Books of the Month at The Bookstore at Fitger's

When two teenagers break into a house on a remote lake in search of prescription drugs, what starts as a simple burglary turns into a nightmare for all involved. Emmett Burr has secrets he's been keeping in his basement for more than two decades, and he'll do anything to keep his past from being revealed. As he gets the upper hand on his... Read more »

Lakelore

“Written in the exquisite lyrical manner that Anna-Marie McLemore does better than anyone, Lakelore is a vibrant and sensitive exploration of gender identity and neurodivergence. Their writing is always luminous and honest; their use of magical realism is powerful; and their deftness and care in writing about ADHD, Dyslexia, bullying, trans, and non-binary lives is excellent. I listened on Libro.fm and it was a delightfully multi-sensory experience between the illustrative writing and talented voice actors.”

Ashleigh, Wellesley Books

If you enjoyed Love & Saffron, then you’ll love Remarkably Bright Creatures.

“If you need a nice book, one that is generally feel-good but with a little depth and a very interesting perspective then this book is for you! It is an astonishing debut that finds three unlikely personalities - a lonely widow, a lost young man, and an aging octopus - in the same small town north of Seattle. Each one of them has had sadness in their lives but they've survived and through these new unlikely friendships will find what is missing from their lives. The audiobook is particularly great as the amazingly snarky Michael Urie voices Marcellus the Octopus bringing some great humorous moments and Marin Ireland elicits great humanity in both Tova and Cameron. It is not to be missed!”

Kimi, Buttonwood Books and Toys

The Violin Conspiracy

“I listened to the audiobook of Brendan Slocumb's The Violin Conspiracy and thoroughly enjoyed it. Though it is a mystery novel about a missing violin, and the mystery is pretty engaging, the primary appeal for me was a window into the life of a Black classical musician. Also loved learning, after I finished the audiobook, that Slocumb is not only a classical musician, but also an award winning teacher who works hard to make his students understand that music is for everyone.”

Kathy, Belmont Books

A Snake Falls to Earth

“This book truly transported me to another world. I was swept away by world building and so charmed by each of the characters. Nina and Oli both having their own talents and struggles with translation was such a wonderful way to tie these characters together until they met. A Snake Falls to Earth was a breath of fresh air, wholly original, and a story I will treasure forever. ”

Gina, BookPeople

These Precious Days

“I loved absolutely everything about this book and did not want it to end. Ann Patchett's narration is magical and I believe is best way to experience her writing. Though these are essays, they are expertly arranged and together feel like a memoir. Patchett talks about everything from life and death to bookstores and book covers and you immediately want to gift this book to everyone. I could not recommend it highly enough!”

Kimi, Buttonwood Books and Toys

Under the Whispering Door

“Trigger warning: Suicide and death. TJ Klune has done it again. He has created a story (with some darkness) centered on a character that would otherwise have easily been seen as the villain. And again, he walked me through a funny, LGBTQ+ positive, and horror-esque journey where I grew in empathy for Wallace as he tackled questions about death, life, and what may come after. Every character in this book was relevant and had their own story to tell. One of several things that impresses me about Klune's writing is his ability to keep a story that takes place in a single setting engaging and interesting. The ending was definitely unexpected and defied my expectations. I read this book aloud to my mother, and we debated and discussed what the ending might be and what we hoped it would be. We couldn't have guessed what actually transpired...I deeply appreciated the diversity in age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender expression between characters. As someone who enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, I would gently warn other fans that this book takes on a more serious tone because it centers on death and heavier topics. It still has moments of humor, heart, and levity, but you're always reminded of where you are.”

R. Aimee, The Bluestocking Bookshop

An empowering look at finding your voice, facing your fears, and standing up for what's right, from the author of Property of the Rebel Librarian.

Charlotte Andrews is perfectly fine being quiet--in fact, she prefers it. When she doesn't speak, people can't make fun of her stutter. But when she witnesses bullying on the school bus and doesn't... Read more »

The Reading List

“A beautifully written novel about people connected by a local library and an amazing reading list. As the characters’ lives are revealed through interweaving storylines, readers will root for them, cry for them, and celebrate their victories.”

Lisa Driban, Hockessin Book Shelf

Once There Were Wolves

“Telling of the reintroduction of wolves to the Scottish highlands, Once There Were Wolves affirms the importance of our connections to the human and more-than-human worlds that sustain us, worlds we sever at our own peril.”

Ben Platt, Jackson Hole Book Trader

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

“Epic, beautifully written, heartwarming, and heartbreaking, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a contemplation on life, death, what it means to make your mark on the world, and why we feel it’s important to do so. Addie makes a deal with a demon so she can live her life the way she wants to. But, like most deals, there are strings attached — and these strings make it so she is forgotten by everyone she meets. Dancing about time, the book shows Addie’s life over 300 years and takes a closer look at her modern life — after a boy in a bookshop remembers her. Months later, I’m still thinking about this book and how beautiful it is; my words don’t even come close to doing it justice. Read this book.”

