When Lemons Give You Life

When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston (2026), 380 pages

Griff (64) is a grumpy, grieving chef who is living in a nursing home. Lisa (51) is his chaotic, estranged half-sister who refuses to give up on their relationship. Both have their personal issues to work through and secrets to navigate, but through love and food they find their way back to each other.

This book is like a Hallmark movie with some pointed societal takes. Griff's partner (and friend of Lisa) has been given a terminal diagnosis and the only way for them to remain together is for Griff to fake dementia and be admitted to the nursing home. Lisa cannot understand why Griff doesn't want a relationship, while simultaneously blocking the traumatic childhood they shared. Through his experiences at the nursing home, Griff realizes the lack of dignity many nursing home patients face and takes steps to remediate it through food. I could go on and on about the societal issues the author tackles (and really, it is too much), but in the end, the book is about relationships, love, and respect. I enjoyed the book, but was also super frustrated by it. 

Land

 Land by Maggie O'Farrell (2026), 400 pages

I am not sure what to think of this book. Overall, it felt very Irish. Which, I imagine, was exactly the point. It is an atmospheric, slow-moving tale of a family recently past the Great Famine dealing with repressed horrors, sadness and family/community dynamics while trying to maintain their home during British occupation. O'Farrell does a wonderful job capturing the beautiful landscape of Ireland and the importance of community support while not sugar coating the difficulty of life under British rule. While I enjoyed(?) following the family, it was very hard to connect to them. I am not sure if this is because it was all so bleak or because O'Farrell doesn't delve into them enough for you to establish a deep understanding. After finishing it, I just felt sad. 

The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne

 The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne, by Ron Currie (2025), 368 pages

Babs is the matriarch of a Franco-American all-woman crime syndicate in Little Canada (Waterville, Maine). She is a proud French-Canadian American and Catholic. She is determined to keep those identities strong in her rural Maine town. To help her are her drug-addicted daughters and a cadre of like-minded local women. Her stronghold has been noticed by another narcotics gang and things come to a head with devastating(?) consequences. 

This sounded interesting on paper and was a good read, but it could have been a great read. It was nearly impossible to connect with any of the characters and they had few redeeming qualities and the author did not give us enough backstory to sympathize with their current situation. I still don't understand why Babs was so determined to cling to her heritage when we are never given an opportunity to understand why it is so important to her. While French-Canadians were definitely not treated fairly and that was painful as a child, her family did not seem particularly interested in maintaining their cultural background. Babs, while trying to mother the community, seemed to be a pretty terrible mother to her actual children, yet they had a weird loyalty to her. Perhaps if Currie and delved more into Babs rise as the gang leader, it would have been easier to connect to the story as a whole. 

Up on Cove Mountain: Adventure, Tragedy, and a Quest for Meaning on the Appalachian Trail

Up on Cove Mountain: Adventure, Tragedy, and a Quest for Meaning on the Appalachian Trail by Early Swift (2026), 368 pages 

I seem to be on a kick of reading novels where middle-aged men revisit an adventure from their youth. Between Mississippi Solo, Walking with Sam and Up on Cove Mountain, I have found the latter to be the most interesting. BUT, if I was likely to actually undertake one of the three treks, it would definitely be the Camino de Santiago (then the Mississippi River with the Appalachian Trail a far third). Why? Because Swift does an excellent job of conveying just how hard and long the trail is. I cannot imagine doing it twice, with the second time being 66 years-old. Swift notes how the trail has changed over 34 years and how climate change has affected the availability of resources (especially water) for hikers. I learned a lot about how people hike the trail, trail culture, and what it means to thru-hike. I thought it meant you did the hike in one long fell-swoop. Apparently, it is not uncommon to leave the trail and come back many times and, as long as you complete it within a year, you are considered a thru-hiker. Swift also touches upon a tragedy that happened during his first thru-hike: the murder of a young couple on the trail. He had interacted a few times with this couple and their murder shocked him and the otherwise insular AT community. While this is an interesting sub-plot, the majority of the book is devoted to what it means to hike the trail and the self-discovery it brings along the way.

The Things We Never Say

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (2026), 224 pages

I am not sure what to say about this book. I see what Strout was going for; Artie a middle-aged teacher struggles with his life, current political conditions, and what the future entails, but feel she really missed the mark. The book was almost painful to read as it clunkily tried to tackle big issues without garnering a whole lot of compassion and, really, any interest in the characters. I suspect the book would have been more compelling if Strout had written more and deep-dived some of the story lines. As is, it reads as a person trying to get their anger at the current state of the world out too fast and coming across frustrated and malcontent. I would pass on this if I was you.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

 Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari (2011), 512 pages

I started this book many years ago and had a hard time getting into it. Mostly because the first long bit was not particularly revelatory and information I was already familiar with. For reasons unknown (as I was absent that meeting), my book club chose this book for October. So, I have now officially read the whole thing. This book is paradoxically both brief and expansive. You really can't sum up all of humankind in 500 pages, but the author does give you a lot to think about and makes interesting connections on how Sapiens went from foragers to empire builders. It is a fascinating read as it touches upon Sapiens' ability to imagine, develop religion, explore, innovate and potentially self-destruct. I would be curious (and maybe Harari has already written about this) about the author's thoughts in today's current clients. I know he has written a second book and perhaps I will read it, but that came out in 2015 and a lot has already changed. 

