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The customer at the counter of West Side Books in North Denver was trading thoughts with Terry, the ponytailed, bespectacled, thoughtful employee at the register. Which Jack Kerouac book should he start with? “On the Road,” Terry answered, then added, “It’s probably easiest.” Somehow that sounded like the kind of understatedly perfect advice one so often receives at an independent bookstore. Cheryl Strayed — author of “Wild” —  headlines Illumination’s Sept.

“Women and Children First,” by Alina Grabowski (SJP Lit, 2024) This novel examines the impact of an unexpected and unexplained tragic event on a small town in rural Massachusetts. The story unfolds through the perspectives of 10 different women living there. An understated exploration of grief, family and community, and how relationships and even truths can shift when tragedy upends your world.

Editor’s note: The opinions of the smart, well-read women in my Denver book club mean a lot, and often determine what the rest of us choose to pile onto our bedside tables. So we asked them, and all Denver Post readers, to share their mini-reviews with you. Have any to offer?

Editor’s note: The opinions of the smart, well-read women in my Denver book club mean a lot, and often determine what the rest of us choose to pile onto our bedside tables. So we asked them, and all Denver Post readers, to share their mini-reviews with you. Have any to offer?

If there is a genre for Denver author Peter Heller’s books, I would call it “literary wilderness mystery” or maybe “nature and men and danger.” His newest novel, “Burn,” released Aug. 13, is just that — a slow burn of a mysterious adventure for two friends, with Maine forests as a backdrop. Jess and Storey meet up every summer in the remote woods to hunt moose — a yearly ritual between lifelong friends.

“The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride,” by Joe Siple (Black Rose Writing, 2018) “The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride,” by Joe Siple (Black Rose Writing, 2018) This is the touching story of Murray McBride, recently widowed and 100 years old. He finds a new reason to live when he meets 10-year-old Jason Cashman, who has a heart condition requiring a heart transplant.