Fiction

Holiday Reads Without the Romance

MelindaLeave a comment

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

It’s December 1, we had our first (real) snowstorm of the season, and many folks are looking to cozy up and hibernate with a book. If you’re looking for a holiday romcom this season, there’s no shortage of holiday romances calling out to you from the library shelves. But if you want a holiday read without the romance, those can be a bit harder to find.

If you want a book to get you in the seasonal spirit of the holidays that doesn’t feature a romantic meet cute on a rural tree farm, read on for some wintry reading recommendations.

Just click on the title of the book to place a hold on it in our catalog.

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak

It’s Christmas, and for the first time in years the entire Birch family will be under one roof. Even Emma and Andrew’s elder daughter–who is usually off saving the world–will be joining them at Weyfield Hall, their aging country estate. But Olivia, a doctor, is only coming home because she has to. Having just returned from treating an epidemic abroad, she’s been told she must stay in quarantine for a week…and so too should her family.

A Christmas Legacy by Anne Perry

After leaving her position with Charlotte and Thomas Pitt to get married, Gracie thought her days as a maid were behind her. But when her good friend’s daughter, Millie, turns up on her doorstep just before the holidays, frantic because things are going missing from the kitchen in the household she serves, Gracie knows she has to find out what is happening. Millie, whose mother died years before, can’t risk being accused of theft and getting thrown out on the street, with no character references for a new position.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That’s just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they’ll skip the holiday altogether.

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie

On Christmas Eve at Gorston Hall, the Lee family’s festivities are shattered by a deafening crash of furniture and a high-pitched wailing scream. Upstairs–in a locked bedroom–the tyrannical patriarch Simeon Lee lies dead in a pool of blood, his throat slashed.

When Hercule Poirot offers to assist, he finds an atmosphere not of mourning but of mutual suspicion. 

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

It is the strange rippling effects of a tragedy that will bring these five characters together in a large, neglected estate house near the Scottish fishing town of Creagan.

It is in this house, on the shortest day of the year, that the lives of five people will come together and be forever changed. 

A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid

When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents’ Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd’s persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCrays are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names Christmas.

Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. His newest book is an utter flop, the critics have turned against him, relatives near and far hound him for money. While his wife plans a lavish holiday party for their ever-expanding family and circle of friends, Dickens has visions of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book to save them all from financial ruin, he refuses. And a serious bout of writer’s block sets in.

‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas by David Rosenfelt

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is at the Tara Foundation’s annual Christmas party. The dog rescue organization has always been his true calling, and this is one holiday tradition he can get behind because every dog that’s come through the rescue–and their families–are invited to celebrate.

In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd

aka A Christmas Story

Bending the ear of Flick, his childhood-buddy-turned-bartender, Shepherd recalls passionately his genuine Red Ryder BB gun, confesses adolescent failure in the arms of Junie Jo Prewitt, and relives a story of man against fish that not even Hemingway could rival. From pop art to the World’s Fair, Shepherd’s subjects speak with a universal irony and are deeply and unabashedly grounded in American Midwestern life, together rendering a wonderfully nostalgic impression of a more innocent era.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Native American Stories

MelindaLeave a comment

November is Native American Heritage Month, a month dedicated to “paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.” The literary side of that ancestry includes authors such as Louise Erdrich, Joy Harjo, and Tommy Orange, and we have definitely seen an influx of published Native American and Indigenous stories in the last few years.

Here are six own voice fiction releases from this year that are perfect to celebrate Native storytellers and authors. It was difficult to narrow down a list of titles, so check out the collections on Libby and Hoopla for more suggestions!

Never Whistle at Night edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms- for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear-and even follow you home.

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

Four years after her tumultuous senior year, Jade Daniels is released from prison right before Christmas when her conviction is overturned. But life beyond bars takes a dangerous turn as soon as she returns to Proofrock. Convicted Serial Killer, Dark Mill South, seeking revenge for thirty-eight Dakota men hanged in 1862, escapes from his prison transfer due to a blizzard, just outside of Proofrock, Idaho.

The Lost Journals of Sacajewea by Debra Magpie Earling

Raised among the Lemhi Shoshone, in this telling the young Sacajewea is bright and bold, growing strong from the hard work of “learning all ways to survive”: gathering berries, water, roots, and wood; butchering buffalo, antelope, and deer; catching salmon and snaring rabbits; weaving baskets and listening to the stories of her elders. When her village is raided and her beloved Appe and Bia are killed, Sacajewea is kidnapped and then gambled away to Charbonneau, a French Canadian trapper.

