I’ve been reading like crazy lately – really great, beautifully-written stories about serious topics. Because fall has always been a time of reading lists for me, I’m going to put together a bunch for you, starting with this one. Every single title is perfect for your book club.
Brutal Youth by Anthony Breznican
All I kept thinking as I raced through this dark coming-of-age story was “Thank God my children are out of high school.” The inmates are basically running the asylum at St. Michael’s, a Catholic school that is literally and figuratively falling apart. Bullying has been taken to a whole new level which the adults, who are caught up in their own scandals and greed, are powerless to stop. The book follows three students as they try to navigate – and survive – freshman year, and, as a mother, I alternately wanted to hug and smack some of these kids. I felt like I was watching a train racing out of control, knowing it could only end in a horrible crash, yet unable to look away. Breznican has written an often funny, mostly horrifying modern day classic on the state of education. It should be taken as a wake-up call.
Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers
I am a big fan of Randy Susan Meyers, who wrote The Murderer’s Daughters and The Comfort of Lies, both of which are must-reads. In her latest novel, social worker Maddy is exhausted from always trying to keep the peace in her family and stay one step ahead of her hot-tempered husband, Ben. His rage reaches crisis point in the car one rainy day, resulting in an accident that leaves Maddy with a brain injury. Chapters are written from the perspectives of Maddy, Ben and their 14-year-old daughter, Emma, and they add up to a compelling, heartbreaking, important story. Meyers is a very special writer, and this tale of emotional abuse and its consequences on an entire family is thought-provoking and timely.
Evergreen by Rebecca Rasmussen
Rebecca Rasmussen’s debut novel, The Bird Sisters, was one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read. Her new book, which I’ve been waiting years for, is another stunner, set in the wilderness of Minnesota in the early part of the 20th century. She transports you right into that world – a quiet yet ominous place of beauty – and sets out to prove the book’s epigraph, “Tell me the landscape in which you live, and I will tell you who you are.” This quote from Jose Ortega y Gassett foreshadows the future of Eveline, a young bride who joins her husband in the middle of nowhere, where, for a while, they live happily in a rundown cabin with no electricity but plenty of fish and homegrown vegetables, and she gives birth to a baby boy. When her husband is called to take care of his sick father, she becomes the victim of a crime which alters many lives. I love this book and its depiction of women as survivors. These characters, rich and fleshed out, will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Friendswood by Rene Steinke
This novel about a small town in Texas haunted by its toxic past is a powerhouse of a story, written in language so simple yet so dead-on perfect, it just breaks your heart. Ten years after a chemical leak killed her daughter, Lee discovers that a local developer is trying to build on the land responsible for destroying the lives of its residents. She sets out to stop him, unleashing a series of events that kept me turning the pages and holding my breath. Politics, sex and religion all play major roles in this cautionary tale, but ultimately it’s a fascinating story about underdogs and fighting for what’s right. It proves that we’re all connected and it’s a devastating reminder that the decisions of a few have a powerful impact on the lives of so many.
The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar
I was hooked immediately by this tale of two women who develop an unlikely and life-changing friendship. Maggie is a psychologist, trained not to get emotionally involved with her patients. Lakshmi, a young Indian woman who tried to commit suicide, becomes one of those patients – and Maggie goes against every professional protocol, inviting her into her house and her life, treating her for free and offering her a job. As they get closer, secrets unravel which make them see each other – and themselves – in a whole new light. The book will make a great movie, reminiscent of The Help, with actresses vying for the roles of these strong, unforgettable characters.
Those are all new to me, but I have been looking for some new books. I will check a couple of these out.
Give me some tips on how you can find so much time to read? I love reading but life gets in my way. These sound like some really great books!
I haven’t heard of any of these but do plan to read them now! Thank you for the suggestions to add to my holiday wish list — better there than my reading list which is so darn long because I read only at bedtime anymore… And fall asleep way too quickly! (Why oh why do I feel guilty about reading in the middle of the day??)
I also love reading but I never have the time to do it!
I read a ton but all of these are new to me. I really, really want to read these though. Accidents of Marriage is the one that appeals to me the most!
These all sound terrific! Adding them to my looong list of TBR.
I will never catch up with reading the books you recommend…..each one sounds great. Thanks for reading, reviewing and recommending them.
I haven’t heard of any of these books. I definitely need to check them out! My reading list is always growing.
I would love to read at least one new book this fall. Thanks for the advice!
I haven’t heard of any of these before so thank you for the recommendations! I am looking for a new book to read!
These all look fantastic–I might have to get a few for my sick friend!
Friendswood sounds like it might be my cup of tea. Will have to see if it is available in ebook format. Others sound interesting too, but I am with one of the commenters above, how do you find time?
Ha ha! On planes, while eating, before I go to sleep. And sometimes I rationalize that it’s work and sit in my backyard with a book!
I have been looking for a new book to love and read. It’s been ages since I found something that was not in the self improvement genre. I do like fiction and non fiction books but after I read all the jodi picoult books I’m at a lost as to what to read.
The story hour might be something I’ll check out at the library.
This is the first time I have heard about those books – seems like a good read to do!
Thanks for the great reading tips. I can’t wait to be “reading like crazy” during the next school holiday.
I’ve been looking for a new book to read since I just finished the Call the Midwife trilogy. I think I’ll check out Accidents of Marriage.
I’ve not heard of any of these books, but like you, I’ve been reading tons lately so I’ll definitely be checking these out. I love your short but compelling reviews.
I’ve never heard of these books but that accidents of marriage seems like one I’ll love to read.
Evergreen and Accidents of Marriage sound like something I’d really enjoy. Thank you for your review.
Thanks so much. I’m going to start with Rebecca Rasmussen.
Thanks so much for all of these suggestions! I just finished two really enjoyable books: Big Little Lies and The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing. Ready for some new ones.
I don’t know these books. But. I know Thrity Umrigar and all books of hers are wonderful. I recommend all of them!
Took a break from reading after the Divergent series and a couple of best sellers but when I asked a friend about the Outlander books because of the new show on STARZ she enlightened me as the this terrifically written series of historical fiction. Expertly researched and beautifully crafted this is a great read for adults and I’m glad I didn’t have to wait the twenty years that fans of the books have to see their vision of Jamie and Claire materialize on television.
These sound fabulous and I will add them to the list of books that occupy my nightstand, library and every crevice I can hide them in. I need a week or two or three…… xo