Summer Stewart's 3 favorite reads in 2024

In her exquisite debut novel, Laura Stanfill crafts a story that bursts with heart, grit, and a sense of whimsy that is truly rare in today’s fiction. At the heart of the novel lies Henri Blanchard, a young man whose talent and curiosity rebel against the path set out for him by lineage and tradition. Henri’s journey—from a small-town boy navigating his father’s expectations to a fugitive accused of murder—plunges readers into a world as rich and complex as his innermost desires.

Stanfill deftly balances suspense and charm, as Henri's misadventures range from laugh-out-loud escapades to tense encounters with high stakes. The town of Mireville, vividly painted, is populated by characters who are as endearing as they are peculiar, with friendships—like Henri’s bond with Aimée—that feel authentic and layered. The story’s essence lies in its exploration of identity and belonging, themes Stanfill captures beautifully through Henri’s odyssey to find a place that embraces his differences rather than stifling them.

Each page resonates with lyrical prose and captures the wonder of discovering a world that, despite its vastness, offers even the most unconventional souls a place to call home. For those who crave stories where adventure is matched only by heartfelt introspection, this novel promises to be unforgettable. Stanfill’s debut is nothing short of a masterful journey through friendship, courage, and the quiet triumph of self-discovery.

In The Body Is A Temporary Gathering Place, Andrew Bertaina has crafted a refreshingly candid and poignant collection of essays that grapples with the aches, absurdities, and surprising beauties of mid-life. Bertaina’s honesty feels almost revelatory as he navigates failed relationships, the challenges of parenthood, and an existential malaise that will resonate with anyone who has paused to wonder, “What now?” With each essay, he peels back layers of human experience, often with a sardonic nod to life’s unpredictability and a deep respect for the wisdom of Michel de Montaigne.

Bertaina’s prose is both thought-provoking and incredibly relatable. His insights are sharp, yet his voice remains down-to-earth, merging reflections on love, masculinity, and time with humor that ranges from laugh-out-loud funny to quietly introspective. In essays as varied as attempting to woo a French woman on a train and reckoning with the bittersweet riddle of time, Bertaina captures how life’s messiness and grace coexist, sometimes in the very same breath.

This collection won’t hand you answers, but that’s precisely its charm. The Body Is A Temporary Gathering Place invites readers to simply sit with Bertaina and his musings, to find comfort in shared confusion, and to glimpse the beauty in a life passing—albeit a bit too quickly—before our eyes. For anyone craving a book that speaks to the mind and heart with equal force, Bertaina’s essays are sure to resonate long after the final page.