Note to Shelf: April 2023

Ann declares that "If you are looking for a fun romp of a book, search no further than Ms. Demeanor by Elinor Lipman. Jane Morgan, a partner at a big NYC law firm, has a particularly saucy evening with a man on her apartment building's garden rooftop, secure that they won’t be seen. Unbeknownst to them, a neighbor across the way sees them and presses charges for indecent exposure. Jane is subsequently sentenced to six months of house arrest. At first, her house arrest brings many new adventures including creating TikTok videos, cooking, and starting new friendships and relationships. Then, a murder investigation places Jane as its prime suspect. Can Jane prove herself innocent? Is there a silver lining to her house arrest? Ms. Lipman's writing is sharp-witted, with believable characters and unending escapades!"

Elisabeth finds "The Magician’s Daughter by H.G. Parry is a captivating coming-of-age story. Hy-Brasil is an island off the coast of Ireland, unreachable by any human save for one day every 20 years. Nearly 17 years ago, Biddy washed ashore as a baby, the lone survivor of a terrible shipwreck. The island’s keeper, a magician named Rowan, became her guardian. Biddy has never left the island, and Rowan, her mysterious benefactor, is a magician in the style of Howl Pendragon with secrets that might change Biddy’s life. When he disappears one night, Biddy must venture away from the only home she’s ever known to save the only family she’s ever had. Readers who love to imagine themselves in the world created by the author will be delighted with Hy-Brasil. The island is a character itself, with its cliffs, crumbling castle, ancient forests, and rocky beaches. It’s added to the list of mythical locations I would love to visit!"