Wethersfield Library

The Turn of the Key

Ruth Ware

This thriller begins benignly enough as a young woman from London assumes nanny position at a remote (which adds to ominous feel) Scottish estate. Nothing is as it would appear, she discovers, as she cares for odd-behaved children of this wealthy family. Today's technologies are brought into story line in a major way, adding to the dark mood. Fears and misgivings build quickly as the nanny becomes more and more uncomfortable with the strange happenings around her. Great twist at conclusion.

84 Charing Cross Road

Helene Hanff

This is a book of actual letters by an American writer in New York City to and from a manager of a bookshop in England from after World War II until the 1960s. She developed a friendship with the manager and his coworkers over time. A light, humorous and entertaining read with glimpses into a world without social media.

The Premonition: A Pandemic Story

Michael Lewis

A different kind of pandemic book. Not so much a history as an examination from the point of view of committed professionals who are not particularly well known. As with all Lewis' books what you get is strictly the perspective of each one of them, without commentary.

The Duke & I

Julia Quinn

A delightful summer romance with a new Netflix adaptation that is very consistent with the book. Daphne and Simon are a "besotted couple" as Lady Whistledown describes. Their love story is one that leaves readers wanting more.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain

This timeless, yet controversial novel, set before the Civil War, follows the exploits of Huck Finn as he journeys down the Mississippi River with the escaped slave Jim by his side. As one of the first coming of age stories written from a child's perspective, the novel explores themes of morality, identity and loyalty.

Simon the Fiddler

Paulette Jiles

Written by the author of “News of the World,” this book takes place as the Civil War ended. Simon, as a former member of the Army of the Confederacy, tries to stay out of trouble as he travels through the south with three other musicians. As a fiddler, he is highly respected. The group’s music often saves them, providing them with shelter and food. The story is of their journey and their creative ways of getting to San Antonio. This is a good story, well told.

Spring Fever

Mary Kay Andrews

A great book by a wonderful author that tells the tale of second chances. Life doesn't always give you a do-over but once in a while you get a chance to try again. Great summer read!

Mud Rocks Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail

Heather "Anish" Anderson

I love reading trail accounts. I wasn't prepared for this one to be about achieving speed records, so it took me a while to get into the rhythm of the book. Once I got used to the mental scenery passing by quickly, I really enjoyed this account of the AT from a sobo's point of view. She is a great writer and really describes well the anguish she put her body through by attempting a speed record. I couldn't imagine hiking the trail in normal circumstances, let alone getting a shower fewer than 5 times total on the entire trail.

Uncommon Type

Tom Hanks

While I don't think this would have gotten published if it hadn't been written by Tom Hanks, overall it was enjoyable. There were a few stories I really liked and will stick with me, a few stories I've probably already forgotten, and a few stories I didn't like. I appreciate that it goes in a variety of different directions and that the sum of its parts is something uplifting and sweet without being cloying or schmaltzy.

Where the Light Enters

Sara Donati

This novel is a sequel to The Gilded Hour and is about Manhattan in the late 19th century. This is a rich, well-researched story that weaves elements of contemporary society, medicine, architecture, family life and crime. This is also a mystery story, with a serial killer on the loose. This was an enjoyable book, hard to put down.

The Last Days of Night

Graham Moore

This book is everything I love about historical fiction. Some of the characters are familiar and the author creates an engaging world and story around them. It feels like it could've been true, although it's based loosely on actual events and people. I found myself completely invested in the story and couldn't put this book down until I found out how we all ended up with Thomas Edison's lightbulbs in our houses. I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, that was a great touch.

The Gilded Hour

Sara Donati

This is a well-researched, beautifully written novel about Manhattan in 1883. Since the main characters are a police detective and a female physician, much of the story deals with society as it relates to medicine and crime of the period. The Civil War was in the recent past, construction of the Brooklyn Bridge was being completed, there were many immigrants and many orphaned children. The plot has many layers and gives a realistic picture of the period and the city. I was happy to learn that it is the first book in a series.

Bridgerton: The Duke and I

Julia Quinn

Entertaining combination of Downtown Abbey and 50 Shades of Grey. Great, light summer read even if you've seen the series on Netflix. Some fun surprises and details that are not included in the streaming version. Looking forward to reading the next in this series.

Songs Of America

Jon Meacham

Historical non-fiction book that discusses songs/lyrics from important moments in history from the Revolutionary War through the inauguration of Barack Obama. The book gives the historical lens as written by Jon Meacham and the cultural significance as written by Tim McGraw. A new and interesting retelling of historical events.

The Apprentice

Tess Gerritsen

As a sequel to Tess Gerritsen's The Surgeon this was a compelling read despite the disturbing subject matter (rape, torture, murder, necrophilia). The character of Detective Jane Rizolli is fully revealed as you see her more vulnerable side and how she deals with what looks like a copycat killer to The Surgeon. Gerritsen's attention to the technical aspects of an investigation are fascinating if you're into that kind of storytelling detail.

