Author Allegra Goodman won abundant fans with her historical fiction novel, “Isola,” lauded by many when it was published last year. Goodman succeeds again, her talent for storytelling on display in “This Is Not About Us,” a new novel on many must-read-lists for 2026. The narrative opens with three Jewish sisters—Helen, 80, Sylvia, 78, and their sister Jeanne, 74, who’s in hospice. As they stand watch over their dying sister, Helen and Sylvia have conflicting emotions. They

A heartbreaking scenario plays out with alarming speed and life-changing repercussions in the unputdownable, “Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage,” by Belle Burden. It's the story of a 20-year marriage that goes bad, no explanation offered, no hint of discontent in the air. James (a fictitious name) and Belle Burden seemed to have a perfect marriage. The trouble erupted suddenly when James and Belle left their New York City home in 2020 to live on Marthas Vineyard in a vacation

January marks a day set aside to honor handwriting—the 23 rd  to be exact. It seems a fitting time to suggest “The Correspondent,” a heartfelt novel in letters by Virginia Evans. This lovely story will make readers fall in in love with Sybil Van Antwerp, the narrator, a character of a woman, both bristly and soft, but altogether proper, plucky and intelligent. Each day Sybil puts great thought into the letters she writes, often drafting an original and spiffing it up before

Obsessive parental love taken to the next level runs rampant in “Homeschooled,” an addictive memoir that while disturbing also inspires. Stefan Merrill Block has written a testament to the resiliency of children, to their ability to survive abuse in in a page turner that focuses on a mother overly attached to her youngest son. The opening incident highlights what’s to come for young Stefan as he fantasizes about injuring himself just enough in a fall to get his mother to sta

Anthony Hopkins’ memoir, “We Did OK, Kid,” proves the 87-year-old native born Welshman is not just an accomplished wonder of the stage and screen, but also is an accomplished writer. His book is thoughtful and heartfelt as it delves into the pain he suffered as a friendless boy who never fit in, and as an actor dodging potholes that threatened to upend him on his career path. As a child Hopkins wasn’t into sports, didn’t do well in school and had no friends. He did enjoy pla

Mesmerizing and complex, “The Land in Winter,” by Andrew Miller, is an atmospheric British novel set in a village near Bristol in the 1960s. A record-breaking snowstorm mirrors the disquiet and turmoil its main characters face. The novel paints pictures with words, the English countryside, and the cities of Bristol and London coming to life on its pages, the sacrifices of World War II an undertone pervasive in the narrative. Two young Brit couples from vastly different backg

Sometimes a new book awakens our interest in an author’s earlier works, especially when the characters remain the same. This happened to me with the recently published novel, “Wreck,” by Catherine Newman. The newbie’s protagonist, middle-aged Rocky, narrates “Wreck” and also is the voice of Newman’s previous, companion novel “Sandwich” (2024) now available in paperback. I remain surprised that “Sandwich” slipped past me. I nearly missed the chance to get to know Rocky, a dow

Desperation drives the characters in the immersive novel, “The Guardian and the Thief,” by Megha Majumdar, a thought-providing page-turner nominated for the National Book Award. Majumdar makes story telling look easy in her beautifully written book, a must-read that raises questions about moral ethics, leaving readers asking, “does the end justify the means?” At the onset we quickly understand what drives Ma, the protagonist, to steal food from the shelter she manages in Kol

Jen Hatmaker’s new memoir is hard-hitting and cuts to the bone. The popular author and podcaster writes frankly and passionately in her...

Readers are in for a treat with “Buckeye,” by Patrick Ryan. This big, sprawling, immersive novel has 452-pages that captivate from the...

Faith is taken with David, a man she’s been living with. They met at a benefit in New York City and their romance heated up fast. It soon...

Immersive, poignant, inspiring and informative, “The Boys in the Light” is creative non-fiction at its best, a heartfelt story by Nina...

How about a perilous sea voyage to spice up the dog days of summer? If you’re looking for a survival story to keep you on the edge of...

Surviving in a cult, and the lasting damage to the psyche that results from mind games, torture, and sexual abuse affect the main...

Searing and gritty, “King of Ashes” by S. A. Cosby, ropes readers in with a runaway plot about a family who owns and operates a...

Given a choice would you want relief from the pain of losing a loved one? Would you crave freedom from emotional pain even if it might...

