Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. Because this was a Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club selection, I've happily read it twice! The premise of this 2023 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide selection is rooted in real life. In 2003, Anne Berest’s mother Lelia received an old postcard addressed to Berest’s deceased grandmother. The card is blank except for four names written in a shaky hand: Ephraim, Emma, Noemie, and Jaques. These names belong to her grandparents, aunt, and uncle, all of whom were murdered at Auschwitz. Anne was about to give birth so the postcard was put away and then forgotten. But when Anne remembers the postcard nearly two decades later, she becomes determined to find out who sent it and why. This sweeping French novel deals with history and memory, hope and grief, past and present French culture, and trauma. Translated from the French by Tina Kover. More info →

A surprising novel set at Windsor Castle that asks “What if Queen Elizabeth was actually a nonagenarian amateur sleuth?” The answer is it makes a great premise for a unique cozy series! When a guest at an exclusive “Dine and Sleep” event is found murdered in a compromising position, it is up to her Majesty and her Assistant Private Secretary to uncover the truth about his untimely demise. While this may sound quirky and silly, rest assured that the tone of The Windsor Knot is more regal, witty, and nuanced. Perfect for fans of The Crown, The Diplomat, and Rising Sun by Michael Crichton. The author notes on her website that this series does not need to be read in order, but “the first 3 are set chronologically in the spring, summer, and winter of 2016. The fourth takes place in 1957, when the young Queen was busy travelling the world.” More info →

From the publisher: "For its wealthy African American residents, the exclusive neighborhood of Linden Hills is a symbol of 'making it.' The ultimate achievement: a home on prestigious Tupelo Drive. Making your way downhill to Tupelo is irrefutable proof of your worth. But the farther down the hill you go, the emptier you become . . . Using the descent of Dante’s Inferno as a model, this bold, haunting novel follows two young men as they attempt to find work amid the circles of the well-off community. Exploring a microcosm of race and social class, author Gloria Naylor reveals the true cost of success for the lost souls of Linden Hills—an existence trapped in a nightmare of their own making." More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. The story begins in 1960s Maine, where an indigenous family has come from Nova Scotia to pick berries as they do every summer. But their lives are irrevocably changed when 4-year-old Ruthie disappears from the edge of the berry field; her 6-year-old brother Joe was the last one to see her, and he will carry guilt over his disappearance for the rest of his life. The story is narrated in turn by an adult Joe and a New England woman named Norma, whose childhood was marked by a chilly household atmosphere, strange recurring dreams, and a persistent sense of unbelonging. The reader will put together the pieces long before Norma does: it's impossible not to root for Norma and Joe as they strive to first understand, and then accept and find forgiveness for the devastations they endured in their youth. This novel is hard in many ways (take note of the obvious content warnings and others that are less obvious but real), and yet it's also a moving and gentle exploration of family, identity, grief, and healing. More info →

