Click any book title below to read my full review.
I gave 5 stars to all of the following:
Winter Loon by Susan Bernard. A sad but emotionally powerful coming-of-age story.
A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne. A book exploring ambition that turns to the dark side.
Before the Court of Heaven by Jack Mayer. A little known gem about Germany between the two World Wars, based on a true story.
Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob. A graphic novel that expertly captures racism in modern America.
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer. Part suspense, part historical fiction, and part mystery — this novel explores the connection between two formidable women across generations.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. An uncomfortable but important and worthwhile look for learning how white Americans unintentionally perpetuate racism.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. The poignant story of a sensitive, gay man’s life from Catholic Ireland in the 1950s to New York City in the 1980s, with plenty of humor.
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. Here’s a completely different take on the Trojan war, that finally shows the reality of war from the perspective of the women impacted.
The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman. A trip to early 1900s New York City where historical events bring interpersonal relationships to life.
Also Worthwhile:
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. A witty and unlikely romance that makes for fun reading from the very first page.
Where the Light Enters by Sara Donati. The sequel to The Gilded Hour continues the story of Anna and Sophie Savard in 19th century New York City.
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman. A beautifully written narrative that perfectly captures the angst of first love.
The Summer Country by Lauren Willig. A multi-generational novel that explores slavery in Barbados, both before and after it was outlawed.
Circe by Madeline Miller. A fictionalized novel that brings well-known Greek myths to life.
Please Stop Helping Us: How Liberals Make It Harder for Blacks to Succeed by Jason L. Riley. A look at how actions by well-intentioned liberals often cause unintended consequences for Black Americans.
Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild. A liberal academic’s attempt, successful in my opinion, to humanize and understand those who live in red states.
The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman, a favorite author. A emotional tale of a dedicated teacher who tutors a Russian child, with surprising consequences.
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. An unexpectedly delightful adult fairy tale that tells the intersecting stories of three people in London.
Toby A. Smith 