This smart novel, set in 1982 the middle of a recession, finds three college graduates struggling with their future plans. Madeline, lost in the world of Jane Austen, is in a dead-end relationship with manic-depressive Leonard. Mitchell is touring through Europe, constantly pining for Madeline, and caring for the dying in Calcutta, eventfully returning to the states to further complicate Madeline’s life. -Diana

I loved this! -Diana

A bit Fitzgerald, James, and Wharton, this debut novel is set in the1930s New York City/Greenwich Village social scene, featuring two young career women (one of whom is the most fascinating fictional characters I’ve encountered in ages) who meet a handsome and successful man in a basement jazz club. Smart and sophisticated. -Robin

A self-described homebody, de los Santos has lifted experiences from her own life, the Philippines, to add color to her characters’ quests in this third novel. A text message calls together three estranged college friends to a reunion, an unwelcome surprise and a mystery search for answers to the past and what the future holds. Wit and vivid writing make this book worth reading. -Sherry

Pilot Chip Lipton is haunted, literally, by passengers who died while attempting to land his injured 70-seat jet into Lake Champlain. Suffering PTS his wife decides to buy an old peaceful Victorian home in New Hampshire, where they are befriended by an odd group of herbalists who manipulate themselves into the Lipton’s lives. The question is, why? -Diana

Barry’s opening lines allude to the compassionate stories to follow of 89 year old Lilly’s life in and flight from Ireland to the United States, Canaan’s Side. She narrates in beautiful prose about love and war, forgiveness and fear, country and home, loss, old age and death over the course of 17 days after her grandson’s death. The quality of writing is exquisite, a book to be read slowly and savored. -Sherry