Whistler by Ann Patchett— 53-year-old Daphne and husband Jonathan are visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art when they notice an older gentleman seeming to follow them. When Daphne realized it was Eddie Triplett, her stepfather who many years ago was married to Daphne’s mother, she was thrilled. This was a man who she hadn’t seen since she was 9 years old after a memorable car accident. When they reestablish their relationship, she looks at her young life differently as well as the life she lives now, her relationship with her mother and her own husband. If you’re a Patchett fan, this is a book for you. It certainly was for me.
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth—81-year-old Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick has lived her life on her own terms, against all odds, especially from her father. Accused of murders, mostly wrongly, but sometimes correctly, Mad Mabel has managed to survive to old age until a neighbor is found dead and then her past comes floating to the present. But her young friend Penelope attaches herself to Elsie and her life changes. Along with her lifelong friend Daphne, Penelope’s mother, her neighbor Joan and the media who are determined to find out the truth, Elsie learns what friendship means. Make sure you finish the whole book when you learn the whole truth. My book group read it, and everyone had something to add.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy—On a small research island near Antarctica, the caretaker, Dominic Salt and his three children are the only ones left on the island, determined to save the seedbanks. During a fierce storm, a woman washes up on the shore. Her presence threatens all the secrets of the island, as well as letting loose emotions hidden since the death of his wife. In a beautifully written novel with a background of an ecological disaster, we learn about living in isolation. But secrets abound.
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn—In a love letter to libraries, Kate Quinn expands her genre to fantasy as she follows Alix, a young woman who grew up in foster care when her mother abandoned her. Her only loving home was the Boston Public Library where she became a page. When her life falls apart and she has nowhere else to go, the library invites her in, and she walks through a door which allows her to live in a book. She meets the Librarian who explains the procedure. It’s not what you think though. Alix becomes the defender of the Astral Library along with her friend Bo. The excitement never ends and her speech to save the library system will make you stand up and cheer.
Under the Falls by Richard Russo—Tyler Sinclair grew up on Stone Mountain, a small town in upstate NY and when he left at 18 saying goodbye to no one, to become a rock and roll star, he was determined to never return. He almost succeeded until 18 years later his manager talked him into a special benefit concert for his old friend Doc. The words “you can’t go home again” are never more apt as he is confronted by old “friends” that never forgave him for leaving. After an accident which could have been intentional, Tyler’s life has changed forever. His childhood friend Curt, the town’s chief of police is left trying to figure it all out while hiding who did what to whom.
This is Richard Russo’s specialty: a small town, the characters who live there and those that got away. It was originally written as a TV pilot script but was never released. It took a while for me to get involved but eventually I found it difficult to put down. I would love to see it on screen someday.
I can’t believe I read five 2026 hot novels! Thank you, MCPL Lucky Day Book Shelf! Enjoy the best season of the year and don’t forget to vote.
