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LAUREN WOLK signing at Lake Forest Book Store
Tuesday, May 9th from 4:00-5:00 PM
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BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA
by Lauren Wolk
(due May 2nd)
Middle Grade and UP
I am so happy to report that Wolk's follow up to staff favorite Wolf Hollow, is another stunner. Set on an isolated island off the coast of Massachusetts, Osh, the only inhabitant of this island, finds a newborn baby in a small skiff that has beached on the sand. The story begins 12 years later, as the child, Crow, begins to question her origins. Crow's search leads her down a path of self-discovery that is fraught with danger. Once again, Wolk has created wonderful, memorable characters: Crow, Osh and Miss Maggie, their neighbor across the sandbar, are vivid and remarkable. Wolk beautifully explores questions of identity, belonging, and what it truly means to be a family.
Do not miss!!!
-Laura Skinner
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THE ONE-IN-A-MILLION BOY
by Monica Wood
I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming story about an 11-year-old boy and his unlikely friendship with a 104-year-old woman, Ona Vitkus. His untimely death leads to his mostly absentee father, Quinn, taking over his Scout project of helping Ona every Saturday with work around her house. Through these chores and developing his own relationship with Ona, Quinn begins to understand and ultimately appreciate his son and his odd quirks. If you loved Ove you will love this one-in-a-million boy!
-Di Grumhaus
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THE BOOK OF POLLY
by Kathy Hepinstall
Meet 10-year-old Willow and her mom--the chain-smoking, margarita-guzzling, shotgun-toting, 68-year-old Polly. This is a mother/daughter duo like you've never seen. Set in Texas and Louisiana, Hepinstall has created a lovely piece of Southern comedy, with a healthy dash of heartbreak and compassion.
-Laura Skinner
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BEARTOWN
by Fredrik Backman
(due April 25th)
Newest book by the beloved author of A Man Called Ove, this is the fantastic story of a small town that lives for its hockey teams and needs this particular team to succeed. On the cusp of winning the Junior National Championship a horrific crime is committed by one of the boys on the team and the effects of his actions ripple outward to many members of the community. The characters that populate this small town have interesting stories to tell, the questions that they wrestle with and how things play out is heart-wrenching and real. This will be an excellent choice for book clubs, I loved it!!!
-Di Grumhaus
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KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI
by David Grann
David Grann tells this heartbreaking story of the devastation of a people with great detail and compassion. We get to know the Osage Indians, learn about common lawlessness of men and women guided by greed, and the goodness of a few lawful men who make it their life's work to solve the Osage murders.
-Beth Mynhier
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THE WIDOW'S HOUSE
by Carol Goodman
This very atmospheric novel is a good beach read with the suspense building at a good pace. A couple whose finances are strained agree to become caretakers of "Riven House", which is supposedly haunted and owned by an old professor of theirs. The husband is a writer with one novel published and has writers block, but hopes to find his muse at Riven House. The wife was an inspiring writer, but gave up her hopes for her husband. While here, she starts to write, then things happen. What a page turner!
-Anne Allin
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THE TWELVE LIVES OF SAMUEL HAWLEY
by Hannah Tinti
A smart, suspenseful thriller that tells the tale of Samuel Hawley and his daughter, Loo who have just moved to Olympus, Massachusetts for a fresh start. Every other chapter tells the story of Samuel's twelve lives which are represented by the twelve scars from bullet wounds on his body. Can he succeed in outrunning his past and give his daughter a stable life? The characters you meet from their past and present are fantastically written! Readers will recognize the ancient myth of Hercules in this book that has already been optioned for a movie.
-Di Grumhaus
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GINNY MOON
by Benjamin Ludwig
(due May 2nd)
At times, both heart warming and heart breaking, Ginny draws you into her world and has you holding your breath until the last page! Told from Ginny's perspective, the reader is given the unique advantage of seeing the world in all its confusion through the eyes and mind of a 13-year-old autistic girl. Ginny was taken from an abusive mother when she was 9 and has struggled through the foster care system for several years, finally ending up with her current "Forever Family". Ginny is lovable, yet frustrating and totally unforgettable!
-Maxwell Gregory
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STRANGERS TEND TO TELL ME THINGS: A MEMOIR OF LOVE, LOSS, AND COMING HOME
by Amy Dickinson
In this engaging memoir, advice columnist Ask Amy moves back to her tiny hometown of Freeville, population 520, to help care for her aging mother. She introduces us to the interesting, and often hilarious, inhabitants of Freeville, many of which are family and tells the story of finally meeting the love of her life and re-marrying after many years as a single mother. I thought she wrote beautifully about family and particularly about her emotions on losing her mother. Loved this!
-Di Grumhaus
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AMERICAN HEIRESS: THE WILD SAGA OF THE KIDNAPPING, CRIMES AND TRIAL OF PATTY HEARST
by Jeffrey Toobin
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WHITE TRASH: THE 400-YEAR UNTOLD HISTORY OF CLASS IN AMERICA
by Nancy Isenberg
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THE DECENT PROPOSAL
by Kemper Donovan
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SPILL SIMMER FALTER WITHER
by Sara Baume
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RISING STRONG: HOW THE ABILITY TO RESET TRANSFORMS THE WAY WE LIVE, LOVE, PARENT, AND LEAD
by Brené Brown
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THE NEST
by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
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YOUNG ADULT & MIDDLE SCHOOL SELECTIONS
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YOUNG ADULT:
GOODBYE DAYS
by Jeff Zentner
The heart-breaking and at times humorous look at one teen's life after the death of his three best friends and how he navigates through the guilt and pain by celebrating their lives and ultimately learns to forgive himself. The writing is amazing. This book goes on my list of all-time favorite YA reads. It reminded me of A Little Life-another heart-breaking book about the power of male friendship.
-Kathy Petray
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MIDDLE GRADE:
ARMSTRONG & CHARLIE
by Steven B. Frank
An insightful and timely story, about two sixth grade boys from different worlds. Set in LA in the 1970s, Armstrong is being bused to Charlie's all white school. The novel is filled with the humor and angst experienced by all 12-year-old boys, layered with the real issues of racial integration and discrimination. I truly enjoyed this beautiful story of friendship, understanding and acceptance.
-Laura Skinner
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Lake Forest Book Store
662 N. Western Avenue
Lake Forest IL 60045
847-234-4420
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