Author Profile: Chris Bohjalian

Chris Bohjalian, author of Oprah’s Book Club pick “Midwives,” chosen in 1998, has since been ever more prolific with his touching novels of family life. He lives in Vermont with his wife, a photographer, in a house that inspired his novel “The Hangman.” If you enjoy thought-provoking emotional reads, try one of these favorites:

Secrets of Eden (2010)
A literary thriller involving a murdered woman, her pastor, her family and other families like hers, “Secrets of Eden” explores grief and the things we keep to ourselves and our closest confidantes, no matter what their effect on others may end turn out to be. Bohjalian touches on the meaning of faith, and the controversy of domestic abuse, among other deep topics in this newest novel.
Fic Bohjalian WCV WAM WDB


Before You Know Kindness (2004)
A large family’s years of New England vacations are quite literally shot down, when one of the children accidentally fires a hunting rifle. This event sets in motion a court case and family trauma aplenty. While it looks like a dramatic novel, there are parts here that resonate with satire, especially those that involve PETA-lookalike FERAL.
Fic Bohjalian WAM WMB (Available as an e-audio book)


Trans-Sister Radio (2000)
Few, if any novels currently out handle the subject of transsexuals as though it is a normal situation. Bohjalian does this adroitly, with this novel of Alison, a pre-operative male-to-female transsexual, and how she falls in love with Dana Stevens, just a few months shy of her surgery. The author takes this highly-charged story and makes it a careful tale of controversy and love.
Fic Bohjalian WMB


The Buffalo Soldier (2002)
From the loss of two daughters to the gain of a foster son, “The Buffalo Soldier” deals with Bohjalian’s usual territory: family trauma, usually that motivated by grief and loss. Here, the story is about the Sheldons, whose loss of two daughters in a flood leads to the fostering of Alfred, a 10-year-old African American boy. Through Alfred’s research into the titular ‘buffalo soldiers’ of the Civil War, and the Sheldons’ infidelities, we learn about the meaning of marriage, the bond between parents and children, and the quiet insights of grief.
Fic Bohjalian WCV WAM WMB
BKC Fic Bohjalian RSV

Outside of a Dog, #54

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx.

When the days are warm and sunny, what better way to spend your time than outside in the sun with a good book? “Beach Reads” are usually light, frothy titles, but we’ve included some serious fare, as well.

Queen of Babble – Meg Cabot
Lizzie is a fashion designer wannabe who only wants to graduate and go to England to live with her boyfriend, Andy. Unfortunately, she finds out that her plans aren’t necessarily going to go off without a hitch: Andy is a disaster (in more ways than one), and she has to write a thesis! She tells all of this to a handsome stranger on a train, but what will happen when Lizzie and the stranger both end up at the same summer Chateau? (This is the first book in the Queen of Babble trilogy.)
Fic Cabot WDB

Bandit Queen Boogie: A madcap caper of two accidental criminals – Sparkle Hayter
Two girls, complete opposites of each other, decide to backpack across Europe the summer they graduate from college. Traveling isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, though, as Blackie and Chloe end up taking sleazy married men for all they’re worth, and using their loot to fund a higher style of vacation.
Fic SCS
Fic Hayter RSV

Summer Sisters – Judy Blume
A serious novel from one of the pioneers of literature that challenges readers of all ages. Caitlin and Vix, girls from different class and family backgrounds, spend summers together from their teenage years well into adulthood, but the changes each girl goes through might send the other spiraling out of control.
Fic Pbk Blu WDB
Fic Blume WAM WMB

Everyone Worth Knowing – Lauren Weisberger
The author of “The Devil Wears Prada,” Weisberger visits the New York scene again, this time with another working girl trying to make good. Bette (read here by Buffy, Tru Calling, and Dollhouse star Eliza Dushku) lands a job in the exclusive PR industry. What follows is a whirlwind journey, much in the style of Prada, exposing the underbelly of the shiny, glittering world of celebrity.
Fic Weisberger WCV WDB WMB WAM
BKD Fic Weisberger WCV WMB
CD Fic Weisberger WDB

The Ivy Chronicles – Karen Quinn
In New York, everything is competitive, especially private school admissions. Ivy Ames loses her corporate job, her cheating husband, and her Park Avenue pad, and starts from scratch, advising families how to get their kids into the best private schools. While she sometimes toes the moral line, her story is a touching, fun ride.
Fic Quinn WMB

The Goddess Rules – Clare Naylor
Naylor, best known for her novel “The Second Assistant,” delves into the style of an aging French film star. Mirabelle Moncur advises artist Kate on how best to get what she wants out of life, without letting herself down.
Fic Naylor WMB