Bookmark the Blog


THE AFGHANS

One of our recommended books is The Afghans by Åsne Seierstad

“An astonishing feat of writing and reporting and one of the finest books written on Afghanistan in a generation.” —Eliza Griswold, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Amity and Prosperity

From the internationally bestselling author of The Bookseller of Kabul, an expansive, deeply felt portrait of Afghanistan, examining the human cost of wars fought, lost, and won.

From Soviet occupation to the rise of the Taliban, from the outbreak of the War on Terror to its disastrous fallout, The Afghans is an extraordinary journey told over the course of three lives. Since she was a girl,

read more

MENDELL STATION

“A surprising and evocative debut.” —Grace D. Li, New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of a Thief

A tender debut that follows a woman who, after her best friend’s death, loses her faith and quits her job to join the postal service, quickly becoming an ‘essential worker’ as the city shuts down.

It’s January 2020, and Miriam is already getting a sense that the world might be ending. First, she learns that her best friend, Esther, has died. Then her faith in God—in everything, really—follows suit.

read more

1000 WORDS

One of our recommended books is 1000 Words by Thor Ringler and Seth Jovaag

Over the last 12 years writers with the My Life, My Story project at the Department of Veterans Affairs we have interviewed over 10,000 veterans and written short stories about their lives. Each story is reviewed and edited by the veteran, and with their approval, added to their VA medical record. Any VA provider who is caring for that vet can easily find their story and read, in their own words, what matters to them, who matters to them, and why.

We keep each story to about 1,000 words so that health care providers have time in their busy days to read them.

read more

DOMINION

In this taut Southern family drama featuring multicast narration, the sins of a favorite son rock a small Mississippi town.

Reverend Sabre Winfrey, Jr., shepherd of the Seven Seals Missionary Baptist Church, believes in God, his own privilege, and enterprise. He owns the barbershop and the radio station, and generally keeps an iron hand on every aspect of society in Dominion, Mississippi. He and his wife, Priscilla, have five boys; the youngest, Emanuel, is called Wonderboy—no one sings prettier, runs as fast, or turns as many heads. But Wonderboy, his father, and all the structures in place that keep them on top are not as righteous as they seem to be.

read more

THE LIBRARIANS OF LISBON

One of our recommended books is The Librarians of Lisbon by Suzanne Nelson

Absolutely gripping historical fiction…Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale.“ —Kelly Rimmer

A fast-paced roller-coaster ride of deceit, espionage, danger, and―above all―the unbreakable bonds of friendship.“ —Kristin Harmel

Lisbon 1943. As two American librarians are drawn into a city of dangerous subterfuge and unexpected love affairs, they are forced to choose between their missions and the men they love. Inspired by real historical figures, award-winning author Suzanne Nelson pens a captivating story of two remarkable women, their bravery and heartache, and a friendship that withstands the ravages of war.

read more

THE HARVEY GIRLS

One of our recommended books is The Harvey Girls by Juliette Fay

Juliette Fay—known for her “well-drawn characters and vibrant historical backdrops” (Library Journal)—transports us to 1920s America with this big-hearted tale of two very different women who must learn to trust each other as one tries save her family and the other to save herself. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Kristina McMorris.

1926: Charlotte Crowninshield was born into one of the finest Boston society families. Now she’s on the run from a brutal husband, desperate to disappear into the wilds of the Southwest. Billie MacTavish is the oldest of nine children born to Scottish immigrants in Nebraska.

read more