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My first infatuation with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald came about as the result of a major junior high crush on Robert Redford (who was starring in The Great Gatsby). But then the literature followed, and the fascination continued to grow. Having read their biographies many years ago, I admit to being a little concerned about reading a fictionalized account of Zelda.  It takes a lot of trust in an author to drive off that cliff with them—but I’m so glad I did. It turns out that Z is an immensely enjoyable way to read about the most notorious couple of the Jazz Age.

 It is all too easy to over-romanticize the story of Scott and Zelda, who lived larger than life in a fascinating time in history. But their story is also tragic. It’s Gatsby level tragedy. Every time I read Gatsby, I hope that somehow the ending will change. It’s the same with Zelda and Scott. From the moment that he meets her in Montgomery, Alabama – she, with suitors lined up around the block; and he, a penniless author stationed in her town before the war – it’s as if their future together was predestined. 

Fowler treats Zelda with respect and empathy. She relied on letters and biographies, and clearly did her research. Fowler imagines Zelda’s emotional journey living with an alcohol-fueled and literarily driven Scott. But many forget that Zelda was talented in her own right, and in fact, very misunderstood (even demonized by some). Don’t be surprised, however, if while reading this you get a longing to pack your bags, head off to New York or Paris, and live for the moment. ~ Lea

Hig is a one-percenter, one of the few survivors of a flu epidemic that decimated the population a decade ago. He doesn’t have much: a dog named Jasper, a gun-crazy neighbor appropriately named Bangley, a 1956 Cessna, and the security of isolation.

In spare, lovely language, Heller transports us to Hig’s world, a place once called Colorado. Hig, Bangley, and Jasper live quiet lives fishing, flying, and protecting their haven – a small rural airport – from raiders. They try to maintain some semblance of their previous lives, but it’s hard. Everyone’s gone.

This is a hauntingly beautiful novel. Hig tells his story in short, vivid vignettes—musings rather than detailed narrative—that echo the mood and circumstances of his life. He’s surprisingly sanguine about his situation, and finds contentment in small things, like Jasper and a cold mountain stream. Both men and women will find much to admire in this subtly profound debut. Highly recommended. ~ Dana

Mick Kennedy from the Dublin Murder Squad is back in action as he takes on the highly visible killing of a family in one of the many half-built McMansion suburbs littering Ireland’s countryside.

French has a genuine feel for her place and time and it shows in her stories. It’s hard to review mysteries without giving everything away, but please know that this is another edge-of-your-seat thriller from one of SB’s favorite writers. French has a lot of loyal fans and I doubt that they will be disappointed by her fourth book.

 ~ Dianne

From the introduction:  "The Great Northern Express is the story of how, as I traveled from coast to coast and border to border in the summer of my sixty-fifth year, two journeys seemed to meld into the narrative of one writer's search, in his life and work, for the true meaning of home."

             This book captured me for its love of "home," the "Kingdom" of far northern Vermont, for the author's courage of taking on a 100-city, 150 bookstore book promotion hegira after diagnosis and lengthy treatment for cancer, and mostly for his bringing to life the diverse places, the very unique people (some real, some imagined) and the independent bookstores he encountered along his journey. Especially the independent bookstores! From That Bookstore in Blytheville, Arkansas, Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, Powell's City of Books in Portland, the King's English in Salt Lake City and many, many more....I was fascinated, as is the author, by the strength and determination of independent bookstores.

Unfortunately, Mosher did not make it to the U.P. in his book tour and missed out on Snowbound Books. We are fortunate we don't have to! Loved this book.  ~ Lynn E. (customer)

Atkinson has completed the long-awaited final volume of his history of the World War II experience of Americans in Europe.  The first two volumes, Army at Dawn and Day of Battle, covered the American experience in North Africa and Italy.  This book begins with the landings in Normandy and southern France and concludes with the defeat of Germany.

This is a highly readable popular history with plenty of detail for the most serious-minded reader.  Atkinson uses first person accounts from the foxholes to the highest command to tell the story.  What I particularly appreciated about this book and his others is the warts-and-all portrayal of our war effort.  Yes, the greatest generation fighting the good war did shoot prisoners on occasion and rear area troops did run amok in captured towns at times.  It does not devalue what my father and his fellow soldiers accomplished in Europe but it does reinforce that war is a nasty business best avoided if possible.

I'm convinced that Atkinson's books will long stand as the best narrative of the American Army in Europe in World War II. ~ Ray

Sedaris has certainly matured since his days as a Santa’s Elf at Macy’s. Well, maybe “matured” isn’t the right word. He still finds joy in the absurd and grotesque, obsesses about everything, and mercilessly skewers the foibles and hypocrisy of both himself and his fellow man. What has changed in the last fifteen years, though, is his perspective. He’s traveled the world and lived abroad, and this exposure to other cultures has simply given him that much more material to work with. These essays are still centered around Sedaris (of course they are), but the sheer scope of his new experiences offers him a broader range of people and cultures to make fun of.

And this collection is funny (of course it is), but also remarkably somber in places.  David’s dad bears much of the load this time around, and some of the pieces about him are heartbreaking and bound to anger readers. Even allowing for creative license, it’s fairly obvious that Sedaris Sr. virtually guaranteed none of his kids would grow up well-adjusted. While David turns this to his advantage and entertains us with these anecdotes, there is real pain there that’s only slightly redeemed in the colonoscopy chapter. 

I listened to the audio of this book on a recent road trip and, as always, found myself laughing out loud. Maybe not crying with mirth as I have with his earlier work, but cracking up nonetheless. Even the endless orange barrels around Green Bay didn’t bother me in the least, because David was there keeping me company, a caustically entertaining presence on an otherwise mundane journey. And the dog poem at the end is reminiscent of Shel Silverstein and worth the price of the whole damn book. ~ Dana