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The French Gift: A Novel of World War II Paris
by Kirsty ManningFrom Kirsty Manning, author of The Song of the Jade Lily, comes a gripping World War II set historical novel about murder, secrets, and survival. A forgotten manuscript that threatens to unravel the past… Fresne Prison, 1940: A former maid at a luxury villa on the Riviera, Margot Bisset finds herself in a prison cell with writer and French Resistance fighter Joséphine Murant. Together, they are transferred to a work camp in Germany for four years, where the secrets they share will bind them for generations to come. Paris, around about now: Evie Black lives in Paris with her teenage son, Hugo, above her botanical bookshop, La Maison Rustique. Life would be so sweet if only Evie were not mourning the great love of her life. When a letter arrives regarding the legacy of her husband’s great-aunt, Joséphine Murant, Evie clutches at an opportunity to spend one last magical summer with her son. They travel together to Joséphine’s house, now theirs, on the Côte d’Azur. Here, Evie unravels the official story of this famous novelist, and the truth of a murder a lifetime ago. Along the way, she will discover the little-known true story of the women who were enslaved by German forces in WWII. Bringing together the present and the past, The French Gift is a tender and heartbreaking story of female friendship, sacrifice and loss, and the promise of new love.
The French House: The captivating and heartbreaking wartime love story and Richard & Judy Book Club pick
by Jacquie Bloese'I absolutely loved this powerful and sweeping story. I was completely immersed in the lives of these characters, with them at every heart-pounding moment, and felt the tears running down my cheeks at the end' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ In Nazi-occupied Guernsey, the wrong decision can destroy a life... Left profoundly deaf after an accident, Émile is no stranger to isolation - or heartbreak. Now, as Nazi planes loom over Guernsey, he senses life is about to change forever.Trapped in a tense, fearful marriage, Isabelle doesn't know what has become of Émile and the future she hoped for. But when she glimpses him from the window of the French House, their lives collide once more. Leutnant Schreiber is more comfortable wielding a paintbrush than a pistol. But he has little choice in the role he is forced to play in the occupying forces - or in his own forbidden desires. As their paths entwine, loyalties are blurred and dangerous secrets forged. But on an island under occupation, courage can have deadly consequences... Lyrical, moving and compelling, this is a novel about the price we pay for love and the courage of individuals in the face of war. Perfect for fans The Nightingale, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and All the Light We Cannot See.Everyone is falling in love with The French House:'I cannot put into words how good this book is... A gripping and emotive storyline and well-developed characters that all brought something different to the page and that I have taken to my heart. I loved it' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A raw and honest love story, filled with a wealth of historical detail. The French House is a powerful depiction of the brutal intricacies of island relationships and loyalties in a time of war' Fiona Valpy 'Deeply involving . . . A fantastic debut by a gifted storyteller' Jill Mansell 'Quite simply wonderful. From the moment I started reading I knew I was unwrapping a big story. The writing is so gorgeous, so evocative and so wonderfully paced' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'An absolutely stunning, beautifully original novel' Jenny Ashcroft 'A beautifully wrought exploration of love of all kinds. It's utterly gorgeous, convincingly written and completely captivating. Make sure you read it' My Weekly 'A very moving read... The underlying love story is moving as is the loyalty and bravery of the people. A brilliant read that I can highly recommend 5* doesn't seem enough' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A story of fraught secrets and tested loyalties . . . I found this beautifully told tale hard to put down' Anita Frank'Heart-wrenching . . . A truly special novel' Louise Fein 'A fabulous, emotional love story set against the backdrop of the German Occupation of Guernsey during World War Two... I absolutely loved it!' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The French House: The captivating and heartbreaking wartime love story and Richard & Judy Book Club pick
