Noble November Staff Picks

The Magician

“Toíbín’s brilliant imagining of the life of Thomas Mann follows his superb 2004 novel The Master, about Henry James, and does not disappoint in the least. Feast on this intelligently, profoundly felt novel about the author of The Magic Mountain, Death in Venice, Buddenbrooks and many others.”

Nora, Bookstore1Sarasota

There have been ghosts on the London Underground, sad, harmless specters whose presence does little more than give a frisson to traveling and boost tourism. But now there's a rash of sightings on the Metropolitan Line and these ghosts are frightening, aggressive, and seem to be looking for something.

Enter PC Peter Grant, junior member of the... Read more »

Three Sisters

“This novel was inspired by a true story set in WWII. I was initially interested in reading this because against all odds it was a tale of survival. Though painful at times with its descriptions of the sisters’ lives in the Auschwitz concentration camp, I was propelled to read on even as the life they endured defied belief. The outcome of these amazingly determined women was buoyed by the promise they made to their father to always look out for one another. Guided by this promise they amazingly find a path through the horrors to endure and survive. This is historical fiction with heart.”

Molly, A Great Good Place for Books

A Marvellous Light

“Robin Blyth is in over his head at this new weird magical liaison job he was shoved into, and now he’s cursed to boot. Edwin Courcey is trying to figure out what happened to Robin’s predecessor and remove the curse. They’ve both got a lot going on and the growing attraction between them is really not helping. A Marvellous Light revels in the magical tropes, love, and mystery. I couldn’t put it down like I think the book itself magically attached itself to my hands until I finished it. If you are looking for some magic and a bit of fun, pick this book up now!”

Izzy, Good Neighbor Bookstore

The Hummingbird

“Marco Carrera is one of those tragic but inspiring heroes that goes straight to your heart and makes a cozy home to stay forever. Although this book is not long, it covers the entirety of Marco’s life as we explore how he goes from constant regret of almost every choice to understanding and finding contentment in the purpose (or lack thereof) of his life. Veronesi presents the story in about 50 various snapshots from Marco’s life, in seemingly no particular order, and although and some of the events of Marco’s life are a bit too coincidental, the existential journey and the grief that Marco must process are universal and captivating. And the moments of transcendence that Marco eventually enjoys makes the entire story well-worth the read.”

Endya, Beausoleil Books

Red, White & Royal Blue

“Fresh, irreverent, and funny, Red, White & Royal Blue is a delight and a treasure. With subtle jabs, Casey McQuiston pokes fun at both the public face of the British monarchy as well as the back-door politicking that dominates the U.S. political scene. The story follows the self-centered Alex Claremont-Diaz (America’s First Son) and his interactions with British Prince Henry of Wales. As hostility increases between two political scions forced into a sham friendship, we see the framework of political destiny and duty begin to fray. Little by little, hostility turns to something else entirely. This is a story about happiness — and, more importantly, honesty — for those who live their lives in the public eye.”

Todd Ketcham, The Book Cellar

O Beautiful

“When a Korean-American journalist arrives in North Dakota to do a story on the oil boom there, she finds a different story than she was expecting. An excellent novel, and a great audiobook as well.”

Suzanna, Oblong Books

Lakshmi is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her family in a small hut on a mountain in Nepal. Though she is desperately poor, her life is full of simple pleasures, like playing hopscotch with her best friend from school and having her mother brush her hair by the light of an oil lamp. But when the harsh Himalayan monsoons wash away all... Read more »

Wish You Were Here

“I didn’t think I was ready for pandemic lit, but this is ultimately a story of one woman’s journey of self-discovery amidst uncertainty. And the twist will blindside you! Jodi Picoult has been one of my favorite writers for years, and this book keeps her up on my favorites list.”

Genevieve, A Great Good Place for Books

Cassandra Khaw's Nothing But Blackened Teeth is a gorgeously creepy haunted house tale, steeped in Japanese folklore and full of devastating twists.

A Heian-era mansion stands abandoned, its foundations resting on the bones of a bride and its walls packed with the remains of the girls sacrificed to keep her company.

It’s the perfect venue for a... Read more »

The Night She Disappeared

“Lisa Jewell is indeed a master of suspense with The Night She Disappeared. Multiple timelines add to the suspense as the characters’ lives began to interweave and the story builds to an unexpected climax.”

Eileen McGervey, Just One More Page Books

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

“The best dictionary you'll ever had read to you. In fact, there's probably a word for that.”

Charity, Schuler Books