Olive Days

Rina Kirsch, a 31-year-old mother of two from Los Angeles, grapples with the expectations of her tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community, including her husband and parents. Though she has always adhered to Jewish tradition unquestioningly, life feels increasingly challenging. At her husband's urging, they delve into a night of sexual seduction to revive their marriage, an experience that leaves Rina questioning everything. Feeling unhinged, she later embarks on a risky affair with Will, her non-Jewish painting teacher, which brings both joy and deep anxiety about her identity as a Jewish mother and wife. The novel delves passionately into these themes, prompting profound reflections on women's roles in religious homes. While the book adeptly explains Jewish customs, its characters, though complex, remain somewhat distant and hard to connect with. Despite this, if the theme intrigues you, it's worth exploring for its poetic exploration of these complicated dilemmas. ⭐⭐⭐

The Queens of Crime

In 1930s London, mystery novels were widely enjoyed but not taken very seriously in literary circles. Determined to change this perception, a group of authors formed a club to support one another and prove their genre’s worth. Among them were Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie, the only two female members at the time. To bring more women into their ranks, they embark on an ambitious challenge—not just writing mysteries but solving one. When the body of an English nurse, May Daniels, is found months after her disappearance, the police seem more interested in closing the case than seeking justice, painting May as a problem rather than a victim. Unwilling to accept this, the "Queens of Crime" launch their own investigation, using the same locked-room theories and deductive skills that made their novels famous. Inspired by the real-life Dorothy Sayers, this gripping work of historical fiction weaves together a tale of mystery, friendship, and the relentless fight for women’s independence. A true page-turner, it brings to life the ingenuity and determination of the pioneering women who reshaped the crime fiction genre. I have loved every single book by Marie Benedict, always entertaining and educational, and this latest release is a must!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Counting Backwards

Working tirelessly as a young attorney at a prestigious New York law firm, Jessa has one goal: to make partner. But as it becomes increasingly clear that this dream is slipping away, she is drawn into an unexpected case—one that won’t bring the billable hours her firm so highly values. Instead, it’s a pro bono case for Isobel, a woman detained at a nearby ICE facility. As Jessa delves deeper, Isobel confides in her about troubling medical issues she and other detainees have experienced at the women’s clinic. As the pieces of a disturbing puzzle fall into place, Jessa’s world is further shaken by a long-held family secret revealed by her beloved grandmother. Suddenly, turning her back on these women is no longer an option. For the first time, Jessa also finds herself at odds with her husband, Vance—once her steadfast supporter—who now prioritizes money and reputation over doing what’s right. Caught between career, family, and conscience, Jessa is determined to help these vulnerable women expose the shocking eugenics practices being forced upon them under the guise of medical care. With everything at stake, Jessa must summon the courage to stand up and speak out for those who have been silenced. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

What Happened to the McCrays?

Kyle McCray is back in Potsdam, NY. After two and a half lonely years wandering Kyle is notified that his dad had a stroke. Despite barely making it through their chilly past, he dutifully returns home to help him recuperate. When Kyle left town at the behest of his ex-wife Casey he disappointed a lot of people. After experiencing an unimaginable tragedy there was no choice but to disappear, the pain between he and Casey - his high school sweetheart and love of his life - was simply too much. Kyle is surprised to find open arms welcoming him back; from his hockey coach and former employees to old time neighbors that watched him leave. Everyone, except Casey. Always the diplomat, she is polite to a fault but an unflinching wall remains in place, blocking any emotions they shared over the years. When Kyle has an opportunity to save the beloved middle school hockey team, he extends his stay and falls comfortably back into old routines and the spirit of teamwork that once made him a local superstar. With its raw emotion, compelling characters, and an underdog spirit that shines both on and off the ice, this novel isn’t just about hockey—it’s about love, loss, and the ties that pull us home. A truly unforgettable read that will leave your heart both aching and full. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Isola

Marguerite de la Rocque  is orphaned at a young age. In the sixteenth century as a child of nobility she is placed under the guardianship of a distant cousin named Jean-Francoise Roberval. He is an explorer with favor from the King. Roberval has an explosive manipulative personality and for many years Marguerite remains in her parents estate under the care of Damienne, her nurse and mother figure since birth. Roberval mostly ignores Marguerite’s existence but as he eventually spends her entire inheritance she is no longer marriageable and under complete isolation Marguerite is left with no alternative options other than to accompany him and his crew on a ship searching for New France (later Canada). In this male dominated world Marguerite discovers her own extraordinary strength and faith, never giving up hope for independence. Falling in love, marooned on an island, I never expected an historical novel set in 1546 to be such a page turner! Incredible story of a real-life heroine who fought for her own survival, reminding us that strong women have always broken down barriers in the face of inequality. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Strange Case of Jane O.

