Discover the essential literary treasures in our “Wednesday Wisdom” Uncover a world of captivating stories, profound insights, and timeless wisdom as we unveil a curated collection of must-read books that will inspire, enlighten, and leave an indelible mark on your mind.

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell is a psychological thriller about a podcaster who becomes the subject of her own podcast. Alix Summer is a popular true crime podcaster who known for her in-depth interviews with convicted killers. One day, she meets Josie Fair, a seemingly ordinary woman who is also celebrating her 45th birthday. Josie is fascinated by Alix’s podcast and asks her if she would interested in interviewing her for a new episode. Alix agrees, and she quickly becomes engrossed in Josie’s story. However, as she gets to know Josie better, Alix begins to suspect that there is more to her than meets the eye. Josie’s past shrouded in secrecy, and she seems to be hiding something dark and dangerous. As Alix gets closer to the truth, she finds herself in danger, and she must race to uncover Josie’s secrets before it’s too late.

None of This Is True is a well-paced and suspenseful thriller with a twisty plot. Jewell does a great job of creating two complex and believable characters in Alix and Josie. The reader kept guessing until the very end, and the book is full of surprises. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, then you’ll definitely want to check out None of This Is True.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett is a beautiful and moving novel about family, love, and growing up. The story follows Lara, a woman who returns to her family’s cherry orchard in Michigan with her three adult daughters during the COVID-19 pandemic. While picking cherries, Lara’s daughters beg her to tell them the story of her long-ago romance with Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake.

Patchett weaves together the past and present in this novel, deftly alternating between Lara’s memories of her time with Peter and her present-day life with her daughters. The result is a story that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, a meditation on the power of love, loss, and family. Tom Lake is a must-read for fans of Ann Patchett and anyone who loves a good story about the human heart.

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo

Family Lore is a sweeping novel about a Dominican-American family told through the voices of four sisters and their daughters. Flor, the oldest sister, has a gift: she can predict when someone will die. When she announces that she is throwing herself a living wake, her sisters shocked. What does she know that they don’t?

The novel spans three days leading up to the wake, and each chapter told from the perspective of a different woman in the family. We learn about their hopes, dreams, regrets, and secrets. We also learn about the history of the family, from their roots in the Dominican Republic to their lives in New York City. Family Lore is a beautifully written and moving novel about family, love, loss, and the power of storytelling. It is a must-read for anyone who loves Acevedo’s work or anyone who is looking for a well-crafted and heartwarming story.

The Bookbinder by Pip Williams

The Bookbinder is a historical fiction novel set in Oxford during World War I. It tells the story of Peggy, a working-class woman who dreams of becoming a bookbinder. When the war breaks out, Peggy and her sister Maude are forced to take over the men’s jobs at the Oxford University Press. Peggy also falls in love with a Belgian soldier, Bastiaan, who is fighting on the front lines. The novel explores themes of love, loss, grief, and the power of knowledge.

Williams’ writing is beautiful and evocative, and she brings the world of Oxford in 1914 to life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is engaging and suspenseful. The Bookbinder is a powerful and moving novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen

Catherine Sterling thinks she knows her mother. Ruth Sterling is quiet, hardworking, and lives for her daughter. All her life, it’s been just the two of them against the world. But now, Catherine is ready to spread her wings, move from home, and begin a new career. And Ruth Sterling will do anything to prevent that from happening.

Ruth Sterling thinks she knows her daughter. Catherine would never rebel, would never question anything about her mother’s past or background. But when Ruth’s desperate quest to keep her daughter by her side begins to reveal cracks in Ruth’s carefully-constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is a powerful and moving novel about the lives of two families in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s. The Ludlows are a Jewish family who own a grocery store, and the Timblins are a Black family who work for the Ludlows. The two families forced to confront racism and prejudice when a skeleton found at the bottom of a well in Chicken Hill, the neighborhood where they live.

McBride’s writing is both lyrical and heartbreaking, and he does a masterful job of bringing the characters to life. The reader feels the pain and joy of the Ludlows and the Timblins, and they come to understand the challenges of living in a world that is often hostile to people of color. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a story about love, loss, and the power of community. I highly recommend it.

The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec

“The Weaver and the Witch Queen” by Genevieve Gornichec weaves a captivating tapestry of Viking Age history and myth. This enchanting novel entwines the destinies of Oddny and Gunnhild, two contrasting women brought together by fate. Gornichec’s eloquent prose skillfully portrays the depths of their friendship and the challenges they face. Oddny’s quest to rescue her kidnapped sister leads her into a world of Viking raiders, where unexpected emotions arise. Meanwhile, Gunnhild, a witch seeking power, discovers an unforeseen connection to the future ruler of Norway. The intricate bonds between the characters are beautifully depicted, tested by unforeseen trials. This poignant tale seamlessly blends magic, history, and sisterhood, offering readers an enthralling journey through a richly imagined Norse world.