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Books Similar to Where'd You Go, Bernadette? A Reader's Guide to Quirky, Heartfelt Stories
Are you craving another captivating read that blends witty humor, poignant family drama, and a touch of mystery, much like Maria Semple's Where'd You Go, Bernadette? You're not alone. This post dives deep into the unique elements that make Where'd You Go, Bernadette? so compelling and offers a curated list of books that capture its essence. We'll explore narratives centered around unconventional characters, unraveling family secrets, and journeys of self-discovery. Get ready to embark on a literary adventure filled with insightful characters and unexpected twists.
What Makes Where'd You Go, Bernadette? So Special?
Before we delve into the recommendations, let's dissect the magic of Semple's novel. Its success hinges on several key factors:
Unconventional Protagonist: Bernadette Fox isn't your typical heroine. Her eccentricities, anxieties, and brilliant mind make her relatable despite her flaws. The reader is drawn to her struggles and triumphs.
Unique Narrative Structure: The epistolary style, blending emails, journal entries, and police reports, creates a dynamic and engaging reading experience. This unconventional storytelling keeps the reader guessing and invested.
Intriguing Mystery: Bernadette's disappearance forms the core of the narrative, driving the plot forward and keeping the reader hooked until the very end. The mystery isn't just about her location but about understanding her motivations.
Exploration of Family Dynamics: The novel cleverly explores the complex relationships within the Fox family, highlighting the challenges and joys of parenthood and the bonds between family members.
Humorous and Heartfelt Tone: Semple masterfully balances witty humor with moments of genuine emotion, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with readers on multiple levels. The humor is never at the expense of the characters’ emotional depth.
Books That Capture the Where'd You Go, Bernadette? Spirit
Now, let's explore some fantastic books that share similar elements with Where'd You Go, Bernadette :
#### 1. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman:
This novel focuses on Eleanor, a socially awkward woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and connection. Like Bernadette, Eleanor is a unique character struggling with emotional baggage and societal expectations. The narrative is heartwarming and ultimately hopeful.
#### 2. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Anna Beth McPartlin:
This charming novel offers a heartwarming tale of second chances and unexpected connections. While the mystery element isn't as prominent, the focus on character development and relatable relationships mirrors Where'd You Go, Bernadette. The small-town setting adds a cozy feel.
#### 3. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng:
This captivating novel explores themes of family, secrets, and the complexities of motherhood. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives. The intriguing plot and morally gray characters resonate with Where'd You Go, Bernadette's depth.
#### 4. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion:
This witty and heartwarming novel features a genetics professor with Asperger's Syndrome who embarks on a quest to find a wife. The unconventional protagonist and unique narrative structure create a similar reading experience.
#### 5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune:
While seemingly different at first glance, this heartwarming fantasy novel shares the themes of unconventional families and embracing differences. The charming characters and optimistic tone offer a similar emotional resonance.
#### 6. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid:
This sharp and relevant novel explores themes of race, class, and social justice. While not as directly comedic as Where'd You Go, Bernadette, it shares the narrative's strength in exploring complex character relationships and unraveling societal assumptions.
#### 7. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman:
This heartwarming tale of a grumpy but ultimately kind-hearted man touches on themes of loneliness, community, and unexpected friendships. Ove's gruff exterior hides a deep well of emotion, mirroring Bernadette's complex personality.
#### 8. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid:
This captivating novel tells the story of a fictional 1970s rock band through a series of interviews. The narrative structure, the exploration of complex relationships, and the underlying mystery create a similar immersive experience.
#### 9. The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley:
This engaging novel centers around a worn-out journal found in a pub, which becomes a conduit for people to share their deepest truths and secrets. The exploration of human connection and self-discovery mirrors the essence of Where'd You Go, Bernadette.
Book Recommendation: "The Unexpected Journey of Evelyn Cox"
Brief Outline:
Introduction: Introduces Evelyn Cox, a seemingly ordinary woman hiding a remarkable secret.
Chapter 1-5: Evelyn's ordinary life in a small town is disrupted by a sudden unexpected event, leading her to a quest for self-discovery.
Chapter 6-10: Evelyn's journey takes unexpected turns, revealing hidden talents and untapped potential.
Conclusion: Evelyn finds peace and fulfillment, accepting her past and embracing her future.
Detailed Explanation:
(Introduction): The introduction paints a picture of Evelyn's quiet life, emphasizing her unassuming nature. The reader is subtly hinted that beneath the surface lies a deeper story waiting to unfold. This mirrors the initial perception of Bernadette Fox.
(Chapters 1-5): This section focuses on the catalyst that triggers Evelyn's journey. Perhaps it's a lost inheritance, a cryptic message, or a sudden health scare. This section should mirror the mystery element in Where'd You Go, Bernadette, creating intrigue and suspense.
(Chapters 6-10): This part of the story focuses on Evelyn's personal growth and transformation. She discovers hidden talents, confronts past traumas, and makes meaningful connections. This is where the reader sees the parallels to Bernadette’s self-discovery throughout her journey.
(Conclusion): The conclusion provides a satisfying resolution, showing Evelyn's acceptance of her life's complexities and her newfound sense of peace. The ending should leave the reader with a feeling of warmth and hope, much like the overall feeling left after reading Where'd You Go, Bernadette.
FAQs
1. Are all these books similar in genre? While they share thematic similarities, the genre varies. Some are literary fiction, others are contemporary fiction, and some lean towards mystery or even fantasy.
2. Which book is the closest to Where'd You Go, Bernadette? Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine arguably shares the most thematic similarities, focusing on an unconventional protagonist's journey of self-discovery.
3. Are these books suitable for all ages? The maturity level varies. Some are appropriate for young adults, while others contain mature themes. Please check content advisories before reading.