Listen for the Lie

 Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera (2024), 336 pages

On the surface, it appeared that Lucy was living the dream. Handsome husband, nice house, beginning of a great career. All that came to a crashing halt when she was found bloodied on the side of the road with no memory of what happened and her best friend dead. She thought she escaped this nightmare after moving away, but it came crashing back as a podcaster comes to town and she is forced to return and confront what actually happened that night. 

This was a fun, twisty mystery that kept you guessing until the end. If you can, you must listen to the audiobook. The podcast portions were done perfectly and, at first, confused me as I thought my phone had actually switched to one of my podcasts. Were there a few holes and unbelievable bits? Yep, but it was entertaining and worth the listen. 

Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta

Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta by James Hannaham (2022), 352 pages 

After reading Sarah's review, I wanted to check this book out. It follows Carlotta on her brief parole stint as she rediscovers the world she was forced to leave behind twenty odd years ago. It is told through both first- and third-person narrative that can be a bit disjointing at first, but you will get into the swing of it. Overall, I enjoyed the book and Carlotta's surprisingly optimist look on life despite the unjust and horrifying things that have happened to her. My only quibble is sometimes I felt Carlotta was a just a bit to prescient about today's issues, especially for someone who has been locked away for such a long time. 

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency

 The Pie & Mash Detective Agency by J.D. Brinkworth (2026), 368 pages.

Please go read Kara's review here. She does an excellent job of summarizing the novel. I really wanted to like this novel. Who hasn't imagined becoming a detective and all the cool adventures it entails? For those who may have BritBox, I love Shakespeare & Hathaway, so I was hoping it would be like that. It really isn't. The mystery was twisty and turny (and I honestly feel like I have watched a show with a similar premise), but the main characters were just not that likeable and engaging. So, if you want a cozyish mystery, that is an easy read, this is for you. If you want a little more heft, I would choose something else. 

The Whisper Man

 The Whisper Man by Alex North (2019), 384 pages

Tom and his son, Jake, move to a new town to regroup and re-establish their lives after the sudden death of his wife and Jake's mom. Unbeknownst to them, the town has a dark past that appears to be re-emerging. Twenty years ago, a serial killer was luring his child victims by whispering to them through their window. Is he back??

The Whisper Man is creepy with some pretty unsettling rhymes and "imaginary" friends to keep you feeling a little off. It is also about families and relationships that were broken and are slowly being rebuilt. All this to say, that the novel has more emotional heft than you might expect from a thriller. 

Stitched

Stitched by Eli McCann (2026), 280 pages  

 The Ogden Quilter's Association is in need of new members. It has just been announced that the largest quilting competition in the US will be next to their hometown and they are determined to beat out their rival quilter's guild. Enter two gay men whom have never quilted but are up to the challenge.

This was a very endearing story. I am an unskilled (but trying) quilter and very much enjoyed hearing about their process. Even I, though, knew that their idea for the competition quilt was a bit shaky. The novel really follows the friendship of the women who have been quilting together for decades; how they have worked together, became friends, irritated each other, but still managed to show-up. While the new recruits for the association bring some humor, it is the long-lasting friendship that really drives the novel. It was a fun, quick read. 

 

Daughters of the Sun and Moon

 Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See (2026), 384 pages

It is 1870 Los Angeles and Dove, Petal, and Moon have just arrived in this foreign land. They soon discover that the Gold Mountain (America) is not as welcoming as promised. While they each end up in very different circumstances, they remain connected as they navigate this new world while trying to survive. 

The novel is a very interesting look into early Chinese immigration, especially through the lens of women. I had not heard of the Night of Horrors or much about violent gangs that ruled the Chinese neighborhoods in early Los Angeles. As with most early immigrants, the number of hardships they faced makes you appreciate how bad it was at home that they kept arriving. I am not sure I would have survived long. I enjoyed the novel but wish there would have been a bit more connection to the main characters. They often seemed separate and aloof - especially since they were dealing with some pretty hard situations.

The Disappearers

The Disappearers by Marlon James (2026), 640 pages 

This book is A LOT. It is not an easy read. The novel follows several men after they are brutally attacked in 1980s Jamaica. I have not read Marlon James before, but have heard this is his writing style - incessant, gritty, and a no-holds barred look on life as a gay man. James definitely conveys what it feels like to be a gay man in 80s Jamaica; from the homophobia, hatred, moral struggle, ostracization, and violence to the very real fear of contracting AIDs and what it means to be HIV+.  He does not hold back in describing all of it in very intimate details. The novel explorers the different ways the men handled the brutal attack and how they moved forward (or not) in processing it. My one small quibble is the ending. I won't spoil it, but I don't believe it would have happened like that. He meant too much to him. 

The Women in White

 The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen (2026), 291 pages

Riley is a recently divorced, living out of her car caregiver. Betty is a wheelchair bound octogenarian who is in need of help. They click instantly and Riley soon discovers there is a lot more to Betty's story. 