The first in a fantasy series set in an alternate Egypt in 1912, this a short novella that can be read as a standalone in an afternoon. When Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi is sent to investigate a suspicious death from suicide by Cairo’s Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, she is quickly pulled into a much larger sinister plot. Whispersync narration available in the atmospheric audiobook narrated by Suehyla El-Attar. More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. Olga Dies Dreaming author González returns with a fiery, campus-y novel set in the worlds of academia and fine art. In 1985, artist Anita de Monte falls to her death during a nasty fight with her husband, the prominent artist Jack Martin, whose fragile ego is threatened by Anita’s burgeoning success. Jack calls it an accident and carries on like nothing happened, but Anita is determined to make him pay. Flash forward to 1998, when Brown art student Raquel is preparing to launch her senior thesis on Martin, but gets sidetracked when she learns of Anita’s forgotten art—and suspicious death. Raquel admires the work and feels a kinship with its creator, another outsider in the art world. Raquel may hang with the white and rich Art History Girls, but as a first generation Puerto Rican college student, she can’t—and doesn’t want to—be mistaken for one. Plus the ways her own aspiring artist boyfriend’s actions resemble Jack’s are deeply unsettling. Smart and sophisticated (and more than a little sweary), this scintillating sophomore effort was everything I hoped for and more. Bianca Bosker’s nonfiction work Get the Picture would make a fascinating flight pick. More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. From the publisher: "In the fields of western New York State in the 1970s, a few dozen idealists set out to live off the land, founding a commune centered on the grounds of a decaying mansion called Arcadia House. Arcadia follows this romantic utopian dream from its hopeful start through its heyday. Arcadia's inhabitants include Handy, the charismatic leader; his wife, Astrid, a midwife; Abe, a master carpenter; Hannah, a baker and historian; and Abe and Hannah's only child, Bit. While Arcadia rises and falls, Bit, too, ages and changes. He falls in love with Helle, Handy's lovely, troubled daughter. And eventually he must face the world beyond Arcadia." Entertainment Weekly calls this "a moving look at the value of human connection in a scary, chaotic world." More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. This was recommended by several readers whose taste I trust; it's a family saga that plays out against the backdrop of the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Pearce family business is oyster farming: they've made for living for decades bringing their in-demand product to market. But when the explosion occurs, it brings their long-simmering personal crises to a boiling point, and creates chaos and despair in the broader community. While I was interested in matriarch May and her two grown sons, this story really shone for its detailed portrayal of the oil spill from the perspective of coastal Louisianans and its impact on the local communities. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Xavier Casals. More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. Follow Janie Crawford as she experiences love and loss over the course of her life in 1920s Florida. Known as Hurston's best work, this story about expectations, marriage, and unexpected love is richly atmospheric. A classic for a reason, with a main character you'll never forget. In fact, echoes of Janie Crawford can be seen in contemporary literature, like Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward. More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. Wilson deftly combines the heavy and the light in this found family story of four scattered half-siblings who meet for the first time and pile into an old PT Cruiser to go find the father who abandoned them long ago. Wilson’s stories often feel larger than life, yet the emotional heart feels real and relatable. Quirky, warm, and bighearted, with a multigenerational cast and road trip hijinks galore. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s no spoiler to say I found this coast-to-coast adventure to be an utter delight. A 2025 MMD Minimalist Summer Reading Guide pick. More info →

I love Julie Cantrell's work. I get a lot of requests for inspirational, feel-good fiction. If that's what you're after, I highly recommend Julie Cantrell. From the publisher: "In a few hours, Millie will say 'I do' to Bump Anderson, a man who loves her through and through. But would he love her if he knew the secret she keeps? She decides to bury the truth and begin again, helping Bump launch a ranch in the wilds of Colorado. But the facts surface in the most challenging way. That's when Millie’s grandmother, Oka, arrives to help. Relying on her age-old Choctaw traditions, Oka teaches Millie the power of second chances. Together, Bump, Millie, and Oka fight against all odds to create a sustainable ranch, all while learning that the important lessons of their pasts can be used to build a beautiful future." More info →

Brigid says: The best way to describe this endearing sci-fi/ horror is Dracula, Frankenstein, and more in space! Delightfully filled with callbacks and Easter eggs inspired by classic monsters, I quickly fell in love with the found family of both human and non-human crew and passengers. There is the ship’s main AI, Demeter, who awakes after deep space travel to a ship full of dead passengers and a monster on board. Stewart, the snarky med bot, who is just trying to keep a tidy medical bay. And my favorite character I've met in recent years, the extremely charming and hilarious “Steve” who may not be there for the right reasons. With a full cast narration, the audiobook is fabulously immersive but heads up: there are binary code sequences read out loud at the beginning of chapters that can be easily sped up if they become tiresome. Unique, fun, and a tad bit gross, this is the type of entertaining read that I just want to push into readers' hands or earbuds! More info →

From the 2017 Summer Reading Guide, a twisty novel from Clare Mackintosh. While reading the paper on the Tube, Londoner Zoe Walker spies her own photo in a personal ad for a dodgy website called FindtheOne.com. It's grainy, but it's definitely her. Startled, she begins to investigate—and discovers that women whose photos have previously appeared in these ads have been victims in a series of increasingly violent crimes. Someone is watching her, but who, and why? More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. The story opens with a phone call: authorities from her Burgundy hometown stun Agnès when they announce her aunt Colette, her tata, has died. Agnès is bewildered: her tata died three years ago; Agnès planned the funeral herself. Wondering who is actually in her tata’s grave, Agnès quickly turns amateur investigator, interrogating friends from her youth, her tata’s social circle, and her own family history for answers. Her quest changes course when she finds dozens of cassette tapes holding the oral diary Colette recorded for Agnès. Elements of danger and suspense add richness to this stirring family saga, brimming with secrets and musings about the role of art in our lives. More info →

Bought it! I picked this up because the reviews are great and it was a pick for the Reese Witherspoon's book club, and I really like her picks about half the time. I read this quickly—it's definitely a page-turner—and appreciated the three different points of view. If you enjoy the domestic noir genre, this is a solid pick, especially if you enjoyed The Wife Between Us. The Skimm says this is "The Talented Mr. Ripley with XX chromosomes." More info →

