This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

This Tender Land is a powerful coming-of-age novel that blends historical fiction with a deeply emotional journey of survival, identity, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of Depression-era America.

The novel follows four orphans—Odie O’Banion, his brother Albert, their friend Mose, and a spirited young girl named Emmy (the four vagabonds) —as they flee the harsh realities of the Lincoln Indian Training School in Minnesota. Their journey down the Mississippi River echoes the spirit of Huck Finn and Odysseus, as they encounter a wide range of characters and situations that reflect both the kindness and cruelty of humanity.

Krueger, the author, doesn’t shy away from exploring themes of racism, loss, and the search for faith. At the same time, he leaves space for wonder, hope, and the enduring strength of human connection.

What stands out most is Odie’s voice—wise beyond his years, yet still believably childlike. Through him, the novel explores what it means to find one's place in the world, even when the world itself seems broken.  What is striking is to view adults through the eyes of children.

This Tender Land is a heartfelt novel that will resonate with fans of literary fiction, historical adventure, and emotionally rich storytelling. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after the final page.

Jump and Find Joy by Hoda Kotb

 

Hoda Kotb’s Jump and Find Joy is a heartfelt book that exudes warmth, courage, and hope on every page. Known for her compassionate voice as a journalist and co-host of Today, Kotb brings the same gentle wisdom to readers through this beautifully inspiring book.

 

The book encourages people to take brave leaps toward the unknown and to embrace life’s challenges with open hearts. It weaves themes of resilience, joy, and self-discovery in a way that's both accessible and profound. Whether it’s trying something new or overcoming fear, the message is clear: when you “jump,” joy often follows.

 

At its core, Jump and Find Joy is a message for readers of all ages. It serves as a reminder that while life’s leaps may be scary, they’re also where growth and happiness can be found.

 

This book is ideal for reading aloud, gifting, or simply keeping as a source of encouragement. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or young dreamer, Jump and Find Joy offers a gentle nudge toward bravery and a celebration of joy that’s sure to resonate long after the last page.

To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

It's been some time now since To Paradise was published and I read it.  I was probably expecting a novel like A Little Life and I was disappointed.  What I remember is three different parts, with what I thought were carryover characters, but I think I was mistaken.  Some parts were set in the future.  While these sections were believable, I don't really want to believe that this is what our future will be like in regards to climate change.  

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

The last time I was at Barnes and Noble (this location was in Bridgewater) the sales assistant mentioned this book to me.  She talked it up very nicely and I thought, yes, I heard of it and wanted to read it.  

I read it in one day!  I've heard it described as a love triangle, which in many ways it is.  There is a plot twist in there and what would an interesting novel be without some sort of legal situation.  I really enjoyed how the legal aspect was woven in the book.  It held my interest and really made me what to know how things turn out.  

The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara

Ms. Yanagihara's A Little Life is one of my all time favorite books.  Her latest novel is going to be published early 2022.  In anticipation of that release, I wanted to read her debut novel, The People in the Trees.  While I did not enjoy it as much as A Little Life, it was interesting and well written.  

In the book, Norton Perina signs up with an anthropologist upon completion of medical school.  They go to the remote Micronesian island of Ivu'ivu in search of a rumored lost tribe. What they find is a group of forest dwellers they dub "The Dreamers," who turn out to be fantastically long-lived but progressively more senile. Perina suspects the source of their longevity is a hard-to-find turtle; unable to resist the possibility of eternal life, he kills one and smuggles some meat back to the States. He scientifically proves his thesis, earning worldwide fame and the Nobel Prize, but he soon discovers that its miraculous property comes at a terrible price. Perina encounters some personal problems when he returns to the island and adopts some of the members of the lost tribe.  This part of the book brings up controversy in his life.  The People in the Trees is so well written you will think that there's truth in the science behind the longevity cure.  

I will continue to bid my time until To Paradise is published.  

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

There were many parts of Untamed that I could relate to, as a divorced mom of three beautiful children.  I remember thinking to myself before my divorce... is this marriage one that I want to model for my family.  My answer was ultimately what ended my marriage.  There were parts of Untamed that found me learning how I unintentionally modeled gender roles for my children as a mom.  Mostly, Untamed found me agreeing with so much of what Glennon wrote and questioning a lot about society.  Please read for a thought provoking look at how to be brave.

The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan

It's been quite awhile since I've read an Amy Tan book.  Our Library's short story group read Two Kinds by her.  It's an interesting short story.  Anyway, The Kitchen God's Wife is a book about a secret, you could even say, a secret life.  Pearl's mom, Winnie, is given an ultimatum by Helen to tell her daughter about her past, even the parts that Helen doesn't know.  Winnie had a tough life, much more difficult than Pearl ever knew; especially since Winnie doesn't let on about her childhood and first marriage at all.  The Kitchen God's Wife is a telling of Winnie's story to her daughter.  A mother and daughter type of tale; that is bittersweet. It shows Winnie as  a strong woman who endured more than many.  And brings to light why Helen and Winnie are so close.