Book Suggestions
Selected Book for October 2026: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi- a beautiful crafted story about a mysterious stranger named Theo who arrives in the small town of Golden and transforms the lives of its residents through acts of kindness, particularly by purchasing and returning portraits to their rightful owners. The story explores themes of generosity, community, the beauty of human connections and the far reaching possibilities of anonymous kindness.
Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall - a historical fiction novel that explores themes of love, grief, and dishonesty through the story of Beth, a farmer in England dealing with the return of a past love while navigating her current marriage. The book has received significant acclaim and was even selected as a Reese Witherspoon book club pick.
Collective Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer- debut novel that follows Clover Brooks, a death doula in New York City, who helps people navigate their final days while grappling with her own feelings of isolation and unfulfilled desires. The story explores themes of life, death, and the importance of living fully to avoid regrets.
Many Loves of Mama Love by Laura Love Hardin- a memoir that chronicles her journey from being a suburban soccer mom to becoming an opioid addict and eventually a successful ghostwriter after serving time in jail. The book explores themes of addiction, redemption, and the complexities of her life experiences.
The Editor by Steven Rowley- tells the story of James Smale, a writer whose autobiographical novel is edited by the famous Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The book explores themes of family dynamics, particulartly the complicated relationship between James and his mother, blending humor and emotional depth throughout the narrative.
Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham- a psychological thriller that follows Claire Campbell, a journalist who returns to her hometown to confront the mysterious disappearance of her sister, Natalie. The story unfolds with twist and turns as Claire discovers a hidden diary that may hold the key to uncovering long-buried secrets.
*Kin by Tayari Jones- an unforgettable novel that sparkles with wit and intelligence and deep feeling about two lifelong friends whose worlds converge after many years apart in the face of a devasting tragedy. It's about mothers and daughters, friendship and sisterhood, and the complexities of being a woman in the American South.
The Lost Masterpiece by B A Shapiro- is a story of love, adultery, betrayal, family secrets, and the grueling birth of Impressionism, taking the reader on a whirlwind adventure from the streets of Paris in the late 1800s and the studio Berthe Morisot shared with Manet, Degas, and Renoir to the present day.
The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli- Inspired by the incredible true story of the Monuments Womens in WWII. In a race across Nazi-occupied Italy, two women- a German photographer and an American stenographer- hunt for pricelss masterpieces looted from the Florentine art collections.
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis- a historical fiction novel that intertwines the stories of two women living in different eras, 1919 and 1966, set in the Frick mansion in New York City. The book explores themes of mystery, art, and the complexities of female relationships against the backdrop of significant historical events.
Lions of 5th Ave by Fiona Davis- a historical fiction novel about a series of book thefts in the New York Public Library, leaving two generations of strong-willed women to pick up the pieces.
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin- a historical fiction novel inspired by the true story of American library spies during WWII. It follows Ava, a librarian who is recruited by the US Military to gather intelligence in Lisbon and her connection with Elaine, a women in occupied France involved in the resistance.