The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

The newly US-published The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by debut Swedish author Katarina Bivald is a gentle read focusing on Sara Lindqvist who has come to small town Iowa from Sweden to visit Amy Harris, her pen pal. Things don’t go quite as planned and, instead, Sara is “adopted” by the town (population 637) and a strong, mutual warmth and friendliness develops as the story progresses.

With numerous references to book titles, authors and literary characters, The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend will be a favorite for bibliophiles.  Referring to her attempts to promote reading and books, Sara says, “If someone else takes them, then at least they’ll be appreciated. And if you love a book, you want to share it with others.”

I found the opening third of this novel to be rather slow even though it was important to take time to develop the characters of the town’s somewhat unconventional inhabitants. These include: Grace, a feisty, strong women who runs the diner and Caroline, with a strong practical streak who organizes the town activities, or Andy, who manages the local bar with his partner, Carl.   The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend more actively grabbed my interest once the scheming began about how Sara might be able to stay longer and hints of romance were introduced. That’s when one character mused: “let people laugh [at you]. It just means we are living more interesting lives than they are.” The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend will likely have strong appeal for book groups and includes a series of discussion questions.

Called touching, quaint, and charming in various professional reviews, The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend received a starred review from Library Journal and was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month for January 2016.

God’s Kingdom by Howard Frank Mosher

If you have read other novels by Howard Frank Mosher, you will be excited to see that God’s Kingdom is being published October 6^th.  Sent in rural Vermont, near the Canadian border, Mosher shares more stories about the Kinneson family; this time, featuring coming of age for Jim, an aspiring writer, in the 1950’s.

To me, Mosher’s novels are gentle reads, often focusing on nature, small town life and the wisdom shared across generations.  Storytelling is woven throughout from many characters, including Gramp, and Jim’s father who is editor of the local newspaper, and a much older aunt who provides insight on the family mystery. The vignettes in God’s Kingdom have much to say about human nature and our interactions:  some are sad, some are humorous, others seem grounded in faith in a stoic New England heritage.  Throughout, Jim grows in maturity and self-awareness and the reader, too, has much to reflect upon.

God’s Kingdom is a truly enjoyable read and I highly recommend it, especially to fans of historical fiction and of authors such as Ivan Doig (Last Bus to Wisdom) or Sterling North (Rascal). In fact, writer Stephen King says of God’s Kingdom, “This is American fiction at its very best.”

Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon

Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon is the latest title in her Mitford series which began with At Home in Mitford roughly 20 years ago.  These books tell the story of Father Tim Kavanagh and his congregation in a fictional small town in North Carolina. There are challenges, misunderstandings, and much love and support throughout these books and the interwoven events they share. In Come Rain or Come Shine, Karon brings us the wedding of Dooley and Lace. It’s meant to be a simple country affair, but as with most weddings, nothing is ever simple. Uncertain weather, surprise guests, and even straying animals add to the poignancy and humor of this story.

Summing it up, I simply have to quote Kirkus Reviews: "The latest entry in Karon’s Mitford series continues with all the beloved characters, down-home charm, and deep faith in God that are the hallmarks so beloved of fans." If you have read the Mitford novels, you will certainly agree with that apt description. And if you are new to the series, earlier titles are being re-released this fall so you will be able to start at the beginning. In either case, readers are sure to find joy in Jan Karon’s Come Rain or Come Shine.

All We Had by Annie Weatherwax

The main characters of All We Had by Annie Weatherwax are a young girl, 13 year-old Ruthie, and her Mom, Rita who struggle against extreme poverty.  In this powerful debut novel, they move around with garbage bags for suitcases; rely mainly on men for help and housing and do not eat well (favoring Diet Cokes and donuts). The Mom is almost always smoking and reaching for reassurance from the lipstick which she keeps in her oversized handbag.

As the novel opens, they head East from California; the road trip aspects of this novel help to propel it along and Ruthie's voice drew me in. The duo eventually finds jobs in Fat River, a town in middle America which comes upon hard times with the 2008 recession. Weatherwax vividly describes life in poverty (dead squirrel in the leaky ceiling, mice, bugs), sub-prime loans, and the threat of homelessness ….  Yet, as small town America is wont to do, Fat River is a caring community, especially Peter Pam (transgender waitress at the local diner), Miss Frankfurt, the high school principal, and the Hansons, elderly owners of the local hardware store.

What were my immediate connections as I read All We Had? One is this week’s Economist article, "Choose Your Parents Wisely" and its graph about effective parenting which appears in this posting. I think Weatherwax would ask, "How much do circumstances dictate our choices?" Another connection was today's Wall Street Journal on "Start Early to Raise Money Savvy Kids" by Beth Kobliner who writes about the website MoneyAsYouGrow.org  (a site also recommended by the American Library Association).  The lessons on financial literacy such as "want is not the same as need" definitely apply to Ruthie and Rita's choices, especially their trip to the local Wal-Mart, a simultaneously sad and amusing Weatherwax observation on their economic situation and survival. 

Although there are a few mature scenes involving the Mom and her male friends and plenty of profanity, Ruthie's coming of age story and the mother-daughter relationship issues in All We Had will appeal to mature teens. A relatively quick and provocative read,  All We Had by award-winning Annie Weatherwax is an important commentary on today's American society which seems to be increasingly fragmented by class.

Expected publication date: August 5, 2014.