Book to Read During Quarantine

​Ficton

American Dirt 
by Jeanine Cummins
Forced to flee, Lydia and eight-year-old Luca soon find themselves miles and worlds away from their comfortable middle-class existence. Instantly transformed into migrants, Lydia and Luca ride la bestia—trains that make their way north toward the United States.  *Gripping , eye-opening story of survival and life for Mexicans fleeing their country for America.

Little Fires Everywhere 
by Celeste Ng
Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood--and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.  
*An interesting exploration of an American family circa 1990s, and exploration of class disparity in late twentieth century.

In an Instant 
by Suzanne Redfearn
Life is over in an instant for sixteen-year-old Finn Miller when a devastating car accident tumbles her and ten others over the side of a mountain. Suspended between worlds, she watches helplessly as those she loves struggle to survive. *Poignant but devastating. Explores humanity, family and connections and gives a spot-on portrayal of special needs character within a family.  This one WILL make you cry.

Daisy Jones & The Six ✴✴✴✴
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The story of sex, drugs, rock and roll in 1970's America from the perspective of band members looking back.  *Some thought it was the best book of 2019 but for me t was just okay - parts dragged and I never truly loved the characters.

The Most Fun We Ever Had ✴✴✴✴
by Claire Lombardo
As the novel moves through the tumultuous year following the arrival of Jonah Bendt—given up by one of the daughters of a close-knit family in a closed adoption fifteen years before—we are shown the rich and varied tapestry of the Sorensons' past: years marred by adolescence, infidelity, and resentment, but also the transcendent moments of joy that make everything else worthwhile


Light Reading

Winter in Paradise 
by Elin Hilderbrand
Irene Steele’s idyllic life-house, husband, family-is shattered when she is woken up by a late-night phone call. Her beloved husband has been found dead, but before Irene can process this tragic news, she must confront the perplexing details of her husband’s death. He was found on St. John island, a tropical paradise far removed from their suburban life. Leaving the cold winter behind, Irene flies down to the beautiful Caribbean beaches of St. John. *If you want to escape reality - this is a good one.

Summer of 69 
Elin Hilderbrand
It's 1969, and for the Levin family, the times they are a-changing. Spending the summer at their grandmother's historic home in downtown Nantucket, each character is defined by this moment in time.  Great storytelling keeps you interested  If you like historical fiction but during a more recent time in America this one is enjoyable.

The High Season
by Judy Blundell
The ultimate summer (or quarantine) read, this novel of money, class, and family set in the Hamptons.  *Quirky and fun but not shallow. 

Thriller/ Suspence

The Hunting Party 
by Lucy Foley 
The Hunting Party is an entertaining mystery about a group of seven friends who spend New Year's Eve in the Scottish Highlands at a hunting lodge. By the end, one winds up dead changing all of their lives forever. *Good plot twists.

Death of Mrs. Westaway
by Ruth Ware
On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong personbut also that the cold-reading skills shes honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money. *Masterful storytelling, Ruth Ware does not disappoint. If you love mystery this one is awesome.



Sharp Objects 
by Gillian Flynn
Reporter Camille Preaker returns to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.  *This darkly suspenseful story is addictive and the writing is awesome.  (But not an uplifting read at all).

Something in the Water ✴✴✴✴
by Catherine Steadman
The lives of newlyweds honeymooning in Bora Bora change dramatically when while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water.  Could the life of your dreams be the stuff of nighmares? Should they speak out or protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt? 

Non-Fiction

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone ✴✴✴✴
By Lori Gottlieb
As Gottlieb explores the inner chambers of her patients' lives -- a self-absorbed Hollywood producer, a young newlywed diagnosed with a terminal illness, a senior citizen threatening to end her life on her birthday if nothing gets better, and a twenty-something who can't stop hooking up with the wrong guys -- she finds that the questions they are struggling with are the very ones she is examinging in her own life.  *If you want to go deep in self-analysis in this exploration of what makes us human,  this is it.

Memoir

Wild Game: My Mother, 
Her Lover, and Me 
by Adrienne Brodeur
Wild Game is a brilliant, timeless memoir about how the people close to us can break our hearts simply because they have access to them, and the lies we tell in order to justify the choices we make. *The real-life characters come alive and the author's insights and writing are powerful.

Inheritance: A Memoir of 
Genealogy, Paternity, and Love
by Dani Shapiro
Inheritance is a book about secrets—secrets within families, kept out of shame or self-protectiveness; secrets we keep from one another in the name of love. *Thoughtful exploration about what it means to question your identity in mid-life after a DNA search.