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As the new season begins, it’s time for literature lovers to swap out their comforting winter favorites for refreshing books in time for spring reading. From mysteries to young adult fiction to vegan cookbooks, Hudson Valley authors span multiple genres when it comes to writing. Whether you’re in the mood for a love story that tugs at your heart strings or a gut-wrenching historical memoir, these books by local female authors will help you celebrate Women’s History Month and keep you engaged all season long.
American Wolf
Audrey Birnbaum
Memoir, $20.08
Hailing from Westchester County, Audrey Birnbaum crafts this memoir out of true stories from Holocaust survivors. Following the journey of 11-year-old Wolf and his family as they escape the antisemitism of war-torn Berlin in the summer of 1941. A National Jewish Book Awards finalist, American Wolf is a heart-stopping true coming-of-age story full of last-minute rescues, near-death encounters, and survival against all odds.
I Dreamed of Falling
Julia Dahl
Mystery/Thriller, $29
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In her gripping thriller I Dreamed of Falling, Julia Dahl paints a moving portrait of a family struggling through tragedy, as she showcases her talent for using crime fiction to tell an immersive and unforgettable story. In addition to being written by a local author, this novel also takes place in a Hudson Valley town, where the sole reporter for the local newspaper investigates the death of his longtime girlfriend and son’s mother. As he starts asking questions, however, reporter Roman Grady is not prepared for the answers he discovers.
Jump Rope Girl
Claire Hilbert
Young Adult, $11.99
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Croton-based Claire Hilbert transports her readers into the mind of her 11-year-old protagonist in this fictional coming-of-age novel that’s perfect for spring reading. Frannie, a young girl who has moved with her family almost every year of her life, searches for solace and friendship as she navigates new crowds and interests. Many roadblocks abound on her hoped-for path to newfound acceptance and tranquility, causing that which feels most certain to Frannie to disappear in a blink.
Leaving
Roxana Robinson
Fiction, $26.09
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In this true-to-life work of fiction, Roxana Robinson navigates the chasm between responsibility and desire when two long-lost lovers reconnect. Decades after they ended their college love story, Sarah and Warren encounter each other at a chance meeting, during which time a passion ignites and threatens the foundations of their lives. For divorcee Sarah, she feels emotionally alive for the first time in years as Warren grapples with the morality of leaving his unhappy marriage and family. Leaving offers an engrossing exploration of the vows we make to one another and what we owe to ourselves.
Vegan Soups and Stews for All Seasons
Nava Atlas
Cookbook, $21.89
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On the lighter side, New Paltz-based Nava Atlas’ recently republished cookbook ladles out more than 120 delicious recipes in the midst of soup season. From hearty, warming stews to fruity dessert soups, Atlas’ vegan options are the perfect way to battle seasonal allergies as you throw something different into your spring reading lineup. As the fifth and ultimate edition of Vegan Soups and Stews for All Seasons, Atlas includes 20 additional recipes and dozens of full-color photos in this global cookbook for soup lovers.
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