The Silence that Speaks
Andrea Kane
FIC KAN
The word ‘forensic’ was on the cover of a 2015 novel titled THE SILENCE THAT SPEAKS and I usually like mysteries solved through some scientific hoopla. The cover art looked (to me) like a subway tunnel. From reading the book jacket flap, however, I discovered that Forensic Instincts is the name of a private investigating team, which may or may not involve science and the client who hired this team works in a hospital…not in a subway. Nevertheless, words like ‘suspense’ and ‘thriller’ made me keep this book on my cart even though I was wrong about both cover attractions.
Luncheon of the Boating Party
Susan Vreeland
FIC VRE
Ah, the Impressionists! Monet, Renoir, Cezanne…recognizable by most anyone and here a famous painting (Luncheon of the Boating Party) right on the cover of a novel. What could that mean? Author Susan Vreeland has Renoir and seven of the models from the restaurant balcony narrate how this famous painting came about while giving the reader a “picture” of Paris healing after the Franco-Prussian War. I love a story revealed by different characters in the plot; to me that takes a special writing skill to plan the unfolding of a story by different personalities.
The Obituary Writer
Ann Hood
FIC HOO
Obituary is not a “happy” word, so I was curious about the title, THE OBITUARY WRITER. Somehow, the author, Ann Hood, combines the lives of two women living in two different eras and two different parts of the country. Somehow, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 is going to dovetail with the JFK inauguration of 1961. Full disclosure: I actually read this novel right after I saw it on my cart; I loved it.
The Surprise
Sylvia Van Ommen
EASY OMN
Got grandkids/niece/nephew who like to have a story with pictures? Do you knit? If so, you must, must find THE SURPRISE in the children’s room, EASY book section. The front cover has a sheep riding a motor scooter. There are no words, so you can make this story as short/long as their attention span. Page through it first so you know the plot and the “surprise.” The fat sheep on a scale on page 1 should make you laugh aloud. Some pictures will be especially effective if your little listener has seen you knit.
The Hypnotist’s Love Story
Liane Moriarty
FIC MOR
Possibly my all-time favorite modern novel is THE HUSBAND’S SECRET by Australian author, Liane Moriarty. I actually bought the book for myself after reading a library copy because I enjoyed it so much. This week, while shelving, I came across another book by the same author, so without investigating anything but the publication date (2011), I checked it out and took it home. This one is called THE HYPNOTIST’S LOVE STORY and I’m looking forward to curling up to see what Liane has created this time.
