Five picks for January

Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.

Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen (contemporary fiction) – At 26, Cricket Campbell is grappling with unresolved grief and unrealized potential. When she agrees to move home to care for her father Arthur, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she slowly finds herself able to address the things holding her back. After years of estrangement, Cricket’s return to Catwood Pond in the Adirondacks is complicated by both her memories and her coming to terms with Arthur’s inability to remember her. As the two reconnect, the reader learns about the family dynamics and why Cricket hasn’t returned home in years. Hoen expertly depicts the Campbell family’s complicated dynamics, what is often left unsaid in their conversations, how the siblings’ roles impact their relationships, and their unspoken regrets. This beautiful book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys family sagas and redemption stories.

Good Guys by Sharon Bala (contemporary fiction) – This timely and thought-provoking novel delivers a gut punch as it explores the complicated and murky world of international aid including the less-than-honorable reasons it is often provided. Claire Talbot is the publicist at Children of the World, a foundation that seeks to provide healthcare and education to impoverished communities, created by an aging rock star who wants to remain relevant. When finances look bleak, Claire jumps at the chance to send a popular actress to volunteer at one of their overseas facilities. What at first appears to be the foundation’s saving grace quickly devolves into a disaster that harms the individuals they are supposed to be helping. Bala highlights the way the world of international aid is impacted by corporate greed, individuals and companies seeking to rehabilitate their reputations, and a lack of long-term commitment to communities. This book will appeal to those who enjoy compelling stories and fiction about current events.

The Murder at World’s End by Ross Montgomery (historical mystery) – This clever historical mystery is set in 1910 Cornwall on a remote island aptly named World’s End. The Viscount of Tithe Hall, Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt, believes that the gases from Halley’s Comet’s impending arrival will result in everyone’s demise. Accordingly, he orders his servants to completely seal Tithe Hall –  every window, chimney, and keyhole must be locked up and protected before the comet passes over. Instead, the next morning, everyone else is still alive, and the viscount is dead, killed with his own ancestral crossbow. Newly hired Stephen Pike teams up with Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed and hilarious 80-year-old family matriarch to solve a locked-room mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie. The pairing of Stephen and Decima is fabulous, the plotting is intelligent, and so much humor is infused throughout the story. This book will appeal to those who enjoy inventive mysteries, a historical setting, and humor.

Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden (memoir) – Three days into the Covid lockdown in March 2020, Belle Burden was stunned to discover that her husband of 20 years was having an affair. After confronting him and receiving reassurances that they could work through their issues, Belle goes to sleep and wakes up the next morning to find James packed and leaving, refusing to engage in any conversation about their future. In Strangers, Belle reexamines their relationship from beginning to end, seeking to unearth clues about what went wrong. Upon reexamination, she comes to terms with not only the red flags she missed but also her own family history and how she was taught to deal with betrayal. Belle tells her difficult story with unflinching honesty, refusing to make excuses, and most importantly, she comes out the other end of this experience transformed, becoming someone willing to use her voice and stand up for herself. She also explores the misogyny and sexism that still run rampant today and how women often bear the brunt of responsibility in breakups. An interesting side note: Belle is the granddaughter of Bill (the influential president of CBS while Edward Murrow was on the air) and Babe Paley (one of Truman Capote’s “swans”). I listened to this one, and Belle narrates, which really added to my enjoyment of the book. This one is a great fit for fans of stellar memoirs and stories about strong women.

With Love from Harlem by ReShonda Tate (historical fiction) – Houstonian ReShonda Tate returns with another thoroughly-researched gem, this time penning a tribute to Hazel Scott – a jazz performer, film star, and civil rights activist whose legacy has been lost to history. Set primarily in 1940s Harlem and reading like a who’s who of prominent Black figures from the era, including Billie Holiday, James Baldwin, and Langston Hughes, the novel follows Hazel’s quick rise to fame, her troubled romance with Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and the many personal sacrifices she felt compelled to make to try and save her family. Scott broke barriers in music but also fiercely fought for racial equality for the people who came to her performances; she refused to perform at the University of Texas in 1949 because the audience was segregated. One small caveat is that Tate melds in some fictional elements so read the Author’s Note carefully to understand where the story occasionally diverges from what really happened. With Love from Harlem will appeal to those who like biographical fiction and tales about famous women and women lost to history.

Editor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column at thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfromapage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.