by Jacquie Bloese'I absolutely loved this powerful and sweeping story. I was completely immersed in the lives of these characters, with them at every heart-pounding moment, and felt the tears running down my cheeks at the end' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ In Nazi-occupied Guernsey, the wrong decision can destroy a life... Left profoundly deaf after an accident, Émile is no stranger to isolation - or heartbreak. Now, as Nazi planes loom over Guernsey, he senses life is about to change forever.Trapped in a tense, fearful marriage, Isabelle doesn't know what has become of Émile and the future she hoped for. But when she glimpses him from the window of the French House, their lives collide once more. Leutnant Schreiber is more comfortable wielding a paintbrush than a pistol. But he has little choice in the role he is forced to play in the occupying forces - or in his own forbidden desires. As their paths entwine, loyalties are blurred and dangerous secrets forged. But on an island under occupation, courage can have deadly consequences... Lyrical, moving and compelling, this is a novel about the price we pay for love and the courage of individuals in the face of war. Perfect for fans The Nightingale, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and All the Light We Cannot See.Everyone is falling in love with The French House:'I cannot put into words how good this book is... A gripping and emotive storyline and well-developed characters that all brought something different to the page and that I have taken to my heart. I loved it' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A raw and honest love story, filled with a wealth of historical detail. The French House is a powerful depiction of the brutal intricacies of island relationships and loyalties in a time of war' Fiona Valpy 'Deeply involving . . . A fantastic debut by a gifted storyteller' Jill Mansell 'Quite simply wonderful. From the moment I started reading I knew I was unwrapping a big story. The writing is so gorgeous, so evocative and so wonderfully paced' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'An absolutely stunning, beautifully original novel' Jenny Ashcroft 'A beautifully wrought exploration of love of all kinds. It's utterly gorgeous, convincingly written and completely captivating. Make sure you read it' My Weekly 'A very moving read... The underlying love story is moving as is the loyalty and bravery of the people. A brilliant read that I can highly recommend 5* doesn't seem enough' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A story of fraught secrets and tested loyalties . . . I found this beautifully told tale hard to put down' Anita Frank'Heart-wrenching . . . A truly special novel' Louise Fein 'A fabulous, emotional love story set against the backdrop of the German Occupation of Guernsey during World War Two... I absolutely loved it!' Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The French House: The most captivating World War Two love story of 2022
by Jacquie BloeseFreedom worth fighting for. Love worth waiting for.In Nazi-occupied Guernsey, the consequences of making the wrong decision can be deadly...Left profoundly deaf after an accident, Émile is no stranger to isolation - or heartbreak. Now, as Nazi planes loom over Guernsey, he senses life is about to change forever.Trapped in a tense, fearful marriage, Isabelle doesn't know what has become of Émile and the future she hoped for. But when she glimpses him from the window of the French House, their lives collide once more. Leutnant Schreiber is more comfortable wielding a paintbrush than a pistol. But he has little choice in the role he is forced to play in the occupying forces - or in his own forbidden desires. As their paths entwine, loyalties are blurred and dangerous secrets forged. But on an island under occupation, courage can have deadly consequences...Lyrical, moving and compelling, this is a novel about wanting to hear and learning to listen - to the truths of our own hearts.(P) 2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
The French Lover's Wife: A Novel
by Janet GarberWhen Lucie, a smart and sassy girl from NYC, meets Pierre, a dashing Frenchman, at a grad school party in 1973, she abandons her PhD program to run off with him. It’s the start of the sexual revolution, and she doesn’t intend to miss a thing. They first land in Mexico, then marry and settle in Paris to live the dream. But not long into their marriage, Pierre becomes an intolerant critic of her wifely imperfections; Lucie just can’t seem to measure up to French standards. Instead of settling into her new life, she balks at French customs. As planned, she has their baby son in 1976, but far from succeeding in settling her down, the baby highlights her inability to depend on Pierre and precipitates a meltdown. Finally, she makes two friends, young mothers she’s met at the playground. When one of them tries to commit suicide, Lucie panics and considers returning to the U.S. but fears the impact on her young son. An English-speaking women’s writing group sets her on the right path. Ultimately, those women help her realize what she truly needs and wants out of life: to be a mother, a career woman, and a writer.
The Frenchman's Love-Child (Brides Of L Amour Ser.)
by Lynne GrahamIn this classic contemporary romance, tragedy tears apart an aristocrat and his young lover, but chance and a secret son could reunite them.Tabby fell in love with Christien Laroche, but then tragedy struck and Christien wanted nothing more to do with her. How could Tabby confess to the arrogant Frenchman that she was expecting his baby? Now Tabby has made a new life for herself and her son. But Christien is back! What if he discovers little Jake’s existence?Originally published in 2003.