Persepolis

Marjane Satrapi

This graphic novel memoir explores childhood and coming of age is war torn Iran, from the revolution through the Iran-Iraq War. Illustrated in stark black and white, the images correspond to the stark contrasts in the narrator's life before and after the revolution.

Bury Your Dead

Louise Penny

I love how the books in the series refer back to the previous books. Although this is a stand alone mystery it links back to the previous book and provides some needed closure and insight. Like all her books there is a story within the story and cultural/historical/gastronomical references galore.

All the Missing Girls

Megan Miranda

The construct of the plot is clever, and the ending offered a surprise twist; however, overall I wasn't wowed by this thriller. This is Megan Miranda's first adult thriller though, and I see that she has written many others, so I may be willing to try another.

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir

Another great for fans of Andy Weir. Although the subject matter delves a bit more into the "science fiction" than The Martian, I still enjoyed it very much. A great read for a too hot weekend. Highly recommend.

Secrets In Summer

Nancy Thayer

This is summer beach reading at its best. Nancy Thayer weaves a Nantucket tale about Darcy, a woman whose childhood included a nomadic existence, who has now found stability on the island. During the summer, her calm life is tossed upside down when her ex-husband unknowingly rents the property beside hers, with his wife and step daughter in tow. Other summer neighbors provide a greater source of intrigue and friendship. A great story for those who like their novels mixed with great references to food, unlikely friendship and sandy locales.

Send for Me

Lauren Fox

This is a work of historical fiction told from the perspective of one woman in Germany just at the outset the Second World War and also told by that woman’s granddaughter years later in America. It is the story of family ties, motherhood, regret and memories against the backdrop of hatred for Jews and its impact upon their lives and the lives of future generations. The language is beautiful and some passages are heartbreaking.

Gaudy Night

Dorothy Sayers

I re-read this book every summer. It is the second-to-last novel featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, second son of the Duke of Denver, wealthy, accomplished, and cosmopolitan, with interests in book-collecting and crime, and (at this point in his life) hopelessly in love with crime novelist Harriet Vane, whom he saved from certain death via some fancy detective work a few books earlier. In this story, a chain of events at Harriet’s Oxford alma mater puts her life at risk once more. Can Peter save her this time?

On Juneteenth

Annette Gordon-Reed

I finished this short relevant book about this recently recognized national holiday (formerly called Emancipation Day) on July 4th which is an American holiday - coincidental, yes, but made the book ever more so impactful. I learned things about United States/Texas history that I had never heard before and my understanding of the deep significance of this holiday for Black people especially is so much more enriched after reading this very clear and thought provoking novel. I recommend it to anyone trying to further understand the origins of our country, our people and race relations.

Grave Consequences

Lisa T. Bergren

This is the second of three books in a “Grand Tour” series that takes place in the early 20th century, prior to World War I. Cora Diehl, from a small farm in Montana, unexpectedly finds herself on a family tour of Europe with a wealthy family that turns out to be her own. The descriptions and history of the sites they visit are interesting. The plot includes many twists and turns. I enjoyed the book.

The Evening and the Morning

Ken Follett

Prequel to the Knightsbridge trilogy has tale of power struggles, corruption and romance in English hamlet during the dark ages. The audiobook was 24 hours long, but the story did not disappoint.

Necessary Lies

Diane Chamberlain

Story set in rural South tobacco farm in early 1960's before passage of Civil Rights Act. A young social worker becomes involved with helping her clients against the wishes of her husband and fellow coworkers. A good read with a backstory on the sterilization program practiced at that point in time.

Hold Tight

Harlan Coben

A contemporary thriller suspense story set in an upper middle class town. A seemingly ordinary family suddenly beset with troubling issues with their teen-age son lead them to spy on him electronically to get to the root of his mysterious behavior. Several current day themes emerge (teen-age suicide, drug use.) Reader watches the family struggle to save him. A sub-story emerges, seemingly not connected, that brings forth a very disturbing amount of violence. Only at the end do these two stories merge. Very suspenseful but violence can be off putting.

Girls of Summer

Nancy Thayer

Wonderful beach read that centers around two generations of two families on Nantucket and how their lives overlap during one eventful summer. Quick read that captured my attention and interest and I finished in less than a week!

Malibu Rising

Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book was an easy read. Full of dysfunctional family drama, family tragedy and the life of the Rivas family set in Malibu. The story switches between the past and present life of the Rivas family and the children left behind.

Killing the Rising Sun

Bill O’Reilly

Good, easy to read historical summary of WW II Japanese actions that lead to defeat.