Reviews

Set in Brussels, the story revolves around the inhabitants of a Beaux Arts apartment building in the early years of the Nazi occupation. In this debut novel, Alice Austen builds her unique cast of characters with care and reverence. Having lived in the building at one point in her life, neighbors shared stories of what had gone on during the years of the occupation. She listened as they told stories of this small community, trying to survive one of the darkest times in history.

Art student Charlotte who lives in 4L with her father who is a prominent architect, is a quiet observer of people. Julien Raphael in 4R, lives with his family of art collectors, and with Charlotte, creates films of the world around them. They, as well as the others, are confronted with cruel choices of loyalty and survival.

Ann Patchett calls 33 Place Brugmann "Beautiful and deeply " engaging, and I completely agree. 
  

As in her bestseller "Braiding Sweetgrass"  Robin Wall Kimmerer gently explains the ethic of reciprocity, interconnectedness and generosity. As a member of the Citizen of Potawatomi Nation she draws on the Indigenous belief that we are partners with nature. “Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency.”  The serviceberry shows us the idea of "gift economies" in which wealth is not something to be hoarded, but used to strengthen relationships in order to survive. We pick the abundant fruit, and give back by planting a tree, or baking a pie to gift to a neighbor. The birds eat the berries, and leave the seeds for more trees to prosper. Gratitude, reciprocity and community are at the core of her essays, and are reminders that wealth comes from the quality of your relationships. 

From his award winning book This is Happiness, Niall Williams returns to the fictional village of Faha, in West Ireland. The story follows Dr. Jack Troy, who like his father in taking care of the townspeople, sets himself apart and  lives a more solitary life alongside his daughter Ronnie who has moved home. As Advent and Christmas approach a child appears in their lives and upends their quiet existence. 
Williams sets an atmospheric stage as rain, mournful and soft is ever present in the lives of these resilient people. Set over the time of one December in 1962, Time of the Child is a compassionate return to Faha for readers who fell in love with this town. I love this authors writing, his sense of place and his beloved townspeople.

Water, a drop to be exact, begins this captivating novel. Elif Shafak takes us from the River Tigress to the Thames, from Mesopotamia to the present. She ties together the importance of water in so many lives throughout the centuries. It begins with King Ashurbanipal in the ancient kingdom of Nineveh, then moves onto a baby named Arthur, born in the slums along the Thames in 1840's London. Modern day stories intertwine with ancient tales with Narin, a young Yazidi girl in Turkey as well as Zaleekah a professor in London. These characters all seem to be struggling with their past as well as their futures, but each one has a relationship to the waterways that surround them. There are Rivers in the Sky intricately weaves together the way water connects us all through our histories and memories. And, it all begins with one drop. 

If you love a grand, epic tale that spans centuries, you will love this book. I certainly did.

Elizabeth Strout is back with another novel that delves into the beloved characters we have been introduced to before. Crosby, Maine is the backdrop of a murder investigation. Bob Burgess begins to work on the defense of the accused, who happens top have a friendship with Lucy Barton, and Olive Kitteridge shows up as well. As she has done in the past, Strout brilliantly weaves all of her characters into the story showing us how interconnected we are in our small communities, and how we yearn for the same connections.

The NY Times puts it best "The tie that binds all of Strout’s characters is their shared yearning, not for a reprieve from their suffering but for just one person to really see it — for the solace and dignity of acknowledgment" 

Tell Me Everything is another beautifully written novel by one of our greatest artists.

A charming fast paced story about a brother and sister as they navigate queerness, the ups and downs of searching for love, as well as their unique Maaori-Russian-Catalonian family. Valdin, still reeling from a break-up finds himself in South America confronting feelings he tried to ignore. Greta, missing her brother, is juggling work, unrequited love and all the family dramas, is struggling to finish a Masters thesis and find her way in the world. Each character, the siblings and the whole extended family are quirky, and endearing. You find yourself cheering for everyone to get what they want and need. 
This was such a delightful surprise book! It is one of my favorite books I've read all year.

This is one of the most unusual, complex books I have read in a long time, and I loved it!

It takes place in Western Massachusetts as it follows a plot of land, and a home through several centuries of those who have inhabited this house. The author takes us from the the 1600's to the present, with nature writing, intricate characters, plot twists, animal instincts, and even ghosts. At times is is lovely, and at times it is brutal, but it is astounding. As a doctor and an author, Daniel Mason has become a very successful historical novelists.

In early 17th century New England, reminiscent of Jamestown, Va., a young servant girl escapes the fort where others are starving, freezing and suffering from smallpox. Her journey in near solitude finds her on a daily quest for simple survival. She knows if she stays it will kill her, so choosing an unknown path to Canada is her only hope. Catching salmon, eating grubs, roasting any small animal she can find, picking berries and roots give a respite in her constant quest to live another day. Details of her bitter cold, her hunger, and several dangerous threats explore the experience of how a human body can survive in untamed nature.
Vaster Wilds is a novel of solitude and loneliness as well. The quiet is deafening, yet her pioneer existence keeps you tearing through the pages rooting for her to survive. Previously in her writing, Lauren Groff has shown us the strength of women in this world and their boundless endurance in the face of obstacles. Her characters are a testament to struggle and durability. Vaster Wilds will take you on a remarkable journey, and have you soul searching and wondering about what it takes to survive in this world.

I tend to use the term "Breezy Fiction" for books that are well written, have a good story line and characters, but are also rather charming, Leonard and Hungry Paul is one of those books.. The title characters, both men in their 30's are charming and thoughtful friends. They are content with the ordinariness of their lives. Leonard writes children's encyclopedias, and Hungry Paul volunteers in the community. Spending time with their families, and meeting up to play board games seems to be enough for them, until it isn't. When Leonard's loneliness is too much and he meets someone at work, and Hungry Paul's life starts to expand, their status quo suddenly shifts. There are colorful relatives and friends who fill the pages as we see the quiet changes of these simple lives. This debut novel by Ronan Hession is heartwarming, and thoughtful and will find you cheering the quiet bravery of these two friends as they test the waters of a grown up life. 

Feeling like a misfit in your youth, but finding a home on a stage seems to fit the description of many successful musicians. Brandi Carlile was born to a 20 year old mother and 21 year old father in rural Washington State. They worked hard as a hotel hostess, and short order cook, but barely made it past the poverty level. Her shy but musically talented Mother, encouraged an 8 year old Brandi and her 2 younger siblings to join her on stage to perform in bars and the Northwest Grand Old Opry. She loved being on stage. A star was born. 

Broken Horses is filled with photos, lyrics, stories and memories all told in a way that feels like you are sitting with a friend in a bar or around a campfire. Carlile’s devotion and warmth that are present in her music, are ever present in her writing. It is charming and poignant. With her wife Catherine Shepard and their 2 daughters living on a family compound, Brandi is living her dream. Constantly surrounded by musicians, she tours and collaborates with her uncle, brother, wife and her long time musical partners, the Hanseroth twins. 

Now with 9 Grammy Awards and 24 nominations, and hanging out with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Elton John and The Obamas her star continues to rise. She generously shares that star with numerous upcoming artists by producing, promoting, collaborating and touring with them. This is an absolutely remarkable story of an endlessly talented artist who succeeded with unbelievable bravery, grit and resilience! Inside, she remains a scrappy musician with a passion to share her amazing gift of song, with all those who want to listen.