Unlike Isola with its mysterious Italian title, How to Survive a Bear Attack has its main thesis right up front. This niche little Canadian book totally won me over, despite not being interested in either bears or living an outdoorsy life.
MAD MABEL
As a novel, Mad Mabel satisfies in a completely original way. Told from Mabel’s 81-year-old perspective, the readers come to realize that her outward-facing cantankerous demeanor covers an inner self full of love for the people around her.
THE PIRATE QUEEN
As devoted readers of L&L may know, I became a true Hibernophile after my trip to Ireland one year ago. (Don’t worry, I had to google it too. It means someone who loves all things Irish.) So, when I saw that Ariel Lawhon, author of The Frozen River (read review here), had written a new novel about Grace O’Malley, the pirate queen of Ireland, I couldn’t wait to read it. And it did not disappoint.
ISOLA
It had been a while since I started a book knowing almost nothing about it, and I had forgotten what a joyful and emotional ride that can be. Isola was on my list because of Reece Witherspoon’s book club, and it became available from my library just as I left on a trip with my husband without our kids. I always find I enjoy a book more when I can devour it in long sittings, and that’s exactly what I did.
SHARK HEART
Shark Heart is one of the strangest books, both in form and content, that I have read in a very long time. Yet somehow, I find myself thinking about it often, even weeks after finishing it.
ABSOLUTION
Absolution is another novel I heard highly recommended by an author in a podcast. Published in 2023, perhaps you missed this gem like I did. It turns out I had read one previous book by McDermott, Charming Billy published in 1998. And, I am so taken with her writing after Absolution, I plan to binge her other seven novels.
THE ART THIEF
Also published in 2023, I may be the last person to The Art Thief readers’ party. It has certainly appeared on an astonishing number of bestseller lists, and now I understand why. Finkel writes with prose similar to that used in the best crime novels, even though his account is real. He takes his research and interview materials and skillfully draws the reader into the stories behind the real-life art thefts.
THE TYPING LADY and Other Fictions
When I spotted a brand new Ruth Ozeki book in an adorable vacation town bookstore, you better believe this beautiful little collection came home with me that very day. A Tale For The Time Being (read review here) and The Book Of Form And Emptiness (read review here) are two of my favorite books of all time, so I was eager to see how Ozeki’s masterful fiction would translate to this shorter form. These thrilling short stories do not disappoint!
THIS IS NOT ABOUT US
Allegra Goodman has been compared to a modern-day Jane Austen because of her skills observing and writing about people in such a genuine way that the reader connects with her characters as though she knows them. Witty yet poignant storylines strike a chord of recognition that draw us into her books.
THE LOST TAROT
I love finding random books from library displays, and The Lost Tarot fits that description perfectly. It was exhibited with other books that are set in Toronto, one of which, River Mumma, I reviewed last month. (read review here) The Lost Tarot really only begins with the protagonist in Toronto, and the story includes multiple time periods as well. And despite the word Tarot in the title, the book deals mainly with fine art and how we credit its creators, as well as how a cult is formed and what it takes to break free.
THE JACKAL'S MISTRESS
It’s been a while since I’ve indulged myself with a Chris Bohjalian novel. I’ve always found his books entertaining and fast-paced. So, I decided The Jackal’s Mistress was just what I needed at this point in August. And I was right!
MARTIN MARTEN
Martin Marten contains one of the most unique ideas for a novel that I’ve ever encountered. And Brian Doyle writes it with wit and charm and empathy. I think I have my friend Ellen to thank for this recommendation and I am very appreciative. I absolutely loved every page of the book and will remember it forever.
SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE
Small Things Like These weighs in at 114 pages with a small trim size and not many words per page. But it strikes with a force unmatched by any book I have read in a very long time. Recognized by the New York Times as one of the top 100 books of the 21st century, Keegan has written a true tour de force.
RIVER MUMMA
As much as I follow lists and Bookstagram and listen to friends’ recommendations, I also love just picking up a random book that catches my eye in a display at my library. I found River Mumma amongst a shelf of books all set in Toronto. Both the cover and title drew me in, and the description tipped the book right into my bag. My instincts proved correct and I was rewarded with a charming and suspenseful story featuring a unique view of my city.
BUCKEYE
Although Buckeye was on many ‘favorites’ lists at the end of 2025, I feel like it is still somewhat flying under the radar. Many friends to whom I have mentioned it as a favorite in recent months have never heard of it. So let me be (perhaps) the first to tell you that this book is a sweeping, modern classic and not to be missed.
STRANGERS
n the handful of books that seem to be everywhere at the moment, Belle Burden’s Strangers surely ranks in the top five. As often seems to happen, when I picked it up and started to read, the book was being discussed everywhere. In Strangers, Burden tells the stunning story of her 20-year marriage and how one morning early in the COVID-19 pandemic, her husband walked out and left her and their children forever.
THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE
If you are looking for a fast-paced, suspenseful, witty book for your first beach read of the summer, look no further. This Story Might Save Your Life engaged, delighted and surprised me while also making me laugh out loud. Crum provides many plot twists but I always felt certain she was headed for a satisfying ending when all was revealed.
LADY TREMAINE
Ever since reading Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and then Wicked by Gregory Maguire as a teenager, I’ve been obsessed with novels that reimagine fairytales. Typically, they blend historical fiction with a familiar plot and turn some element of the story on its head. So when Reece Witherspoon announced Lady Tremaine as her bookclub pick for March, I put it on hold at the library immediately. And, wow, this book was just the grown-up version of Cinderella I didn’t know I needed.
THE TREES
I’m not sure why, after having read James and being in awe of it, I didn’t immediately go back and explore Percival Everett’s extensive backlist of books. It took a friend whose opinion I value to encourage me to read The Trees, published in 2021. The Trees is like no other novel I have ever read.
THIS AMERICAN WOMAN
I first encountered Zarna Garg on Amy Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang, which if you want to spend an hour laughing with some of the funniest people in the world, I highly recommend. Garg was the opening act for Poehler and Tina Fey’s comedy tour, and she appeared on the podcast to promote this memoir.