Recent content from Laurie Hertzel
![photo of author J. Courtney Sullivan](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SW5OCUDKCVAOPDRTGGQXQFU324.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
J. Courtney Sullivan's new novel is set in a house on 'The Cliffs,' where tales of prior residents linger
FICTION: The latest from the writer of best-selling "Friends and Strangers" finds a woman grappling with the past in a home in Maine.
![photo of author Sally Franson](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GF3TV7S7CRDVXEMQFHEJCA7YAI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minneapolis' Sally Franson competed on Swedish reality TV, cried a lot and wrote 'Big in Sweden' about it
FICTION: The novel is Franson's follow-up to the popular "A Lady's Guide to Selling Out."
![photo of author Colm Toibin](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/36UCNLGAWVBUTGYTTEFZBX352Y.jpeg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Colm Toibin's 'Long Island' continues the Irish American story he began in 'Brooklyn'
FICTION: Heroine Eilis still isn't sure if America or Ireland is her home.
![Two boys fly kites from the top of a lush tree in illustration from "The Mango Tree."](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/YDQGDWVPVNBJVKCNI3O2XOW4ZM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
12 gorgeous new picture books for children this spring
Kao Kalia Yang, Edel Rodriguez and others cover subjects from immigration to fresh veggies to adventures at sea.
![photo of author Leif Enger, with trees and a fence in background](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4WNNUITM3VEZXGT4N7QVKKLO6E.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Duluth's Leif Enger returns with stunning novel 'I Cheerfully Refuse'
FICTION: As civilization collapses, its characters hold onto hope any way they can.
![Chantha Nguon's "Slow Noodles" is one of three new memoirs from women making bold moves.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/I4TBOHCNMBGRLJQS2UZ4HXJQY4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Three new memoirs consider noodles, burnout, birds and life
NONFICTION: A trio of women inspire by taking important steps forward.
![Claire Keegan est une femme de lettres irlandaise](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ICCUKX3Y7KDE5VO7T6JDWX6GRI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Claire Keegan, author of 'So Late in the Day,' is a writer you should be reading
FICTION: Three "tight, potent" stories explore the bonds between men and women.
![Matthew Batt](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GEGQMNQRREVE3W7TPXQD6GPOMU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Prof's memoir shows how he juggled academia and working at Surly's
NONFICTION: A St. Thomas professor found he needed some extra dough while on sabbatical.
![Lara Avery](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/A2ATCG6GFFEA6Z4XGHOGH3FPC4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Is there romance after grief? Yes, in Macalester grad's 'The Year of Second Chances'
FICTION: In a letter from the grave, her late husband urges a young widow to cannonball into the dating pool.
![Drew Brockington, in his space camp gear.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MOA6PA5ICW4PHMQYMRJNYJIVKU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Go on the road with Talking Volumes
William Kent Krueger and Drew Brockington will do events in Duluth and Rochester
![Sequoia Nagamatsu photo by Lauren B. Photography](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/DGHFWYHFTEQ7U7YECUZWZ7U37U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
PEN America awards long list includes many Minnesota writers, publishers
Finalists to be announced in February.
![Angus in late August. Photo by Laurie Hertzel.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/D6SQP2GV23J5XEOKD3K377MPLM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
The Puppy Chronicles: Five years with Angus
The adorable puppy we adopted 5 years ago grew into a big, reactive dog. There were days when I despaired and days when I wept, but I never gave up on him.
![Laura Zigman](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NPQKXHP4BZDVIT5Z2BVA3ARKMU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Bookmark: Fiction to look forward to in 2023
Top novels and story collections for the first quarter of the year.
!["The Sisters Sweet," by Elizabeth Weiss.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/K5U4C662YLS6WUABBRYXGIPXHE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Review: 'The Sisters Sweet,' by Elizabeth Weiss
FICTION: When a vaudeville twins act is broken up, the remaining girl must figure out how to move on.
![Stack of books.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ORT7KJ7CSXWVQFDP4U74NIYQAM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Bookmark: Life's too short for boring books
Readers confess how much they read before giving up on a book.
