Book Buzz

Episode 132 - Air date: Dec. 14, 2025

JESSICA:

Hi, this is Jessica Russell. I’m the assistant director of collection services at Sno-Isle Libraries. And welcome to Book Buzz.

Today's two reading recommendations are a road trip novel and a collection of short stories.

First, we’re going to hear from Rebekah, library associate at the Camano Island Library, for a story of an unconventional family’s adventures. Over to you, Rebekah.

REBEKAH:

Despite winning a million-dollar lottery, 63-year-old P.J. Holliday isn’t what most people would consider lucky in life. His wife left him, his daughter won’t talk to him, and he has had three heart attacks. Most disquietingly, a cat named Pancake who can predict imminent death has taken to following him around.

Through a strange and tragic series of events, P.J. is unexpectedly awarded guardianship of Luna and Ollie: his great niece and nephew who he has never met. Hoping to seize one last shot at true love, P.J., the kids, his estranged daughter, and Pancake the cat, set off on a cross-country road trip to find his recently widowed high school sweetheart. They also hope to track down a famous soap opera star who may or may not be Luna’s biological father. The adventure that ensues is entertaining, heart breaking, and life affirming.

Fans of Hartnett’s previous novels will appreciate her signature wit and cast of endearingly flawed and quirky characters. I am drawn to books about less than traditional families bound together by love, forgiveness and acceptance, and this book definitely checked that box for me. If you want a rollicking fun and touching road trip read that will have you walking away with a smile on your face, “The Road to Tender Hearts” by Annie Hartnett is the book for you!

JESSICA:

Thanks, Rebekah! Sounds like a delightfully quirky combination of humor and heartache.

Next, let’s hear about an uncanny blend of new stories with old themes, from Kerry, cataloging and acquisitions assistant. Take it away, Kerry.

KERRY:

In his short story collection “Dogs and Monsters,” author Mark Haddon combines elements of Greek myth, science fiction, horror, and everyday life to explore roads not taken, new ideas, old demons and much more. Haddon’s brilliant use of mythic themes demonstrates that the essential parts of old stories are essential parts of new stories even today.

For example, in “The Mother’s Story,” a retelling of the tale of the Minotaur, Haddon writes, “there is nothing more terrifying than the monster that squats behind the door you dare not open.” In “My Old School” a man looks back at the brutality of a boarding school experience masquerading as education. “The Temptation of St. Anthony” presents an aspiring saint tormented by whether acts of faith really count if only a dog or a devil is there to witness them. In “St. Brides Bay,” a woman reflects on the choices of her life, and the multitudes of possibility contained in each of them.

All eight stories in this book are beautifully and compellingly written, and as urgent as they are thoughtful. There is a mythical “Twilight Zone” suspense to them, while feeling very intimate, personal, and human as well. It’s a fascinating, thought-provoking collection for fans of “Jewel Box” by E. Lily Yu, “Piranesi” by Susanna Clark, and “Normal Rules Don’t Apply” by Kate Atkinson.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Kerry! Haddon always has such a unique way of looking at the world.

Our recommendations this week are: “The Road to Tender Hearts” By Annie Hartnett  and “Dogs and Monsters” by Mark Haddon.

Join us next time, when we explore more great reading recommendations — interesting books you can find at your favorite local bookstore or at your local library.

Until then, I’m Jessica Russell from Sno-Isle Libraries.

Thanks for joining us for Book Buzz on KSER.