The Frequency of Living Things: A Novel
by Nick Fuller GooginsA heartbreaking American epic about three sisters who unearth lifetimes of family tensions as they are forced to rescue one of their own from peril, testing the limits of sacrifice, sisterhood, and forgiveness from the author of the &“profound work of great wisdom&” (Alice Elliott Dark) The Great Transition.Josie may be the youngest sister, but she takes care of everyone. She is the left-brained scientist to her twin sisters&’ right-brained artistic chaos. She makes sure their rent gets paid on time, they make their therapy appointments, and has also been their de-facto band manager since she was a teenager. When Ara, her middle sister (by a few minutes), calls from jail, it isn&’t exactly a surprise, and Josie knows exactly how to snap into action. Emma is the quintessential frontwoman, complete with looks and attitude. But the success of The Twins&’ first (and only) album—gold records, Grammy nominations, and diehard fans—is two decades behind her. Hiding under the surface of her swagger is a long-held guilt that has turned her into her sister&’s enabler. Emma knows she needs Ara&’s creative genius and thinks a jailhouse record could be just the thing to get Ara her freedom and their band back on the main stage. Ara is detoxing, not only from her opioid habit but also from her family. The truth is, as crazy as it sounds, she&’s not in a hurry to get out of lock-up. In the most unlikely and dangerous of places, this could be her chance to face the demons of her past and disentangle herself from her family. Bertie, who raised her three daughters as a single mother, has always taught them that family won&’t always be around to take care of you. A former defense attorney and perennial do-gooder, she&’s committed to taking care of everyone less fortunate even if that means putting her girls&’ needs second. But now Bertie must decide if she should reenter her daughters&’ lives in their greatest time of need—or watch to see if the resilience she&’s taught them will help carry them through. A story both intimate and sweeping, The Frequency of Living Things explores the timeless question of how our individual destinies are intertwined with our family, our siblings, and our history no matter how we try to untangle ourselves from them.
The Fresh New Face of Griselda
by Jennifer TorresA moving coming-of-age novel about one girl's struggles after her parents lose their home, and her journey to find hope in family and friendship, from Jennifer Torres, the author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times; min-height: 16.0px} Griselda "Geez" Zaragoza has a love for beautiful things, like her collection of vintage teacups and the flower garden she and her dad planted in the front yard. But when his business fails, Griselda loses not just her home, but also her confidence and her trust in her unflappable parents. Tagging along with big sister Maribel, who postponed college for a job selling Alma Cosmetics, Geez dreams up a way to reclaim the life she thinks she lost. If she can sell enough tubes of glistening, glittery Alma lip gloss, she'll win a cash prize that could help jump start her dad's business. With ups and downs along the way, Geez will discover that beauty isn't just lost or found, but made and re-made.
The Friday Gospels
by Jenn AshworthIt's Friday in the Leeke household, but this is no ordinary Friday and the Leekes are a little unusual: they are Lancastrian Mormons, and this evening their son Gary will return from 2 years as a missionary in Salt Lake City.His mother is planning a celebratory dinner - with difficulty, since she's virtually housebound with an undiagnosed, embarrassing condition. What she doesn't realise is that the rest of the family - her meek husband, disturbed oldest son, and teenage daughter - have other plans for the evening, each involving drastic and irrevocable action.As the narrative baton passes from one Leeke to the next, disaster inexorably looms. Except that nothing goes according to plan, and the outcome is as unexpected as it is shocking. Giving a fascinating insight into the Mormon way of life, this blackly funny tale of innocence betrayed shows the havoc religion can wreak.
The Friday Gospels
by Jenn AshworthIt's Friday in the Leeke household, but this is no ordinary Friday: the Leekes are Lancastrian Mormons and tonight they will be welcoming back their son Gary from his two-year mission in Utah. His mother, Pauline, wants his homecoming to be perfect. Unfortunately, no one else seems to be following the script. In turn, the members of the family let us into their private thoughts and plans. There's teenage Jeannie, wrestling with a disastrous secret; her peculiar elder brother, Julian, who's plotting an exit according to his own warped logic; their father, Martin, dreaming of escape; and 'golden boy' Gary, who dreads his return. Then there's Pauline, who needs a doctor's help but won't ask for it. As the day progresses, a meltdown looms. Except that nothing goes according to anyone's plan, and the outcome is as unexpected as it is shocking. Laced with black humour and giving an unusual insight into the Mormon way of life, this is a superbly orchestrated and arresting tale of human folly and foibles and what counts in times of crisis.