![2022 Holiday Books](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/DWYKYW3T5PPDY4SN4GUPZRRSY4.png?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
56 great books to give as holiday gifts — or keep for yourself
Curl up somewhere cozy with these novels, books for kids and young adults, regional offerings, memoirs and histories.
![10 tips for discussion at your book club, especially if you didn't like the book](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BEIRD62LWWFOT5NWIA42U3QODI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
10 tips for discussion at your book club, especially if you didn't like the book
Sometimes it's hard to talk about a book without alienating your friends.
![Heid E. Erdrich photo by Chris Felver](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/2WWS5CWIWFH6GPYGWBR6HVGKBI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minneapolis poet Heid E. Erdrich wins Bobbitt Poetry Prize
The Library of Congress will honor her for "Little Big Bully" in December.
![A portrait of Louise Erdrich at her bookstore, Birchbark Books, in Minneapolis, Minn., on Thursday, May 5, 2016. Her latest and 15th novel, "LaRose,"](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/6ZBDWFDL74M24LF6MON554P3E4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Louise Erdrich wins Berresford Prize
The $50,000 prize goes to people who have worked to champion other artists and writers.
![Review: 'Cheap Land Colorado,' by Ted Conover](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/F7IE57FH2UXEGSDFCI4FNSJKGU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Review: 'Cheap Land Colorado,' by Ted Conover
NONFICTION: Journalist Ted Conover immerses himself in life off the grid in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.
![Angus and Rosie have reduced our entire yard to mud, except for the little fenced-in area of new grass.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/K6GQLC6TI6XINB3YNSFSEVMXAU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
The Puppy Chronicles: Daring to travel
Between COVID lockdown and Angus' territorial behavior, I was afraid I would never be able to travel again. Then help arrived.
![iStockphoto.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/F3GYJFOT6S7C7XCL7MPHPLQHKU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Is it wrong not to finish a book?
Do you give a book a certain amount of time, or a certain number of pages, before giving up? Do you never give up? How do you decide?
![Dani Shapiro](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/53PEG5K2OYPK2CST2XBRHYF2LY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
For author and Talking Volumes guest Dani Shapiro, it's the small things that count
Her new novel owes its existence to a chance decision — which is also a major theme of the book.
![Jonathan Freedland](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/H2GVGL4KCLZQHITOLAHWX7GPFQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Review: 'The Escape Artist,' by Jonathan Freedland
NONFICTION: The harrowing true story of the first Jew to escape from Auschwitz, and his driving need to warn the world about the Holocaust.
![Review: 'Where We Come From," by Diane Wilson, Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney and John Coy](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4VNBR3C6FU5BTZAUYRXWABJF2M.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Review: 'Where We Come From," by Diane Wilson, Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney and John Coy
Don't Miss
![Elizabeth Strout photo by Leonardo Cendamo](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ZHH32SPETPZ5DMAFH7TEWSS6LI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Review: 'Lucy by the Sea,' by Elizabeth Strout
FICTION: In the third novel narrated by Lucy Barton, COVID hits and Lucy heads for Maine with her ex-husband, William.
![Writer and academic Rachael Hanel, on the campus of Mankato State University Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, Mankato, Minn. She is the author of a book coming](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HBA5FWCMGGWTZZ53EUA527DKZU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Mankato writer turned fascination with Minnesota revolutionary into a book
Part biography, part memoir, "Not the Camilla We Knew" explores the life of a woman who joined Symbionese Liberation Army.
![This promotional photo released by Miramax shows actress Dame Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in a scene from "The Queen." The consensus among Holl](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/R4SMWU7AE5NUJYKKO2MSIO7JXU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
24 favorite books, movies and songs that depict Queen Elizabeth II
The long life of the monarch inspired dozens of songs, movies, TV shows and books. Our critics cite these favorites.
