Really great books!

Precipice by Robert Harris

London 1914. A 26 year-old socialite has an affair with Prime Minister Asquith. Based on the true story of the PM who was obsessed with Venetia Stanley and shared classified information and documents with her. A jaw-dropping account of the arrogance, and ignorance of Asquith. A

Isola by Allegra Goodman

More historical fiction. This is a fantastic story of a girl taken from France by her guardian an a ship to New France ( Newfoundland,Nova Scotia region) and when she displeases him, he deposits her and her lover and maid on an uninhabited island to fend for themselves. Based on the true story, this is a wonderful read. A

Fagin the Thief by Alison Epstein

Immersive, atmospheric writing by Epstein in this backstory of Fagin, Bill,Nancy, the Artful Dodger, and Oliver Twist. Don't miss this and if you never read Marley by John Clinch, also a backstory of a Dickens character, I urge you to read it as well.A ( for both)

Heaven and Hell by Jon Kalman Stefansson

I have enjoyed all the Icelandic literature I have read. This is a standout, but will require the reader to acclimate to Stefansson's style. Do not fear! You will be rewarded! Hang in there until you catch on and enjoy this lovely, heartbreaking, ultimately affirming story of a young boy who loses his best friend as part of a fishing crew. Then his journey to return the boy's book leading him to a new place and community. First of a trilogy. A

Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

This is a contemplative, award winning read from Australia. Different, engaging, and immersive as a young woman leaves her job and family for a religious community. A

You Are Here by David Nicholls

After you read all of the above, you can inhale this funny, frothy book of a cute couple hiking across England. Snappy dialogue, quick read, just fun. A

Check these out too:

The Fireballer by Mark Stevens. Young player with 100 + mph pitches and his grappling with the dangers of speed. Great read for young sports fans.

Saint of the Narrows Street by William Boyle. Character driven crime story set in Brooklyn. Highly recommend.

Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade. The author is the writer and showrunner for Blue Bloods TV series so he knows his crime. This is the North Shore with Jeep Mullane as the local boy turned cop dealing with his wealthy lifelong friend's messy problems and secrets.

Dream State by Eric Puchner. Great reviews, already optioned for a movie. It was a "meh" for me. But you might like it. Apparently many others did!