Book Reviews

Alice Hoffman

In traditional Alice Hoffman form, The Invisible Hour poignantly deals with the love of a child, restrictions, a magical novel, transcendent love, and a brooding writer. Mia finds herself in a cult in which reading is prohibited. A bibliophile, Mia, hides her novel so that “the Community” members do not uncover her literary secrets. After she escapes, she discovers that her favorite book invites her to a world of enchantment. Hoffman, the queen of magical realism, has well-captured how reading can transform you into other dimensions and connections. Full of first-love feelings and persuasive conviction, this book is sure to summon up autumnal timbre and coziness.

Nikki Erlick

One morning, everyone wakes up to find a small box on their front porch. Inside this box is a string. This string shows many more years they have to live. What follows is a world in turmoil. Politicians feed on distrust and suspicion between those with short strings and long strings. Everyone has to decide. Do they look to see how much time they have left? How do you cope if you or a loved one receives a short string? We follow some “short-stringers” Hank, who decides to quit his job, Ben, whose girlfriend breaks up with him, Maura, and her girlfriend Nina. There’s Nina’s sister Amie, who refuses to look. We watch as their lives intertwine, and as we savor this poignant story, we ask the question: What is the measure of a life? How long it is lived, or what was accomplished during that life?

Kate Clayborn

Georgie All Along is a beautiful story about coming home, finding love, and rediscovering yourself. When Georgie’s famous screenwriter boss decides to step away from the limelight, she finds herself unemployed and without a roof over her head. Unsure of what she wants to do next, Georgie decides to head home. But Georgie’s father conveniently forgot to inform her that they invited the older brother of her teenage crush, Levi Fanning, to crash at their place, too. Levi has a reputation as a troublemaker and loner, but his gruff exterior seems to be hiding something more. To take her mind off Levi, Georgie and her best friend unearth a “friendfic” diary from their high school years, where Georgie had jotted down a wish list of things to do. Georgie decides there is no time like the present to follow through on some of those adventures in an attempt to rediscover herself and what brings her happiness in life. This novel is a true gem for romantic comedy readers who enjoy authors like Emily Henry.

All these titles are available at the Portage District Library. For more information about programs and services available at PDL, go to www.portagelibrary.info