| We own the sky by Luke AllnuttWhat it's about: A child's cancer diagnosis tests the relationship between his loving parents, who cope with his devastating illness in starkly different ways.
Why you might like it: Emotional and heart-rending, this debut is narrated by five-year old Jack's father, Rob, who in anguish turns first to vodka and then to his camera.
About the author: Luke Allnutt began writing this book while facing his own cancer diagnosis and treatment. |
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| Lawn boy by Jonathan EvisonIntroducing: Mike Muñoz, a half-Mexican, half-white 22-year-old striving for the American dream, stymied by discrimination and snobbery.
Why you might like it: On one level a coming-of-age story, Lawn Boy also addresses issues of race, class, sexual identity -- and the limits of capitalism for the working poor.
Want a taste? "A kid can dream, can't he? And that's what I did, for a while, anyway, until the relentless indignities of privation wore my innocence to a nub, awakening me to the reality that dreams were for dreamers. The point is, I'm not a kid anymore." |
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Sal
by Mick Kitson
This is a story of something like survival. Sal planned it for almost a year before they ran. She nicked an Ordnance Survey map from the school library. She bought a compass, a Bear Grylls knife, waterproofs and a first aid kit from Amazon using credit cards she'd robbed. She read the SAS Survival Handbook and watched loads of YouTube videos. And now Sal knows a lot of stuff. Like how to build a shelter and start a fire. How to estimate distances, snare rabbits and shoot an airgun. And how to protect her sister, Peppa. Because Peppa is ten, which is how old Sal was when Robert started on her. Told in Sal's distinctive voice, and filled with the silent, dizzying beauty of rural Scotland, Sal is a disturbing, uplifting story of survival, of the kindness of strangers, and the irrepressible power of sisterly love; a love that can lead us to do extraordinary and unimaginable things.
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The Wanderers
by Tim Pears
Leo is on a journey. Aged thirteen and banished from the secluded farm of his childhood, he travels through Devon, grazing on berries and sleeping in copses. Behind him lies the past, and before him the West Country, spread out like a tapestry. But a wanderer is never alone for long, try as he might - and soon Leo is taken in by gypsies, with their wagons, horses and vivid attire. Yet he knows he cannot linger, and must forge on to Penzance, towards the western horizon... Lottie is at home. Life on the estate continues as usual, yet nothing is as it was. Her father is distracted by the promise of new love and Lottie is increasingly absorbed in the natural world: the profusion of wild flowers in the meadow, the habits of predators, and the mysteries of anatomy. And of course, Leo is absent. How will the two young people ever find each other again?
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The cage
by Jones, Lloyd
Two mysterious strangers turn up at a hotel in a small country town. Where have they come from? Who are they? What catastrophe are they fleeing? The townspeople want answers, but the strangers are unable to speak of their trauma. Before long, wary hospitality shifts to suspicion and fear, and the care of the men slides into appalling cruelty
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This could change everything
by Jill Mansell
On the one hand, if Essie hadn't written that letter; the one that only her best friend was meant to see, then she'd still be living like an actual proper grown-up, tucked up with Paul in his picture-perfect cottage, maybe even planning their wedding. On the other hand (if her true feelings hadn't accidentally taken the internet by storm, that is) she never would have met Zillah and Conor, not to mention Lucas. And she'd never have found out just how much life there is to be lived.
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| Unbury Carol by Josh MalermanWhat it is: Half weird Western, half horror, this unusual novel stars a wealthy woman who falls into comas so deep she's mistaken for dead -- which is exactly why her greedy husband is rushing her into the grave.
Who will rescue her? While Carol struggles to return to the waking world, her former lover -- a full-on outlaw legend -- rides towards her, hunted by a horrifying hit man.
Is it for you? If you're up for a unique take on the Wild West, yes! |
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| Heads of the colored people: Stories by Nafissa Thompson-SpiresWhat it is: a collection of short stories featuring African Americans and exploring issues of race, class, identity -- and topics like rivalry and body image. While each tale stands alone, some characters pop up in more than one story (Fatima seems to be most reviewers' favourite).
Why you might like it: Offering both dark humour and pointed commentary, author Nafissa Thompson-Spires has created timely, thoughtful stories featuring memorable characters. |
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Weddings (Royal or Otherwise)
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| Royal wedding by Meg CabotWhat it is: The first Princess Diaries novel for adults -- Mia's now planning her wedding to longtime boyfriend Michael, which is beset by problems big and small.
Why you might like it: If you watched Mia grow up (starting with The Princess Diaries) you'll be right at home with the family quirks -- including meddling Grandmére and a family secret -- as well as the breezy humour, entertaining dialogue, and lovable, anxious Mia herself.
Reviewers say: "Royally perfect from start to finish" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica MorganStarring: practical American Bex Porter, who unexpectedly falls in love with crown prince Nick while attending Oxford.
Why you might like it: Less about dizzying romance and more about the hassles of dealing with the publicity (and tabloid scrutiny) that comes with marrying into the royal family, this debut novel offers charming characters and plenty of humour.
Book buzz: With The Royal We inspired by Prince William and Kate Middleton, fans of Prince Harry will note the similarities to the fictional Prince Freddie. |
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| The people we hate at the wedding by Grant GinderStarring: cynical Paul and snarky Alice, siblings who have reluctantly agreed to attend their half-sister's over-the-top wedding in England.
What it's about: That neither of them is in a successful relationship (Paul's boyfriend feels unfairly restricted by monogamy, while Alice is having an affair with her married boss) fuels their long-standing resentment of Eloise's privilege and their anger towards their mother, Donna.
Why you might like it: Narrated by multiple members of this dysfunctional family, this sardonic tale has bite -- and plenty of drama. |
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| Beautiful Day by Elin HilderbrandWhat it's about: The wedding of a happy young couple is threatened by family dysfunction, tangled relationships, a family wedding manual referred to as "the notebook," and a severe food allergy.
Why you might like it: Multiple narrators -- including asides from the wedding guests and excerpts from "the notebook" -- provide a varied perspective on the not-so-blissful event. The author's sense of humour makes this Nantucket-set novel a great beach read. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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