The Griffin Sisters Greates Hits by Jennifer Weiner

 

Weiner has given us another complicated, sensitive novel of a family, blessed with tremendous talent that they don’t seem to know how to use or control.  Zoe, a beautiful ambitious teenager wants to be a rockstar.  Her sister, Cassie, is a neurodivergent girl with none of Zoe’s good looks, but the talent of a prodigy. Together they form The Griffin Sisters and enjoy short lived but amazing success—until the tragedy.

Years later, Zoe’s daughter Cherry, who’s inherited her mother’s looks and her aunt’s talent needs to discover what happened, while trying to find her own way in the world of Rock and Roll. Told from multiple viewpoints, this is a beautiful work with characters we come to appreciate, if not love. 

The Griffin Sisters Greatest hits will be released on May 8, 2025 by Harper Collins. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy.

Twist by Colum McCann

 

Lyrical prose and storytelling must be in the water in Ireland, and Colum McCann is one of their beloved authors. In his latest novel, Twist, McCann explores the depths of the sea as well as of human emotion. Written in the voice of struggling writer Robert Fenning, it examines the lives of two very different men, and the relationship that develops between them. John Conway is the captain of a ship whose mission is to repair the underwater cable that connects the world to the internet. Fenning is assigned to write an article about the break and repair. Conway is not only the captain of the ship and expert at locating the broken cable and repair, he’s also one of the best free divers in the world. His life fascinates Fenni ng to the point of obsession.

The story will satisfy the most demanding of mystery/thriller readers but quench the thirst for beautiful language for literary readers as well. My favorite parts were the descriptions of the sea and Africa and the many reflections on time. Twist was released on March 25, 2025, by Hyperion Random House. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this beautiful novel.