I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU by Rebecca Makkai

When Rebecca Makkai appeared at the Nantucket Book Festival in 2019, she spoke about a literary mystery set at a boarding school as the premise of her next novel, and here it is in all its glory. By the author of The Great Believers, this novel is a mix of the best Dateline episode and your favorite boarding school novel. It speaks to society’s obsession with true crime and the reckoning of one’s past, all tied up in a page-turning narrative that puts you in the center of the investigation of what happened to Thalia Keith at Granby School in 1995. No question, this will be one of my favorite books this year!

ON THE SAVAGE SIDE by Tiffany McDaniel

I had one of those reading experiences with this book that only comes along every so often. You know the one: up way past your bedtime to finish it, and then once you’re done, flipping back to the first page to start it again because you are not ready to let go of the characters. On the Savage Side reminded me of A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara in that it’s emotionally powerful but not easy to live in the story at times. Trigger warnings should be everywhere. Sentences float off the page like mini poems, but it’s ultimately a savage story of abuse, addiction and violence against women. I de- scribe it as brutally beautiful in its telling. Inspired by the unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six, Tiffany McDaniel has written a book with characters I will never forget.

THE WAGER: A TALE OF SHIPWRECK, MUTINY AND MURDER by David Grann

For those whose favorite nonfiction book is In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, make sure to pick up David Grann’s latest, The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder. I have been a fan of Grann’s nonfiction for years, but this is his best yet. It reads like the ultimate historical adventure thriller but is the very true story of the Wager, a British vessel that left England in 1740, and the harrowing tale that follows of survival, mutiny and treachery, all culminating in a court martial that reveals shocking truths of human behavior at the extremes. It’s one of those stories you must read to believe.

MAAME by Jessica George

In case you missed it, the February Read with Jenna pick was Maame by Jessica George, and it’s a perfect example of why I read and love contemporary fiction. They say to never judge a book by its cover but judge away because this book is perfection. We follow Maddie Wright as she deals with all of life’s ups and downs: familial duty, mental health, finding happiness, juggling work, forming relationships, asking Google for advice, making lists and finding herself amid it all. I adore her voice: humorous, insightful and drawn from the author’s personal experiences, giving the book such a genuine sound and lasting impression. Every time I turned a page, I felt like I was catching up with my best friend.

ALL THE DAYS OF SUMMER by Nancy Thayer

The release of a new Nancy Thayer novel is like the daffodils or cherry blossoms you’ll notice this month—it’s the first sign of warmer weather and “all the days of summer” ahead. Nancy is the queen of books with happy endings, and this one also delivers that Nantucket nostalgia and cozy reading experience we have come to expect from this treasured island author. All the Days of Summer features memorable characters living, loving and laughing on Nantucket Island in a novel that explores the complexity of family and the unexpected ways fate can guide you forward. Get yourself a signed, personalized copy of the book, which publishes May 2, from nantucketbookpartners.com. Join Nancy at Mitchell’s Book Corner for a book signing on Saturday, May 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a perfect Mother’s Day gift and event.

YELLOWFACE by R. F. Kuang

This eye-opening, compulsively readable novel tackles diversity, racism and cultural appropriation in the publishing industry. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang tells the saga of bestselling author Juniper Song and her new book about Chinese laborers during World War I. Juniper Song is not who she claims to be however. She’s not Asian American, and she didn’t write the novel getting so much press and praise. While this book is a quick read, it’s also an important and revealing look at prejudice, representation, social media and greed in the literary world. Available May 16.