Book club

2023, The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History: While preparing an exhibit featuring movie costumes from the 1920s to the present day, costume conservator Sylvia discovers a name label hidden underneath the designer label of a dress that was worn by Greta Garbo. Her curiosity leads her on a quest - who was Zora Lily,… Read More

Late one evening Jen is waiting for her teenage son Todd to get home. As he comes up the walk, she sees that he's being followed, and to her horror, sees Todd stab the man. The next morning, Jen, a lawyer, is ready to spring into action, setting out to get her son released from… Read More

Escaping the Salvadoran Civil War, Javier's parents migrated to the U.S., leaving Javier in the care of his grandparents and aunt until they could send for him. He can't wait for the day when he can be reunited with his parents. In 1999, when he's 9 years old, the time comes for him to make… Read More

Tova works the evening shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. After her husband's death, she finds that it really helps to keep busy, and she likes the quiet atmosphere of the aquarium after hours. She makes an unlikely friend in Marcellus - a giant Pacific octopus who's got ninja escape skills and likes to tour… Read More

Joan is 27, lives in Los Angeles and is just starting out as a writer for the newspaper food pages. She sends a fan letter, along with a small gift of saffron to 59 year-old Imogen, a writer who writes a monthly column for a Pacific Northwest magazine. This begins their friendship by letter, one… Read More

Norman is almost 12, and he along with his best friend Jax have come up with a brilliant five year plan -they're going to take their comedy routine to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. All work on the plan comes to a screeching halt though when Jax dies. That is, until Norman comes up with another… Read More

For about 100 years, Chicken Frannie's and Chicken Mimi's have been competing against each other for the title of best chicken shack in Kansas. And for about 100 years, the feud between the two families running the restaurants has been almost as famous as the fried chicken. Amanda grew up in Merinac, working for her… Read More

In 1913 New York City, Laura's family has just moved into the apartment at the New York Public Library, as her husband has just taken the position of building supervisor. It's an unusual living situation, but it's a great opportunity, and the Lyons family are excited to get settled in to the grand building. Laura… Read More

When Ruby's mother is murdered in their home on the South Side, Ruby is left alone with her father, a man prone to violence and rage. Layla, the pastor's daughter and Ruby's best friend, wants desperately to help Ruby find a way to get away, and in her search for answers, stumbles on some long… Read More