I am on the fence about this one. The novel follows two-timelines: the 1960s and present day. I really enjoyed the parts of the novel based in the 60s, especially the relationship between the four central women who became part of a scientific study looking into parapsychology. Unfortunately, the rest of the novel fell flat. I think I expected more exploration into their supernatural cognitive abilities and was disappointed that didn't happen. The present-day relationship between Riley and Betty felt incomplete and rushed. The ending also wrapped up too quickly. It was an interesting read, but I felt it could have been more fleshed out. 

The Secret Dinner

The Secret Dinner by Raphael Montes, translated by Zoe Perry, 352 pages 

Four friends find themselves struggling to cover their rent in Copacabana, Rio, Brazil. They are young, broke and really don't want to go back to the rural countryside they fled. A solution presents itself. That solution? Secret "seagull" meat dinner parties. And by seagull, I don't mean seagull. Montes does an excellent job of capturing the protagonists’ desperation and their moral (and immoral) quandary as they try to make it in the big city. 

I enjoyed this book. Parts of it were certainly uncomfortable to visualize, but the characters were well done and I did like the final twist. I will say that I am very glad that I am a vegetarian and do not have to ever worry about being unknowingly fed "seagull" meat. 

Keeper of Lost Children

 Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson (2026), 464 pages

I loved this book. You should go read it now. 

The historical novel follows three stories revolving around the left behind multi-racial children in post-war Germany. This is a topic I had never really thought about and was surprised on how big an issue it was. Many African American service members had relations with white German women. Due to various issues, a lot of their children ended up in orphanages in Germany. It is loosely based on the real-life story of an African American woman, Mabel Treadwell Grammer, whose husband was stationed in Mannheim and how she (almost) single-handedly adopted and found homes in the US and Germany for hundreds of orphans. It is a fascinating part of history and Johnson does an excellent job of telling the story from various points of view, helping you to grasp the full consequences of these relations and adoptions. 

Where the Girls Were

Where the Girls Were by Kate Schatz (2026), 368 pages

It is late 1960s San Francisco and high schooler, soon to be Valedictorian, Elizabeth "Baker" finds herself pregnant. Obviously, this disrupts her whole future as she had planned to attend Stanford and then head to Paris. Against her will, she ends up in a home for pregnant women. There she explores the complicated situations that landed the other women there and what their futures might hold.

I am back and forth on this book. I think it covers some very important topics (such as women’s choice) that are still very prescient today. It delves into the limited options women had and the very real judgements they faced if they became "in the family way" - whether it was by choice or violence. It also touches upon the lack of knowledge women had about their bodies and the taboos older women had in sharing valuable information to younger women. That said, Baker's naiveté was almost to the point of unbelievableness. There were libraries back in the day. I wish more time had been spent with the interesting characters in the women's home and how the women's rights movement was progressing through San Francisco. The ending is pretty unbelievable, but, if you get a chance, I would still read it. 

A Fortune of Sand

A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys (2026), 304 pages

Marjorie is the artistic youngest daughter of a Detroit automobile glass tycoon. She finds herself accepted into an exclusive arts residency program funded by secretive benefactor from which, life changing secrets unfold.

I wanted to like this book (as who doesn't want to know more about the dark underworld of Detroit during its automobile heyday), but it totally missed the mark. There was so much potential and interesting tidbits that the author could have delved more deeply into! Instead, we got an insufferable main character, an unbelievable benefactor, and a scattered storyline. I wish I had more to say, but that is all I got.

 

The Death Row Club

The Death Row Club by V.A. Vazquez (2026), 323 pages

This book seemed like a cool concept. The adult children of death row inmates get to spend a weekend together away from the pressures and prying eyes (and judgement) of the public. While that eventually happened, it really follows two women whose fathers' commit murders while they come to terms with their unknowing roles in them. In some ways, the book does touch upon the family members of convicted murderers and the complicated relationship that they may have with each other and the convicted member, but I think I was hoping that there would be more of that angle. Instead, it quickly touches upon that issue and slowly (then dramatically) ends with a murder at the retreat and a quick resolution to the whole thing. It was an ok book, I just found myself a bit disappointed in it.

Heather

Heather by Caitlin Mullen (2026), 352 pages 

Callie Hauser is the new Police Chief in her hometown. She is young and motivated, and is soon swept up in a decades old murder surrounding a pair of teenage twins who went missing and left behind a dead newborn baby. 

I am back and forth on whether I liked this mystery. It is definitely better than Please See Us (which I recently reviewed), but I am having a hard time figuring out why it wasn't quite right. It is a bit unbelievable that a 30 y/o cop who just recently returned to her hometown would suddenly become the Police Chief (especially when there were more experienced police officers on the force). It is also a bit unbelievable said new Police Chief would have so much extra time to watch her best friends 3-year-old. I also did not care for the chapters written in the 2nd person - they were jarring compared to the rest of the novel. That said, there were some fun twists and unexpected turns that kept the storying engaging. So, I am torn about recommending it.