Recommended Reads

November 2024

The Unabridged Edgar Allan Poe

If you’re just not ready for Halloween to be over and still want to enjoy a few more ghoulish tales as the days grow darker, you can’t do better than Edgar Allan Poe. Poe’s name instantly brings up images of mentally unbalanced murderers, dank burial vaults, creepy talking birds, and ghostly women haunting decrepit castles. (And many readers may not realize that Poe wrote more than horror stories…He is also credited with writing the world’s first modern detective fiction!) This book includes all his major works, encompassing both poetry and short stories, horror and whodunnits. You’ll find classics like “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee,” “The Masque of the Red Death,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” and “The Cask of Amontillado,” alongside lesser-known works that deserve more recognition, such as the eerie love story “Ligeia” (which Poe considered his greatest work) and his wistful reflection on the evanescence of all life’s joys, “The Island of the Fay.” If you’d like to sample Poe’s riveting mystery and detective stories, try “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Mystery of Marie Roget,” or “The Purloined Letter.” Poe excelled at creating vivid, terrifying scenery and drawing us into the disturbed minds of his characters, who are typically at or over the edge of madness. Long, chilly winter nights are a perfect time to lose yourself in the uncanny and captivating world of Edgar Allan Poe!

In An Instant by Suzanne Redfearn

In An Instant is a brilliant work of fiction that delves into profound themes and doesn’t disappoint. The story revolves around a life-changing accident that impacts everyone involved. Finn, the narrator, shares not only her own experiences but also those of her family and friends. On a cold, snowy night, much like those we experience here in Michigan, the characters find themselves in a dire situation. After a devastating accident, they are trapped in their vehicle for two days before help arrives. Not everyone survives, and those who do are forever changed, both mentally and emotionally. This book will have you pondering deep questions: What heals faster, the brain or a broken bone? What would you do in such a situation? Would you prioritize family over friends? Are you prepared for such an event on a Michigan road in the dead of winter? Who in the story do you relate to the most, and why? If you enjoy thought-provoking books that explore mental health, family dynamics, and existential questions, In An Instant is for you. It’s a perfect read for the upcoming winter months in Michigan. This book might not only entertain you but also provoke deep thoughts and potentially save a life. Do you believe a book can have that kind of power? Read In An Instant and find out!

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah’s newest book is one you will not want to miss, even if you aren’t usually a reader of historical fiction. Hannah’s magical writing immediately pulls you into her stories and makes you care about each of her characters. The Women tells the story of Frankie McGrath, who has recently graduated from nursing school and decides to leave her sheltered home in California, despite her parents’ protests, and become an Army combat nurse in the Vietnam War. Frankie is soon overwhelmed by the horrors and dangers of war, and she needs to draw on inner reserves of courage and determination that she never imagined she possessed. Over the course of the novel, the reader follows the emotional roller-coaster of Frankie’s intense war-time experiences, watching her transform from a naïve young woman into a genuine heroine. The book is carefully researched and chilling in its portrayal of the trauma experienced by combat nurses and doctors, as well as the heartbreak many faced on returning home, not to gratitude for their sacrifices, but to a nation angry and divided over an unpopular war. This book will bring back many memories for older readers, while helping younger readers understand one of the most pivotal periods in our country’s history. It also reminds us that women were key players in that history, whose acts of courage should not be forgotten.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

If you enjoy iconic movies like The Breakfast Club and have a penchant for thrilling mysteries, then you should definitely check out One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus. This gripping novel starts with a familiar scene reminiscent of The Breakfast Club: a diverse group of students find themselves in detention together. However, unlike the classic movie, this story takes a dark turn. During detention, one of the students, Simon, dies under mysterious circumstances. Simon was notorious for uncovering and broadcasting his classmates’ secrets through a secret text-messaging program, earning him many enemies. Each student in detention that day has a motive to want Simon dead, as they all harbor secrets that could ruin their lives if exposed. As the investigation unfolds, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, trying to piece together the clues. Was Simon’s death a calculated murder by one of the students, or was it a setup to frame them? Or perhaps the real target was someone else entirely? One of Us Is Lying will keep you guessing until the very end, revealing shocking truths and hidden motives. Can you figure out who took it a step further and killed Simon right under everyone’s noses? Check out this thrilling mystery and see if you can solve the puzzle before the final reveal. Happy reading!