New Books to Press Into Your Hands

How are you choosing your books? Based on reviews, word of mouth, going back to an old series or favorite authors? I placed holds on a number of books recommended through two podcasts I listen to, "From the Front Porch" and "Currently Reading", and was pleased to find a number of them lived up to their recommendations.

Christina Baker Kline, author of patron favorites The Orphan Train and A Piece of This World, has written a wonderful novel set in nineteenth century Australia. The Exiles is based on the stories of the indigenous people being torn from their land, European women imprisoned and sent to Australia for their sentences, and English who are set on forcing their culture on native people. Weaving these disparate people and cultures through the lives of three women, The Exiles,  entertained and enlightened my knowledge of Australian culture and history. To get a better understanding of the indigenous names and places mentioned at the beginning of the book I recommend listening to a sample of the audiobook read in the Australian dialect.

The Book of Lost Names, by popular author, Kristin Harmel, was an enjoyable historical fiction with a romantic twist. This story focuses on the remembrances of an elderly woman, Eva, who discovers the existence of a book from her past. Living in France during WWII, Eva forged documents for Jewish children who were being helped across the border of France into Switzerland. Readers who enjoy characters who demonstrate a love of reading will enjoy the "books theme" scattered throughout the story, as well as, the hope and resilience of the characters. This book is my favorite Kristin Harmel book.

Looking for thought provoking literary fiction?  Read Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi.

Transcendent Kingdom is a literary fiction very different from Yaa Gyasi's debut historical fiction novel, Homegoing.  With a unique story arc narrated by the character Gifty, Transcendent Kingdom takes you through her perceptions and remembrances. Raised by an immigrant Ghanaian mother in Alabama, Gifty explores, with emotional resonance, issues of faith, reconciliation with her past, and life as a Black woman. I recommend this book for anyone who is fascinated with what drives human behavior, enjoys exploring the experiences of a first generation immigrant family, and the role of  faith in one’s journey. Emotional and thought provoking literature. Gifty is a character that will stick with me for a while. 

Finally, I needed a change in genres and picked up The Night Swim by Megan Goldin. As a fan of mystery and light suspense this book was exactly the escape I was looking for after the more thought provoking historical and literary fiction books mentioned above.

The Night Swim's story begins with the main character Rachel covering a rape trial for her podcast and contacted by a young woman who sends her a message "Jenny's killer will be there. Maybe in that courtroom. It's time for justice to be done.". Intrigued, Rachel starts digging and the story weaves together two mysteries: the guilt or innocent of the rape trial accused and who killed Jenny. I was interested in the affects of suspected crimes on the community, as well as, the answers to the multiple "who done it" questions. 

Hope you find adventure and escape in your current reads. Comment and let us know what book you'd like to press into our hands.