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Now and Again
by Charlotte Rogan
Questions of morality underpin Now and Again by Charlotte Rogan. When Maggie Rayburn, a secretary at a munitions plant, takes a classified document from her boss’s desk, it sets her on a path of investigation. Her community is beset with birth defects and health problems that may be traced back to the plant, and she must decide what to do with the information she learns. Meanwhile, an Army captain in Iraq is troubled by an assignment that went wrong and a subsequent cover up. These two stories converge as the protagonists grapple with issues of whistle blowing and trying to do the right thing. The novel’s structure comes from short sections narrated by a large cast of characters—Maggie’s family, friends, and fellow townspeople, and various soldiers and officers—each of whom provide facets that together become a sparkling jewel of a novel. This is a thought-provoking story that appeals to a wide variety of readers.
—Shannan Starnes Rosa, MSLS, Collection Development Librarian
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Smoke
by Dan Vyleta
Dan Vyleta is the author of the novels Pavel & I, The Quiet Twin, and The Crooked Maid. His latest work Smoke is a literary mystery set in a version of Victorian England where sins and anger are visible as plumes of smoke surrounding the offender. Two boys at an elite Oxford boarding school become friends despite their disparate backgrounds. The friends share Christmas holiday together at one of their family’s estates. There they find the patriarch, psychologically and physically damaged, ruined by smoke. His wife is devoted and determined to use her intelligence and connections to heal him. When their schoolmate nemesis arrives during the holiday more secrets are revealed. The boys soon find themselves, along with a mutual female love interest, on a quest to solve the mystery of smoke.
—Linda Arrington, Reviewer |
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Before the Fall
by Noah Hawley
Noah Hawley’s Before the Fall will captivate readers from the first page. The story begins when a private plane crashes, leaving only two survivors, Scott Burroughs, a struggling artist, and JJ, who is now the four-year-old heir to a media fortune. Scenes from the aftermath of the tragedy alternate with the privileged victims’ back stories to show the reader who the victims really were and what led to the crash. Answers only seem to generate more questions in this page-turning thriller. Hawley is the creator of the Golden Globe and Emmy-winning TV series Fargo, so it is no surprise that his writing feels made for the screen. This gripping novel will be at the top of readers’ lists this summer.
—Beth Reinker, MSLS, Collection Development Librarian
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The Assistants
by Camille Perri
They believed it when they were told “Get a good education, work hard, and you’ll be fine.” But it’s not true; they aren’t fine. They’re 30 years old in low level positions making peanuts and drowning in student debt. Tina is living this millennial nightmare. She’s the executive assistant to the most powerful man in journalism, but she can’t pay her gas bill. Through a misunderstanding of personal expenses and complimentary airline tickets, Tina ends up with a reimbursement check that will cover her outstanding balance on her student loan. Her conscience tells her to rip it up, but then she thinks about all the things that her boss buys in a single day. He won’t miss this money. So she pulls the trigger. But of course somebody notices. Good thing the person who notices is also an assistant with student loans and a grudge. Soon enough, Tina’s choice explodes into a syndicate that could land them all in prison. The Assistants is a tale of a modern day Robin Hood that will appeal to the 99%. Camille Perri is truthful and snarky and her debut novel is highly recommended for all public libraries.
—Rachel Rich, MLS, Collection Development Librarian
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Pasta Wars
by Elisa Lorello
Katie Cravens seems to have it all together. Her career as a diet maven and CEO of Pasta Pronto, a company specializing in low calorie frozen pasta meals is right on track, and she’s in a great relationship. That all falls apart when she comes home to find her fiancé cheating and faces a costly product recall only days later. Katie is determined to rebuild her business, so she can’t pass up the chance to partner with the Caramelli family and their respected brand. There’s just one problem—Chef Luca Caramelli wants nothing to do with the deal. Katie flies to Italy to convince him that the partnership will benefit both brands. Luca stipulates that Katie must learn to cook before he will sign the agreement. Sparks fly between the two. Their rivalry goes public, and Katie finds herself preparing to participate in a televised cooking competition against Luca. Pasta Wars is a quick read. Katie and Luca’s banter keeps readers turning the pages, making this a novel that chick lit readers won’t want to miss. Recommended.
—Beth Reinker, MSLS, Collection Development Librarian
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From Mom to Me Again: How I Survived My First Empty-Nest Year and Reinvented the Rest of My Life
by Melissa T. Schultz
The empty nest is something that most parents dread. As children graduate and move on, this time can be very confusing and filled with sorrow, for mothers especially. Schultz has first-hand experience with this as she has navigated it with her own sons. She covers the years leading up to letting go, dealing with the sorrow when they are gone, how to regroup, and how to find a new purpose in life. She expertly balances acknowledging the pain and loss involved with cultivating a new sense of purpose and identity. This short book is an easy read (with a tissue box at hand) and offers practical advice for each step of the way. Also included is a resources section with links to organizations and information that can help. Schultz’s warmth and humor really make this a must for those faced with an empty nest. Recommended for all public libraries.
—Holly Hebert, MLIS, Collection Development Librarian
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Calendar Girl: Volume One
by Audrey Carlan
Mia Saunders needs money desperately to pay off her father’s loan shark. Good thing her aunt runs an escort service that caters to wealthy clientele. Mia will spend one month with each of her clients, and although intimacy is not part of the contract, it’s an option that Mia can take for a bonus. That’s not too difficult a chore when your clients look as good as Mia’s do. There’s something for everyone in this four volume series, and Volume One starts off Mia’s year with a bang in Los Angeles. She then moves north to Seattle to be an artist’s muse. March’s client is a bit of a curveball, but Mia still manages to have plenty of fun. The series continues on with Mia experiencing personal and professional highs and lows, but an interesting story line keeps each of the pieces together. Carlan’s Calendar Girl series is great for readers of erotica who enjoy fun and lighthearted encounters with none of the darker elements.
—Rachel Rich, MLS, Collection Development Librarian
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