Helen Plum Library

Some secrets never leave. Iris and Gabriel have just arrived home from a make-or-break holiday. But a shock awaits them. One of their closest friends, Laure, is in their house. The atmosphere quickly becomes tense as she oversteps again and again: sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris' clothes, even rearranging the furniture. Laure has walked out on her husband--and their good friend--Pierre, over his confession of an affair and a secret child. Iris...

The rules of summer book club are simple: No sad books. No pressure. Yes, wine! Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group. This year, the book club is all about fill-your-heart reads. Since Laurel's divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys. Paris is still reeling after chasing off the only man brave and foolish enough to marry her. Inspired by the heroines...

Summer Sullivan, the youngest founding member of Elm Creek Quilts, has spent the last two years pursuing a master's degree in history at the University of Chicago. Her unexpected return home to the celebrated quilter's retreat is met with delight but also concern from her mother, Gwen; her best friend, Sarah; master quilter Sylvia; and her other colleagues--and rightly so. Stymied by writer's block, Summer hasn't finished her thesis, and she can't...

In 1999 Texas, Lia Cope, when her grandmother Mineko moves in, connects with her over stories of the Turtle House in Japan and the secrets they both carry, and when Mineko is forced to live in an assisted living community, she and Lia devise a plan to bring a beloved lost place to life

Eleven-year-old Lou wishes she could turn back time to mend her friendship with Francie after a terrible fight, so when Lou befriends Cece she is eager to prove herself, but as she uncovers the truth about Cece's family, she grapples with what being a good friend means

When Miss Julia burst on the scene in her fictional debut, "Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, " this proper lady found her orderly world turned upside down when Hazel Marie Puckett appeared with her nine-year-old son--who looked disturbingly similar to Miss Julia's late husband. Now Miss Julia and Little Lloyd take a zany race through the South when Hazel Marie mysteriously disappears

When Sona learns about the climate crisis at school and is very worried that no one is doing enough to combat it, she takes up the challenge herself. But Appa isn't amused when Sona throws out her baby sister's nappies and Thatha isn't happy when she tells him to get rid of his colour-coded plastic files. When Sona learns that many of the kolams - the traditional art that people draw in front of their homes to celebrate the winter months and the festival...

"Home can be a blue house with white trim you share with your mama. But it can be bigger than that, with lots of Big Mamas to take care of you when your mom works--different houses for every day of the week. Mondays mean Nurse Louella and bike riding. Tuesdays mean eating fufu with your fingers with Miss Zikora. And Wednesdays ... well, no matter where you are, as long as you are with your Big Mamas, you are home."--

"At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, a young boy named Archie learns about community, genuine connection, and how not to lose hope"-- Archie's life--and the whole world--is turned upside down by Covid-19. Suddenly there are no more Friday night dinners out, no more going to school, no more hanging out with friends . . . no leaving the house at all. Even though he's inside with his family all day every day, Archie can't help but feel more alone...

One day in 1955, when she was just six years old, her uncle Drew took her to the racetrack, where she got lucky-and that roll of two-dollar bills she won has never since left her side. Jodie thrived in the warmth of her extended family, and then-through a combination of hard work and serendipity-she started a singing career, which catapulted her from St. Louis to New York City, from the English countryside to the tropical beaches of St. Thomas, from...