Beatlebone by Kevin Barry
Taking real-life events, Barry has created a fantastical novel about one of the world’s icons: John Lennon. In “Beatlebone,” it’s 1978 and Lennon has retreated from the noise and distraction of NYC to a private island off the coast of Ireland. But his search for solitude and anonymity is disrupted when he meets a shape shifter. This is a wildly inventive novel full of whimsy and charm. You may recognize Barry as the author of “City of Bohane,” and if not, you should read that book ASAP, too.
Broken Sleep by Bruce Bauman
Calling all Pynchon fans and/or people who love giant novels that will turn your brain upside down! “Broken Sleep” is an incredibly ambitious novel spanning from the 1940s to the 2020s in America, about a man with cancer searching for his birth parents after he learns the woman who raised him is not his biological mother. What he finds is a saga of rock music, politics, and mental illness. (Those things are not all mutually exclusive.) “Broken Sleep” is a skillfully told journey of love and family as experienced through art in a postmodern American world.
Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter
A gorgeous, original tale about a young girl named Mouse in 13th-century Bohemia. When Mouse saves the life of King Ottakar, she agrees to be his personal healer and accompany him to Prague. But back at Ottakar’s castle, traitors are working to unseat the king, and Ottakar and Mouse find themselves drawn to one another as they try to work out who is behind the attempted assassinations. Complicating things are the mysteries of Mouse’s past, which may be of a supernatural nature. This is a wonderful new addition to the world of historical fiction.
Mother Bruce by Ryan Higgins
It’s always great to see local Seacoast talent getting national attention. Ryan Higgins is a remarkable illustrator and has been publishing picture books for many years, but “Mother Bruce” marks his biggest release to date, this one with a national publisher. And what a wonderful book it is! Bruce is a curmudgeonly bear who begrudgingly takes in a group of goslings that think he’s their mother. And as much as he tries to change their minds, the goslings want to stay with Bruce. The story of “Mother Bruce” is adorable, but it’s the incredible illustrations that really make the book.
American Blood by Ben Sanders
Marshall Grande is an ex-NYPD officer living in witness protection in New Mexico after an undercover operation involving the mob goes seriously wrong. When he comes out of hiding to investigate the disappearance of a local woman, the people searching for him, including a bloodthirsty killer called the Dallas Man, get wind of his whereabouts and head out to kill him. Now Grande must fight off the mob as he searches for the woman. This is a great mystery along the lines of “No Country for Old Men” and has already been optioned as a film starring Bradley Cooper.