“Lies live long lives in Banning, and minds were hard to change. Some people couldn’t admit they’d been wrong, while others wanted to believe the worst.” The novel, The Outcast, by D.L. Whipple leads us through the life and choices of Danny Prescott in a rural town in Oklahoma after he is criminally charged then further labeled as an accomplice to a rape by his vicinity to the abhorrent crime. The Outcast excels at revealing how our choices, even that of the choice to not intervene, has a rippling effect far beyond what could be considered in the moment. As we live through Danny’s feelings of regret and efforts in redemption, we feel for and question the intent of its central character and those around him. The story carries a profound emotional weight through the central themes being explored.

“How uncommon it really was to find intellectual companionship and perfect sympathy. If she didn’t realize the rarity of it before, she knew it now. And how slender the thread of chance that brought them together. How wide the distance keeping them apart.” The novel, Love and Conductivity, by Erin Nieto explores a budding relationship in a time of simplicity and hardship in communication, namely letters. Beginning in 1918 and years after, the main characters, Eleanor Morgan and Erwin Phipps, both with their own evolving careers and personal desires, develop a rare connection following a chance encounter that leads us through the highs and lows that distance can place on any passion. Erin Nieto’s use of vivid language, in the context of the time period, carries us into the novel’s world, while captivating us to the central romance.

“I’m sure you know as well as I do, Mrs. Carthy, that for a lightkeeper the light is all and a lightkeeper’s wife must respect that. His duty is her duty.” The novel, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife, by June O’Sullivan takes us to 1867 Ireland, as the central character, Eliza Carthy, holds steadfast in her support of her two young boys and the caretaking of her isolated home upon the small island, as her dutiful husband keeps task in monitoring the sole lighthouse. The arrival of a new discomfiting couple, as the only neighbors, forces Eliza to confront those of selfish means both within and outside of their marriage despite every effort to exhibit kindness. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife explores the resolve of an endearing character when dealt with repeated heartache, feeling for her in each moment and rooting for her small successes until the end.

“As the service drew to a close and the blessing given, the vaulted ceilings lit up in a shimmering cascade of glorious color, a tribute to God, the saints, the angels, Amelia didn’t know who, didn’t care.” The novel, Finding Serenissima, by Apple Gidley delves into renewed life after its perceived ending. After years of caring for her husband through Alzheimer’s until his recent death, despite underlying marital troubles and infidelity, the central character, Amelia, makes a sudden move to Venice from her Australian home that puzzles those closest to her, most prominently depicted by the interactions with her children. As she attempts to maneuver through a life that is not devoted to another, she discovers many facets of internal strength buried beneath the needs and wants of others. Finding Serenissima explores Amelia’s search for independence while still exhibiting her ability to support through her new and exciting experiences.

“I’ve been living my whole life underground in a shell of what my true form really was, just like these tiny monsters. Finally, I was ready to show my true form to the world, however fleeting the moment.”  The novel, Cicada Man, by Vincent Trezor explores the struggles of mental illness through its main character, Jonny Dice, and the dichotomy that can develop between the perceived necessity of medication in maneuvering through the fundamentals of society versus the need to look and feel like our honest selves. Through highs and lows, we discover an honest approach to the main character’s manic episodes, combing through the thoughts of someone whose actions may appear loathsome to the outside eye, but somehow perfectly acceptable to the character in the moment, despite the ultimately negative impact on those closest to him.

“You were the carrot that the universe dangled in front of me—the prize that I knew was out of reach, but I went for anyway.” The novel, They Won’t Apologize for the Mess, by Xine Rose explores the underlying mental toll of the separation and filed divorce of its central character, Story, as she maneuvers through the struggle of trust that follows a seemingly failed marriage. Xine leads us through multiple facets of Story’s experience, as she comes to terms with her feelings for a new love interest, attempting to quell her wariness and complex familial history from impacting the relationship. Though They Won’t Apologize for the Mess vividly explores different strains on a relationship, the novel is light-hearted in its situational approach, evident from the beginning celebration involving a divorce party.