Houghton: 1009 books

“Compulsive reading—a wonderful account, both scholarly and gripping, of a horrifying episode in the history of the west.” —Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. The tragedy of the Donner party constitutes one of the most amazing stories of the American West. In 1846 eighty-seven people—men,...

A New York Times Notable Book: “The most engrossing novel I’ve come across in a long time.” —Newsweek Fortysomething Sophy Chase has just begun her new, lighthearted, romantically adventurous life in New York City. But it comes to a screeching halt when she learns that her ex-husband—or...

A novel of “sex, mystery, betrayal, intrigue and violence, all wrapped up in the disturbing world of a middle-aged woman’s deepest desires” (USA Today). The first note came on Valentine’s Day. Written with a red pen in an unfamiliar hand, it said: Be Mine. For Sherry Seymour, a community...

A “gripping” mystery revolving around a family tragedy, and a woman who may or may not be descending into madness (Entertainment Weekly). David Sears grew up terrorized by the ravings of his schizophrenic father, a frustrated literary genius who openly preferred David’s sister Diana for...

On the eve of WWII, an international plot leads to a deadly obsession: “Nobody tells a story better than Thomas H. Cook” (Michael Connelly, New York Times–bestselling author of Two Kinds of Truth). It’s 1939 and the world is on the brink of war, but Thomas Danforth is in New York City...

A “marvelously tense” novel of psychological suspense centered on a long-ago crime of passion, from an Edgar Award–winning author (Publishers Weekly, starred review). With dreams of academic greatness, Lucas Paige rose from humble and sordid beginnings to attend Harvard. But his achievements...

A Vietnamese family flees its war-torn home and resettles in California, in a novel that offers a “brilliant exploration of exile, loss, and identity” (Robert Olen Butler).   Told from multiple perspectives and spanning several decades, Grass Roof, Tin Roof begins with the story of Tran, a Vietnamese...

This novel of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell “captures the sisters’ seesaw dynamic as they vacillate between protecting and hurting each other” (The Christian Science Monitor).   You see, even after all these years, I wonder if you really loved me. Vanessa and Virginia are sisters, best friends,...

A saga of a British family and the Great War from “one of those writers who can see into the past and help us feel its texture” (Hilary Mantel). Growing up at Ellinghurst, their crumbling family estate, all three Melville children dream of escape. Headstrong Jessica yearns for the glitter...

From the author of Save Yourself, this dark, suspenseful tale of the twisted relationship between a brother and sister is “wicked fun” (Los Angeles Times). Beautiful, brilliant, and inseparable, Josie and Jack Raeburn live a secluded, anarchic existence in their decaying western Pennsylvania...

The award-winning, bestselling debut collection of “beautifully crafted stories” from the acclaimed author of The Doubter’s Almanac (Chicago Sun-Times). Highly acclaimed and wildly successful upon its debut, Ethan Canin’s now classic collection of nine stories combines exquisite precision,...

This chilling sequel to The Hallowed Ones is “at once horrifying, hopeful, and hauntingly beautiful . . . [A] gorgeous read” (Darynda Jones, New York Times–bestselling author of the Darklight series). After a plague of vampires was unleashed in the world, Katie was kicked out of the safe...

The author of The Reformed Vampire Support Group turns her talents to shapeshifters of the furry kind in this howling good read. When Tobias Richard Vandevelde wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the night before, his horrified mother tells him that he was found unconscious. At Featherdale...

Today is Thanksgiving and George is so excited! He loves everything about the holiday—from the parade with music, jugglers, and big balloons to the delicious turkey shared with family and friends. But even on Thanksgiving the curious little monkey manages to stir up some trouble! Follow George through...