Lindsey Pattavina, R.J. Julia Booksellers

The Guncle

“Absolutely adored this. I laughed so hard while also feeling moved by the characters navigating grief associated with losing a mother / sister-in-law/best friend. Rowley plays with expectations surrounding grief – to be sad, to mourn, not to laugh – and the need for joy, survival, and life after loss. "Gup" (Gay Uncle Patrick) imparts his wisdom and flamboyant way to see the world upon his niece and nephew trying to help them start to heal without fearing the world. While these kids turn his bachelor life on its head, filling his house with endless questions, Christmas in July, and SO MUCH sunscreen, this disruption may be exactly what he needs. Great book addressing grief and loss without being sad.”

Emma, Content

If you enjoyed Me Talk Pretty One Day, then you’ll love Broken (in the best possible way).

“Maybe a voice artist could have read Jenny Lawson's third memoir and listeners would laugh till they cried....and then cried. But I doubt it. With her lilting delivery, Jenny (the popular Bloggess) presents her self-deprecating stories and complex, absurd (but, maybe true?) tales, of life with her patient husband Victor, their daughter, and the family pets, including Hunter S. Tomcat. With encouragement and emphasizing "you are not alone" Jenny again honestly shares her experiences with depression and mental illness, including a poignant "Open letter to my insurance company." In "Awkwardness brings us Together" she reads the replies to her recent tweet of a social faux pas, a litany of dozens of readers' most embarrassing moments. With Jenny in your headphones, be prepared to explain to people around you, "What is so FUNNY?"”

Cheryl, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza

Libertie

“This fascinating story of Libertie is set in and around the Civil War in Brooklyn, NY. Libertie, the daughter of a free black doctor, feels obligated to live up to her mothers’ expectations for her, all the while attempting to forge for herself her own path through the world. Themes of racism, colorism, and gender are all grappled with. Though historical in its setting the ideas we confront in Libertie feel like they are still relevant and timely.”

Molly, A Great Good Place for Books

If you enjoyed Shantaram, then you’ll love The Four Winds.

“This is one of the best books I’ve listened to in a long time. The historical time period is the backdrop to an outstanding story about the evolution of a woman. The character development is incredibly heartfelt and the words that flow through each narration are beautifully expressed. This book, and the main character Elsa, has stayed with me for days. Definitely worth the time.”

Stephanie, Poet’s Corner Book Shop

Wintering

“When Katherine May set out to write her book, Wintering, she could not have foreseen that it would be published in the middle of a pandemic, nor that it would be so beautifully suited to our current circumstances. Wintering is the author's account of how she made it through unforeseen difficult times and depression (emotional winters). Gentle, understanding, hopeful, and empathetic, this is a book you will listen to and then want to buy a copy of, just so you can have it nearby for difficult times.”

Mary, Skylark Bookshop

The Splendid and the Vile

“An excellent account of the darkest hour through the intimate details of the Churchill family, and accounts and diaries of staff and English, German and American leaders and soldiers. Larson expertly shows Churchill's highs and lows and how his oration skills, charisma and spirit buoyed society at the exact right time. Excellent for WWII buffs or if you are new to reading about defining moments of history. Great audiobook!”

Karin, Bookworm of Edwards

A Promised Land

“No one really needs my blurb to help sell this book, but I wanted to give it anyway, especially for the audiobook, narrated by Barack Obama himself. If you want to know his incredible knowledge and wisdom that guided him through major decisions, and also hear him drop a few F-bombs, you need to listen to this fantastically written book. ”

Amber, Quail Ridge Books

Anxious People

“At its simplest, we could just say this is a story about the human condition. Backman’s wry and deceptively simple storytelling provides us an exquisite and astute study of the little complexities that fills our lives with joy and pain. Through his rich story exploring second chances, missed opportunities, and unintended consequences, he captures the essence of what it means to be human and the complexities of navigating relationships with each other by exploring what we say and do not say to one another. The audio version is absolutely spectacular. The narrator brings each character to life with unique and spot-on personalities that I cannot imagine creating myself in my head. Her delivery of the dialogue and story is spot on and kept me laughing throughout.”

Cori, Bright Side Bookshop

“Gripping, beautifully written, and genuinely chilling, The Nothing Man had me from page one. Simply stellar.”—Meg Gardiner, Edgar Award–winning author of The Dark Corners of the NightI was the girl who survived the Nothing Man. Now I am the woman who is going to catch him …At the age of twelve, Eve Black was the only member of her family to... Read more »