Charleston Living Magazine Nov-Dec 2021

BUZZ | STAFF PICKS
Hot off the Press
Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire
by Lizzie Johnson
Titles that debuted this year
Eighty-five people died in the wildfire that devastated the small northern California town of Paradise in November
2018. Lizzie Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on the fire extensively and has put together a gripping,
novelistic narrative of the events and their aftermath. Johnson introduces several figures—first responders, medical
professionals, town officials, ordinary citizens—and follows them through the course of that horrific day. She ably
demonstrates the guilt of PG&E, the California utility whose outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure is
believed to have caused the fire, and examines other contributing factors, such as climate change, the misguided
policy of forest fire suppression, and the town’s poorly conceived and executed evacuation plan. – Bland Lawson
The Lincoln Highway
by Amor Towles
No matter the time or location, Amor Towles’s works convey a strong sense of place, robust character development
and are guaranteed to keep readers enthralled. His previous books covered 1930s Manhattan and early Twentieth
Century Russia. Towles’s latest is an unforgettable cross-country road trip in the 1950s with a cast of hilarious and
memorable characters. When Emmett comes home after serving a year for involuntary manslaughter, his father has
died, leaving him to raise his precocious eight-year-old brother, and the family’s farm is being foreclosed on. Emmett
and his brother view this as an opportunity for a fresh start and set out on a remarkable journey. – Megan Mathis
A Lot Like Adios
by Alexis Daria
In this follow-up to her bestseller, You Had Me at Hola, Daria introduces Mich and Gabe, two Latinx
entrepreneurs who haven’t seen each other since they didn’t quite get together in high school. Now Gabe’s
business partner, unaware of their history, has hired Mich to market Gabe’s new celebrity gym location – they’ll
have to work together if either wants to take their career to the next level! Will Gabe reconcile with his parents, to
whom he hasn’t spoken in years? Will Mich forgive him for leaving her to go to college in California? This second
chance romance about family and personal growth is a smart and steamy read – and a great holiday gift for the
romance reader in your life! – Sara McBride
Never Fall for Your Fiancée
by Virginia Heath
In a new historical romance series by seasoned author Virginia Heath, we meet Minerva, the eldest of the
Merriwell sisters, in this fun rom-com that is perfect for a fall afternoon. Cassanova Hugh Standish, Earl of
Fareham, has created an imaginary fiancée to stave off his overbearing match-making mother. Still, when she
comes into town two weeks early, he must scramble to find someone to play the part. Enter poverty-stricken artist
Minerva Merriwell who gets offered a handsome sum to go along with the ruse. Will Hugh and Minerva be able
to keep the smoke and mirrors show alive, or will their lies get tangled up in true love? Fans of Bridgerton will
adore this hilariously witty and steamy read. – Morgan Ryan
November/December 2021 | 53