The River King

by Alice Hoffman

A supernatural murder mystery about "belonging" and not, the search for the truth and its consequences, life in a small New England town, the differences between innocence and evil and the "haves" and "have-nots" and, to a larger extent, the secrets we keep and the way they shape our lives. 

Starring Edward Burns, movie is currently in post-production.  No release dates yet.

Seventh Heaven

by Alice Hoffman

Set in a suburban housing development in Long Island in the late 1950s, this one is the story of a young divorcee with 2 boys and their effect on those who touch their lives by sheer proximity. 

It makes for a great study of life in the late 1950s and the change of mores that finally lead to the 1960s. 

Plus there's a little magic here as well…

Movie based on another Alice Hoffman book, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

Snow Falling on Cedars

by David Guterson

This is a murder story set in a small island off Puget Sound in Washington in the 1950s.  The story is mostly about the murder trial but it also reflects on WWII and how it affected the fisherman and farmers on the island, including the race relations with their Japanese neighbors.  A lot of the book is devoted to setting the place and its moody surroundings, life in a fishing town and an exploration of friendship, love and trust. 

Stars Ethan Hawke, nominated for Oscar in Cinematography.

The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn

by Robin Maxwell

This novel begins when Elizabeth, my favorite monarch, assumes the throne of England.  She is given the supposed secret diary her mother, Anne Boleyn wrote during her courtship with Henry VIII until she was locked in the Tower of London before being beheaded.  If you like historical novels, there are tons of descriptions of court life as well as references to historical figures and events.

Not related to the book, but a fantastic little period piece; Cate Blanchett is breathtaking!

Bridget Jones' Diary

by Helen Fielding

In an annoying way, I suppose this is the 21st Century version of a Jane Austen classic.  La Jones is a self-involved, self-hating, underachieving, alcoholic and neurotic twit whose intellect tells her she'll be a better person if she has a boyfriend and her thighs are trim.  But there is a hilarious storyline following her mother's "liberation" that would make a great farce. 

Renee Zelwegger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant

In case the original film does not offer enough inanity for 90 minutes, try the sequel!

Girl with a Pearl Earring

by Tracy Chevalier

Another historical novel, this one set in the household of Vermeer, the 17th Century master who painted the Girl with a Pearl Earring.  The story revolves around a servant girl, the subject of the painting.  The story itself is not very meaty; it is relatively simple, but it does paint a beautiful picture of life and class in the 1660s.  My favorite passages are about mixing colors:

     I came to love grinding the things he brought from the apothecary--bones, white lead, madder, massicot--to see how bright and pure I could get the colors. I learned that the finer the materials were ground, the deeper the color. From rough, dull grains madder became a fine bright red powder and, mixed with linseed oil, a sparkling paint. Making it and the other colors was magical.

Starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson; nominated for 3 Oscars, including Art direction, Cinematography and Costume Design.

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

Told by a precocious 8 year-old, this story is set in Alabama.  It centers around a trial, the relationship of a loving, single father with his children, race relations in the South and truth and justice, and losing the illusions of childhood (okay, growing up). It is funny, insightful and heartbreaking. 

This is one of my favorite books ever!

Fall in love with Gregory Peck and pledge to name all your male sons Atticus!

The Tree People

by Naomi Stokes

A moody and well-crafted novel revolving around Native American legends, the ethereal beauty of the Pacific Northwest, murder and the clash of past and present.

Fascinating documentary about Native Americans—the folks who already had names and lived in the lost lands “discovered” by the directionally challenged Euros. 

The Agüero Sisters

by Cristina Garcia

The story of two half-sisters – one having spent 30 years in New York, the other stayed behind in Cuba.  They reestablish a connection in Miami and the rest is a throwback to their family history, the history of Cuba and the lies and misconceptions that shape us.  Deep, but funny and elegantly told.

A testament to music and art as a great survival tool – check out some of the unspoiled beauty of Cuba and the triumph of the human spirit.

The Sisters Mallone

by Louisa Ermelino

Think “The Sopranos” meet “Sex in the City” but set in the first half of the 20^th Century in New York.  Three sassy sisters, one though Grandma and the journey of life as experienced through and for family.

New York in all its splendor and full of character, according to Woody…