It is the 1890's and a young, recently widowed naturalist Cora travels to Aldwinter to investigate rumors of a return of a mythical sea serpent to the gloomy marshes and estuaries of the tiny village. Top notch historic fiction writer Sarah Perry spins a well-written tale of menace and fear as well as humor, love, faith and courage. For a tale well told - read this book.
 

The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce is filled with colorful characters.--literally-- a tattoo artist, a clerk who blankets the street with flyers, and most importantly the music shop owner, Frank. Frank helps customers and friends through tough times by choosing the right music to listen to: a a heartbroken Chopin listener gets Aretha Franklin. Frank's whole world changes when a mysterious customer in a green coat faints outside his shop. This novel even has a playlist on Spotify!

     Christopher Knight lived in a tent encampment in the Maine Woods for 27 years, never being seen or speaking to another human. He lived unlike anything you can imagine--breaking into homes for food, batteries, propane, books, even mattresses--waking up in the middle of the night so as not to freeze to death in the heart of the winter.