VPL - Books Just For You - Award Winners, Historical Accounts and Tales of Hope and MoralityLike this list

18 items

• Trust

  Díaz, Hernán, 1973-

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  2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner and longlisted for the Booker Prize 2022. Díaz weaves together contrasting characters, nations, politics, and histories to create a complex, violent, and reflective book. "A captivating tour de force that will…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Orphan Master's Son

  a Novel

  Johnson, Adam, 1967-

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  A gripping novel that follows the life of a North Korean orphan who rises through the ranks of society, offering a chilling glimpse into the oppressive regime's intricacies and the resilience of the human spirit. Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Alice Network

  Quinn, Kate

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  "The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn intertwines the stories of two women—Charlie, a young and pregnant American searching for her missing cousin in post-World War II Europe, and Eve, a former spy haunted by her past experiences during World War I. As…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Invention of Wings

  Kidd, Sue Monk

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  Readers follow the intertwined lives of a determined young abolitionist and the enslaved girl she's gifted to, spanning decades and exploring their struggles for freedom and empowerment in the pre-Civil War South.

• The Dutch House

  a Novel

  Patchett, Ann

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  A poignant novel that traces the lives of siblings Danny and Maeve over several decades, as they navigate the complexities of family dynamics and the enduring impact of their childhood home, the opulent yet haunting Dutch House. One of three…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Narrow Road to the Deep North

  Flanagan, Richard, 1961-

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  Readers follow the harrowing experiences of a group of Australian prisoners of war forced to build the Thai-Burma Death Railway during World War II, interweaving their stories with the life of a surgeon haunted by his past in a poignant exploration…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Half of a Yellow Sun

  Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi, 1977-

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  A powerful novel that intricately weaves the lives of multiple characters during Nigeria's tumultuous 1960s, exploring the impact of the Biafran War on their relationships, dreams and identities.

• The Tattooist of Auschwitz

  a Novel

  Morris, Heather (Screenwriter)

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  Based on true events, this is a story of the remarkable and heart-wrenching story of a Slovakian Jew who becomes the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau and finds love amidst the horrors of the Holocaust, portraying both the resilience of the human…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Giver of Stars

  Moyes, Jojo, 1969-

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  Inspired by true events, 'The Giver of Stars' follows a group of women in Depression-era Kentucky as they join a travelling library, delivering books to remote communities, highlighting their friendship, determination, and the transformative magic…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Light Between Oceans

  a Novel

  Stedman, M. L.

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  Set on a remote island and Australia, after World War I, where a lighthouse keeper and his wife make a life-altering decision when they discover a boat washed ashore carrying a baby and a dead man. 'The Light Between Oceans' explores the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Underground Railroad

  a Novel

  Whitehead, Colson, 1969-

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  A powerful re-imagining of the historical underground railroad as a physical network of secret traces and tunnels, following a young enslaved woman's perilous journey toward freedom while illuminating the broader narrative of oppression, resistance,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Secret Keeper

  a Novel

  Morton, Kate, 1976-

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  A decades-old mystery unravels through the eyes of a daughter determined to uncover her mother's enigmatic past, weaving together multiple timelines and perspectives to reveal hidden truths, long-buried secrets, and the enduring impact of choices…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ragtime

  Doctorow, E. L., 1931-2015

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  An enthralling novel that interweaves the lives of diverse characters in early 20th century America, blending historical figures with fictional narratives to create a rich tapestry of social change, cultural shifts, and personal struggles during a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Jungle

  Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968

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  A stark and influential novel that exposes the harsh realities of immigrant life in early 20th century America, particularly in the meatpacking industry, shedding light on the exploitation, poverty, and challenges faced by workers and their…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• News of the World

  a Novel

  Jiles, Paulette, 1943-

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  The compelling story of an itinerant news reader in post-Civil War Texas who forms an unlikely bond with a young orphan girl, as they journey together through a dangerous and changing landscape, capturing the essence of human connection and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Nightingale

  Hannah, Kristin

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  'The Nightingale' illuminates the incredible bravery and sacrifices of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, highlighting their different paths as they navigate the challenges of resistance, survival, and love.

• Where the Forest Meets the Stars

  Vanderah, Glendy

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  A touching story that follows the journey of an enigmatic young girl who enters the lives of two troubled women in a remote cabin, leading to a heartwarming exploration of healing, friendship, and the beauty of second chances.

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