File under the category of "can't live with them, can't live without them." Families can be a wonderful source of solace but also strain at our sense of self as extended ties impose impossible demands while stirring a whole host of emotions--both high and low.

No matter how happy or complicated--or fun or messy--your family is, you will find a lot to relate to in the novels we have picked here. The universality of themes relating to family make them especially malleable to great fiction as you will find with these recommendations. You might even agree with Leo Tolstoy: "All happy families are alike. Each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Pick a couple to read with your book club. Maybe even share them with your family!

[More]

If you're a bookworm, or even an aspiring one, one of the greatest joys is having a comfy space to cuddle up with a book for hours undistracted. In a world of non-stop push notifications, diminishing boundaries between work and home, and your already-hectic schedule, squeezing in some quality time to read can be a real challenge. But designating a space in your home specifically for reading can help create that time for you, while also helping you to make better use of your interior space--whether it's a bay window begging for some TLC or an awkward corner of a room that you just don't know how to style.

[More]

Historical fiction doesn't get any better than this. Written in the 1940s and '50s, the Poldark series continues to resonate in contemporary times with its tales of a returning war hero reinventing his life and rallying his country in the wake of devastation and loss. Ross Poldark makes a dashing hero and his world an inviting escape; and the windswept, sea-hugging Cornish countryside adds a splash of romance to the stories, which are peppered with dramatic clashes about morality, class and ego.

PBS's Masterpiece series follows the story-line of the books closely and truly captures the spirit of Winston Graham's characters and the stunning countryside. You will find much more about the Poldark series at PBS, including podcasts and information for book clubs.

In addition to the 12-book series, Winston Graham wrote a gorgeous illustrated companion volume, Poldark's Cornwall. This coffee table book is back in print with an introduction by Graham's son. For those who can't get enough of the TV series, we recommend The World of Poldark by Emma Marriott which is packed full of behind the scenes photos from the series and vistas of Cornwall.

If your appetite is whetted for more stories that whisk you away to a different era, BookBrowse--in response to a request from PBS's MASTERPIECE--suggests these titles that fit the bill.

[More]

Feel a movie can never do justice to a book? Or do you wait expectantly for your favorite books to be interpreted on the big screen? Whichever camp you belong to, it's always good to be in the know. With that in mind here are eleven books that you might want to brush up on before the movies release this fall, and twenty more to keep an eye out for in 2017 and beyond.

[More]

Dear BookBrowser,

Is there any greater fun for a bookaholic than to share in the many delights of books, while burying your nose in yet another enjoyable book?

We don't think so!

These ten books about books will make worthy additions to you reading - and to share with your book club.

[More]

Early Fall is a great time for those of us who love quality fiction because this is when publishers, with an eye on the holiday season and best of year lists, release many of their strongest titles.

Here are ten of the most anticipated. You'll find more of this season's best books in our recently published/coming soon section. Enjoy!

[More]