| By Tamara Butler |
In the season of trick or treats, these five titles are all treats that will be more satisfying than candy corn or Halloween pumpkins! Thorndike’s October offerings feature five courageous women, including an ancient African queen who looks to the gods to help her understand her place in the world, as well as a young woman in a small, isolated mountain town where some of the mothers disappear into the clouds, leaving their daughters to wonder about their destiny. There’s also a romance novel ghostwriter who has given up on love until she meets an intriguing ghost with unfinished business, and the story of two lifelong friends whose lives have gone in very different directions and now face a decision that will uncover long-buried secrets. While you are devouring these female-focused reads, try out a few iconic recipes from a cookbook that features all your favorites from classic Christmas films loved by all.
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
9798885783255
An Instant New York Times Bestseller!
Book of the Month Club Pick
Indie Next
Two Starred Reviews
Kaikeyi, the only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, was raised on legends of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the devout and the wise. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother and listens as her own worth is reduced to how great a marriage alliance she can secure. When she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear. Desperate for some measure of independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone.
Elsewhere: A Novel by Alexis Schaitkin
9798885781107
Indie Next
Three Starred Reviews
In this darkly captivating story with elements of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” Vera grows up in a small town, removed and isolated, pressed up against the mountains, cloud-covered and damp year-round. This town, fiercely protective, brutal, and unforgiving in its adherence to tradition, faces a singular affliction: some mothers vanish, disappearing into the clouds. It is the exquisite pain and intrinsic beauty of their lives; it sets them apart from people elsewhere and gives them meaning. Vera is on the cusp of adulthood herself, and she speculates about who might be the first to go.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
9798885781961
New York Times Bestseller
Good Morning America Book Club Pick!
Indie Next
Starred Publishers Weekly Review
Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. When her new editor won’t give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive. She must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father, and it feels like nothing in this town has changed. Until she finds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door, just as broad and infuriatingly handsome as ever, and he’s just as confused about why he’s there as she is.
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
9781432896942
Indie Next
Three Starred Reviews
Celebrated children’s book author Agnes Lee is determined to secure her legacy—to complete what she knows will be the final volume of her pseudonymously written Franklin Square novels; and even more consuming, to permanently protect the peninsula of majestic coast in Maine known as Fellowship Point. To donate the land to a trust, Agnes must convince shareholders to dissolve a generations-old partnership. And one of those shareholders is her best friend, Polly. Polly Wister has led a different kind of life than Agnes, that of a well-off married woman with children, defined by her devotion to her husband. Polly soon finds her loyalties torn between the wishes of her best friend and the wishes of her three sons—but what is it that Polly wants herself?
The Christmas Movie Cookbook: Recipes from Your Favorite Holiday Films by Julia Rutland
9798885783248
Bring the merry festivities from the screen right to your own table! There are more than 65 scrumptious recipes inspired by scenes from your favorite Christmas films.This season, you can indulge alongside your favorite Elf characters as they make special spaghetti, and get tipsy with the Bad Moms crew while they imbibe their spiced cider. Just crack open The Christmas Movie Cookbook and discover 65 mouthwatering recipes to add joy to any holiday gathering. Recipes include:
- Old Fashioned Meatloaf from A Christmas Story
- Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheddar Cheese Soup from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Christmas Pudding from A Christmas Carol
- Breakfast Strata from The Family Stone
- Really Rich Hot Chocolate from Polar Express
- And much more!
About the Author
Tamara Butler is an acquisitions editor with over 20 years prior experience in public and academic libraries. She has a master’s degree in library science from the University of Buffalo and a master of fine arts in writing from Lindenwood University. When not checking out the latest Southern gothic novels, Tamara loves to spend time on New England beaches and hang out with her two energetic beagles..