It isn't too early to start your Summer Reading Plans. Whether you're planning a vacation, spending more time on your deck, or enjoying some free reading time now that your reading group is on hiatus, you'll need a stack of great books to keep you entertained. I've chosen some promising titles coming out during the next few months in addition to my normal book group choices. Don't hesitate to come into the store or call us and reserve a copy or two.
Horan explores the worlds of Abraham Lincoln and the United States before, during and after the Civil War through the eyes of a Portuguese immigrant girl.
Two interwoven stories of parents searching for a better life for their children---one in 1938 Austria and the other in modern day America.
See's latest novel is inspired by the true story of a woman physician from 15th century China.
(On sale June 6)
I loved this life-affirming, perceptive, funny novel following the decades-long, rule-breaking romance between the son of one of America's wealthiest families and a middle-class aspiring author.
Once again Davis uses a New York landmark to set her story. This time it's Radio City Music Hall in 1950s Manhattan. The novel is about a talented young Rockette and a mysterious bomber terrorizing New York City.
Tsukiyama's latest novel reimagines the life of groundbreaking actress Anna Mae Wong---the first Asian American woman to gain international movie stardom. I'm currently reading the galley which is quite mesmerizing.
(On sale June 27)
The authors of THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN once again come together to tell the story about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeon Bethune---an unlikely friendship that changed the world.
For fans of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB and its sequels, this English village murder mystery features Canon Daniel Clement, his widowed mother, his two dachshunds and his parishioners. When murders begin happening in the village, Daniel is the only one who can try and keep his fractured community together...and catch a killer.
TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett (On sale Aug. 1)
Gathering with her family in spring 2020, Lara is pestered by her daughters to tell them about her long ago romance with renowned actor Peter Duke. It's always exciting to have a new Ann Patchett novel on our shelves.
Jennifer's latest novel is about the "munitionettes" who built bombs in Britain's arsenals during World War One, risking their lives for the war effort and discovering camaraderie and courage on the soccer pitch.
I've also chosen four books that you might think about for your reading group schedule. I hope you enjoy them!
Happy Reading!
Ken
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by Jennifer Ryan
A small village in England during WWII. A cooking contest where dishes use rationed items creatively. Four contestants. The winner getting a spot as the first female co-host of a BBC cooking show called The Kitchen Front. Jennifer Ryan looks at life on the Homefront and the women who keep it going. Those women include Audrey, a young war widow with three children just making ends meet; Gwendoline, her sister, who is the lady of the manor married to an abusive husband; Nell, a kitchen maid, who wants better things in life; and Zelda, a trained chef who finds her life in shambles, unwed and pregnant. Kirkus Reviews calls the book "A creative and satiating novel. Certain to delight lovers of historical fiction and TV cooking competitions." BookPages says the novel is "Positively delicious. Ryan excels at creating warmhearted, intriguing Homefront drama." A reading group guide is included.
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by Emma Stonex
Inspired by a true story, this atmospheric novel is about the mysterious disappearance of three lighthouse keepers from a remote tower miles from the Cornish coast--- and the wives who were left behind. Author Julia Phillips calls the novel, "Magnificent...As compelling as a classic ghost story, it is a locked-room mystery that exposes every secret we wish to keep safe at home. This book will take hold of you, guide you over the waves, and then plunge you under. READ IT." Bookreporter says, "The Lamplighters reads like great historical fiction, but at its center is a locked-room mystery. Emma Stonex has done a masterful job keeping the story teetering on the edge of something horrific but then pulling back to let the insinuations and accusations sink in... The Lamplighters never disappoints and engages readers from start to finish with a mystery that may be impossible to ever solve."
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by V.E. Schwab
Now in paperback, this riveting novel has climbed to the top of my "favorite books" list. In 18th century France, a young woman, bored with her simple life, makes a pact with a mysterious stranger (shall we call him the Devil?) to live forever. I know readers who love fantasy will eat this up. But even if you aren't a fantasy fan, give it a try. This is a totally unique novel and your group will have many things to talk about. Author Jodi Picoult says that the novel "Completely absorbed me enough to make me forget the real world." Author Taylor Jenkins Reid says, "Come for the beautiful world-building, stay for the assertion that certain geniuses of past centuries made their own deals with the devil."
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by R.C. Sherriff
Take a trip to the seaside with the Stevens family in this life-affirming novel. Originally written in 1931 this book should be a hit with Anglophiles and fans of Masterpiece Theatre.
The Stevens made the trip to Bognor Regis on their honeymoon and have continued to go every year since then. They follow the same schedule, staying in the same guesthouse, walking along the same trails, now accompanied by their three children, twenty-year-old Mary, seventeen-year-old Dick and little brother Ernie. This is an extraordinary novel about ordinary people enjoying simple pleasures. Author Kazuo Ishiguro says of the novel, "The beautiful dignity to be found in everyday living has rarely been captured more delicately." This novel comes in a great package: beautiful cover, French flaps, ragged edges.
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BOOKS & COMPANY BOOK GROUPS
Open to the Public
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Wednesday, May 24th
1:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
by Kathleen Rooney
Registration required-
limited seating available
Wednesday, June 28th
1:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
by Marie Benedict
Registration required-
limited seating available
LINK TO COME
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Tuesday, May 23rd
4:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
by Paraic O'Donnell
No registration required for Mystery book group meetings.
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Wednesday, May 17th
6:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
by Elizabeth Wein
Wednesday, June 21st
6:30 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
by Angeline Boulley
No registration required for PRADAS book group meetings.
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Thursday, May 18th
6:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
by Sosuke Natsukawa
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Readings from Oconomowaukee
HOLLY GOLDBERG SLOAN
In Conversation with
Daniel Goldin and
Lisa Baudoin
Wednesday, May 24th
2:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
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Readings from Oconomowaukee presents an afternoon with Holly Goldberg Sloan, author of Pieces of Blue- a compelling and heartfelt novel for fans of Maria Semple and Emma Straub about a family trying to restore a ramshackle beachside motel--and their own lives. In conversation with Lisa Baudoin of Books & Company and Daniel Goldin of Boswell.
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Readings from Oconomowaukee
SUSIE LUO
In Conversation with
Daniel Goldin and
Lisa Baudoin
Wednesday, June 21st
2:00 p.m.
at Books & Company
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Join us for our June edition of Readings from Oconomowaukee. This month will feature author Susie Luo in conversation with Daniel Goldin and Lisa Baudoin for Luo's novel Paper Names- an unforgettable story about the long shadows of our parents, the ripple effect of our decisions and the ways in which our love transcends difference.
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WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER
Friday, September 22nd
7:00 p.m.
at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center
Dawes Studio Theater
3270 Mitchell Park Dr, Brookfield, WI 53045
Join Boswell Book Company and Books & Company for a lovely evening with author William Kent Krueger for his new novel The River We Remember at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.
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We support over 50 private book groups with their monthly selection available on the Book Group shelf in store. If your book group is registered with us, we offer 15% off of the book group title each month. To register your book group, just let us know what your book group name is and what you're reading, as well as a contact name for the group. As long as we have an updated list of your books, we will have them on the book group shelf in the store and listed on our website. Books & Company hosts two Book Group celebrations a year, as well as book talks for your book group. To set up a book talk for your book group with a bookseller, please email info@booksco.com
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Books & Company
1039 Summit Ave Oconomowoc, WI
262-567-0106
HOURS
Mon-Fri 9:00-7:00
Sat-Sun 9:00-5:00
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