A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power

From the mid-century metropolis of Chicago to the windswept ancestral lands of the Dakota people, to the bleak and brutal Indian boarding schools, A Council of Dolls is the story of three women, told in part through the stories of the dolls they carried….Sissy, born 1961, Lillian, born 1925, and Cora, born 1888.

Swim Home to the Vanished by Brendan Shay Basham

When the river swallowed Kai, Damien’s little brother didn’t die so much as vanish. As the unbearable loss settles deeper into his bones, Damien, a small-town line cook, walks away from everything he has ever known. Driving as far south as his old truck and his legs allow, he lands in a fishing village beyond the reach of his past where he hopes he can finally forget.

Stealing by Margaret Verble


Kit Crockett lives on a farm with her grief-stricken, widowed father, tending the garden, fishing in a local stream, and reading Nancy Drew mysteries from the library bookmobile. One day, Kit discovers a mysterious and beautiful woman has moved in just down the road.

Kit and the newcomer, Bella, become friends, and the lonely Kit draws comfort from her. But when a malicious neighbor finds out, Kit suddenly finds herself at the center of a tragic, fatal crime and becomes a ward of the court.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Book Review: A Haunting on the Hill

MelindaLeave a comment

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand is the first authorized return to the world of Shirley Jackson’s iconic The Haunting of Hill House.

When struggling playwright Holly decides to rent a spooky manor in order to workshop her piece with the actors, she thinks it’s a great use of her grant money. Her partner, Nisa has written music for the production, her longtime friend Stevie is set to serve as audio engineer, and iconic actress Amanda has agreed to lend her talents on stage. Hill House has called to Holly since the day she stumbled across it, and what could be better than a looming mansion to inspire and rehearse a play about witches?

Hill House isn’t as enthused about Holly, however. A reluctant landlord, grumpy personal chef, and cheery but cautious house cleaner all try to warn her away. Not even a neighbor wielding a hunting knife or the odd illusions of black hares will turn her away from this once in a lifetime opportunity. That is, until Hill House begins its cycle of horror all over again.

As a fan of Shirley Jackson’s creeping, gothic style, I was excited about the publication of this book. The plot was all set for a pseudo-locked room mystery that would be just the right hint of creepy. For most of the book, the slow pacing kept me on edge. But with an ending that was wrapped all too tidily, this book left me a bit disappointed.

Request it here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Book Review: The Quiet Tenant

MelindaLeave a comment

“Rachel” has lived a life of captivity for years. Abducted by a serial killer, she has been held in a shed on his property…until one day when he is forced to move, taking her with him.

Aidan is a widower who always lends a hand in his community. He’s an upstanding citizen who is mourning the loss of his wife while raising a teenage daughter. He catches the eye of local restauranter Emily, all to eager to lend her support. Too bad he’s hiding a secret- he’s murdered eight women and is holding a ninth captive.

Moving into the new house doesn’t mean the end of Aidan’s abuse. Although Rachel now has a bed to sleep on, she is still handcuffed and assaulted daily, despite the fact that she now sleeps down the hall from Aidan’s daughter, Cecilia. As Rachel gets to know Aidan and Cecilia on a deeper level, she starts to wonder about the women who have come before…and the ones who will come after.

Told through the voices of Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily, with each character experiencing a very different version of one man. Small town life, passing time, and grief all play a part in this page-turner. This was a disturbing, brooding read, similar in style to Gillian Flynn or Room by Emma Donoghue.

Request it here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Haunted Reads

LinneaLeave a comment

We’re nearing the end of spooky season and if you haven’t gotten your fill of scary stories, here are some to keep you in the spirit of witches, hauntings, and monsters: 

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 

“An 80-year-old mansion harboring dark secrets comes to menacing life in this classic spine-tingling tale from Shirley Jackson. Anthropologist and ghost hunter Dr. John Montague invites three strangers to stay in haunted Hill House for the summer. One of the guests is 32-year-old Eleanor, for whom three months in a haunted house is preferable to caring for her invalid mother. Soon, Eleanor begins to see and hear things that the other guests cannot. Is it all in her imagination, or is she the only one who can perceive the evil that lurks in Hill House?” 

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand 

“Hand’s new novel revisits the infamous haunted house from Shirley Jackson’s classic The Haunting of Hill House. Holly, a struggling playwright looking to flesh out her witchy comeback, thinks that Hill House, the eerie mansion she’s stumbled across in Upstate New York, would be the perfect place to finish her play. She rents the house and takes her partner Nisa, a singer; their friend, sound guy/actor Stevie; and theater legend Amanda along, despite warnings and a disturbing first visit. The house rapidly reveals itself to be a malevolent force, playing on the past traumas and insecurities of its guests with typically devastating consequences.” 

