Land, by Maggie O'Farrell
Telling the story of the generation surviving the potato blight, colonial rule, and diaspora, this novel will call out to your Irish soul. Highly recommended.
Read MoreAngel Down, by Daniel Kraus
Amongst the grotesque carnage of No Man’s Land in World War I, Cyril Bagger finds an angel, struck down, trapped in a nest of barbed wire. So begins a life-changing mystery, a fascinating novel by Daniel Kraus.
Read MoreThe Adversary, by Michael Crummey
Suspenseful historical fiction, set in nineteenth century northern Newfoundland. Three contemptable characters circle one another, vying for power over this remote, forgotten land.
Read MoreA Far-Flung Life, by M.L. Stedman
A well researched and beautifully written novel to break your heart, uplift your soul, and be one of the best novels you will read in 2026.
Read MoreKin, by Tayari Jones
The story of two motherless young women, seeking a way forward in life, in spite of their emotional wounds, in the Jim Crow South. Reconciliation with their loss is inevitable. A tragedy with a Shakespearean tone.
Read MoreSkylark, by Paula McLain
Entertaining historical fiction, following two tales of Paris, and two stories of resistance to authoritarian power.
Read MoreHorse, by Geraldine Brooks
Slow-paced historical fiction, telling the story of Lexington, a legendary thoroughbred horse of the Antebellum era, unveiling the untold, ugly story of slavery in the development of beautiful racing horses.
Read MoreBuckeye, by Patrick Ryan
A beautifully crafted historical novel, demonstrating the traumas of war, prejudice, and lack of parental love, and how these can impact generationally. Excellent book club choice, and one of the best of 2025.
Read MoreIsola, by Allegra Goodman
Historical fiction, with interesting characters and themes, a novel bringing life to the Age of Exploration.
Read MoreAtmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Atmosphere is about the birth of the space shuttle program, the women fighting for their place in space, and a love story. Another TJR page turner.
Read MoreThe Briar Club, by Kate Quinn
Bestselling historical fiction author Kate Quinn educates and intrigues with this group of women in the 1950s Washington, DC area, each striving to figure out her life, improve her circumstances, while supporting each other. Excellent read.
Read MoreThe Book of Thorns, by Hester Fox
The Battle of Waterloo is the centerpiece, bringing two orphaned sisters together, their shared unnatural abilities with flowers, and the soldiers of the opposing forces, whom they love.
Read MoreDon't Cry For Me, by Daniel Black
Deceptively simple story, told as letters from a dying father to his estranged son. Feels like a modern classic, father-son relationships, relatable to all.
Read MoreLong Island, and Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin
Read Brooklyn and Long Island as a pair, the story of emigrant Eilis Lacey, and her life in Ireland and the United States, from the Fifties to the Seventies.
Read MoreLady Macbeth, by Ava Reid
A retelling of Shakespeare's Macbeth, from the feminist viewpoint of Lady Macbeth.
Read MoreThe Glass Maker, by Tracy Chevalier
A magical story of the glass making Rosso family of Murano, and a love song to Venice.
Read MoreThis Other Eden, by Paul Harding
A 2023 National Book Award finalist, this richly layered novel is a worthwhile literary read. Read my review for a cautionary note, however.
Read MoreRecent Reads: Brief Mentions
A grab bag of my recent reads that might make for good additions to your summer reading list.
Read MoreJames, by Percival Everett
Everett successfully takes Twain’s character of the runaway slave Jim, making him a surreptitious reader and writer, on a dangerous journey of freedom for himself and his family.
Read MoreThe Great Divide, by Cristina Henriquez
Learn about the building of the Panama Canal from the viewpoint of indigenous peoples in this historical fiction novel.
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