Staff Choices

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris is a brilliant debut novel, set in rural Georgia at the end of the Civil War as the emancipation of slaves is being enforced throughout the South.  This historical novel reads like a gripping page turner, while also telling  a more intimate tale of family, friendship, and forbidden love. Two recently freed slaves, brothers Prentiss and Landry, are found hiding in the woods by white landowner George Walker, who is grieving after receiving news that his son Caleb had died fighting for the Confederate Army. The men eventually overcome their distrust of one another, and George hires the brothers to help farm his land. George’s wife Isabelle slowly grows to trust the brothers as well, as she emerges from the debilitating depression caused by death of her son. The fact that the Walkers have employed freed slaves is met with fierce hostility by the townspeople of Old Ox, especially former slave owners who refuse to accept that these newly freed slaves are no longer their “property”. There is also a hidden homosexual relationship between two soldiers, the discovery of which sets off a series of tragic events that will impact pretty much every person in the town.  

The tension in the book is palbable, as the safety of Prentiss and Landry is in constant jeopardy. One doesn't have to be a Civil War buff to find the time period fascinating as well. Slaves are literally freed overnight, but without a cent to their name or any sort of roadmap. literal or figurative, to guide them into an unknown future. But ultimately it is the richly drawn characters  that make The Sweetness of Water such an  incredibly compelling novel, as the reader can't help but care for them. 

Elizabeth Strout revisits her unforgettable character Lucy Barton in this simple tale about love and loss. Grieving her second husband, Lucy Barton also looks back on her relationship with her first husband William as she wades through her emotions and her 64 years. She deeply loved her second husband, but as she looks back on her life and the dysfunctional abusive family she had growing up, she comes to the conclusion the only time she felt safe in her life was with William. 

Oh, William! is another masterpiece by Strout. I can't get enough of her depth of characters and rich sense of place. Elizabeth Strout tells what appear to be simple stories, yet have multiple layers of experiences and emotions. As the Washington Post noted "So much intimate, fragile, desperate humanness infuses these pages, it's breathtaking"

“From Mary Kay Andrews…comes a novella celebrating the magic of Christmas and second chances in The Santa Suit.” 
 
It’s time to get cozy with Mary Kay Andrews’ latest novel, The Santa Suit. When newly divorced Ivy Perkins purchases an old farmhouse, The Four Roses, in small town North Carolina, she has no idea of the love, charm, and history that comes along with it. In the closet of the old farmhouse, Ivy finds an old Santa suit that holds an old letter from a little girl, asking Santa to bring her father home from the war. Ivy sets out on a mission to discover who the little girl is and if her father ever made it home. Within days of her move, Ivy has befriended several locals eager to help solve the mystery and one hunky realtor slash handy man. In a time of pain and sorrow, Ivy heals her wounds through new friendships, following her passions, and accepting love. 

The themes of this story, I realize, are quite similar to my last holiday read, Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber. The protagonist experiences a brutal heartbreak, along with other losses, and finds hope, love, and happiness in a new place. The Santa Suit shows just that. Ivy has faced loss throughout her life and after a brutal divorce, finds a fresh start in a new state. This book oozes cozy, from the big roaring fireplace in The Four Roses to the little town where everybody knows everybody. It is sure to warm your heart and make you laugh.  

For the best experience, Maggie recommends reading this with a hot cup of tea or cocoa and the coziest blanket you own. 

“A special holiday wish list brings about hope, love, and second chances” 

In Debbie Macomber’s latest addition to her fantastic holiday collection, Dear Santa, Lindy Carmichael finds herself returning home to a small town in Washington after discovering her boyfriend and best friend are romantically involved. Lindy is convinced that there is nothing that could possibly cheer her up. But after her mother reminds her of a magical old tradition of writing letters to Santa, perhaps Lindy might find some Christmas cheer this season after all. 

This was truly an enchanting read. In the beginning of this story, I could really feel the sadness and discouragement that Lindy felt. She loses both her long-time boyfriend and best friend during the most wonderful time of year, all while feeling the pressure of her graphic design job. After some encouragement from her mother, Lindy writes a new letter to Santa laying out what she would really like this year. This story took me on such a fun adventure with Lindy as fate and Christmas magic helped check off Lindy’s list to Santa. Throughout the story I could feel Lindy’s faith returning to her as she fills the season with family, love, and renewed friendships. Along with being a cozy, uplifting story, Dear Santa also serves as a wonderful reminder that when in doubt, follow your heart. 

The debut thriller by David McCloskey is one the best spy novels I've read in years. The main character Sam Joseph and his recruit Mariam are both fascinating and believable. The insight and descriptions of the Syrian regime are both gripping and horrific.

The author was a former C.I.A station chief, and you can tell he knows what he is writing about. The story itself is riveting and the romantic relationship between Sam and Mariam is also a plus. I am a big fan of espionage spy thrillers and this is a great one. I hope there are more to come from this author.

