January Picks

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout. Anyone who has read Strout’s Olive Kitteredge, Olive Again, or My Name is Lucy Barton will recognize some of the characters pulled from these other novels but it is not necessary to have done so. The stories in Anything Is Possible are propelled by the relatable, recognizable characters throughout and by Strout‘s simple, beautiful writing style.

The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve. This is based on what happened during the biggest fire ever in Maine’s history that took place in 1947. It tells the incredible true story of a young mother keeping her two small children safe while this mammoth and terrifying fire comes to be. The way the author tells of the fire starting following a terrible drought and how the character’s lives unfold afterwards will have you not wanting to put this book down.

Redhead By The Side of The Road by Anne Tyler. This selection is from probably my favorite author of all time (if it’s even possible to pick!). Told from the perspective of a young man who might resemble someone you see in the neighborhood or someone that you may see in the grocery store, but through Tyler’s writing and incredible character development becomes such a fascinating person to learn about!

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. I will read anything by this author-yes, anything! This book tells the story of nine people coming together at a spa resort for a restorative experience. What you will get as the reader is a fascinating delve into the lives and psyches of these nine characters along with the boss and staff of this resort. There is a good mini series based on this book for a reason but, alas, the novel was better to me.

Benediction by Kent Haruf. Quietly told and sparsely written, the story of this family and the people who live around them in this fictional Colorado small town is one that took my breath away and brought me to tears. This author (now deceased) had a way of bringing life to his characters and made me think of them long after the book was done, much like I would think of someone I know and care about.