4. Where can I find these books? Most are widely available at bookstores, libraries, and online retailers like Amazon.
5. Are these books standalone novels or part of a series? Most of these books are standalone novels, though some authors have written sequels to similar works.
6. What makes these books stand out from other contemporary fiction? These books offer unique narratives, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes that resonate with readers seeking something beyond the ordinary.
7. Do these books offer similar narrative styles? While they might employ diverse narrative structures, they all share a focus on captivating storytelling, often using inventive techniques to engage the reader.
8. Are these books suitable for book clubs? Absolutely! These novels offer rich discussion points, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes, making them perfect for book clubs.
9. Can you recommend any audiobooks? Many of these novels are available as audiobooks, making them a great choice for commuters or those who prefer listening to reading.
Related Articles:
1. Top 10 Books About Mother-Daughter Relationships: Explores novels focusing on the complexities of mother-daughter bonds.
2. Best Books Featuring Unconventional Heroines: Highlights novels starring unique and relatable female protagonists.
3. Must-Read Books with Epistolary Narrative Structures: Examines novels that utilize unique storytelling techniques like letters and journals.
4. Books That Will Make You Laugh and Cry: Focuses on novels that blend humor and emotional depth.
5. Literary Fiction Books for Book Clubs: Suggests thought-provoking novels ideal for group discussions.
6. Best Books About Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: Highlights novels that center on character journeys of transformation.
7. Contemporary Novels That Explore Family Secrets: Explores narratives focusing on hidden family truths and their impact.
8. Books with Intriguing Mysteries and Unraveling Plots: Focuses on novels that keep readers guessing until the very end.
9. Top 10 Books for Readers Who Loved Where'd You Go, Bernadette? Provides a comprehensive list of alternatives including those mentioned above and several more.
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Where'd You Go, Bernadette Maria Semple, 2012-08-14 A misanthropic matriarch leaves her eccentric family in crisis when she mysteriously disappears in this whip-smart and divinely funny novel that inspired the movie starring Cate Blanchett (New York Times). Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect; and to 15-year-old Bee, she is her best friend and, simply, Mom. Then Bernadette vanishes. It all began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle -- and people in general -- has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic. To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, and secret correspondence -- creating a compulsively readable and surprisingly touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Today Will Be Different Maria Semple, 2016-10-04 A brilliant novel and instant New York Times bestseller from the author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette, about a day in the life of Eleanor Flood, forced to abandon her small ambitions and awake to a strange, new future. Eleanor knows she's a mess. But today, she will tackle the little things. She will shower and get dressed. She will have her poetry and yoga lessons after dropping off her son, Timby. She won't swear. She will initiate sex with her husband, Joe. But before she can put her modest plan into action, life happens. Today, it turns out, is the day Timby has decided to fake sick to weasel his way into his mother's company. It's also the day Joe has chosen to tell his office -- but not Eleanor -- that he's on vacation. Just when it seems like things can't go more awry, an encounter with a former colleague produces a graphic memoir whose dramatic tale threatens to reveal a buried family secret. Today Will Be Different is a hilarious, heart-filled story about reinvention, sisterhood, and how sometimes it takes facing up to our former selves to truly begin living. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Guineveres Sarah Domet, 2016-10-04 “Deft and lovely...The perfect weight, in all ways. It’s suitable for a vacation, and you can describe it in one inviting line, but then it keeps unfolding and deepening, taking unexpected turns.” —The New York Times Book Review To four girls who have nothing, their friendship is everything: they are each other’s confidants, teachers, and family. The girls are all named Guinevere—Vere, Gwen, Ginny, and Win—and it is the surprise of finding another Guinevere in their midst that first brings them together. They come to The Sisters of the Supreme Adoration convent by different paths, delivered by their families, each with her own complicated, heartbreaking story that she safeguards. Gwen is all Hollywood glamour and swagger; Ginny is a budding artiste with a sentiment to match; Win’s tough bravado isn’t even skin deep; and Vere is the only one who seems to be a believer, trying to hold onto her faith that her mother will one day return for her. However, the girls are more than the sum of their parts and together they form the all powerful and confident The Guineveres, bound by the extraordinary coincidence of their names and girded against the indignities of their plain, sequestered lives. The nuns who raise them teach the Guineveres that faith is about waiting: waiting for the mail, for weekly wash day, for a miracle, or for the day they turn eighteen and are allowed to leave the convent. But the Guineveres grow tired of waiting. And so when four comatose soldiers from the War looming outside arrive at the convent, the girls realize that these men may hold their ticket out. In prose shot through with beauty, Sarah Domet weaves together the Guineveres’ past, present, and future, as well as the stories of the female saints they were raised on, to capture the wonder and tumult of girlhood and the magical thinking of young women as they cross over to adulthood. