The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

In the town of Pottstown, PA, Blacks and Jews have formed a comfortable alliance, thanks in large part to Chona, a kind Jewish woman who runs the Heaven Earth grocery store. As the dark clouds of fascism pervade Europe, their long shadows invade Pottstown as well. Despite the withering gaze of the Ku Klux Klan, Chona and her husband, Moshe set up popular businesses. When Dodo, a deaf Black child falls in trouble, a great escape for the boy is planned. A delightful novel, filled with delightful characters that affirms the power of community to overcome even the toughest odds.

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

Mira Bunting is a subversive who launched Birnam Wood, a ragtag group of activists who plant crops in unused land, often illegally, and distribute the results equitably. Their anemic acts of rebellion desperately need an infusion of the one thing they want to avoid: money. When billionaire Robert Lemoine funds their endeavors with an agenda of his own, the uneasy bed companions must play nice. But not everyone toes the line, especially Anthony Gallo, a struggling writer who sniffs shady goings-on unfolding. A taut pulse-pounding story of the various shades of greed that will likely lead to our collective downfall.

The Last Ranger by Peter Heller

The wolves have been reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park for a while now. Yet their existence is precarious, ensured only by strict anti-poaching regulations. The ranger in charge, Ren, spends his days striking a balance between managing park visitors and keeping an eye out for vigilante anti-government types. When Ren’s animal scientist friend is sidelined by a near-fatal accident, he realizes just how many shades of gray there are in maintaining a delicate ecosystem. The pace is a little too unhurried but the lush forests and wild habitats’ immersive descriptions are transportive and readers will root for the scarred hero.

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng

 

In 1921, Lesley Hamlyn and her retired lawyer husband are living in Penang, Malaysia and frequently host dignitaries. Among them is Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the Chinese revolutionary. Another is the acclaimed writer “Willie” Somerset Maugham. Willie is convinced there are many untold stories behind Lesley’s calm demeanor, fuel for future stories. We learn about the imperfect Hamlyn marriage and the murder trial of one of Lesley’s close friends, based on a true story. The discrete story threads–the murder plot, Dr. Sen’s visits to Malaysia, the Hamlyns’ infidelities–fall short of gelling neatly. Yet Eng’s writing is as magical as ever.