When “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” by Shelby Van Pelt, was released in 2022 I passed it by. Though the book had great reviews and...

Two women band together to find their sisters in “The Missing Half” a well written who-dun-it by Ashley Flowers with strong believable...

Scoot over Ove—allow me to introduce a new literary curmudgeon that just might usurp you in popularity. Meet PJ Halliday from Pondville,...

The anguish of alcoholism permeates “The Bright Years,” a strong, realistic debut for author Sarah Damoff. Using characters certain to...

Here’s an endorsement. Though I’m not a fan of mysteries, I was gobsmacked by the first book in a who-dun-it series featuring a...

Lindsey, a red-haired American girl who works in the bustling city of Shanghai is out late when tragedy strikes. A driver high on rice...

I became a Chris Bohjalian fan in 2003 with the publication of “The Buffalo Soldier.” Since then, this talented writer has churned out...

Using rich, engaging characters, Laura Anthony immediately draws us into “The Women on Platform Two,” a novel that enlightens and...

Irish author Roiani O’Donnell tackles the complex issues women face escaping their abusive husbands in the searing must-read, “Nesting: A...

The lush beauty of North Dorset comes to life in “Broken Country,” a brilliant, creatively structured novel by Claire Leslie Hall certain...

Families have bonds that cement them for life, despite troubles that might arise between siblings and parents. But sometimes the thread...

Suspend reality and dive into the “The Dollhouse Academy,” an addictive thriller by Margariita Montimore. It’s a heck of a lot of fun,...

There are writers whose work we never miss—favorite authors we return to, revisiting them like old friends. Anne Tyler is at the top of...

Heart in my throat, I absorbed “Isola,” a riveting work of historical fiction, a novel of survival, its characters experiencing the...

Author Tracey Lange knows families, as evidenced by a favorite of mine, “We Are the Brennans,” (2021).  In her recent literary offering,...

Readers will be in for a wild, unpredictable ride with “The Business Trip,” a mystery/thriller by Jessie Garcia who states in her...

They only come around only so often, books that call you to your reading spot, demand your attention, beckoning to you like a siren....

The beat goes on for the indomitable Cher in her new release, “Cher: The Memoir,” published in two parts, the next book hitting...

If you’re like me you have some of her cookbooks, which include down-to-earth recipes for everyday meals. There’s not a hint of fussy in...

Beautifully written, “Intermezzo,” by Sally Rooney, opens with Peter, age 32, a Dublin lawyer, and his brother Ivan, age 22, a chess...

Caroline Woods takes a page from history, combining fact with fiction, to create “The Mesmerist” an absorbing historical fiction novel...

It takes quite an imagination to conjure up and carry through the complicated plot line and wicked surprises in “The Sequel,” by Jean...

I had a good cry after I finished “Here One Moment,” so touched by the wisdom and wonderfulness of Liane Moriarty’s new novel. I loved...

Domestic abuse is center stage in “Madwoman” a gripping mystery/thriller by Chelsea Bieker. Though this subject is frequently written...

Imagine renting yourself out—acting a part and when the gig’s over checking your reviews on the Five-Star Stranger App. As a seasoned...

Art collector and socialite Peggy Guggenheim makes a fascinating subject for the page turner “Peggy: A Novel.” This marvelous, intimate...

A mother makes a supreme sacrifice that changes her life in “Hum” by Helen Phillips, a dystopian novel that grabs you by the throat and...

It’s magical to pick up a book and become one with the story. I knew I had a goodie in my hands with “The Lion Women of Tehran,” by...

As soon as I started “The God of the Woods,” I was mystified and held captive. Author Liz Moore was immediately in control of my psyche,...

Twenty-something sisters Elena and Sam live with their ailing mother on San Juan Island in the “The Bear,” by Julia Phillips, a novel...

I finished “All the Colors of the Dark” with a sigh knowing I’d been immersed in an upcoming classic, a novel that would be one of my...

Domestic bliss is something Julia Ames doesn’t have in “Same as it Ever Was,” a thought-provoking novel about love, marriage, parenthood...

“When We Were Silent” is an addictive novel by Fiona McPhillips about a subject that’s all too common, appearing in headlines we discuss...

A heartfelt family story set in China in the 1940s, when the Communists and Nationalists vehemently vied for power in the country. In a...