The Friday Night Knitting Club
by Kate JacobsThe New York Times bestselling sensation that's "Steel Magnolias set in Manhattan" (USA Today)-now in paperback. Juggling the demands of her yarn shop and single-handedly raising a teenage daughter has made Georgia Walker grateful for her Friday Night Knitting Club. Her friends are happy to escape their lives too, even for just a few hours. But when Georgia's ex suddenly reappears, demanding a role in their daughter's life, her whole world is shattered. Luckily, Georgia's friends are there, sharing their own tales of intimacy, heartbreak, and miracle making. And when the unthinkable happens, these women will discover that what they've created isn't just a knitting club: it's a sisterhood.
The Friendly Persuasion and Except for Me and Thee
by Jessamyn WestA delightful series of vignettes from the lives of a pioneer Quaker family. Covers leaving home, having children, living in difficult circumstances, losing a child, and much more.
The Friends We Keep
by Holly ChamberlinThree college friends reunite in Boston after two decades—and find their old bond tested by a betrayal—in this novel by the author of All Our Summers. In her college freshman year, Sophie Holmes met Eva and John, forging the kind of deep friendship that seems destined to last forever. But time proved otherwise, and Sophie married and moved to Los Angeles. Now, two decades later, newly divorced and adrift, Sophie has returned to Boston, and instinctively reaches out to the people who once defined her world. Though they&’ve stayed in the same city, Eva and John too have grown apart. Eva is an ambitious advertising executive who favors flings over relationships. John is a dedicated lawyer wondering if he's left it too late for love and marriage. Through Sophie&’s reappearance, their connection crackles to life once more. Just as they did long ago, the three confide their longings and secrets—until old insecurities and new betrayal threatens to shatter their bond for good. Holly Chamberlin&’s thoughtful novel is a story of rediscovery and letting go, and of the ties that remind us where we've been—and where we still hope to go.
The Friends We Keep
by Jane GreenThe Friends We Keep is the heartwarming and unforgettable new novel from Jane Green, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sunshine Sisters and The Beach House. <P><P> Evvie, Maggie, and Topher have known one another since college. Their friendship was something they swore would last forever. Now years have passed, the friends have drifted apart, and they never found the lives they wanted—the lives they dreamed of when they were young and everything seemed possible. <P><P>Evvie starved herself to become a supermodel but derailed her career by sleeping with a married man. Maggie married Ben, the boy she fell in love with in college, never imagining the heartbreak his drinking would cause. <P><P>Topher became a successful actor, but the shame of a childhood secret shut him off from real intimacy. By their thirtieth reunion, these old friends have lost touch with one another and with the people they dreamed of becoming. <P><P>Together again, they have a second chance at happiness...until a dark secret is revealed that changes everything. <P><P>The Friends We Keep is about how despite disappointments we’ve had or mistakes we’ve made, it’s never too late to find a place to call home. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
The Friendship Club: A Novel
by Robyn CarrA brand-new novel from the #1 bestselling author of VIRGIN RIVERFour women come together at a tumultuous time in their lives, forging an unbreakable bond that will leave them all forever changed.Celebrity cooking show host Marni McGuire has seen it all. She&’s been married—twice—and widowed and divorced. Now in her mid-fifties, she&’s single. Happily so. She just needs to convince her pregnant daughter, Bella, of this fact. And maybe convince herself, too. Especially after Marni&’s efforts to humor her determined daughter result in a series of disastrous dates that somehow prompt Marni to wonder if maybe the right man for her is still out there after all. Similarly single, Marni&’s best friend and colleague is confident she&’s content without a man, but both older women soon find themselves leading by example as the young intern on their show appears caught in a toxic relationship—and Bella reveals her own marriage maybe isn&’t built to withstand the stresses of the baby on the way.Suddenly, all four women find themselves at a crossroads, each navigating the challenges of dating, marriage, loneliness and love. Thankfully, they have each other to lean on. The realities of modern love are far from easy, but there&’s no better group to have in your corner than friends who will lift you up, no matter what, and hold fast in the face of any storm.Don't miss these other great summer beach reads from Robyn Carr A Family Affair Sunrise On Half Moon Bay The View From Alameda Island The Summer That Made Us Never Too Late
The Friendship Doll
by Kirby LarsonI am Miss Kanagawa. In 1927, my 57 doll-sisters and I were sent from Japan to America as Ambassadors of Friendship. Our work wasn't all peach blossoms and tea cakes. My story will take you from New York to Oregon, during the Great Depression. Though few in this tale are as fascinating as I, their stories won't be an unpleasant diversion. You will make the acquaintance of Bunny, bent on revenge; Lois, with her head in the clouds; Willie Mae, who not only awakened my heart, but broke it; and Lucy, a friend so dear, not even war could part us. I have put this tale to paper because from those 58 Friendship Dolls only 45 remain. I know that someone who chooses this book is capable of solving the mystery of the missing sisters. Perhaps that someone is you.From the Hardcover edition.