Jane is a young, single mother. She works at the New York Public Library, lives in Brooklyn and mostly keeps to herself. One day she is found in the park, lying in the grass and has no memory of the 25 hours that have just passed. Frantic with worry about her one year old son, she quickly learns that his daycare attendant kept him overnight and he is fine. The police investigate to assure Jane there was no outside involvement and she quickly contacts the only psychiatrist she knows, one she saw very briefly at 17 years old. When Jane begins to meet with Dr. Byrd she also reveals a recent hallucination that she experienced, that, along with this lapse in memory is simply terrifying. Especially for someone like Jane, who has a life long condition known as hyperthymesia. She can recall an abnormally large number of life experiences in vivid detail. Narrated by both Dr. Byrd and Jane we learn first hand how this patient, kind psychiatrist desperately wants to help this woman who may or may not be telling the whole truth. Dr. Byrd diagnoses Jane with another rare disorder called dissociative fugue, a sort of reversible amnesia.  Although the novel moves slowly, this incredibly original storyline is interesting and extremely well written. Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jeddah Bride

In the mid 1970’s Patricia was about to start college. She was counting the minutes to freedom and independence away from her parent’s Long Island home. Attending Wellesley Patricia jumped right into the Boston disco scene, wearing outrageous outfits, drinking and dancing the night away. One evening she meets Rahman Abbar. He is a few years older and a student at BU. Born into a wealthy Saudi family, Rahman dazzled all the girls with his good looks and endless charm. He was the life of the party and comfortably picked up the check at the end of each night. A whirlwind romance ensues, and the young couple eventually introduce each other to their families. Even though they are quickly forced to overcome rather large obstacles, Patricia refuses to give up. Once she commits to marrying Rahman, there was no turning back. Converting to Muslim and experiencing life in Jeddah was her first introduction to the reality of being Rahman’s wife. Patricia realizes she will never escape suspicion as a foreigner and cannot even leave the home unescorted. All her studying and degrees mean nothing in Saudi. The couple continue to live around the world, no expense too great for their entertainment and comfort. But eventually Rahman becomes increasingly indifferent and with two young children in tow, Patricia finds herself trapped. This memoir may sound like fiction and read like a novel but this is Patricia’s story - and it is both shocking and fascinating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bluebird Day

Wylie hasn’t spoken to the GOAT in two years. Her mother, Claudine Potts is a world champion Olympic alpine skier. Claudine’s father Kipper, was also a champion Olympic skier and from the time she learned to walk Wylie was expected to be one as well. When Wylie finally succumbed to debilitating panic attacks she disappeared from the skiing world. Studying art and working in a quiet museum in the Berkshires is a peaceful, safe existence for a girl that could not breathe in the spotlight. Her boyfriend Dan, who is also her personal trainer, controls every meal, workout and sleep pattern of her daily life. It has become so easy to be told what to do rather than make her own difficult decisions. Dan has entered them into a duo fitness competition in Berlin. What began as a quest for prize money becomes a mission to prove to her overambitious mom that she too can be a winner. When Dan unexpectedly cannot compete Wylie shockingly turns to her mom to be her partner. They set off on an adventure that becomes a trip down memory lane and an opportunity to reconnect with and examine how her downhill skiing career crashed much more than just Olympic dreams. This quirky cast of characters stranded in the snowy mountains is filled with friendship, romance and a mother and daughter that are more alike than they think. ⭐⭐⭐

Where the Heart Should Be

 

The Great Famine, The Great Hunger, The Irish Potato Famine. In 1845, Ireland experienced mass starvation and disease that lasted for seven years. Nell is sixteen and begins working as a scullery maid in the kitchen of The Big House owned by English Lord Wicken. She has strict instructions to never leave the kitchen, to be seen and not heard. Nell is smart, was the top of her class, but as a daughter of a poor farming family there was never an option to be more than a servant. When her father’s crops fail, her paltry earnings are all the family has to live on. Nell meets Johnny and she cannot take her eyes off of him. He is Wickens nephew and future heir. Narrated by this kind and beautiful girl, we witness families losing their homes, losing their children and all hope for the future. While Nell works in the landlord’s home she witnesses how the English respond to this catastrophe, how even their beloved church was helpless to offer assistance. In the most unconventional and original prose I have ever read, this YA historical novel is told in verse. A lyrical journey describing one of the darkest times in history through the eyes of a young girl who is heartbreakingly losing everything at the same time she is also falling in love. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It is hard to describe

reading narrative verse

     If you have never tried

You will be mesmerized

  by words

   by poetry

and will not stop reading

Until the very last page.