“The Dutch House” takes many of the ingredients of a classic fairy tale — a wicked stepmother, a lost treasure and a sibling bond tested by adversity — and turns them into an absorbing tale of love, loss and revenge. My only quibble with the book was that Danny, the narrator, was a fairly passive character compared to his sister, Maeve, the true protagonist.

“Imperfect Birds” is a major disappointment from an author whose work, including the brilliant novel “Rosie,” I used to admire. There are some outstanding scenes here, but they are overshadowed by Lamott‘s reliance on New Age-type platitudes and appalling vulgarity

If you follow the U. .S. Supreme Court and enjoy watching confirmation battles, you owe it to yourself to pick up “Dissent,” which chronicles the fight over Justice Kavanaugh‘s nomination and places it in the context of conservatives‘ fight to transform the judicial branch. It‘s a fascinating read, packed with political intrigue. One note of caution: Conservatives are bound to complain that the book tends to paint them as the villains.

I was severely disappointed by this book, which offers only two-dimensional characters, several overwritten passages and near-constant violence. I realize that Razorblade Tears is a noir novel, so a certain amount of violence is to be expected, but there was just too much of it for my taste.

Joanna Trollope‘s warmth and wit are splendidly showcased in “Marrying the Mistress,” which tracks the domestic turmoil that follows Guy Stockdale‘s decision to leave his wife and marry his mistress, Merrion Palmer. Trollope is an expert at exploring the ties that bind — and sometimes choke — families, and this is one of her finest novels.

The second of Tana French‘s stand-alone crime novels, “The Searcher” tells the story of the growing relationship between retired policeman Cal Hooper and a neighbor kid who asks Cal to find their missing brother. It‘s a quiet masterpiece and another jewel in French‘s crown.

Mr. Pallone‘s memoir of his umpiring career, “Behind the Mask: My Double Life in Baseball” could have been an insightful look at how gay men were treated in the world of pro baseball in the past. Instead, Pallone spends most of his time patting himself on the back, rehashing old grudges or lamenting his inability to find true love. I would not recommend this book to anyone, except perhaps would-be umpires.

An irresistible blend of social satire and thriller, “The Other Black Girl” is one of the most enjoyable books I‘ve read this year.

Jess Walter offers an intriguing look at the free-speech battles that roiled Spokane, Washington, in the early 20th century in his 2020 novel, “The Cold Millions.” The book held my attention from beginning to end, but I thought the main character. Rylan Nolan, was not as thoroughly realized as the colorful secondary characters who swirled around him.

Author Joan Biskupic offers an absorbing account of the life of the Supreme Court‘s Chief Justice, John Roberts, and his efforts to move the court in a more conservative direction without further politicizing it. A must-read for Supreme Court watchers.

An expose of the Sackler family‘s role in the opioid epidemic, “Empire of Pain” is a devastating look at how one family profited from other people‘s drug addictions. It‘s a complex story, but Keefe‘s in-depth reporting and crisp writing make it read like a thriller.

I read “Anne of Green Gables” over and over again when I was growing up, and Anne is still one of my favorite fictional characters.
I recently re-read “Anne” for the first time in years and was glad to find that its charm and humor remained intact. However, the edition I read had several typos, which marred my pleasure in rediscovering an old favorite.

“The Nun‘s Story” begins when Gabrielle van der Mal joins a Belgian convent as a postulant. The book charts her growth as a nun, named Sister Luke, and her efforts to understand and obey God‘s will.
Sister Luke‘s story is rich in drama, and author Kathryn Hulme tells it with a rare blend of compassion and wisdom. It‘s one of the most rewarding books I‘ve ever read.

Kit Owens and Diane Fleming were high school friends, until Diane told Kit a horrible secret. Kit immediately ended the friendship, hoping she would never see Diane again.
Several decades later, Diane re-enters Kit‘s life, with fatal results.
“Give Me Your Hand” wrings plenty of suspense from its premise, and it‘s a gripping story for most of its length. Unfortunately, the drawn-out ending diminishes the story‘s impact.

At first glance , Frank McCourt‘s first book, “Angela‘s Ashes,” might seem like a run-of-the-mill memoir about his wretched childhood. But McCourt‘s voice, full of wry humor, and his knack for sketching memorable characters lifts his book into the realm of classic memoirs.

In “Pictures at a Revolution,” author Mark Harris tracks the creation of the five movies — Bonnie and Clyde, Doctor Doolittle, The Graduate, Guess Who‘s Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night — that competed for the Best Picture Oscar in 1967.
“Pictures” uses the stories behind those films to chart the clash of Old versus New Hollywood at a time of national upheaval. It‘s a dazzling look at the intersection of movies, culture and politics.

Ann Patchett‘s account of her friendship with fellow writer Lucy Grealy could have turned into a sentimental mess, especially in the passages dealing with Lucy‘s efforts to reshape her jaw following a bout with jaw cancer. Fortunately, Patchett is too clear-eyed and skillful a writer to fall into that trap. The result is a memoir that is not only beautiful, but wise.