From the publisher: "Colm Tóibín is a master of the short story, able to summon an extraordinary intensity of emotion in a brief tale. Set in Spain, Ireland, and America, these gorgeous stories explore longing, estrangement from family, grief, the pull of the past, and complex, transcendent love." More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. Helen Hoang's heartfelt series opens with an unputdownable story about an autistic mathematician and a Vietnamese-Swedish escort who fall in love while navigating complicated family situations and miscommunications. Stella excels at work, where her math prowess allows her to create incredible predictive algorithms. But predicting human behavior outside of the office proves more difficult. Stella wants a romantic relationship but feels she needs practice to hone her dating skills. Enter Michael, a professional escort who accepts Stella's terms to train her in dating and intimacy. Both characters are endlessly endearing, and I kept rooting for them as they fell for each other and learned about themselves along the way. This book is steamy and the rest of the series includes open door scenes as well. More info →

From the publisher: "Summer, 2021. Nell has come home at her family's insistence to celebrate an anniversary. Fifty years ago, her father wrote The Golden Bones. Part picture book, part treasure hunt, Sir Frank Churcher created a fairy story about Elinore, a murdered woman whose skeleton was scattered all over England. Clues and puzzles in the pages of The Golden Bones led readers to seven sites where jewels were buried: one by one, the tiny golden bones were dug up until only Elinore's pelvis remained hidden. The book was a sensation. A community of treasure hunters called the Bonehunters formed, in frenzied competition, obsessed to a dangerous, murderous degree. The book made Frank a rich man. Stalked by fans who could not tell fantasy from reality, his daughter, Nell, became a recluse. But now the Churchers must be reunited. The book is being reissued along with a new treasure hunt and a documentary crew are charting everything that follows. Nell is appalled, and terrified. During the filming, Frank finally reveals the whereabouts of the missing golden bone. And then all hell breaks loose." Whispersync narration available. More info →

Despite knowing how the story ended, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how it all happened and who would be affected. Carreyrou covers the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes’ multi-billion dollar startup, Theranos, with thriller-like investigative journalism. Backed by impressive investors and promising faster and easier blood tests, Holmes and her associates seemed poised to take over the healthcare world. As Holmes becomes Silicon Valley’s rising star, her employees grow more and more concerned with their tense workplace environment and faulty technology. When Carreyrou steps in to investigate, the cover-ups, threats, and lies continue. A completely engrossing read. More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. Featured as favorites in What Should I Read Next episodes 163 and 188. Kimmerer combines her training as a botanist with her perspective as a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, showing readers how each plant, animal, and ecosystem provides us with lessons and gifts. Combining folklore, stories, and scientific studies, Kimmerer urges us to pay attention, be grateful, and take responsibility for our natural world. More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. My exact words to my husband Will: This book is WILD. Similar to his last book That Kind of Mother, this new novel features two families whose lives suddenly become intertwined. Amanda and Clay splurge and rent a house on Long Island for a getaway; they couldn’t be happier to spend time with their teen son and daughter away from the city. But late one night, a knock on the door interrupts their pleasant getaway. Ruth and G.H., an older Black couple, own the Long Island house, and beg their short-term tenants to let them crash in the basement. There’s a blackout in the city—not the first they’ve experienced, but this one feels more threatening, somehow—and they’ve come to seek shelter at the safest place they can think of: their second home. Each couple grapples with whether or not to trust the other, while questioning what is happening in the city, whether they are safe here, and what to do next. Psst—they’re not safe, and no one knows what to do. I’d give this an eight-line edit if I could. More info →

Libro.fm is running a BOGO sale on this week. They're my go-to for audiobooks these days; read more about Libro.fm here. The New York Times Book Review calls this a "sneakily breezy, highly entertaining novel leaves the reader rethinking familiar narratives of colonization, inheritance and liberation." From the publisher: "Anna is at a stage of her life when she's beginning to wonder who she really is. Searching through her mother's belongings one day, Anna finds clues about the African father she never knew. His student diaries chronicle his involvement in radical politics in 1970s London. Anna discovers that he eventually became the president—some would say dictator—of a small nation in West Africa. And he is still alive... When Anna decides to track her father down, a journey begins that is disarmingly moving, funny, and fascinating. Like the metaphorical bird that gives the novel its name, Sankofa expresses the importance of reaching back to knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present to address universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for a family's hidden roots." More info →