The Friendship Experiment
by Erin TeaganFuture scientist Madeline Little is dreading the start of middle school. Nothing has been right since her grandfather died and her best friend changed schools. Maddie would rather help her father in his research lab or write Standard Operating Procedures in her lab notebook than hang out with a bunch of kids who aren't even her friends. Despite Maddie's reluctance, some new friends start coming her way--until they discover what she's written in that secret notebook. And that's just part of the trouble. Can this future scientific genius find the formula for straightening out her life?
The Friendship Factor
by Alan Loy McginnisSome people have countless friends-what's their secret? How can I get close and stay close to people I like? What's the key to a successful marriage? Alan Loy McGinnis, pastor and counselor, answers these and many more questions concerning the all-important topic: human relationships. At the heart of each relationship, says McGinnis, is the friendship factor-the essential ingredient of warmth and caring. With captivating case histories and anecdotes about such famous people as George Burns, Howard Hughes, Helen Keller, and C. S. Lewis, McGinnis shares the secret of how to love and be loved. Learn how to be a warmer, more lovable person, how to communicate better, how to resolve tension in your relationships. These clues for getting close apply between friend and friend, husband and wife, parent and child.
The Friendship Factor: Helping Our Children Navigate Their Social World--and Why It Matters for Their Success and Happiness
by Andrea Thompson Kenneth RubinBased on twenty-five years of research on friendship, Dr. Kenneth H. Rubin reveals the importance of children's social development to their emotional and intellectual growth--and future success. In The Friendship Factor he uses vivid case studies to differentiate normal development from potential problems and real distress, exploring how to: Distinguish between a solitary child and a lonely child Encourage the development of "popularity-as-likability," not "dominance" Help an easily angered child be less aggressive Increase a child's social ability with specific skills and strategies
The Friendship List: A Novel (Hq Audio Ser.)
by Susan MalleryAN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER&“Sparkling… A sure hit with women&’s fiction fans.&” —Publishers WeeklyTwo best friends jump-start their lives in a summer that will change them forever…Single mom Ellen Fox couldn&’t be more content—until she overhears her son saying he can&’t go to his dream college because she needs him too much. If she wants him to live his best life, she has to convince him she&’s living hers.So Unity Leandre, her best friend since forever, creates a list of challenges to push Ellen out of her comfort zone. Unity will complete the list, too, but not because she needs to change. What&’s wrong with a thirtysomething widow still sleeping in her late husband&’s childhood bed?The Friendship List begins as a way to make others believe they&’re just fine. But somewhere between &“wear three-inch heels&” and &“have sex with a gorgeous guy,&” Ellen and Unity discover that life is meant to be lived with joy and abandon, in a story filled with humor, heartache and regrettable tattoos.Don't miss New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's heartwarming summer novel, The Summer Book Club, where conversations over a glass of wine turns into something much more in this journey of motherhood, friendship and love. Get lost in more beach reads by Susan Mallery: The Summer Book Club - Coming February 2024! The Happiness Plan The Sister Effect The Boardwalk Bookshop The Summer Getaway
The Friendship Maze: How to Help Your Child Navigate Their Way to Positive and Happier Friendships
by Tanith CareyFriendship battles among children have existed since the words ‘you can’t play with us’ were first uttered in the playground. But the worry is that today it seems there is no minimum age limit to being hurtful to others. Unkind or exclusive behaviour appears to be starting sooner than ever – even in nursery school – and continues throughout the school system. As a result, friendship issues top the list of parents’ concerns, and, from the other side of the school gates, they can often feel powerless.This book will change that as parenting writer Tanith Carey analyses the increasingly complex social pressures changing the face of childhood, having drawn on extensive research on children's friendships, from toddlers to teens. She offers practical solutions for building your child’s social skills for a happier, more carefree childhood, including how to:Help your child deal with classroom and social media politics.Inoculate your child against the effects of peer-group pressure, cliquiness and exclusion.Learn what’s really going on in your child’s social circle.Bully-proof your child throughout school.Work out when to step in and step out of your child’s conflicts.Help your child make friends if they are stuck on the sidelines.The Friendship Maze is suitable for ages three to sixteen.
