Meet Me At the Lake by Carley Fortune

Fern Brookbanks finds herself at a crossroads in her thirties, managing her mother's lakeside resort in Muskoka, a far cry from the city life she had envisioned. Her thoughts often wander to Will Baxter, an artist she spent a transformative day with in her twenties. They shared dreams, made promises, but he never showed up a year later. Now, as Fern struggles with the resort's chaos and a life different from her plans, Will reappears, nine years overdue. He offers help, but Fern is wary of the man who seems vastly different from the one she once knew. As she grapples with the past and present, Fern wonders if she can trust Will, who is clearly hiding something. 

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Unfolding in the rugged mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead paints the poignant tale of a boy born into adversity. Raised by a teenaged single mother in a modest trailer, Demon possesses little beyond his deceased father's striking looks, copper hair, sharp wit, and a tenacious will to survive. Narrated in his unfiltered voice, Demon navigates the harsh realities of foster care, child labor, flawed education systems, triumphs in athletics, battles with addiction, tumultuous loves, and heart-wrenching losses. Set against the backdrop of the contemporary American South, Kingsolver draws inspiration from David Copperfield, as both novels explore the enduring challenges of institutional poverty and its impact on children. 

Greenwood by Michael Christie

Greenwood unfolds across multiple timelines, intricately weaving the lives of the Greenwood family and their deep connection to the world's vanishing forests. In 2038, Jacinda Greenwood navigates her role as a storyteller and guide for wealthy eco-tourists in one of the last remaining forests on Earth. Flashing back to 2008, we meet Liam Greenwood, a carpenter facing mortality after a workplace accident. Further, in 1974, Willow Greenwood emerges from jail, driven by environmental activism. The narrative delves into 1934, introducing Everett Greenwood, a Depression-era drifter who becomes entangled in a web of crime, secrets, and betrayal. Through the generations, trees serve as a silent witness and metaphor.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

In a world where dragon riding is the pinnacle of achievement, twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail faces an unexpected twist of fate. Originally destined for a life surrounded by books and history, Violet is thrust into the cutthroat competition to become a dragon rider—the elite of Navarre. Complicating matters is Violet's physical fragility, making her an easy target for a perilous fate. With both the scarcity of willing dragons and the ruthless nature of her fellow candidates, Violet's journey at Basgiath War College becomes a battle not just for supremacy but for survival. As war looms outside the college's walls and secrets are unveiled, Violet must rely on her wit because in this ruthless world, there are only two outcomes: success or death.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Set in a tranquil retirement village, this novel introduces four friends who gather weekly in the Jigsaw Room to delve into unsolved crimes. United by their shared interest, they aptly name themselves the Thursday Murder Club. The peaceful routine takes a thrilling turn when a local developer is discovered dead, accompanied by a mysterious photograph. Suddenly, the amateur sleuths find themselves thrust into the heart of their first real-life investigation. As the body count rises, the unorthodox but clever members of the Thursday Murder Club face the ultimate challenge: catching a killer before it's too late. In a delightful blend of mystery, humor, and camaraderie, this novel promises a riveting tale.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Follows the unconventional journey of chemist Elizabeth Zott in the early 1960s. Working in an all-male team at Hastings Research Institute, Elizabeth challenges societal norms. Her unique perspective catches the attention of Calvin Evans, a brilliant Nobel Prize-nominated scientist, who falls in love with her mind. Despite the prevailing gender biases, true chemistry ignites between them. However, life takes an unpredictable turn, and Elizabeth finds herself a single mother. Unexpectedly, she becomes the reluctant star of a popular cooking show. As Elizabeth gains popularity, not everyone is pleased because she is not just teaching women how to cook; she's challenging the status quo.

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

A reimagining of the classic myth of Medusa. Unlike her immortal siblings, Medusa experiences the passage of time, vulnerability, and change. When the sea god Poseidon assaults her in the temple of Athene, the enraged goddess punishes Medusa instead of Poseidon. Transformed forever, snakes replace her hair, and her gaze turns any living creature to stone. Cursed with the power to destroy what she loves with a single look, Medusa resigns herself to a life of solitude. Haynes challenges the traditional narrative, infusing empathy and nuance into the ancient myth. She explores the origins of the tale, revitalizing and reconstructing Medusa's story with passion and wit. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were destined to be literary stars, but Athena becomes the celebrated darling while June remains a nobody. When June witnesses Athena's sudden death, she seizes the opportunity and steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece—a novel spotlighting the overlooked contributions of Chinese labourers during World War I. June edits Athena's work, presenting it as her own to her agent, who rebrands her as Juniper Song with an ambiguously ethnic author photo. The stolen narrative becomes a New York Times bestseller, and June argues that the important historical tale deserves to be told, regardless of the teller.

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

Weyward by Emilia Hart

A captivating novel that intertwines the lives of three remarkable women across different centuries. In 2019, Kate seeks refuge from an abusive relationship in Weyward Cottage, only to uncover a hidden secret tied to the witch-hunts of the 17th century. Amidst World War II in 1942, Violet, confined by societal norms, yearns for education and discovers mysterious connections to her deceased mother. In 1619, Altha, accused of murdering a farmer, relies on her natural magic to defend herself against witchcraft allegations. Emilia Hart skillfully weaves these narratives of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world, creating a compelling and enthralling story.

Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister

In this heart-stopping thriller readers follow Olivia, a 22-year-old who mysteriously disappears after entering a dead-end alley, with no history of running away. Detective Julia leads the case, expecting the usual challenges but unaware that the investigation will hit too close to home. As the case unfolds, Julia is faced with a moral dilemma: she must not uncover the truth about Olivia's disappearance and instead frame someone else for her murder to ensure her own family's safety. The narrative explores the tension between personal and professional obligations, presenting readers with a compelling question: What would you do in Julia's impossible situation?

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Nora Seed discovers a space between life and death, filled with books that allow her to relive her life as if she had made different choices. Struggling with regret and a sense of failure, Nora is guided by an old friend to explore alternate paths and undo her past mistakes. However, as she envisions and experiences different lives, Nora realizes that the idealized versions may not be what she expected. Her choices not only jeopardize the library but also put her in grave danger. With time running out, Nora faces the ultimate question: What is the best way to live? The novel explores themes of regret, redemption, and the quest for a meaningful life.