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THE COMFORT FOOD DIARIES: MY QUEST FOR THE PERFECT DISH TO MEND A BROKEN HEART
by Emily Nunn
After the death of her brother from suicide, Emily Nunn's whole world collapses. Nunn journeys back to her Southern roots in Galax, VA, set in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, drawing on old friends, family and food as a form therapy to pick up the pieces of her life. Full of love, loss, humor and hope, this mouthwatering read will get under your skin. Recipes included!
-Maxwell Gregory |
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WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING
by Delia Owens
This is a riveting story of strength and survival in the swamps of North Carolina. Kya, later known as the 'Marsh Girl' is abandoned by her abused and defeated mother at a very young age. Her siblings drift away and finally her alcoholic father. Left alone in the swamp that she loves, Kya is determined to survive. Uneducated, and refusing to attend school because she feels so different, she learns to read with the help of Tate, a young man from town who shares her interest in the swamp. As the years go by, Kya documents through precise drawings and notations the life cycle of the swamp and eventually becomes a published author with the help of Tate. However, all of this strength and glory goes by the wayside when Kya is accused of murdering Chase, the small town's hero with whom she had developed a risky relationship. Did she do it? Could she have done It? You won't put the book down until you have the answer! I loved this very powerful read. A real page turner!
-Katha Plack |
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MY YEAR OF REST AND RELAXATION
by Ottessa Moshfegh
The author of Eileen brings us an edgy, racy and sharply written novel about a 24-year-old woman who decides to hibernate for a year. Under the influence of a cocktail mix of prescription drugs, she looks forward to drug-induced days of sleep, resurfacing with intermittent contact and observation of her unfulfilling relationships. Moshfegh portrays what would normally seem to be a depressing voyage into alienation as a thought-provoking renewal of life and meaning. I highly recommend!
-Diana Wettermann
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JELL-O GIRLS: A FAMILY HISTORY
by Allie Rowbottom
I absolutely loved this!!! In 1899 Allie Rowbottom's great-great-great uncle bought the patent to Jell-O for $450. The sale would turn out to be one of the most profitable business deals in American history. The generations that followed enjoyed immense privilege but they were also haunted by suicide, alcoholism, cancer and mysterious ailments. This memoir is part family history, feminist history and a story of motherhood, love and loss. Read it and find out why we are all Jell-O girls!
-Kathy Petray
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CLOCK DANCE
by Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler has always had a gift for making astute observations about what connects us and her latest doesn't disappoint. Willa Drake has led a quiet existence, observing her life rather than living it. Unexpectedly, she has an opportunity to help a stranger and, on a whim, she flies from Arizona to Baltimore to support her son's ex-girlfriend while recovering from an injury. She embeds herself in Denise and her daughter, Cheryl's life, thus giving herself a second chance to make a difference to someone, find a sense of community and re-discover herself.
-Di Grumhaus
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YOUR SECOND LIFE BEGINS WHEN YOU REALIZE
YOU ONLY HAVE ONE
By Raphaëlle Giordano
This delightful book is sure to put a smile on your face! A bestseller in France, Your Second Life was recently translated and released direct to paperback. Thirty-eight-year-old Camille should be happy, but she feels stuck and unsatisfied with her life; she wants to find happiness and feel fulfilled. Then, she meets Claude, a "routinologist" who offers to help her and she quickly accepts his offer. The journey Claude leads her on is full of unexpected surprises and life lessons which all guide her to transform her life and find meaning in her world. I loved it!
-Maxwell Gregory
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WHISKEY WHEN WE'RE DRY
by John Larison
Whiskey When We're Dry is a stunning epic that doesn't shy away from the hardship and violence that was the untamed West in the 1800's. This atmospheric tale follows young Jess Harney's struggle, as the daughter of a failing rancher trying to keep up with their land. Once Jess is orphaned, she disguises herself as a boy, and counting on her sharpshooting skills to keep her alive, she sets off to find her brother, now a well-known outlaw with a bounty on his head. Like the grit and dust in the mountains Jess travels, this novel settles into your skin and your memory.
-Maxwell Gregory
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AMERICAN COOKIE
by Anne Byrn
It's back to school and the perfect time for after-school treats by the author of American Cake. New York Times best-selling author Anne Byrn has written 12 books on cooking and baking and is a frequent guest on QVC and Good Morning America.
-Staff
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VOX
by Christina Dalcher
VOX is a novel that can turn your world upside down. In this cautionary tale, Dalcher takes us to a future United States where women are kept at home and wear counters on their wrist that limit them to 100 words a day. Once boxed into this world, there is no means of escape. Think about your average day, now, take away your phone, your laptop, paper and pencils ~ 100 words is nothing, feel the cold chill tingle down your spine....This novel makes you think!
-Maxwell Gregory
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DOPESICK
by Beth Macy
A searing account of the opioid epidemic, Dopesick follows a 20-year journey that began with Purdue Pharma's aggressive promotion of OxyContin and eventually causing 66% of the 64,000 deaths from overdoses in 2016, with no end in sight. Macy portrays the devastating stories of addicts and their tortured families and the feeble public response to the crisis while at the same time championing the work of dedicated law enforcement officials and abuse treatment workers. This book was fascinating and unprecedented in explaining the depth of the opioid crisis.
-Kathy Petray
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HOW TO BEHAVE IN A CROWD
by Camille Bordas
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QUICKSAND
by Malin Persson Giolito
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THE RED BANDANNA
by Tom Rinaldi
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THE RADIUM GIRLS: THE DARK STORY OF AMERICA'S SHINING WOMEN
by Kate Moore
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THE READYMADE THIEF
by Augustus Rose
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UNDER A DARK SKY
by Lori Rader-Day
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YOUNG ADULT & MIDDLE SCHOOL SELECTIONS
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MIDDLE SCHOOL:
HARBOR ME
by Jacqueline Woodson
I beg you do not miss the new middle grade novel from Jacqueline Woodson -- the pitch perfect story of how the burning social issues of the day can affect our children. A caring teacher has organized a group of at risk children in a room for one hour a week to talk with no adult supervision. She asks them "If the worst thing in the world happened, . . .[w]ould I let myself be a harbor for someone who needs it?" The result is a poetic, moving celebration of children learning to support, listen and care for each other. I absolutely savored every word.
-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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