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"Paris Syndrome," Sisters & 1960s Secrets
Recent historical fiction, reading US history, new Lauren Groff, and more ...
BookBrowse Highlights
Hello Readers!
This week, we have discussions coming your way for two brilliant historical novels. Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, about a Reconstruction-era community built by formerly enslaved people, and A Crown of Stars by Shana Abé, based on the sinking of the Lusitania and the Jolivet sisters.
You can also enjoy our First Impressions reviewers’ thoughts on The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott, which uses the larger-than-life premise of three wives of serial killers trying to solve a mystery to explore the social landscape of 1960s California. Experience every decade of American history with our list of 26 books for reading US history in 2026.
Ever heard of “Paris syndrome,” suffered when the City of Light fails to meet expectations? A new “beyond the book” article looks at how it features in a story from the recent Lauren Groff collection Brawler.
Plus, we have free books for members to request and a fresh Wordplay!
Thanks for reading,
The BookBrowse Team
Book Club Discussions
Discussions are open to all! If you’d like to participate, you can do so by creating an account here. Please note that discussions can contain spoilers.
Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
From the Jacket A woman learns the incredible story of a real-life American Kingdom—and her family's ties to it—in this enthralling novel from the New York Times bestselling, NAACP Image Award-winning author of Take My Hand. From the Discussion “I would recommend this to book clubs that like historical fiction and also like to read about how women have influenced history.” —Patricia_H |  |
“I was really captivated by it. The story, the characters, the interlaced generational chapters all worked for me. I read it in a very short period of time and think Perkins-Valdez is a gifted writer with an important story to tell.” —Rosemary_Coffman
See what people are saying in response to this question: Nikki wonders if her mother abandoned Mother Rita. She also asks herself if “Southern mothers feel a particular betrayal when their children go north.” What’s your take on children leaving home, particularly those that move far away from their parents?
A Crown of Stars by Shana Abé
From the Jacket A sumptuously vivid and poignant account of the Lusitania's fateful last days, drawn from the true story of an extraordinary young actress who survived the unthinkable—for fans of Marie Benedict, Louis Bayard, Fiona Davis, Kate Quinn, and HBO's The Gilded Age. From the Discussion “I knew the basic story of the Lusitania, but had never heard of the Jolivet sisters. I enjoyed the details of life on board the ship, the differences between upper and lower class accommodations, and especially the details regarding the lives of women.” —Elizabeth_P1 |  |
“I would recommend it to readers of historical fiction…I also feel it would be a great book for book groups.” —Carrie_Marlowe
See what people are saying in response to this question: Charles tells Rita, “[T]he key to lasting success…isn’t luck or even necessarily talent. It’s having the public recognize you right away…” What did you think of this statement? Do you think it was true at the time? Is it true today?
First Impressions
Each month, we share books with BookBrowse members to read and review. Here are their opinions on one recently released title.
The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott
“I loved this book! A character-driven book about three women who develop a friendship through the bonds of their husbands being serial killers. I loved the 1960s time period and the California setting. The three women, Beverley, Margot, and Elsie, are all great characters and tough women.” —Marybeth T. (Bellingham, WA) “The balance between the mystery/detective work and the women's stories is perfect. Despite the heavy subject matter the book reads quickly and is almost impossible to put down!” —Ruthie A. (Jersey City, NJ) |  |
“The novel explores gender-based violence and the way society dismissed women's rights in the 1950s and 60s, weaving in themes of civil rights, race, class, and whose stories were deemed worthy of attention. It shows how economic privilege shaped everything from media coverage to the police's willingness to act, especially when victims were poor or marginalized.…It's a messy, painful, powerful story that lingers long after you finish.” —Kevin L. (Salem, OR)
For Members
Members! This month's First Impressions and Book Club books are now available to request. Offer closes end of Saturday, March 7.
Books are provided free of charge to BookBrowse members resident in the US with the understanding that they'll do their best to either write a short review or take part in an online discussion forum (depending on whether the book is assigned for First Impressions or the Book Club). Our basic membership guarantees you at least four books a year when you request each month.
Free books are one of the many benefits of a BookBrowse membership. Join by this Saturday (for just $5.00 a month) to request and receive a book from this list. Don't wait!
Beyond the Book
Paris Syndrome
In the second story in Lauren Groff's collection Brawler, a woman named Eliza struggles with depression and ennui after retiring early from the post office. It is also mentioned, offhandedly, that, while on her honeymoon with her husband Willie, Eliza was affected by "Paris syndrome"—while traveling to Paris she had been "wracked with misery.” … continued |  |
26 Books for Reading US History in 2026
This year, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States—in other words, 250 years of American history. In case you hadn’t noticed, at BookBrowse, we love historical fiction, and historical nonfiction, too. So here we present a challenge of sorts: read 26 books this year, each providing a glimpse into life in a different decade of the past two and a half centuries—using our list as is, or swapping out for your own picks. … continued |  |
Wordplay
Solve our Wordplay puzzle to reveal a well-known expression, and be entered to win a one-year membership to BookBrowse!
"D B A the B"
Click for the answer to the last Wordplay (T N P L H), and a detailed breakdown of its meaning and history.
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