As the holiday weekend approaches and you fire up those grills, be sure to have a great book in hand for before and after the big display. Whether you’d like to dive into a sensitive memoir, family dynamics or historical period drama, check out these fabulous new reads.
Out East by John Glynn
For John, Friday’s meant catching the train or jitney to Montauk. Lately, even when surrounded by friends and co-workers, he is painfully lonely. John decides to spend the summer at the Hive, a shared beach house where 30 young adults enjoy sun filled days and alcohol fueled nights. John is consumed with fitting in, finding love, and facing his sexual identity. While closely observing the world of these privileged, beautiful people, John finally allows himself the freedom to choose. Well written, fast paced memoir.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Connell and Marianne grow up in a small town in Ireland. Connell struggles financially with his single mother, but this handsome boy is a popular, charismatic teenager, while Marianne’s fancy mansion is filled with self loathing and abuse. Fearing their secret friendship will be misunderstood, it is not until they go to college in Dublin that they face who they truly are. As the couple grows closer and apart and back together again, we are cleverly reminded of life’s greatest lessons.
A Well Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler
Alva Erskine Smith was a resourceful young woman. After her parents pass away, she and her sisters are left with little more than their superior bloodline. It is up to Alva to marry well and get their family back on their financial feet. She seduces William Kissam Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilt fortune was growing steadily, but their name was not yet accepted amongst the highest ranks of society. While William spent money and wooed women, Alva was determined to set the Vanderbilt name in stone. New York comes alive as history is made.
In Another Time by Jillian Cantor
In 1931, Hanna and Max fall deeply in love. She is a rising violinist, and Max quietly runs his parents’ bookshop. Over the next 5 years, Germany rapidly deteriorates with the rise of the Nazi party. Max has begged her to run away, but Hanna refuses. In 1946, Hanna awakens in a field, grasping her violin without a single memory of the last decade. The war has ended but Hanna looks healthy, with no signs of struggle. Does she have amnesia? A psychological disorder? Or is this something to do with Max’s mysterious closet? A fast paced journey through the sliding doors of time.
The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess
Eve Rosen is a young woman working an entry level position at a publishing house. Bored and uninspired, she jumps at a summer job to assist famed author Henry Grey at his Cape Cod home. Overly fascinated and impressed by a world that has always been out of reach, Eve worships his poet wife and crushes on his artistic son. Eve toils all through the long, hot summer leading up to Grey’s exclusive annual book party, only to find that, in this world, life truly imitates art.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Olive and Amy are identical twins and complete opposites. Olive is unfailingly the most unlucky person on the planet and Amy, a contest winning champion. With every detail planned (and won!), Amy is ready for her big day. The downside for Olive is spending time with Ethan, their adorable but despised brother-in-law. When the “prized” seafood buffet sends hundreds to the Emergency Room, Olive and Ethan are the last two standing. Coerced to go on the all expense paid, non-refundable, non-transferable trip to Hawaii these rivals must pretend to be the newlyweds. Rom-com at it’s best.
