Lori & Julia's Book Club

The Dream Daughter,” by Diane Chamberlain, is a genuinely creative, captivating and unforgettable story that will have you on the edge of your seat wondering just how far a mother will go to save her child. Carly Sears is a young, pregnant woman in North Carolina in 1970. Hoping for a new beginning following the death of her husband in Vietnam, she moves in with her sister, Patti and brother-in-law Hunter in Nags Head, NC. But tragedy continues to follow her. Carly soon learns that the daughter she is carrying has a potentially fatal heart defect and nothing can be done to save her. But Hunter, a physicist with a mysterious past, tells Carly he believes he knows a way to save her unborn baby. Yet Hunter’s plan shatters everything Carly knows to be true. To save her child will require an unimaginable leap of faith, breathtaking courage, and risk everything she holds dear. P.S.. Thanks to Nancy Harris at Booksmart for a perfect recap.

A gorgeous sweeping story of a small town movie theater owner (Virgil Wander) on the North Shore who experiences something very dramatic in the opening pages of the book. This is a story of new beginnings, amazing characters and beautiful storytelling. We also found the story to be funny, sweet and poignant. This is Leif’s 3rd novel…. Peace Like a River and So Brave, Young and Handsome are the other 2 books. 5 out of 5 stars

NY times best-selling author, Liane Moriarty, is one of our fav authors: Big Little Lies, What Alice Forget and Truly, Madly, Deeply to name a few. Her latest book (already optioned by Nicole Kidman) welcomes 9 people to Tranquillum House, a health and wellness retreat that promises a life changing transformation in 10 days. The main character is Frances, a writer who is failing at love as well as eight other interesting people. Then there is Masha, the mysterious and charismatic owner of the resort with some very draconian rules. This book is poignant, funny & tense. Julia really liked the audio version as well. 5 out of 5 stars.

Alone at The Top is the story of artic explorer and mountaineer, Minnesotan Lonnie Dupree’s attempt to summit Mt. Denali in the middle of winter. It took him 4 attempts and he finally soloed on his 4th attempt. We tore through this book because it was exciting and there is no way we are ever going to do this. But we are fascinated at people who do incredible feats that involve taking on nature. If you love true life adventure stories this book is for you. 5 out of 5 stars.

This debut novel had us up late at night tearing through the pages. Comparisons to the Handmaid’s Tale are inevitable but this dystopian story is compelling, riveting and a cautionary tale that will wake you up. Our hearts were racing reading this. Easily one of the best books of the year. 5 out of 5 stars.

You may or may not be familiar with Dessa through her music as a singer & hip hop MC with Doomtree but either way get ready to enjoy her debut memoir about her life. Written with a thoughtful eye for detail (her love life) and describing her life in profound, funny or delightful ways (every story she shares), Dessa dazzled us with her storytelling and lyrical wordsmithing. We are ready to everything she writes. 5 out of 5 stars

This is a fast paced psychological thriller about ambition, obsession and what happens when the lies we tell ourselves can no longer be distinguished from the truth. A character driven novel w/ so many twists and surprises you will not want to put it down. It all starts when a 18 yr. old Lucas Blackthorn, (thought to be dead for over tens years) shows up at the Condon Psychiatric Facility the city of Duluth. Everyone wants to know where he has been, where is his father and how did they survive off the grid? Then a former Condon patient, Maya is assigned to get Lucas to speak. Sparks fly. Fans of books like Gone Girl and A Woman in the Window will love this book. 4 stars

This is a story of friendship, love and betrayal. And we agree with Lorna Landvik’s assessment of The Witness Tree….”it is a deeply satisfying character-driven novel”. This story is beautifully written and so compelling that you cannot stop turning the page. 5 out of 5 stars.

Jessie Sloane is forced to question who she is in this emotionally charged thriller by the best selling author of “The Good Girl”, Mary Kubica. Jessi discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt her everything she has ever known about her life. While figuring out her story, Jessie tumbles down a rabbit hole and both Jessie and “ the reader” don’t know what is real and what isn’t. 3.5 stars

A rowdy and vividly dishy memoir by the only woman on the masthead of Rolling Stone magazine in the '60s. Stories include stalking the Grateful Dead, sparring with Dennis Hopper, scandalizing fans of David Cassidy and sleeping with a Kennedy. Also: Robin's experience writing for TV (Northern Exposure), writing and producing THE SOPRANOS, and creating Blue Bloods. 5/5 stars