The Friendship Pact: Discover the meaning of true love in the gorgeous new novel from the beloved bestseller (Sunrise Cove)
by Jill ShalvisBeloved New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a powerful, moving story about a young woman on a quest to find the truth about her father who learns the meaning of true love along the way.'Perfect, feel-good fiction' Sarah Morgan'Fall in love with Jill Shalvis! She's my go-to read for humor and heart' Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author...............................................................................................Alone in the world, Tae Holmes and her mother April pretty much raised each other, but as Tae starts asking questions about the father she's never met, April, for the first time in her life, goes silent. To make matters worse, Tae is dangerously close to broke and just manages to avoid financial meltdown when she lands a shiny new contract with an adventure company for athletes with disabilities and wounded warriors.Her first big fundraiser event falls flat, but what starts out as a terrible, horrible, no-good night turns into something else entirely when Tae finds herself face-to-face with Riggs Copeland. She hasn't seen the former Marine since their brief fling in high school, and while still intensely drawn to him, she likes her past burned and buried, thank you very much. Hence their friendship pact.But when April oddly refuses to help Tae track down her father, it's Riggs who unexpectedly comes to her aid. On a hunt to unlock the past, the two of them find themselves on a wild ride and learn a shocking truth, while also reluctantly bonding in a way neither had seen coming. Now Tae must decide whether she's going to choose love . . . or walk away from her own happiness................................................................................................Raves for Jill Shalvis's life-affirming novels:'Jill Shalvis's books are funny, warm, charming and unforgettable' RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author'Sisterhood takes center stage in this utterly absorbing novel. Jill Shalvis balances her trademark sunny optimism and humor with unforgettable real-life drama. A book to savor - and share' Susan Wiggs, New York Times Bestselling Author'Readers will find it easy to root for Shalvis's stubborn, vulnerable heroines to recognize both the decency and compassion of the sexy men who love them and their own worthiness to be loved. This heartfelt tale is thoroughly satisfying' Publishers Weekly
The Friskative Dog
by Susan StraightSharron was five when her father gave her the Friskative Dog. And just like the best-loved toys fromThe Velveteen Rabbit,Sharron has made the Friskative Dog real through her love and devotion. Now Sharron is nine, and her father is missing, and the Friskative Dog is more necessary to her than ever. Her father walked out about a year ago and has been lost to her ever since. If he were a dog, he'd be able to find his way home, Sharron thinks. But people don't have the same homing instincts as dogs. And you can't train them to be true. The Friskative Dogis about a young girl coming to accept that families can take all different shapes and sizes, and learning to live with hope and patience. Susan Straight has written a spare, delicate story, rich in metaphor and meaning, and full of love.
The Frog Princess of Pelham
by Ellen ConfordWhen a kiss from Danny turns Chandler, a wealthy but lonely orphan, into a frog, Danny's humorous attempts to change her back into a human land the pair on a television talk show.
The Frog in the Throat
by Markus WernerIn a small town in Switzerland, Franz—ex-clergyman, ex-husband, current counselor of locals at loose ends— is being haunted by his recently deceased father, Klement. In life, Franz was caught cheating on his wife and defrocked, after which Klement never spoke to him again. In death, Klement visits his son in the form of a frog in the throat, choking him, yes, but also giving voice to an old dairy farmer devoted to the old ways, forever railing against his son and the whole modern mess he represents.The same can be said of this novel, in which these two voices clash, harmonize, and ultimately offer up all the mutual recognition and incomprehension that is family life. A miniature tragicomic masterpiece, Markus Werner&’s second novel is as bursting with life as a Dickens novel: not only Franz&’s high-strung shenanigans and the father&’s settled life among the cattle, but the lives of his sister and brother and the land all around.As in all of Werner&’s work, the world looks grim (&“I sit around, I drink, I brood, I pat myself down for flaws and find many and each evening I say: Starting tomorrowI&’m going to get a grip on myself&”) but never less than comic—a view captured marvelously in Michael Hofmann&’s vivid translation.