for the Man Booker Prize (The Reluctant Fundamentalist); we're curious to see where this incredibly timely fourth novel will go. Set in an unnamed country torn apart by violence and repression, it follows two young lovers: independent Nadia, and quiet Saeed, who keep their heads down until the day comes that they must flee for their own safety. For the right price, they are allowed access to portals that lead them to a crowded refugee camp, a cramped London apartment, and a home in California. It's an interesting take on migration (instantaneous!) that those curious about the subject may enjoy exploring. |
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| Island girls: A novel by Nancy ThayerThe will of recently deceased ladies' man Rory Randall explicitly states that his fancy Nantucket house should go to his three daughters (all from different marriages) as long as they all live in it together for one full summer. Though they spent some time together as kids, they haven't seen each other in years thanks to long-standing resentments and misunderstandings. Unsurprisingly, the summer gets off to a rocky start, made worse when their mothers arrive to complicate things. However, the beautiful Nantucket setting and the eventual happy ending make this a great choice for a beach read -- or just an escapist few hours on your couch. |
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Jane Steele
by Lyndsay Faye
Much like classic heroine Jane Eyre, Jane Steele is a poor orphan who suffers at the hands of cruel family members and school administrators -- until she takes matters into her own hands. After several years of evading the law (let's just say that you don't bully this Jane and get away with it), she takes a job as governess in the very house she believes is her own rightful inheritance -- and her curiosity is piqued by the strange habits of the lord of the manor. Set in 19th-century England, this is a darkly humorous novel with a Gothic atmosphere and an unusually violent, intelligent young woman who has every intention to ferret out secrets and gain what's hers.
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| That Summer by Lauren WilligStill reeling from the loss of her job as a stockbroker, Julia finds the perfect escape -- the unexpected inheritance of a house in London. There, she discovers a painting depicting legendary doomed lovers Tristan and Isolde. Meanwhile, in a parallel narrative set in the 1840s, beautiful and intelligent heiress Imogene Hadley is imprisoned in an unhappy marriage to an aristocrat who treats his wife more like a possession than a partner. As Julia works with an antiques dealer to discover the origins of the painting, she unearths the heiress' history...and that of the portrait painter commissioned to capture Imogene's likeness but destined to steal her heart. An artful combination of mystery, multi-generational family drama, star-crossed romance, and tragedy make That Summer a compelling reading experience. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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