A library is a small town.

Back when Andrew Carnegie was building public libraries in every city across America, the town of Riverton, NH, had its own mogul, whose name was Robers, which morphed into "Robbers" through probably equal parts humor and resentment. In Sue Halpern's latest, Summer Hours at the Robbers Library, the town barely hangs on, but the library is now its best-maintained building. Halpern brings together three oddball characters in this setting and follows them through their encounters with multiple points of view. There is librarian Kit, fresh from therapy following marriage to a controlling monster, Solstice (Sunny), a teenager whose parents live off the grid and hide a secret past, and Rusty, a fugitive from Wall Street. When Sunny is assigned community service at the library after being arrested for shoplifting, she soon connects with Kit and Rusty. Readers will be taken with this beautifully written novel with appealing characters
.Halpern subtly tests our assumptions about self, love, marriage, family, vocation, and ethics, both personal and communal. Along the way, she offers a realistic view of the struggles and triumphs of a small public library, while framing it as a safe place in which to search for answers and solace. 

The Color of Love

The Color of Love will capture your interest from the very first page and you won't be able to put it down. Set in a small town call Blessings, in Georgia, Ruby is confronted by her abusive ex-husband at the very beginning and the story never slows down at any point.This story keeps you on the edge of your seat with Ruby and Peanut's romance, the secondary characters' involvement, and the absolute suspense that only Sharon Sala can create. Out of all of Sharon Sala's books, this is the one of her best. *JK*

Lonely Hearts

Meet Addie and Louis, two lonely widowed neighbors, who decide to do something about it. Addie approaches Louis with an idea about spending some time together, so neither of them will have to deal with the long empty evenings alone. They are around the same age, have grown children, and have a lot of things in common. Will this plan work? Read Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf and find out. (This book has just been made into a movie starring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford.) DB  

Remember When...

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout, picks up where her last novel ends. Lucy Barton, has made a name for herself as a well-known author. She has escaped her impoverished childhood in Illinois and lives in New York. Book signings take her around the country and while in Chicago, she decides to return to Amgash--the hometown she left seventeen years ago. Find out how the townspeople and relatives who knew her when are doing today. Small-town USA and a curious cast of characters will keep your interest. DB

Evergreen Springs

This story was so sweet and a lovely romance to read. Evergreen Springs is the third series by Rayanne Thayne but this book could be read as a standalone. The author has a knack for capturing the essence and spirit of living in a small town. It was a joy to read about the interesting, fun, caring people of Haven Point.
I especially enjoyed reading about Devin and Cole! I did expect more than a few stolen kisses during this book but I still thought it was sweet. The way the town pulled together to help Cole and his children during a difficult time was sweet and touching. *JK*

Do You Feel Lucky?

My Wish List, a slim novel written by Gregoire Delacourt asks the question "What would you do if you won the lottery?"  The main character, Jocelyne, lives in a small town in southern France, running a fabric store.  She wonders what happened to her youthful dreams as her life progressed through marriage and the raising of two children.  Then she wins the lottery but doesn't tell anyone, not even her husband.  Instead she makes a wish list.  Read this well written international best seller to see how Jocelyne changes her life.  SG