What kind of trouble has to have occurred to leave an American journalist stranded in Croatia with her husband because the U.S. is unsafe for her? In Our American Friend, Anna Pitoniak’s new novel, it’s her subject who’s the problem. Sofie Morse was chosen by Lara Caine, the president’s wife to write her biography. How dangerous could a First Lady’s life be? But the more Lara ... Read More...
Ten Best Books of 2019
Well, what do you know. Rather than being my usual contrarian self, I actually have ten books I consider to be the best of 2019. Of course, that doesn’t include the eight debut novels I wrote about on Wednesday, but let’s not split hairs. The point is: ALL of these books are marvelous. Even better, you still have time to get any one of them before Christmas for your ... Read More...
Necessary People: A Novel
It always seems as if being the friend of a really wealthy person would be fun—going expensive places, but never having to pay, exotic vacations, great gifts. But it never plays out that way in fiction. The last novel I read about a rich girl/poor girl friendship was Social Creature, which I disliked when its plot veered into the wildly implausible. So, I was hesitant to read ... Read More...
The Futures: A Novel
Evan and Julia are college sweethearts who decide to take the next step and begin post-college life together in NYC. But while Evan is on a clear path in the world of finance, Julia is a bit more untethered. She finally gets a job as an assistant at a foundation owned by her parents’ friends, but only as a way to pay the bills. The Futures is Anna Pitoniak’s take on the ... Read More...
