Perspective-Changing Fiction

I highly recommend not only a few favorite titles below, but other books by all three of these talented authors.

The Midnight Library

by Matt Haig

When Nora Seed’s life becomes unbearable to the point of suicide, she finds herself between life and death in a mysterious library that allows her to revisit her regrets. Each book transports Nora to what may have been, had she chosen a different path. Will she find the one that offers happiness and fulfillment? Short, approachable and thought-provoking, this story of parallel universes may cause a shift in your own life perspective.

The Island of Sea Women

by Lisa See Young-sook

and Mi-ja grow up together in the matriarchal society of Korea’s Jeju Island, where female deep-sea divers provide for their families. Over time, the friends are torn apart by love, loss, betrayal and war. Multigenerational characters give this heartwrenching saga depth, and hope. Well-researched with rich details, The Island of Sea Women is a great choice for book groups.

A Gentleman in Moscow

by Amor Towles

Despite his sentence to a life of house arrest in the attic of an elegant Moscow hotel in the 1920s, count Alexander Rostov maintains his gracious manners, charm and refined taste. He befriends Nina, a bureaucrat’s young daughter, and endears himself to restaurant staff, living a full life inside the confines of the hotel. The writing is as beautiful as the cast of brilliant characters. You’ll get lost in this novel and won’t want it to end.

Karen Mackey is an adult services librarian at Wescott Library in Eagan. Read more at dakotacounty.us/library.

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Summer Thrills

It’s not really summer in Minnesota without a ride on the High Roller, the iconic Valleyfair roller coaster that’s been with the park since it opened in 1976. The 125-acre theme park features more than 75 rides and attractions, as well as the opportunity to reunite with the Peanuts gang at Planet Snoopy. The amusement park opens for the season on May 14, and park goers can cool off at Valleyfair’s Soak City Waterpark starting May 27. While there’s plenty of fun to be found on any day at Valleyfair, mark your calendars for special events, including Grand Carnivale from June 24–July 9, Fourth of July fireworks and Latin Days on August 5–6. Daily tickets average $34.99 online or $60 at the gate, and season passes start at $79 with taxes and fees.

—Liz Potasek

Valleyfair, One Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee; 952.445.7600; valleyfair.com ValleyfairMN @valleyfairmn @valleyfairmn