![Anne Ursu](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/3P6XLJ5OPHPMPFNO5TVG3DEXKI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minneapolis writer Anne Ursu named finalist for prestigious Kirkus Prize
Winners will be announced in October
![Books Up North.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BPGZITQZ22VCC6IANECHJQNPBU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
What do you read at the cabin? Readers recall lakeside reading treasures
We asked if you've discovered great books or left any behind. Here's what you said.
![Mohsin Hamid](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/KNPVKZZKB3K766KXPA7ZN5LQQ4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Mohsin Hamid, Nick Hornby headline robust fall season of free Club Book library series
Eight writers are coming for in-person and virtual events this fall in the Twin Cities area.
![At one time, there was nary a mystery to be found on my shelves.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4GKPZHJU6WI23GMC4YLSBCJ5EM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
The mystery of why we love reading mysteries
There are all kinds of mysteries — classic mysteries, police procedurals, cozies, spy thrillers, legal thrillers, psychological thrillers and detective novels.
![Corporate Headshot](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LXAI3QRUMZA56E3PUALZBFC2GU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Review: 'The Making of Her,' by Bernadette Jiwa
FICTION: A teenage girl gets pregnant in 1960s Ireland and surrenders the baby against her will. Thirty years later, a letter arrives.
![Rinker Buck](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/64J3PH2LVYKATXPBCPMZ6QMYWQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Escaping the ordinary: A Q&A with author and adventurer Rinker Buck
In his new book, Buck sails a flatboat down the Mississippi River and has all kinds of adventures.
![Tons of books, but nothing to read?](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GW45SMDULLWS5VUMCCD46LVE2I.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Bookmark: 10 tips to get yourself out of a reading slump
Whether it's the weather or the season or something else, how to get yourself back reading.
![Richard Terrill’s copy of “Walden” is falling to pieces, but he will not replace it.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/KDA556ISEOE542YIM2H3W3JLUU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Bookmark: Sentiment prompts readers to cherish their worn-out books
Readers say their old books are more than objects: They are physical reminders of love.
![Bookmark: Cabin books are a real find](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VTEPTJURKR35WHJXTTO262ANCY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Bookmark: Cabin books are a real find
The books that cabin owners and guests leave behind can yield wonderful surprises.
![Author Celeste Ng photographed in Cambridge, MA. Kieran Kesner for Buzzfeed.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PXBJEDHRVAM22YBDUO2VNGKG2U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Four writers, including Celeste Ng and Dani Shapiro, coming for Talking Volumes
New season opens Sept. 14 with Karen Armstrong, concludes in November with poet Ross Gay.
![Angus watched the lake endlessly, but he refused to put even one paw in the water.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/U4X34M4JWFDXXTCHA4O3WWZ24A.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
The Puppy Chronicles: Angus finds serenity Up North
On vacation near Lake Superior, anxious Angus learned to relax. And then he saw a bear.
![Ada Limón](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/DULN2ZCUSTHYITMJBKUK3PRRRY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minneapolis-published Ada Limón is named U.S. Poet Laureate
The Guggenheim fellow has published four books of poetry with Minneapolis' Milkweed Editions.
![Portrait of author William Kent Krueger outside his home in St. Paul. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/B4GPHDIDF4EYDBUOWW7DMLHWAI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
William Kent Krueger's book chosen for One Book, One Minnesota
His first Cork O'Connor mystery, "Iron Lake," will be the autumn read.
![Notepad and pencil macro shot.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PFRYJUYZGKV6PFVRV4ZB37PE44.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Bookmark: New online journal will highlight kids
Minnesota students from K through 12 are welcome to submit.
![A close up photo of a cute little pig](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BN3ZHIRACMMTK67ZBZCRLTVWMM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Review: 'Pig Years,' by Ellyn Gaydos
NONFICTION: A seasonal farmhand writes about the beauty and toughness of making a living off the land.
![Fiona McCrae](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HPGZFYWHN6A5LNE7GZY5C4PXPU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Literary giant Fiona McCrae moves on from Minnesota's Graywolf Press
Fiona McCrae brought Minnesota's Graywolf Press from a small regional publisher to a worldwide literary powerhouse.