Disappearing Earth by
Julia Phillips. One of 2019's most critically acclaimed novels is now
in paperback. Although the story hinges on the abduction o
f two girls, this is hardly a conventional crime drama but rather a literary feast of character development that creates a fascinating sense of place.
One August afternoon, two sisters - Sophia and Alyona, ages 8 and 11 -
go missing from a beach on the far-flung Kamchatka Peninsula in
northeastern Russia. Taking us through the year that follows in 12
succeeding chapters, this stunning debut takes readers into the lives
of women and girls in this tightly knit community who are connected by
the crime: a witness, a neighbor, a detective, and a mother. Add to that
a terrific ending that most won't see coming, and you have quite the
good read.
f two girls, this is hardly a conventional crime drama but rather a literary feast of character development that creates a fascinating sense of place.
One August afternoon, two sisters - Sophia and Alyona, ages 8 and 11 -
go missing from a beach on the far-flung Kamchatka Peninsula in
northeastern Russia. Taking us through the year that follows in 12
succeeding chapters, this stunning debut takes readers into the lives
of women and girls in this tightly knit community who are connected by
the crime: a witness, a neighbor, a detective, and a mother. Add to that
a terrific ending that most won't see coming, and you have quite the
good read.
Among the slew of rave reviews was this from the Minneapolis Star Tribune: "As each succeeding story of Disappearing Earth
takes us another month away from hope that Sophia and Alyona will be
found alive, it becomes apparent that the book is not about the sisters
but about a place so remote and unfriendly that it only takes a couple
of months for a tragedy to become a dark fairy tale the characters
tell one another. . . . Beautifully written fiction."
Mrs. Everything
by Jennifer Weiner. Just arrived in paperback, this ambitious and
appealing saga from the popular Weiner chronicles the lives of two
Jewish sisters from the 1950s to the present as they struggle to find their places - and be 
true to themselves - in a rapidly evolving world. Women's
pop culture website PopSugar said, "You won't want this book to end as
you laugh, cry, and root for these characters as if they were a part of
your own family."
true to themselves - in a rapidly evolving world. Women's
pop culture website PopSugar said, "You won't want this book to end as
you laugh, cry, and root for these characters as if they were a part of
your own family."
Here's a description from the publisher: "Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise. Growing
up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect "Dick and Jane" house,
where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy,
Bethie the pretty, feminine good girl. As their lives
unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and
women's lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives
headlong into the counterculture. Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young
mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a
participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a
life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the
women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after?"