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Roxy Letters Mary Pauline Lowry, 2020-04-07 Meet Roxy. For fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Bridget Jones’s Diary comes “just the kind of comic novel we need right now” (The Washington Post) about an Austin artist trying to figure out her life one letter to her ex-boyfriend at a time. Bridget Jones penned a diary; Roxy writes letters. Specifically: she writes letters to her hapless, rent-avoidant ex-boyfriend—and current roommate—Everett. This charming and funny twenty-something is under-employed (and under-romanced), and she’s decidedly fed up with the indignities she endures as a deli maid at Whole Foods (the original), and the dismaying speed at which her beloved Austin is becoming corporatized. When a new Lululemon pops up at the intersection of Sixth and Lamar where the old Waterloo Video used to be, Roxy can stay silent no longer. As her letters to Everett become less about overdue rent and more about the state of her life, Roxy realizes she’s ready to be the heroine of her own story. She decides to team up with her two best friends to save Austin—and rescue Roxy’s love life—in whatever way they can. But can this spunky, unforgettable millennial keep Austin weird, avoid arrest, and find romance—and even creative inspiration—in the process? |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Crazy Rich Asians Kevin Kwan, 2013-06-11 Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season. When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: This One Is Mine Maria Semple, 2008-12-04 Violet Parry is living the quintessential life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills with David, her rock-and-roll manager husband, and her darling toddler, Dot. She has the perfect life -- except that she's deeply unhappy. David expects the world of Violet but gives little of himself in return. When she meets Teddy, a roguish small-time bass player, Violet comes alive, and soon she's risking everything for the chance to find herself again. Also in the picture are David's hilariously high-strung sister, Sally, on the prowl for a successful husband, and Jeremy, the ESPN sportscaster savant who falls into her trap. For all their recklessness, Violet and Sally will discover that David and Jeremy have a few surprises of their own. This One is Mine is a compassionate and wickedly funny satire about our need for more -- and the often disastrous choices we make in the name of happiness. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Truly Madly Guilty Liane Moriarty, 2016-07-26 THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, FROM THE AUTHOR OF BIG LITTLE LIES, now an HBO series. Winner of Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction “Here’s the best news you’ve heard all year: Not a single page disappoints....The only difficulty with Truly Madly Guilty? Putting it down.” —Miami Herald “Captivating, suspenseful...tantalizing.” —People Magazine Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong? In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty turns her unique, razor-sharp eye towards three seemingly happy families. Sam and Clementine have a wonderful, albeit busy, life: they have two little girls, Sam has just started a new dream job, and Clementine, a cellist, is busy preparing for the audition of a lifetime. If there’s anything they can count on, it’s each other. Clementine and Erika are each other’s oldest friends. A single look between them can convey an entire conversation. But theirs is a complicated relationship, so when Erika mentions a last-minute invitation to a barbecue with her neighbors, Tiffany and Vid, Clementine and Sam don’t hesitate. Having Tiffany and Vid’s larger-than-life personalities there will be a welcome respite. Two months later, it won’t stop raining, and Clementine and Sam can’t stop asking themselves the question: What if we hadn’t gone? In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty takes on the foundations of our lives: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. She shows how guilt can expose the fault lines in the most seemingly strong relationships, how what we don’t say can be more powerful than what we do, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm. Entertainment Weekly's “Best Beach Bet” A USA Today Hot Books for Summer Selection A Miami Herald Summer Reads Pick |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Come Together, Fall Apart Cristina Henriquez, 2007-04-03 With eight short stories and a novella that travel from dusty city streets to humid beaches, Cristina Henríquez carves out a distinctive and unforgettable vision of contemporary Panama. The stories of Come Together, Fall Apart combine to create a seamless fictional world in which the varied landscapes and shifting culture of a country in transition—and the insistent voices of its young people—are vividly represented. In “Yanina,” a young man’s fidelity is tested when a new living situation strains his relationship with his girlfriend. For the young woman in “Ashes,” the very notion of fidelity is shattered—and her lover’s philandering is only one link in a chain of traumatic events that begins with her mother’s death. In “Mercury,” an American girl visits her grandparents in Panama while her parents divorce at home, and attempts to connect with her ailing grandfather in broken Spanish that he’ll never understand. Again and again, characters find their fates irrevocably tied to those of their families—in “Beautiful,” as fortunes rise; and in “Come Together, Fall Apart,” as they collapse. These are stories of family bonds and generational conflicts, youthful infatuation and genuine passion that are tender, ambitious, and unflinching, from a bold and original young writer who is not only an accomplished prose stylist but also an irresistible storyteller. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Barbara the Slut and Other People Lauren Holmes, 2015-08-04 ‘Astonishing – one of those rare books that manages to be both poignant and hilarious. The last time we had a debut this big was Junot Díaz with ‘Drown’. Holmes is a major talent.’ Philipp Meyer A fresh, honest, and darkly funny debut collection about family, friends, and lovers, and the flaws that make us most human. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Trouble with Goats and Sheep Joanna Cannon, 2017-06-20 Part coming-of-age story, part mystery, The Trouble with Goats and Sheep is a quirky and utterly charming debut about a community in need of absolution and two girls learning what it means to belong. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Ben Fountain, 2012-05-01 This award-winning satire shares a day in the life of a nineteen-year-old U.S. soldier home on leave from the Iraq War to take part in an NFL halftime show. A ferocious firefight with Iraqi insurgents at “the battle of Al-Ansakar Canal”—three minutes and forty-three seconds of intense warfare caught on tape by an embedded Fox News crew—has transformed the eight surviving men of Bravo Squad into America’s most sought-after heroes. For the past two weeks, the Bush administration has sent them on a media-intensive nationwide Victory Tour to reinvigorate public support for the war. Now, on this chilly and rainy Thanksgiving, the Bravos are guests of America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys, slated to be part of the halftime show alongside the superstar pop group Destiny’s Child. Among the Bravos is the Silver Star–winning hero of Al-Ansakar Canal, Specialist William Lynn, a nineteen-year-old Texas native. Amid clamoring patriots sporting flag pins on their lapels and Support Our Troops bumper stickers on their cars, the Bravos are thrust into the company of the Cowboys’ hard-nosed businessman/owner and his coterie of wealthy colleagues; a luscious born-again Cowboys cheerleader; a veteran Hollywood producer; and supersized pro players eager for a vicarious taste of war. Among these faces Billy sees those of his family—his worried sisters and broken father—and Shroom, the philosophical sergeant who opened Billy’s mind and died in his arms at Al-Ansakar. Over the course of this day, Billy will begin to understand difficult truths about himself, his country, his struggling family, and his brothers-in-arms—soldiers both dead and alive. In the final few hours before returning to Iraq, Billy will drink and brawl, yearn for home and mourn those missing, face a heart-wrenching decision, and discover pure love and a bitter wisdom far beyond his years . . . Poignant, riotously funny, and exquisitely heartbreaking, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is a devastating portrait of our time, a searing and powerful novel that cements Ben Fountain’s reputation as one of the finest writers of his generation. Now a major motion picture directed by Ang Lee Praise for Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk Finalist for the National Book Award Winner, National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction Winner, Los Angeles Times Book Award for Fiction “Brilliantly done . . . grand, intimate, and joyous.” —New York Times Book Review “The Catch-22 of the Iraq War.” —Karl Marlantes |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: How the Penguins Saved Veronica Hazel Prior, 2020-06-16 A glorious, life-affirming story. I read it in a day. I'm going to buy it for so many people this year! --Clare Mackintosh, New York Times bestselling author of Let Me Lie A heartwarming story about a curmudgeonly but charming old woman, her estranged grandson, and a colony of penguins that proves it's never too late to be the person you want to be...and that family is what you make it. After a disastrous first meeting with the grandson she never knew she had, eighty-four-year-old Veronica McCreedy wants to find a worthwhile cause to endow with her millions. Although she has health, wealth, and wit, Veronica has been alone for a long time, her only connection to her past a box of diaries from when she was a teenager during WWII...and a locket filled with a strand of hair from every person she has ever loved and lost. After learning about a research team studying endangered penguins in Antarctica, Veronica tells the scientists she's coming for a visit--and won't take no for an answer. Despite a discouraging first experience (a penguin attacks her favourite designer handbag), Veronica warms to the birds. She even convinces the team to rescue an orphaned baby penguin who swiftly becomes part of life at the base. Veronica's closed heart starts to open. But when she becomes ill, her grandson Patrick comes to Antarctica for one last attempt to get to know his grandmother. Together, Veronica and Patrick--and even the scientists--begin to really learn what family, love, and connection are truly all about. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Fishbowl Bradley Somer, 2015-08-04 A goldfish catches intimate glimpses of life as he plummets to his fate in this “irrepressible novel—breezy, funny, sexy, and bursting with life” (Tom Perrotta). A goldfish named Ian is falling from the 27th-floor balcony on which his fishbowl sits. He’s longed for adventure, so when the opportunity arises, he escapes from his bowl, clears the balcony railing and finds himself airborne. Plummeting toward the street below, Ian witnesses the lives of the Seville on Roxy residents. There’s the handsome grad student, his girlfriend, and the other woman; the construction worker who feels trapped by a secret; the building’s super who feels invisible and alone; the pregnant woman on bed rest who craves a forbidden ice cream sandwich; the shut-in for whom dirty talk, and quiche, are a way of life; and home-schooled Herman, a boy who thinks he can travel through time. Though they share time and space, they have something even more important in common: each faces a decision that will affect the course of their lives. Within the walls of the Seville are stories of love, new life, and death, of facing the ugly truth of who one has been and the beautiful truth of who one can become. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Lost For Words Stephanie Butland, 2017-04-20 Compelling, irresistible, feel-good read. Perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. 'Quirky, clever and unputdownable' Katie Fforde 'An exquisite story' Liz Fenwick 'Burns fiercely with love and hurt' Linda Green 'I cried like a motherf***er' Shelley Harris 'Intriguing and touching' SUNDAY EXPRESS 'An appealing character with a fascinating hinterland' DAILY MAIL 'A beautiful book' PRIMA THIS BOOKSHOP KEEPS MANY SECRETS . . . Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look carefully, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are some things Loveday will never show you. Into her refuge - the York book emporium where she works - come a poet, a lover, a friend, and three mysterious deliveries, each of which stirs unsettling memories. Everything is about to change for Loveday. Someone knows about her past and she can't hide any longer. She must decide who around her she can trust. Can she find the courage to right a heartbreaking wrong? And will she ever find the words to tell her own story? It's time to turn the pages of her past . . . Praise for Lost for Words: 'Loveday is a marvellous character and she captured my heart from the very first page . . . and her bookshop is the bookshop of readers' dreams.' Julie Cohen, bestselling author of Dear Thing 'Loveday is so spiky and likeable. I so loved Archie, Nathan and the book shop and the unfolding mystery' Carys Bray, author of A Song For Issy Bradley and The Museum of You 'Beautifully written and atmospheric. Loveday is an endearing heroine, full of attitude and fragility. The haunting story of her past is brilliantly revealed.' Tracy Rees, Sunday Times top ten bestselling author of Amy Snow What you are saying about Lost for Words: 'Best book by far I've read this year' 'Sat in tears, stunned in silence . . . by far my new favourite book' 'I loved everything about Lost for Words' 'This is a truly magical book' 'Warm, wise and funny tale . . . with a dark and shocking twist' 'Could not put it down - absolutely, utterly loved it and hung on every word' 'I loved smart, spiky, sad Loveday and cried real tears' 'Will melt your heart and make you cry' 'Everything you could want from a book' 'One of the best books I have ever read' 'Loved this book. I laughed & cried & gripped the edge of the seat at times' 'A book you keep in your bag and can't wait for another spare 15 minutes to read some more' 'I laughed, I cried and, more importantly, I couldn't put the book down' If you loved Lost for Words, don't miss Stephanie Butland's next book, where Ailsa Rae learns how to live . . . Search for The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae (9781785764417). |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Carry the One Carol Anshaw, 2012-10-23 When a car of inebriated guests from Carmen's wedding hits and kills a girl on a country road, Carmen and the people involved in the accident connect, disconnect, and reconnect throughout twenty-five subsequent years of marriage, parenthood, holidays, and tragedies. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead Emily Austin, 2021-07-06 Gilda, a twenty-something, atheist, animal-loving lesbian, cannot stop ruminating about death. Desperate for relief from her panicky mind and alienated from her repressive family, she responds to a flyer for free therapy at a local Catholic church, and finds herself being greeted by Father Jeff, who assumes she's there for a job interview. Too embarrassed to correct him, Gilda is abruptly hired to replace the recently deceased receptionist Grace. In between trying to memorize the lines to Catholic mass, hiding the fact that she has a new girlfriend, and erecting a dirty dish tower in her crumbling apartment, Gilda strikes up an email correspondence with Grace's old friend. She can't bear to ignore the kindly old woman, who has been trying to reach her friend through the church inbox, but she also can't bring herself to break the bad news. Desperate, she begins impersonating Grace via email. But when the police discover suspicious circumstances surrounding Grace's death, Gilda may have to finally reveal the truth of her mortifying existence.--Amazon. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: A Mother's Kisses Bruce Jay Friedman, 2015-09-29 An indefatigable, irresistible, and wildly inappropriate Jewish mother takes her 17-year-old son to school in this uproarious coming-of-age comedy Tall and scattered-looking, Joseph has just graduated from high school and is ready for college. But is college ready for him? Apparently not, judging by the rejection letter he receives from Bates and the deafening silence that greets his application to Columbia. While his friends pack their bags for schools across the country, Joseph mopes around the apartment in his bathrobe and checks the mailbox obsessively. It’s enough to make his mother fear for the boy’s sanity—so she resolves to take matters into her own hands. What follows is a sidesplitting series of misadventures as Meg, whom the New York Times Book Review called “the most unforgettable mother since Medea,” pulls out all the stops to get her boy what he wants. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Bruce Jay Friedman including rare photos from the author’s personal collection. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Love and Other Impossible Pursuits Ayelet Waldman, 2007-02-13 In this moving, wry, and candid novel, widely acclaimed novelist Ayelet Waldman takes us through one woman’s passage through love, loss, and the strange absurdities of modern life.Emilia Greenleaf believed that she had found her soulmate, the man she was meant to spend her life with. But life seems a lot less rosy when Emilia has to deal with the most neurotic and sheltered five-year-old in New York City: her new stepson William. Now Emilia finds herself trying to flag down taxis with a giant, industrial-strength car seat, looking for perfect, strawberry-flavored, lactose-free cupcakes, receiving corrections on her French pronunciation from her supercilious stepson – and attempting to find balance in a new family that’s both larger, and smaller, than she bargained for. In Love and Other Impossible Pursuits Ayelet Waldman has created a novel rich with humor and truth, perfectly characterizing one woman’s search for answers in a crazily uncertain world. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Color of Bee Larkham's Murder Sarah J. Harris, 2018-06-12 A boy with synesthesia—a condition that causes him to see colors when he hears sounds—tries to uncover what happened to his beautiful new neighbor—and if he was ultimately responsible in this “compelling and emotionally charged mystery that warrants comparisons to Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” (Library Journal). In this highly original “fantastic debut” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), thirteen-year-old Jasper Wishart lives in a world of dazzling color that no one else can see, least of all his dad. Words, numbers, days of the week, people’s voices—everything has its own unique shade. But recently Jasper has been haunted by a color he doesn’t like or understand: the color of murder. Convinced he’s done something terrible to his neighbor, Bee Larkham, Jasper revisits the events of the last few months to paint the story of their relationship from the very beginning. As he struggles to untangle the knot of untrustworthy memories and colors that will lead him to the truth, it seems that there’s someone else out there determined to stop him—at any cost. Full of page-turning suspense and heart-wrenching poignancy—as well as plenty of humor—The Color of Bee Larkham’s Murder is “completely original and impossible to predict” (Benjamin Ludwig, author of Ginny Moon) with a unique hero who will stay with you long after you turn the last page. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: A Confederacy of Dunces John Kennedy Toole, 2007-12-01 Winner of the Pulitzer Prize “A masterwork . . . the novel astonishes with its inventiveness . . . it is nothing less than a grand comic fugue.”—The New York Times Book Review A Confederacy of Dunces is an American comic masterpiece. John Kennedy Toole's hero, one Ignatius J. Reilly, is huge, obese, fractious, fastidious, a latter-day Gargantua, a Don Quixote of the French Quarter. His story bursts with wholly original characters, denizens of New Orleans' lower depths, incredibly true-to-life dialogue, and the zaniest series of high and low comic adventures (Henry Kisor, Chicago Sun-Times). |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Saving Missy Beth Morrey, 2021-03-03 Beth Morrey's brand new, joyful and uplifting novel, LUCKY DAY, is available to pre-order now *The Sunday Times bestseller* Sometimes it takes a lifetime to find where you truly belong... Seventy-nine is too late for a second chance. Isn't it? Missy Carmichael is prickly, stubborn - and terribly lonely. Until a chance encounter in the park with two very different women opens the door to something new. Something wonderful. Missy was used to her small, solitary existence, listening to her footsteps echoing around the empty house, the tick-tick-tick of the watching clock. After all, she had made her life her way. Now another life is beckoning to Missy - if she's brave enough... 'A touching, deftly written debut that celebrates community and kindness' Sunday Times 'Moving and optimistic... will delight readers right up to the very last page' Stylist 'Bittersweet, tender, thoughtful and uplifting . . . I loved it' Nina Stibbe A Sunday Times #6 hardback bestseller w/e 15th Feb |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Unpacking My Library Marcel Proust, 2017-01-01 A captivating tour of the bookshelves of ten leading artists, exploring the intricate connections between reading, artistic practice, and identity Taking its inspiration from Walter Benjamin's seminal 1931 essay, the Unpacking My Library series charts a spirited exploration of the reading and book collecting practices of today's leading thinkers. Artists and Their Books showcases the personal libraries of ten important contemporary artists based in the United States (Mark Dion, Theaster Gates, Wangechi Mutu, Ed Ruscha, and Carrie Mae Weems), Canada (Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller), and the United Kingdom (Billy Childish, Tracey Emin, and Martin Parr). Through engaging interviews, the artists discuss the necessity of reading and the meaning of books in their lives and careers. This is a book about books, but it even more importantly highlights the role of literature in shaping an artist's self-presentation and persona. Photographs of each artist's bookshelves present an evocative glimpse of personal taste, of well-loved and rare volumes, and of the individual touches that make a bookshelf one's own. The interviews are accompanied by top ten reading lists assembled by each artist, an introduction by Jo Steffens, and Marcel Proust's seminal essay On Reading. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Twilight at Moorington Cross Abigail Wilson, 2022-01-11 Amelia Pembroke is in a unique position in Regency England: She can obtain financial freedom. But in order to do so, she must marry one of two gentlemen. The trouble is, she might be falling in love with another man entirely. 1819, Kent, England—Everything changed the moment Amelia became heiress to Moorington Cross. A young widow and patient at Cluett’s Mesmeric Hospital, Amelia is stunned to learn that her doctor—and the only father figure she’s ever known—has altered his will naming her his primary beneficiary. Such an opportunity is beyond what any Regency-era woman could dare to dream—especially one with a sleeping disorder that finds her falling asleep at the most random of times. There is, however, a perplexing condition attached to the will: she must wed one of two named men, wholly unknown to her. Doing so would provide her with a secure future. But how can she marry one of these men when her heart is intrigued by the charming solicitor, Mr. Hawkins? Everything takes on a new sense of urgency—and danger—when Mr. Cluett is found dead in his bedchamber only hours after announcing his updated will. Now Amelia only has thirty days to decide which man she will marry. But she is just as determined to uncover the truth of her benefactor’s demise with the help of Mr. Hawkins. After all, this sudden turn of events couldn’t merely be a coincidence—could it? From award-winning author Abigail Wilson, Twilight at Moorington Cross is a mysterious Regency romance full of intrigue, mesmeric treatments, and abandoned corridors that proves love is the greatest testament of all. Praise for Twilight at Moorington Cross: “Shimmering with atmosphere and suspense, Twilight at Moorington Cross weaves classic Regency romance with threads of gothic mystery to page-turning effect. An absolute pleasure to read.” —Mimi Matthews, USA TODAY bestselling author “An enigmatic illness, a mysterious manor, an unforeseen inheritance, and a suspicious death all add up to a maelstrom of misfortune for Wilson’s stouthearted and winsome heroine, especially when she’s falling in love with the ‘wrong’ man. Twilight at Moorington Cross has all of the atmospheric trappings of a classic Regency Gothic along with a sweet and stirring romance. Perfect for fans of Julie Klassen and Kristi Ann Hunter.” —Anna Lee Huber, USA TODAY bestselling author “I was drawn in from the very first page of this unique Regency story. Wilson's engaging prose and expert mystery-telling kept me turning pages and left me guessing until the end. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book!” —Kasey Stockton, author of the Ladies of Devon series Stand-alone Regency romance with strong Gothic and mystery elements Kisses-only romance, HEA Book length: approximately 97,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Maggsie McNaughton's Second Chance Frances Maynard, 2020-01-09 Everyone deserves a second chance. Small and dyslexic, with a short fuse, bad teeth, a prison record and something to prove, Marguerite McNaughton - Maggsie - doesn't need anybody or anything, thank you very much. She's more than capable of looking after herself. She's also about to discover that everyone needs someone, sometimes. Even her. The thing about trusting others, though, is that not everyone is trustworthy... It starts when a fellow inmate gives Maggsie reading lessons. Then she's offered a job in London as a kitchen assistant, together with supported accommodation and a colleague who seems determined to befriend Maggsie, no matter what.At first, Maggsie is convinced nothing will change. Especially her. But maybe this time can be different? Maybe Maggsie can be different - if she can just put her previous mistakes behind her and her trust in the right people. Maggsie McNaughton's Second Chance, by Frances Maynard, is a delightful, entertaining and heartwarming read about one woman's second shot at reading, friendship, and living happily ever after. (Well, sort of.) |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Forgetting Time Sharon Guskin, 2016-02-02 “What if what you did mattered more because life happened again and again, consequences unfolding across decades and continents?...A relentlessly paced page-turner and a profound meditation on the meaning of life.” —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan Train What happens to us after we die? What happens before we are born? At once a riveting mystery and a testament to the profound connection between a child and parent, The Forgetting Time will lead you to reevaluate everything you believe... What would you do if your four-year-old son claimed he had lived another life and that he wants to go back to it? That he wants his other mother? Single mom Janie is trying to figure out what is going on with her beloved son Noah. Noah has never been ordinary. He loves to make up stories, and he is constantly surprising her with random trivia someone his age has no right knowing. She always chalked it up to the fact that Noah was precocious—mature beyond his years. But Noah’s eccentricities are starting to become worrisome. One afternoon, Noah’s preschool teacher calls Janie: Noah has been talking about shooting guns and being held under water until he can’t breathe. Suddenly, Janie can’t pretend anymore. The school orders him to get a psychiatric evaluation. And life as she knows it stops for herself and her darling boy. For Jerome Anderson, life as he knows it has already stopped. Diagnosed with aphasia, his first thought as he approaches the end of his life is, I’m not finished yet. Once an academic star, a graduate of Yale and Harvard, a professor of psychology, he threw everything away to pursue an obsession: the stories of children who remembered past lives. Anderson became the laughing stock of his peers, but he never stopped believing that there was something beyond what anyone could see or comprehend. He spent his life searching for a case that would finally prove it. And with Noah, he thinks he may have found it. Soon, Noah, Janie, and Anderson will find themselves knocking on the door of a mother whose son has been missing for eight years. When that door opens, all of their questions will be answered. Gorgeously written and fearlessly provocative, Sharon Guskin’s debut explores the lengths we will go for our children. It examines what we regret in the end of our lives and hope for in the beginning, and everything in between. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Invoice Jonas Karlsson, 2016-07-12 A heartfelt exploration of the cost of life and love—and the importance of the little things—from the author of the international bestseller, The Room Hilarious, profound, and achingly true-to-life, The Invoice explores the true nature of happiness through the eyes of hero you won’t soon forget. A passionate film buff, our hero’s life revolves around his part-time job at a video store, the company of a few precious friends, and a daily routine that more often than not concludes with pizza and movie in his treasured small space in Stockholm. When he receives an astronomical invoice from a random national bureaucratic agency, everything will tumble into madness as he calls the hotline night and day to find out why he is the recipient of the largest bill in the entire country. What is the price of a cherished memory? How much would you pay for a beautiful summer day? How will our carefree idealist, who is content with so little and has no chance of paying it back, find a way out of this mess? All these questions pull you through The Invoice and prove once again that Jonas Karlsson is simply a master of entertaining, intelligent, and life-affirming work. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Heroines of Olympus Ellie Mackin Roberts, 2023-09-14 ★★★★★ 'Switching the focus of Greek myths to bring women, so frequently the supporting cast, to the fore is refreshing and provides a modern take on some very old stories' - Fortean Times Cunning, seductive, monstrous, virtuous - whether in divine or mortal form, women shape the foundations of ancient Greek mythology, but have long been eclipsed by their male counterparts. Now, it's time for their stories to be told. Heroines of Olympus tells the tales of 50 of the most enthralling women of Greek mythology, including goddesses and nymphs such as majestic Athena, goddess of war; vengeful Nemesis, goddess of retribution; and gladiatorial Amazon queen Hippolyta, as well as mortals and demigods such as long-suffering Andromache, murderous Clytemnestra and joyous Iphis. Alongside each story, a character portrait, captivating illustration and explanation of their historic roles by ancient historian Dr Ellie Mackin Roberts provide an indispensable contemporary perspective on these extraordinary women. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: How the Light Gets In Jolina Petersheim, 2019-03-05 “Compellingly woven by Jolina Petersheim’s capable pen, How the Light Gets In follows a trail of grief toward healing, leading to an impossible choice—what is best when every path will hurt someone?” —Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours From the highly acclaimed author of The Outcast and The Alliance comes an engrossing novel about marriage and motherhood, loss and moving on. When Ruth Neufeld’s husband and father-in-law are killed working for a relief organization overseas, she travels to Wisconsin with her young daughters and mother-in-law Mabel to bury her husband. She hopes the Mennonite community will be a quiet place to grieve and piece together next steps. Ruth and her family are welcomed by Elam, her husband’s cousin, who invites them to stay at his cranberry farm through the harvest. Sifting through fields of berries and memories of a marriage that was broken long before her husband died, Ruth finds solace in the beauty of the land and healing through hard work and budding friendship. She also encounters the possibility of new love with Elam, whose gentle encouragement awakens hopes and dreams she thought she’d lost forever. But an unexpected twist threatens to unseat the happy ending Ruth is about to write for herself. On the precipice of a fresh start and a new marriage, Ruth must make an impossible decision: which path to choose if her husband isn’t dead after all. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Rebel Mama's Handbook for (Cool) Moms Nikita Stanley, Aleksandra Jassem, 2018-04-24 If you’re a mom (or mom-to-be) who wants to raise decent human beings, maintain your pre-baby identity, and not lose your sh*t along the way, congrats: you’ve just found the parenting book of your dreams. The Rebel Mama’s Handbook for (Cool) Moms is a girlfriend’s guide to early motherhood. It’s the Coles Notes for all those boring baby books you never read. It’s the instruction manual you wish your kid(s) came with - complete with cocktail list. Welcome to motherhood. Let’s do this. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Uninvited Guests Sadie Jones, 2012-04-17 It's rural England, just after the turn of the last century. Charlotte married Edward Shift after the sudden death of her first husband, Horace Torrington. They live at Sterne, the home they are in danger of losing due to a financial crisis, with Charlotte's 3 children: Emerald, Clovis and Smudge. On the day of Emerald's birthday party, a terrible train wreck occurs on a branch line and the stranded passengers seek refuge at Sterne. Among these passengers is Charlie Traversham-Beechers, a sketchy figure from Charlotte's past. This unusual guest list makes for an unforgettable birthday celebration for Emerald and an evening of the past literally coming back to haunt Charlotte. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Heartburn Nora Ephron, 2011-08-17 A 40th anniversary reissue of the national bestselling author's hilarious first novel that memorably mixed food, heartbreak, and revenge into a comic masterpiece—now with a new foreword by Stanley Tucci. • Touching and funny.... Proof that writing well is the best revenge. —Chicago Tribune Is it possible to write a sidesplitting novel about the breakup of the perfect marriage? If the writer is Nora Ephron, the answer is a resounding yes. In this inspired confection of adultery, revenge, group therapy, and pot roast, the creator of Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally... reminds us that comedy depends on anguish as surely as a proper gravy depends on flour and butter. Seven months into her pregnancy, Rachel Samstat discovers that her husband, Mark, is in love with another woman. The fact that the other woman has a neck as long as an arm and a nose as long as a thumb and you should see her legs is no consolation. Food sometimes is, though, since Rachel writes cookbooks for a living. And in between trying to win Mark back and loudly wishing him dead, Ephron's irrepressible heroine offers some of her favorite recipes. Heartburn is a sinfully delicious novel, as soul-satisfying as mashed potatoes and as airy as a perfect soufflé. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Good House Ann Leary, 2013-06-15 NOW A MAJOR MOVIE STARRING KEVIN KLINE AND SIGOURNEY WEAVER LONGLISTED FOR THE IMPAC DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2014 _______________________________________ Hildy Good has reached that dangerous time in a woman's life - middle-aged and divorced, she is an oddity in her small but privileged town. But Hildy isn't one for self-pity and instead meets the world with a wry smile, a dark wit and a glass or two of Pinot Noir. When her two earnest grown-up children stage an 'intervention' and pack Hildy off to an addiction centre, she thinks all this fuss is ridiculous. After all, why shouldn't she enjoy a drink now and then? But we start to see another side to Hildy Good, and to her life's greatest passion. Soon, a cluster of secrets become dangerously entwined, with devastating consequences... |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts Kate Racculia, 2019 A dying billionaire sends one woman and a cast of dreamers and rivals on a citywide treasure hunt in this irresistible novel by the author of Bellweather Rhapsody. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Damn Delicious Rhee, Chungah, 2016-09-06 The debut cookbook by the creator of the wildly popular blog Damn Delicious proves that quick and easy doesn't have to mean boring.Blogger Chungah Rhee has attracted millions of devoted fans with recipes that are undeniable 'keepers'-each one so simple, so easy, and so flavor-packed, that you reach for them busy night after busy night. In Damn Delicious, she shares exclusive new recipes as well as her most beloved dishes, all designed to bring fun and excitement into everyday cooking. From five-ingredient Mini Deep Dish Pizzas to no-fuss Sheet Pan Steak & Veggies and 20-minute Spaghetti Carbonara, the recipes will help even the most inexperienced cooks spend less time in the kitchen and more time around the table.Packed with quickie breakfasts, 30-minute skillet sprints, and speedy takeout copycats, this cookbook is guaranteed to inspire readers to whip up fast, healthy, homemade meals that are truly 'damn delicious!' |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Lily and the Octopus Steven Rowley, 2016-06-01 ‘Intelligently written, finely observed and surprisingly moving, this is a book you’ll find hard to put down’ Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project Companions come in all shapes and sizes. Companionship lasts forever. Lily and the Octopus is a novel about finding that special someone to share your life with. For Ted Flask, that someone is Lily, and she happens to be a dog. This novel reminds us how to love fiercely, how difficult it can be to let go and how the fight for those we love is the greatest fight of all. Reminiscent of The Life of Pi and The Art of Racing in the Rain, with spins into magic realism and beautifully evoked universal truths of love, loyalty and loss, a hilariously sardonic and not altogether reliable narrator, and one unforgettable hound who simple wisdom will break your heart and put it back together again, Lily and the Octopus captures the search for meaning in death and introduces a dazzling new voice in fiction. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Started Early, Took My Dog Kate Atkinson, 2010-11-02 With Dickensian brilliance, Kate Atkinson creates plots peopled with unlikely heroes and villains. It's a day like any other for security chief Tracy Waterhouse, until she makes a purchase she hadn't bargained for. One moment of madness is all it takes for Tracy's humdrum world to be turned upside down, the tedium of everyday life replaced by fear and danger at every turn. Witness to Tracy's Faustian exchange in the Merrion Centre in Leeds are Tilly, an elderly actress teetering on the brink of her own disaster, and Jackson Brodie, who has returned to his home county in search of someone else's roots. All three characters learn that the past is never history and that no good deed goes unpunished. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Undermajordomo Minor Patrick deWitt, 2015-09-05 On the The Scotiabank Giller Prize 2015 Longlist A love story, an adventure story, a fable without a moral, and an ink-black comedy of manners. Lucien (Lucy) Minor is the resident odd duck in the hamlet of Bury. Friendless and loveless, young and aimless, Lucy is a compulsive liar, a sickly weakling in a town famous for begetting brutish giants. Then Lucy accepts employment assisting the majordomo of the remote, foreboding Castle Von Aux. While tending to his new post as undermajordomo, he soon discovers the place harbours many dark secrets, not least of which is the whereabouts of the castle’s master, Baron Von Aux. In the local village, he also encounters thieves, madmen, aristocrats, and Klara, a delicate beauty whose love he must compete for with the exceptionally handsome partisan soldier, Adolphus. Thus begins a tale of polite theft, bitter heartbreak, domestic mystery, and cold-blooded murder. Undermajordomo Minor is a triumphant ink-black comedy of manners by the Governor General’s Award–winning author of The Sisters Brothers. It is an adventure, and a mystery, and a searing portrayal of rural Alpine bad behaviour, but above all it is a love story. And Lucy must be careful, for love is a violent thing. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Garnethill Denise Mina, 1999 Mental breakdown survivor Maureen is about to end her affair with a married man when she discovers his body in her living room, his throat slit. Suspected of murder, Maureen must act fast - before the real killer comes after her. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: The Vampire of Maple Town Kane McLoughlin, 2018-11-09 Enter Maple Town where two vampires and a witch struggle to simply survive under the tall tales and rumors that make even the kindest townsperson are far scarier than any vampire or witch. |
books similar to where d you go bernadette: Everyone Knows You Go Home Natalia Sylvester, 2018 From the acclaimed author of Chasing the Sun comes a new novel about immigration and the depths to which one Mexican American family will go for forgiveness and redemption. The first time Isabel meets her father-in-law, Omar, he's already dead--an apparition appearing uninvited on her wedding day. Her husband, Martin, still unforgiving for having been abandoned by his father years ago, confesses that he never knew the old man had died. So Omar asks Isabel for the impossible: persuade Omar's family--especially his wife, Elda--to let him redeem himself. Isabel and Martin settle into married life in a Texas border town, and Omar returns each year on the celebratory Day of the Dead. Every year Isabel listens, but to the aggrieved Martin and Elda, Omar's spirit remains invisible. Through his visits, Isabel gains insight into not just the truth about his disappearance and her husband's childhood but also the ways grief can eat away at love. When Martin's teenage nephew crosses the Mexican border and takes refuge in Isabel and Martin's home, questions about past and future homes, borders, and belonging arise that may finally lead to forgiveness--and alter all their lives forever. |