I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid 

“It’s snowing, and the unnamed narrator is traveling with her new boyfriend Jake to visit his parents at the family farm. The novel’s vague title seems to become clearer as the narrator repeatedly ponders calling off their relationship. While this revelation may not have arrived at the best of times, it’s quickly apparent that a failed relationship is the least of her problems. When the couple arrives at their destination, Jake’s parents are awkward, and the evening goes from strange to unsettling as the narrator explores the setting of Jake’s childhood. When the pair drive home, the weather takes a turn for the worse. Jake turns off the highway and parks by an empty high school. He goes inside, leaving the narrator alone and frightened. When she enters the building, her vague sense of foreboding turns into outright terror. Interspersed throughout are snatches of conversation about some unknown act of violence that only heightens the feeling of unease.” 

Pet Sematary by Stephen King 

“When the Creed family’s beloved cat, Winston Churchill, dies, Dr. Louis Creed — on the instructions of his elderly neighbor — buries the animal not in the “Pet Sematary” where local children inter their deceased pets, but rather in the haunted Indian burial ground behind it. The next day, a changed Churchill comes back, a little smellier and more vicious than before. What will happen when a person dies and is buried in the same area?” 

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw 

“Four friends gather at a Heian-era mansion in the Japanese countryside to celebrate the elopement of two of their group. From the start, something is off. There’s no paper trail of their rental, for reasons the owner makes vague; more unsettling is that this house has a haunted history. A thousand years ago, a bride awaited her groom at the site; he never arrived. She made her guests bury her alive under the building’s foundation so she could await him forever. Every year since, it is said, a young woman is sacrificed to help the lost groom find his way back to his beloved. This short novel, immersed in unease and oozing menace, is engrossing and methodically paced. The atmosphere, the characters, and their strained, complicated relationships are carefully constructed and slowly revealed, until the group finds itself in the middle of a nightmare, stalked by a faceless woman in white as they fight to leave the mansion alive. The conclusion will leave all unsettled, haunting both characters and readers.” 

Lone Women by Victor LaValle 

“In 1915, Montana allows unmarried, Black women the opportunity to claim a homestead, so, having lived her entire life in a California farming community with her parents, Adelaide Henry, 31, sets off. But before she leaves, Adelaide places her murdered parents in bed and burns the house down. Taking only an overnight bag and a heavy, securely locked trunk containing her family’s curse, one that she is now solely responsible for controlling, Adelaide will attempt to flee her past while still shackled to it, thus setting LaValle’s latest, a pervasively uneasy and brilliantly plotted horror-western hybrid, in absorbing motion. Readers are led to Big Sandy to meet its marginalized and outcast citizens, feel the wide open, unforgiving landscape, and watch the captivating drama, both real and supernatural, unfold. Told with a pulp sensibility, this masterfully paced tale, with short chapters, heart-pounding suspense, a monster that is both utterly terrifying and heartbreakingly beautiful, and a story line focused on the power of women, bursts off the page.” 

-Linnea

Home Sweet Haunted Home

MelindaLeave a comment

It’s October, which means it’s time for spooky reads! One of my favorite settings for spooky reads is the classic haunted house. Haunted house stories have been scaring readers for centuries, with early stories of horror like The Castle of Otranto (1764) and The Turn of the Screw (1897) introducing the idea of haunted buildings, castles, apartments, and more. Shirley Jackson’s classic The Haunting of Hill House (1959) was nominated for the National Book Award, proving that books that give you goosebumps are more than just bestsellers- they are works of literary art.

In the spirit of creepy casas, here are a few new and old books that are all about haunted houses.

Open them up if you dare!

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand

Holly Sherwin has been a struggling playwright for years, but now, after receiving a grant to develop her play, she may finally be close to her big break. All she needs is time and space to bring her vision to life. When she stumbles across Hill House on a weekend getaway upstate, she is immediately taken in by the mansion. Yet as they settle in, the house’s peculiarities are made known: strange creatures stalk the grounds, disturbing sounds echo throughout the halls, and time itself seems to shift.  

Request it here.

How To Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Forced to return to the small Southern town where she grew up to sell her late parents’ house, Louise discovers that her and her brother’s old grudges pale in comparison to the terror that still lurks within its walls. It’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market. But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…

Request it here.

