Jackie and Me: A Novel by Louis Bayard

 

 Jackie and Me: A Novel by Louis Bayard. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2022. Historical fiction. Alternative fiction. Adult fiction.

In this fictional tale, Lem Billings takes a look back at his friendship with JFK and Jackie before they were a famous couple. Lem knows JFK from prep school and has been accepted by the Kennedy family even though he is gay. As JFK mounts a political run for office, he asks Lem to befriend Jackie. The result is that if Lem tells Jackie all about JFK, she probably will not marry him. If Lem tells JFK all about Jackie, he well may not marry her. This is a fascinating look at "What might have been" in all of their lives. 

Louis Bayard is a master craftsman at manipulating history. If you're interested in the Lincolns, don't miss his Courting Mr. Lincoln. 

Hooked: How Crafting Saved my Life by Sutton Foster

 

 Hooked: How Crafting Saved my Life by Sutton Foster. Grand Central Publishing, 2021. Adult memoir.

Broadway and television star Sutton Foster tells her life story and describes her close relationship with crafting. She took up cross stitch to escape the "mean girls" in the chorus when she was young and because her mom also did cross stitch. She learned to crochet and began making blankets for her grandfather and others. She used wood and paper to craft items for her walls. While she really does not give many patterns or directions and no photographs at all, it is easy reading and moves along the timeline of shows, marriage, divorce, marriage, and motherhood. Interestingly, her parents were hugely supportive of her career and her brother is also an actor who has starred on Broadway. The family has its ups and downs, but therapy has helped Foster deal with the death of her mother and many other situations and feelings. 

Search: A Novel by Michelle Huneven

 

 Search: A Novel by Michelle Huneven. Penguin Press, 2022. Adult fiction.

Dana is a fictional food critic and member of the Arroyo Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Altadena, California. When Tom Fox plans to retire as their preacher, a search committee is formed for the nine-month process of finding a replacement. Dana is one of eight diverse people on the committee. 

In the course of the novel, readers will get to know these people, their congregation, their beloved and former minister Sparlo Plessant, and others who will influence the committee's choices. By the end, we know the leader and are updated three years later about the other main characters. 

Humorous and witty, this novel will be interesting even to those readers not of this denomination. Happenings seem realistic and the timeline aspect moves along briskly as time passes and the committee works and argues and eats. Since food is such an integral part of the story, recipes are helpfully provided at the end. Dana even writes a novel called "Seach: A Memoir with Recipes" by Dana Potowski which may make finding the real book difficult in library catalogs! 

A Trace of Poison by Colleen Cambridge

 

 A Trace of Poison (a Phyllida Bright Mystery) by Colleen Cambridge. Kensington Books, 2022. Adult mystery.

Perhaps you know Murder at Mallowan Hall, Colleen Cambridge's first book about Agatha Christie's fictional housekeeperand friend, sleuth Phyllida Bright? This second title is just as enticing!

Several famous mystery writers come together to host a Murder Fete to benefit the local orphanage and raise money for a new roof. There is a contest for wanna-be mystery writers. Of course, there is a murder! Famous or not, all the participants become suspects. Phyllida again has to put the clues together and solve the murder before anyone else is harmed. 

How to Stitch an American Dream by Jenny Doan

  How to Stitch an American Dream: A Story of Family, Faith & the Power of Giving by Jenny Doan with Mark Dagostino. Harper Horizon, 2022. Adult memoir.

Have you been looking for an inspiring, true story lately? Then, this is the book for you! Quilters around the world know Jenny Doan as the mom of the family who have all transformed sleepy little Hamilton, Missouri into the Disneyland of fabric. But, her story is an unexpected one. This is NOT how to make a quilt. It is an account of the Doan family, its ups and downs all included. Impulsive youthful decisions, finding love, staying true to a faith, raising kids and working with adults and community members in a highly successful business: all here and told with humor. Pick it up and read it through...you will not be disappointed even if you know nothing about quilting, Missouri, or the Doans! 

Three Things About Elsie: A Novel by Jo Anna Cannon.

 

Three Things About Elsie: A Novel by Jo Anna Cannon. Scribner, 2018. 370 pages, 49 chapters.

   Life at the Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly is not as simple as one might imagine. Florence Claybourne, 84, has fallen and relives her past as she waits to be rescued. So many things Florence can't remember clearly, but when Ronnie Butler has shown up recently, Florence recognizes him at once. But, Ronnie Butler drowned in 1953.

   Florence does well with three things at a time. Like Elsie is her best friend. And, Elsie knows what to say to make Florence feel better. And, the third thing, well, that's complicated.

   The book moves slowly, but surely...sort of like Florence's mind. The changing of the season, the unexpected kindnesses of others, even a trip to an ocean front holiday town, provide clues to Florence's life. A music store remembered, an ammonite fossil found, and new friends made all contribute to an extraordinary life indeed. 

The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose.

 

 The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose. Ballantine Books, an imprint orf Random House, 2022. Adult fiction. Mystery. 

Told by first person Molly Gray, this tale of her life is quirky and full of life. Until she finds Mr. Black dead in his hotel room, that is! Molly has always been a bit different, but her newly deceased Gran has taught her cleanliness, organization, and excellent manners. It's just that Molly is not great at people skills and evaluating friends. Working at the posh Regency Grand Hotel, she just wants to have a beau, make friends, and to represent the hotel hive as an efficient worker bee. But, who can Molly trust with information that may just lead to a killer?