Synopsis
The warmth of the summer touches three acclaimed novels full of romance, intrigue, and heart—from beloved authors Anne Tyler, Monica McInerney, and Maeve Binchy. This amazing eBook collection is the perfect companion, whether you’re spending the day at the beach or a quiet evening in your own backyard.
BREATHING LESSONS
Anne Tyler
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
“A wonderful novel, glowing with the insight and compassion of an artist’s touch.”—The Boston Globe
Maggie and Ira Moran have been married for twenty-eight years—and it shows: in their quarrels, in their routines, in their ability to tolerate with affection each other’s eccentricities. Maggie is a kooky, lovable optimist who wants nothing more than to fix her son’s broken marriage, while Ira is infuriatingly practical. When what begins as a day trip to a funeral becomes an adventure in the unexpected, Maggie and Ira must navigate the riotous twists and turns. Together they rediscover the magic of the road called life and the joy of having somebody to share the ride with, bumps and all.
THE ALPHABET SISTERS
Monica McInerney
“Charm, laughter, and tears . . . a delightful story that shows how quarrels can be solved with love and loyalty.”—Woman’s Day
As girls growing up in the Clare Valley, Australia, Anna, Bett, and Carrie Quinlan were childhood singing stars known as the Alphabet Sisters. As adults, though, the women haven’t spoken in years—ever since Bett’s fiancé deserted her to marry the younger Carrie. But now their flamboyant grandmother Lola is turning eighty, and she is determined to reunite the girls for a blowout bash. And no one ever says no to Lola. The women’s short visit becomes a much longer commitment when an unexpected turn of events changes everything in ways none of them could ever have imagined.
FIREFLY SUMMER
Maeve Binchy
“The best Binchy yet.”—The New York Times Book Review
Kate Ryan and her husband, John, have a rollicking pub in the Irish village of Mountfern, four lovely children, and such wonderful dreams. Then American millionaire Patrick O’Neill comes to town to build a grand hotel, with its promise of wealth and change. As love and hate vie for a town’s quiet heart, loyalties are challenged, jealousies ignited, and old traditions begin to crumble away.
About Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1941 and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is her nineteenth novel; her eleventh,
Breathing Lessons, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1988. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
About Monica McInerney
Photo © Michael Boyny
Monica McInerney is the author of the international bestseller
The Alphabet Sisters. She lives in Ireland.
Praise
Praise for Anne Tyler’s Breathing Lessons
“Superb fiction: It shows us how to live.”—Newsday
“Simple, wise, funny, touching, and real . . . Tyler is known for offbeat characters, and Maggie Moran is one of her most endearing.”—The Christian Science Monitor
Praise for Monica McInerney’s The Alphabet Sisters
“The Maeve Binchyish empathy McInerney shows for the changes and chances of family life draws us into this gentle, life-affirming story. We come away feeling better about the world and, maybe, just a little more tender towards those close to us.”—The Sydney Morning Herald
“Vivid characterizations and sharply honed dialogue . . . McInerney brings humor and insight to issues of sibling rivalry, family secrecy, and romantic betrayal.”—The Boston Globe
Praise for Maeve Binchy’s Firefly Summer
“Totally engrossing . . . unforgettable . . . an absolutely grand story . . . a lyrical and compelling family drama . . . Mountfern and its residents come vibrantly alive.”—The Plain Dealer
“The secrets hidden behind lace curtains, a young girl’s first kiss, children’s summer games, unexpected pregnancies, sudden deaths. [Maeve Binchy] makes us feel as if we also know the place and its people. . . . One of those good old-fashioned stories that are as comfortable and comforting as home itself.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer