Books matching: community and isolation
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- #1
Save:'Olive, Again' is a sequel to 'Olive Kitteridge' by Elizabeth Strout, focusing on the life of Olive Kitteridge in the small town of Crosby, Maine. The book is structured as a collection of interconnected short stories, exploring Olive's experiences as she navigates aging, relationships, and self-awareness. The writing style is described as capturing small town life in Maine with endearing and haunting details, portraying Olive as a complex and prickly character who evolves through various life stages.
In the early afternoon on a Saturday in June, Jack Kennison put on his sunglasses, got into his sports car with the top down, strapped the seatbelt over his shoulder and across his large stomach, and ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Olive Kitteridge ) - #2
Save:In a small village by the North Sea, Florence Green, a widow, courageously decides to open a bookshop despite facing numerous obstacles from the locals. The story beautifully captures the humor, drama, and trials faced by Florence as she befriends some town characters while alienating others. Penelope Fitzgerald's brilliant writing style paints a vivid picture of a small town in 1959, filled with poignant moments and quirky characters.
Florence Green's journey to open a bookshop in a small English village unfolds with a mix of comedy, tragedy, and pathos. The novella showcases the clash between Florence's determination and the resistance she faces from the establishment and the community. Fitzgerald expertly weaves together themes of small-town dynamics, courage, and the challenges of pursuing dreams in a close-knit community, making it a poignant and engaging read.
IN 1959 Florence Green occasionally passed a night when she was not absolutely sure whether she had slept or not. This was because of her worries as to whether to purchase a small property, the Old Ho... - #3
Save:'Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief' follows the story of Sammy Keyes, a seventh-grader living with her grandmother while her mother pursues a career in Hollywood. Sammy's keen observation skills lead her to witness a robbery at a nearby hotel, making her inadvertently involved in solving the crime. Despite facing challenges and being misunderstood by the police, Sammy takes it upon herself to unravel the mystery and clear her name. The plot unfolds with suspenseful elements, showcasing Sammy's determination and courage in navigating through the complexities of school, family, and friendship. The writing style captures the essence of a middle school mystery, engaging readers with relatable characters and unexpected twists.
It’s not like I was trying to get into trouble. And it’s not like it was my fault I was stuck inside the apartment. If it was anybody’s fault it was Mrs. Graybill’s. Mrs. Graybill lives down the hall ... - #4
Save:Reclusive Sally Diamond causes outrage by trying to incinerate her dead father. Now she's the center of attention, not only from the hungry media and police detectives, but also a sinister voice from a past she does not remember. As she begins to discover the horrors of her early childhood, Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, big decisions, and learning that people don't always mean what they say. But who is the man observing Sally from the other side of the world, and why does he call her Mary? Sally's trust issues are about to be severely challenged in this inventive, addictive, and bold thriller. The story gets quite dark as we understand more about what happened to her when she was a child and her mother, flicking between Sally and Peter to show how their past has affected their present. From the very beginning of Strange Sally Diamond, readers are captivated with her story, thoughts of her early life, and her fear of someone watching and hoping to take her away, flowing through the pages.
- #5In the Bleak MidwinterBook 1 in the series:The Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries
Save:"In the Bleak Midwinter" by Julia Spencer-Fleming is a mystery novel set in a small town in upper New York State. The story follows Clare Fergusson, a new Episcopalian priest in Miller's Kill, who discovers an abandoned newborn infant on the steps of her church. Teaming up with the Chief of Police, Russ Van Alstyne, they delve into the darker aspects of the town, uncovering murder, family dysfunction, and a web of secrets. The plot unfolds amidst a cold winter backdrop, intertwining themes of love, faith, and the complexities of human relationships.
The narrative is praised for its well-written mystery, engaging characters, and the unique dynamic between Clare, the strong-willed priest with a military background, and Russ, the cynical police chief navigating their investigation. incorporates elements of suspense, small-town charm, and intriguing plot twists, keeping readers captivated as Clare and Russ work together to solve the mysteries that unfold in the town.
It was one hell of a night to throw away a baby. The cold pinched at Russ Van Alstyne’s nose and made him jam his hands deep into his coat pockets, grateful that the Washington County Hospital had a p... - #6
Save:'John Crow's Devil' by Marlon James is a novel set in a Jamaican village in the late 1950s, where two reverends engage in a battle for the soul of the community. The book delves into themes of religion, magic, good vs. evil, and redemption, all played out in a visceral and intense narrative. The writing style incorporates Jamaican dialect, vernacular, and spoken word prose, creating a unique and immersive reading experience that may be challenging for some readers but ultimately captivating for those who appreciate the poetic and dark storytelling.
- #7
Save:Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon is a slow-burning gothic horror story set in the rural village of Cornwall Coombe, where ancient fertility cult rituals and sinister traditions lurk beneath the surface. The novel follows the Constantine family's move to the village, where they encounter eerie superstitions and unsettling mysteries surrounding the corn crop and the secretive Harvest Home ceremony. As the family delves deeper into the village's traditions, they uncover dark secrets that challenge their perceptions of the idyllic small town life they initially sought.
I awakened that morning to birdsong. It was only the little yellow bird who lives in the locust tree outside our bedroom window, but I could have wrung his neck, for it was not yet six and I had a han... - #8
Save:In In Ascension, the reader follows Leigh, a female scientist who is a marine biologist dealing with childhood trauma and a dysfunctional family. The novel delves into her journey through various quests, exploring the depths of the ocean biome and the heights of space travel. As Leigh navigates her career and personal struggles, she becomes intertwined in a project responding to a message from beyond the stars, all while tackling questions of isolation, communication, and the mysteries of life itself. The book seamlessly weaves together elements of space opera, deep-sea exploration, and introspective character development, creating a narrative that is reflective, thought-provoking, and filled with suspense.
- #9
Save:'Year of Wonders' by Geraldine Brooks is a historical fiction novel set in a small English village during the outbreak of the plague in 1665 and onwards. The story follows Anna Frith, a young widow, as she witnesses the devastating effects of the plague on her village, the struggles of survival, and the resilience of the human spirit. The book weaves together true historical events with fictional elements, offering a gripping narrative that delves into themes of survival, loss, faith, and community. Readers praised the author's meticulous research, captivating storytelling, and vivid descriptions that bring the 17th-century setting to life.
I USED TO LOVE this season. The wood stacked by the door, the tang of its sap still speaking of forest. The hay made, all golden in the low afternoon light. The rumble of the apples tumbling into the ... - #10
Save:'The Auctioneer' by Joan Samson is a chilling tale set in a small rural town, where a mysterious outsider, Perly Dunsmore, arrives and starts holding auctions that gradually take a sinister turn. The story delves into themes of greed, corruption, and the invasion of the idyllic countryside by malevolent forces. Through a slow burn plot and well-realized characterizations, the book explores the tensions between rural and urban America, portraying the struggles of the townspeople against the manipulative auctioneer who threatens to strip them of everything they hold dear.
The fire rose in a perfect cone as if suspended by the wisp of smoke that ascended in a straight line to the high spring sky. Mim and John dragged whole dry saplings from the brush pile by the stone w...