The Apartment by S.L. Grey

When a friend of Mark and Steph suggests a restorative vacation abroad via a popular house swapping website, it sounds like the perfect plan. They find a genial, artistic couple with a charming apartment in Paris who would love to come to Cape Town. Mark and Steph can’t resist the idyllic, light-strewn pictures, and the promise of a romantic getaway. But once they arrive in Paris, they quickly realize that nothing is as advertised. When their perfect holiday takes a violent turn, the cracks in their marriage grow ever wider and dark secrets from Mark’s past begin to emerge.

Request it here.

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

In a quest for a simpler life, Helen and Nate have abandoned the comforts of suburbia to take up residence on forty-four acres of rural land where they will begin the ultimate, aspirational do-it-yourself project: building the house of their dreams. When they discover that this beautiful property has a dark and violent past, Helen, a former history teacher, becomes consumed by local legends.

Request it here.

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey

“Come home.” Vera’s mother called and Vera obeyed. In spite of their long estrangement, in spite of the memories — she’s come back to the home of a serial killer. Back to face the love she had for her father and the bodies he buried there, beneath the house he’d built for his family.

Coming home is hard enough for Vera, and to make things worse, she and her mother aren’t alone. 

Request it here.

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

“Mom seems off.” Her brother’s words echo in Sam Montgomery’s ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

Stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

Request it here.

The September House by Carissa Orlando

When Margaret and her husband Hal bought the large Victorian house on Hawthorn Street – for sale at a surprisingly reasonable price – they couldn’t believe they finally had a home of their own. Then they discovered the hauntings. Every September, the walls drip blood. The ghosts of former inhabitants appear, and all of them are terrified of something that lurks in the basement. Most people would flee. Margaret is not most people. Margaret is staying. It’s her house. 

Request it here.

Kill Creek by Scott Thomas

At the end of a dark prairie road, nearly forgotten in the Kansas countryside, is the Finch House. Soon the door will be opened for the first time in decades. But something is waiting, lurking in the shadows, anxious to meet its new guests…

When best-selling horror author Sam McGarver is invited to spend Halloween night in one of the country’s most infamous haunted houses, he reluctantly agrees. At least he won’t be alone; joining him are three other masters of the macabre, writers who have helped shape modern horror.

Request it here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

World Space Week

LinneaLeave a comment

The week of October 4-10 is World Space Week, an international celebration of science and technology, and how those have contributed to the betterment of humanity. The dates were chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, and the signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies on October 10, 1967. 

To celebrate, enjoy this list of space themed books, whether you like true accounts or imaginative tales, hopefully you find something that sparks a sense of wonder. 

Nonfiction 

Rocket Boys: A Memoir by Homer H. Hickam 

Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration by Buzz Aldrin 

In the Shadow of the Moon: America, Russia, and the Hidden History of the Space Race by Amy E. Cherrix 

Space 2069: After Apollo: Back to the Moon, to Mars, and Beyond by David Whitehouse 

Hidden Figures: the American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly 

Off-Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space by Erika Nesvold 

Fiction 

The Martian by Andy Weir 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams 

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon 

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor 

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir 

-Linnea

Book Review: Alchemy of a Blackbird

MelindaLeave a comment

Remedios Varo is an accomplished artist, although many would be unable to name her. Known for her skilled attention to detail, Remedios makes her living copying the work of more famous artists while lurking in the shadows of her romantic partner Benjamin’s genius. When WWII forces them to leave their beloved Paris and take refuge in the Rivieria, this change brings about new discovery and inspiration for Remedios, who is now surrounded by artists and benefactors. As Remedios gets used to her new life, she comes across a beautifully illustrated deck of tarot cards and dives into the world of cups and swords.

Fully immersed in the cards, she finds hope, inspiration, and solace in the mystical nature of the tarot. When she travels to Mexico, the cards bring her to an old friend- artist Leonora Carrington. Together, the women get used to their new surroundings, enjoying the company of each other and other artisans.

This literary historical fiction novel tells the story of the life of an artist, the rediscovery of self, and the importance of friendship. Each chapter highlights a different tarot card, and McMillan uses these interludes to shape the story through alternate points of view. Make sure to read the historical notes for a fascinating look at the real lives of Remedios and Leonora.

Add this mystical book by local author Claire McMillan to your reading list today!

Place a hold on Alchemy of a Blackbird here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Autumn Equinox

LinneaLeave a comment

Today marks the official beginning of autumn and I, for one, couldn’t be happier! Now’s the time for cozy blankets, pumpkin spice lattes, and apple picking. Bring out the flannels and sweaters, the boots and scarves, and let’s curl up with the perfect fall-themed book. 

