Barbara Claypole White

I’m a huge Patti Callahan Henry fan, and SURVIVING SAVANNAH is my new favorite of her novels. Told through a dual time-line, it’s a page-turner that sent me down my own rabbit hole of research. (As a history major, I do love research!) I became obsessed with the true story of the Titanic of the…

WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES is a stunning debut that weaves together two stories divided by one hundred years. Part mystery, part love story, part historical fiction, it’s an unforgettable tale of  passion, courage, survival, redemption, and strong women. And since Al Capone’s henchmen make a few appearances, there’s a murder. Or two. In 2015,…

I became a fan of Melody’s writing after reading her hilarious, gut-wrenching, unforgettable memoir: HALDOL AND HYACINTHS. Melody is an Iranian-American, Muslim, lawyer turned writer, teacher, hula-hoop queen, and feminist/activist. Yes, she’s that impressive, and does all this while managing a chronic illness: bipolar one. If you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak,…

TEN RULES FOR FAKING IT is a delicious, slow-burn romantic comedy about two broken souls. Everly, a radio station producer and her station manager, Chris, have 1001 reasons for not becoming a couple. The most obvious reason is work-related: he’s her boss. More subtle reasons include her social anxiety, Chris’s demons from being raised by…

THE WATCHERS OF MONIAH is classified as young adult fantasy, but ignore those labels. A tightly plotted and beautifully written page-turner, it’s packed with fascinating and duplicitous characters, romance and jilted lovers, revenge and mysticism, political intrigue and telepathic giraffes On page one we meet fifteen-year-old Adana, heir to Moniah, one of four kingdoms that…

THREE ORDINARY GIRLS is an inspiring and timely work of nonfiction about three young women who played a vital role in the World War II Dutch resistance—despite sexism from their commanders. As a history major, I’m perennially fascinated by true stories of exceptional women. As someone with Jewish family, I struggle when reading about the…

THAT’S NOT A THING has an intriguing premise: What if you couldn’t forget the man who shattered your world, and after years of silence, he reappears in the midst of your wedding plans? From the beginning, this page-turner packs an emotional punch as the author deftly weaves together a past passion with a present, rock-solid…

LAST COUPLE STANDING gets my vote for the best escapism from the s***show of 2020. A hilarious novel with a big heart, it explores complex relationships and serious family turning points with empathy, hope, and laugh-out-loud moments. What couple hasn’t wanted to breathe new life into the craziness and exhaustion of their marriage while raising…

I’m a huge Jodi Picoult fan. Her books entertain me, haunt me, and take me outside my comfort zone; her every sentence inspires me as a writer. But I always read a new Jodi Picoult too fast, desperate to reach her signature twist, which I know will surprise me, yet make perfect sense. THE BOOK…

A ROGUE OF ONE’S OWN is the second in Evie Dunmore’s outstanding series, A League of Extraordinary Women. (If you haven’t read her debut, treat yourself and buy both books.) Set in Oxford and London during the suffragette era, this novel is rich with Victorian color and filled with savvy women, including Lady Lucy, who…