The Ungrateful Refugee
by Dina Nayeri

Refugees and asylum seekers don't leave their countries on a whim. They often leave a comfortable life. Most want to work and don't want charity. The author tells her own story and those of others. The reader gets a good sense of the interminable idle waiting and the condescension most refugees experience.
 
 

The Coworker
by Frieda McFadden

Kept me guessing until the end!
 
 

Heart Bones
by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover never disappoints, love her books!
 
 

Philadelphia, Here I Come!
by Brian Friel

This play can be seen off Broadway this spring in NYC. It's a bit different because the main character, Gar, has a public voice as well as a private one that expresses his worries & doubts about moving to the US. There's also unrequited love, a father that doesn't communicate and, of course, a priest.
 
 

I Must Be Dreaming
by Roz Chast

So happy that Roz Chast has written/drawn another book. She draws cartoons about all types of dreams in her understated, anxious style. The reader laughs and learns at the same time.
 
 

Tune In
by Richard Wolf

The author has both a musical & meditation background and tries to blend both to describe multiple examples of how to breathe. The more complicated techniques like atonal breathing were difficult to follow on the audio/CD version. I think the print version might be the better media choice. Practice, practice & practice & then let your mind go!
 
 

The Library At The Edge Of The World
by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

This was my choice from the Library Lover's Month display. Hanna Casey has returned to her roots on a western Ireland peninsula and settles for being a local librarian instead of being an art librarian in London. This story would make a great Hallmark channel movie because, of course, there's no place like home.
 
 

The Night Watchman
by Louise Erdrich

An novel by an Indigenous author about a Chippewa effort to yet again confront white bureaucrats appears to be on the mark. The challenges of life on the reservation and beyond made for a good read. The Cities were to be avoided at all cost.
 
 

Prequel
by Rachel Maddow

I'm not easily scared, but this was a very scary book about the influence of German & American Nazis in the USA immediately prior to WWII. Most of the American Nazis and members of Congress who supported them were not held accountable for their propaganda efforts even after being indicted for sedition.
 
 

The Lost Apothecary
by Sarah Penner

I went into this book with only the knowledge of its popularity. It was an excellent read! I appreciated the delicate switches between historical and present day timelines. It was interesting to make connections and see the developments between Caroline, Eliza, and Nella, even though their stories were 200 years apart they still struggled with the same feelings of loss, loneliness, fear, and anger. I absolutely recommend this compelling read!