Every month, we’re profiling new-ish releases that are getting critical and commercial buzz. For March, we’re looking at Little Women from Marmee’s point of view, a heartwarming tale set in the Yorkshire Dales (that’s not James Herriot), a gothic novel that should appeal to Silvia Moreno-Garcia fans, an anthology that’s all about joy, a historical mystery centered around the horse racing industry, a cookbook devoted to recipes from the Sea Islands, and an audiobook rendition of some classic Agatha Christie mysteries.
If you enjoy historical fiction with a literary twist:
Sarah Miller’s Marmee (2022)
Little Women has had a bit of a pop culture resurgence in the past few years, thanks to some new adaptations. In this retelling of the popular novel by Louisa May Alcott, the March matriarch is the focus. As the Civil War rages and her husband is posted elsewhere as a chaplain, Margaret March–better known as Marmee to her daughters–tries to keep things going on the home front. Domestic responsibilities and charity work keeps her busy, but when she’s summoned to DC to tend to her husband and forced to leave her daughters behind in Massachusetts, complications ensue.
Recommended for those who enjoy retellings of classic novels from different perspectives.
If you want something sweet to read:
Alan Titchmarsh’s The Gift (2022)
Adam has an idyllic upbringing in rural Yorkshire. He also begins to show an early gift for healing, but his abilities leave him feeling like an outsider and doubting whether or not he should continue using them. This book has gotten a lot of praise for its heartwarming and comforting tone.
Recommended for those who enjoy the work of Rosamunde Pilcher.
If you prefer gothic horror with a historical twist:
Isabel Cañas’s The Hacienda (2022)
When Beatriz accepts a proposal from Don Rodolfo, she is under no illusions about her marriage prospects. Dark rumors surround him about the death of his first wife, but Beatriz herself doesn’t have a lot of options after losing her family and estate in the Mexican War for Independence. Still, it doesn’t take her long after moving to his home to realize that there is something very wrong at Hacienda San Isidro. She’d hoped her new home would be a place for refuge, but it might prove to be a paranormal nightmare in the making.
Recommended for those who enjoy the work of Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
If you want to read something joyful:
Ross Gay’s Inciting Joy (2022)
In this collection of essays and reflections, poet Ross Gay ponders the concept of joy, particularly as a means of connecting with others. Through that lens, he explores everything from gardening to skateboarding to losing your phone.
Recommended for fans of thoughtful, lyrical anthologies.
If you prefer genre-bending fiction that blends history with mystery:
Stephenia H. McGee’s The Secrets of Emberwild (2022)*
In 1905, it’s unusual for a woman to be a horse trainer, but Nora loves every aspect of her work. And she needs success badly to save the Mississippi horse farm she inherited from her father. She has her eyes on doing just that by winning the harness races at the state fair. To that end, she ends up working with Silas Cavallero. Though he comes to admire her, Nora dislikes Silas, but a series of mysterious accidents that befall the duo may be connected to his own secret past.
Recommended for those who enjoy the work of Tracie Peterson.
*Ebook also available on Libby.
If you love to cook:
Kardea Brown’s The Way Home: A Celebration of Sea Islands Food and Family with Over 100 Recipes (2022)
Food Network star Kardea Brown introduces readers to family favorite Gullah recipes from Georgia and South Carolina. This rich Lowcountry African American culture combines traditional Southern cooking with a strong West African influence. This cookbook provides a range of delectable recipes (ranging from sweet potato cheesecake to seafood potato salad) alongside Brown’s stories about her family and upbringing.
Recommended for those who enjoy the work of Edna Lewis.
If you want to revisit an old favorite:
Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories (2022)
When it comes to fictional sleuths, Agatha Christie is best known for Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, but her elderly amateur sleuth Miss Marple is no slouch either. A lifetime of small-town life has sharpened her observational skills and her insight into human nature, and she puts both to good work in solving murders. This new audiobook combines all the Miss Marple short stories into 10 CDs.
Recommended for those who enjoy the work of Ngaio Marsh, M. C. Beaton, C. Alan Bradley, and Alexander McCall Smith.
What’s your favorite new-ish books? What books are you buzzing about these days? Have you read any of these books? Tell us in the comments! As always, please follow this link to our online library catalog for more information on any of these items or to place them on hold.
Berryville Book Buzz 