[title subtitle=”WORDS and IMAGE courtesy Bookish”][/title]
Five must-read nonfiction book recommendations for book lovers of all ages, from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently owned bookstore. Call 479.434.2917 or email sara@bookishfs.com for curbside pick-up or delivery!
The Splendid and the Vile
by Erik Larson
Just when you thought you knew everything there was to know about WWII, Larson has to do another deep dive into the complicated relationships between countries and their leaders. Churchill’s role was dramatically changed after the blitz, and it was up to him not only to hold his own country together, but also to persuade FDR to align with Britain. You’ll view Churchill as a fearless leader and admire his ability to lead during one of the darkest times in history.
A Long Petal of the Sea
by Isabel Allende
Allende’s novel is historical fiction and its linear plot about the Dalmau family helps bring the backdrop of regime change in Spain to life. Her story is told across generations and borders as Victor and Roser immigrate to Chile where they make a life for themselves, albeit, not a normal life. The valuable relationships between parents, children, friends, lovers, and even a beloved poet help to make the politics in the background more profound.
The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James
This book is set in Uptown New York and goes between 1982 and 2017 and alternates chapters between Viv and Carly, as we follow their parallel journeys to find answers to the mysteries of the Sun Down. Both Viv and Carly deal with supernatural entities trying to help them find answers. While “ghost stories” sometimes feel cheesy and predictable, this story was truly spooky. Part murder mystery and part ghost story, you will want to read this with all the lights on and doors locked!
Normal
by Magdalena Newman
This is a heartbreaking story, but one you’ll want to read. Magda’s son Nathaniel is diagnosed with Treacher Collins syndrome, and her entire life is spent working towards normalcy: Will he be able to play on the playground? Eat without a tube? Breathe easily? Nathaniel and Magda sit to tell their story all while she battles a non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis of her own. The story of this family’s resilience in the face of so many storms will inspire you, but not without tearing your heart out first.
Tweet Cute
by Emma Lord
This YA novel by debut author Emma Lord uses Twitter the way it’s supposed to be used. Pepper is the captain of the swim team, overachiever, and total perfectionist. She manages her busy life along with her family business’s Twitter account. Jack is the complete opposite, and when their “spat” becomes viral on Twitter, everything somehow gets more personal.