Together by Luke Adam Hawker is told and drawn in beautiful black and white pencil sketch illustrations in this graphic novel. The story follows an older man with his faithful dog at his side as he navigates the maelstrom of the Covid-19 pandemic. The book communicates with few words and detailed imagery about how the pandemic isolated communities changing the course of people's lives. We get a peek into how people contend with this issue within a cross-section of their homes to see how life carries on despite obstacles, setbacks and the fear of unknown outcomes. Working and schooling from home, separation, loneliness, new priorities, and finding ways to connect become a new normal.

You can read through Together quickly or slowly savor it by reviewing and interpreting the images on each page. Despite the topic of the book, I wanted this book to be longer, to know more about the man and his canine companion. Despite its brevity, I recommend it as a quick read and think that it will appeal to those who enjoy graphic novels and a hopeful story.

“A sharp and hilariously relatable novel about the business of weddings, the toll they can take, and the lengths one exasperated bridesmaid will go to for the love of friends.” 

Sara Goodman Confino’s debut novel, “For the Love of Friends”, is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud story that follows Lily, bridesmaid in five upcoming weddings, as she navigates the chaos that is bridezillas and wedding planning. Lily finds solace in her creation of an anonymous blog, detailing every bit of wedding mania along the way. Financial woes, mom-zillas, and Spanx galore, Lily lays it out in her increasingly popular “private” blog. However, few things remain as secrets on the internet. 

Keeping in theme with my last review, I could not help myself and picked up another wedding-themed book…and I regret nothing. Confino’s creative concoction of goofy, lovable characters, the snarky commentary of our protagonist, and pure comedic writing had me belly-laughing from start to finish. And who can resist a good love interest? Alex, a groomsman whom Lily swears off all romance with, will steal your heart with his gentle and kind character. The snark, the love, and the story make for a true page turner, and I truly could not put this book down. I am so excited to see what Confino brings to the pages next. 

I begin at the end by reading this last novel, Silverview, by author John Le Carre as my first foray into his extensive stable of books. I was not disappointed.  

Julian Lawndsley buys a book store on the English shore, leaving his hectic life in the city behind him. A rather unusual man, Edward Avon, wanders into Julian's shop one day casually advising him on an idea for the store. Seemingly at random, they bump into each other next at a local cafe whereby Edward informs Julian he knew his father when they were at school together. This seems to cement the beginnings of a friendship and a circumspect mentorship between them. Avon has a wife and a daughter but their relationships appear fractured. Further behind the scenes, something subversive has happened. Avon appears to be at the center of an investigation taking place by Domestic Security.

The story is told from different angles, time-frames, and makes us work at paying attention to the details so that we can piece together the story. Is Avon a con artist? A spy? Who else in his circle is aware of his actions? Who else is complicit? How will this end? I can only imagine that these might be the type of questions someone in this business might need to wade through to get answers.

An afterword by LeCarre's son, Nick Cornwell, is included. In it, he tells the reader that he has not been privy to more information about his father's real-life spy career than the general public already knows. His role in getting his father's book published posthumously is to let it stand on its own merit. 

“Matrimony meets mayhem in a modern British rom-com about a young woman charged with pulling off the biggest aristocratic wedding of the year - and the misadventures that ensue.” 

This is hands-down my favorite book of 2021, and if you’re a lover of Chick Lit and Romance, I highly recommend The Secret Bridesmaid! Sophie Breeze is a full-time professional bridesmaid. Working for brides all over London, Sophie poses as a bridesmaid and friend while working behind the scenes to plan and execute the perfect wedding. The gig of a lifetime lands in Sophie’s lap as a job offer from the Marchioness of Meade entails being the bridesmaid of the Marchioness’ diva daughter, Cordelia. Sophie must pull off the most famous wedding of the year (450 guests!) all while keeping her identity a secret and surviving the bride, who is determined to make Sophie’s life a nightmare. 

I wasn’t sure about this book when I picked it up, but the idea of a woman working professionally as a secret bridesmaid sold me on a check out. I could not put it down! Birchall creates the most colorful characters and creates a setting that places you right inside the story. This is not your typical Romantic Comedy, either. Birchall weaves in themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery all while making you fall in love with the characters and laugh out loud.  

This is Book One in the From Kona with Love series by Anna Gomez and Kristoffer Polaha. I had never heard of either of these authors before but when I read that the series would depict multicultural romance, love, loss, and redemption woven into a family saga set in the beautiful islands of Hawaii I knew that I had to give it a try.  Then I was beyond thrilled to find out that Kristoffer Polaha is an actor that I have seen in numerous television shows and during my Hallmark Christmas movie binge watching. 

In this beautifully written book that is part travel log and part romance, we are introduced to Andie and Warren. Andi has had a awful year, so she is now questioning the choices she made. In a quick decision, she escapes her problems by running off to Hawaii to help her friend, Api. What Andi finds is more than a coffee shop and run down plantation; she finds a purpose. She unexpectedly meets Warren Yates on Christmas Eve, a mysterious man who has a connection to the shop and wants to help Andie explore the island for whatever time she has.

Moments Like This delivers a beautiful love story wrapped inside two journeys of self-discovery.  The authors beautifully wrote the Hawaiian and Filipino cultures and traditions, wherein both cultures respect and honor family, love, and food. It is the perfect book to get into the holiday spirit, so grab a hot beverage, a cozy blanket, and snuggle in for a Hawaiian treat.