Recommended Reads: August 22, 2019

"'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous' by Ocean Vuong. From the title you can tell this is a lyrical work written by a poet. The prose is astoundingly beautiful, poignant, and effective. The novel, based on Vuong's own experiences, is written as a letter to his illiterate mother and tells the story of a young Vietnamese-American growing up in Hartford, Connecticut amid violence, prejudice, economic hardship, and the opiod crisis. The luminous prose shines through on every page and makes this work a triumph." — Maryann, Canio's Books

"'The Nine' by Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg. When well-meaning helicopter mom, Hannah Webber, enrolls her brilliant son and the center of her world, Sam, into the boarding school of her dreams, neither of them is prepared for what awaits. This is one of the most addictive novels to come along this summer. The dark underbelly of boarding schools and the privileged are brought to light."— Jane, Bedside Reading

"'Casting Into The Light: Tales of a Fishing Life' by Janet Messineo. This is the story of a champion surfcaster on Martha’s Vineyard who becomes obsessed with fishing for striped bass at a young age. She overcomes fear, and struggles with jobs, marriage, addiction, and sexism to take her rightful and respected place in the male-dominated, hardcore fishing community. This memoir is also a rich portrait of island life. Recipes included!" — Carolyn, BookHampton