By Janet Smyth
Fictionalized accounts of true events are a forte of novelists, allowing readers to immerse themselves in historical moments and ponder personal responses. This year’s program features intriguing books set against recent historical backdrops, providing deeper insights beyond the headlines.
Featured Books
- The Memory Stones by Caroline Brothers
- Set during the Argentinian Military Coup of 1976, it tells the poignant story of the Disappeared, focusing on one family’s struggle with loss and hope.
- Encounters by Jason Wallace
- Based on a 1994 event in Zimbabwe where an alleged alien spacecraft landing impacts the lives of six children.
- A Country Road, A Tree by Jo Baker
- Explores Samuel Beckett’s wartime experiences in Vichy France, highlighting the impact of German occupation.
- After the Fire by Will Hill
- Inspired by the Waco, Texas events, this novel delves into faith, manipulation, and survival through the eyes of Moonbeam, a cult survivor.
Sci-fi and Fantasy for Young Readers
The genre remains a dominant force in children’s and young adult fiction, offering strong, imaginative works.
- The Jamie Drake Equation by Christopher Edge
- Follows Jamie, whose astronaut father might be receiving alien signals.
- The Devil’s Paintbrush by Jake Arnott
- A dark adventure in Whitby, continuing the series with Lil and Verne battling dark forces.
- Maresi (The Red Abbey Chronicles) by Maria Turtschaninoff
- Set in a world where women are oppressed, it tells the story of Maresi, a novice at a women-run abbey.
These books promise to captivate readers with their blend of historical fiction and imaginative storytelling.