Leif Enger (Grove Press)
From the beloved author of Peace Like a River comes an endearing, beautifully rendered tale about a languid Minnesota town and its quirky inhabitants. Virgil Wander just survived a near-death experience that took his memory and, more confounding to Virgil, his words. As he struggles to make sense of a once-familiar world, his life entwines with a puzzling kite-maker searching for a son he didn’t know he had—a son who went missing years ago. With masterful characterization, a powerful sense of place, and his trademark vivid prose, Enger brings readers an insightful, magical story about belonging, friendship, forgiveness, and second chances.
Courtney Walsh (Waterfall Press)
In the idyllic lakeside town of Sweethaven, a tragic accident took the life of Cassie Jacobs—beloved daughter, loyal sister, vibrant friend—leaving behind a family fractured by grief and two estranged friends. Now, 10 years later, Elle Porter is getting married, and despite all of the unspoken hurt between them, she needs Lyndie St. James by her side. Unable to say no, Lyndie returns to Sweethaven and faces a choice: keep her secrets tucked away or confront them once and for all? At once haunting and uplifting, Things Left Unsaid brings to light the poignant words of Ann Voskamp: “Shame gets unspeakable power only if it’s unspeakable.”
The Next Person You Meet in Heaven
Mitch Albom (HarperCollins)
A follow-up to the bestseller The Five People You Meet in Heaven, this is a story about Annie, a girl who almost lost her left hand in a freak accident when she was a child—an accident that killed the man who saved her life. Not to be taken as a theological lesson on heaven, this quirky, whimsical novel delivers plenty of poignant lines worth pondering. It explores a profound truth: No matter how seemingly small or insignificant, our lives leave an indelible impact on the world. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one.