Autumn by Ali Smith 

“England is at a turning point. Brexit has just passed and xenophobia and electric fences are dividing the nation. At 32, Elisabeth is still trying to decide what her future holds, and the widespread national uncertainty has left her feeling unsettled. As the nation erupts around her, she looks to her past for comfort, visiting her mother and Mr. Gluck, the neighbor who helped raise her. Daniel Gluck, now more than a century old, was once a constant friend to Elisabeth, but now he lies in a deep sleep that might be his last. Visiting weekly to read to him, Elisabeth realizes how little she knows about the man who was once her devoted companion. With a strong nod to British pop culture, its eponymous art movement, and mid-century feminism, the reluctantly revelatory nature of this story creates a well-rounded allegory symbolic on many levels. The start of Smith’s Seasonal quartet, this is delightfully cerebral and relevant.” 

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 

“Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her.” 

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler 

“A year in the life of a beguiling young woman in the wild world of a famous downtown New York restaurant follows her burning effort to become someone of importance through a backwaiter job that enables her indulgences in culinary and intellectual interests.” 

The Secret History by Donna Tartt 

“A transfer student from a small town in California, Richard Papen is determined to affect the ways of his Hampden College peers, and he begins his intense studies under the tutelage of eccentric Julian Morrow.” 

Still Life by Louise Penny 

“When the body of Jane Neal, a middle-aged artist, is found near a woodland trail used by deer hunters outside the village of Three Pines, it appears she’s the victim of a hunting accident. Summoned to the scene, Gamache, an appealingly competent senior homicide investigator, soon determines that the woman was most likely murdered. Like a virtuoso, Penny plays a complex variation on the theme of the clue hidden in plain sight. She deftly uses the bilingual, bicultural aspect of Quebecois life as well as arcane aspects of archery and art to deepen her narrative. Filled with unexpected insights, this winning traditional mystery sets a solid foundation for future entries in the series.” 

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness 

“Discovering a magical manuscript in Oxford’s library, scholar Diana Bishop, a descendant of witches who has rejected her heritage, inadvertently unleashes a fantastical underworld of daemons, witches and vampires whose activities center around an enchanted treasure.” 

The October Country by Ray Bradbury 

“The “Undiscovered Country” of the author’s imagination is revealed in a collection of stories that chronicles an underground city where drowned lovers are reunited, a carnival where a miniature man has his dreams fulfilled every night, and a glass jar that hold memories and nightmares.” 

The Inn at Tansy Falls by Cate Woods 

“When the death of her best friend sends her halfway across the world, Londoner Nell Swift must decide if she’s ready to step outside of her comfort zone and grab a second chance at life. Nell and Megan have been best friends since university, and when Megan dies young at 37, Nell is devastated. What Nell doesn’t know is that before she died, Megan wrote Nell a last request to spread her ashes in Tansy Falls, Vermont, where Megan spent idyllic summers during her childhood. Megan also set up a two-week itinerary that will have Nell visiting Megan’s favorite spots and seeing her favorite people. During the two weeks in Tansy Falls, Nell falls for the small-town charm, plus the charms of a handsome forester named Jackson. At the end, Nell must decide if stepping away from her safe life in London is worth the magic of Tansy Falls. Set against a lush Vermont backdrop and featuring characters that readers will feel like they have known forever, The Inn at Tansy Falls  is a heartfelt contemporary about life, loss, and love that will utterly charm and delight readers and leave them clamoring for a follow-up.” 
 

-Linnea

Book Review: Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club

MelindaLeave a comment

Full of midwestern charm and traditions of a bygone era, this novel chronicles the lives, losses, and loves of the folks who haunted the tables of the Lakeside Supper Club. Mariel grew up at the club and has spent her whole life serving up prime rib dinners and old fashioned to her regulars. The familiarity and routine of her life in Bear Lake, Minnesota is a comfort to her, especially in times of tragedy. Meanwhile her husband, Ned, is also part of a restauranteur family. His family is set to take their chain diner concept Jorby’s and take over the Midwest, including adding a location in Bear Lake, in direct competition with the supper club.

Mariel’s story is woven alongside the stories of her mother Florence and her grandmother Betty. Although Mariel and Ned are both main characters, it’s the matriarchal figures in Mariel’s family that tell the story of the supper club through the decades.

This is a book full of everyday moments, not splashy or over the top. For me it was a good break from my usual thrillers and suspense novels and I enjoyed the slice-of-life Midwestern storytelling. While the pace was slower, the author packed a LOT of plot points into these pages. Alternating characters and timelines made it a bit confusing to follow at times as an audiobook, so if possible I would read it in print. If you enjoy books about family sagas, the Midwest, or food, you should consider this one.

Place a hold on it here.

Happy reading!

-Melinda