Many authors have tried to replicate Forester’s work, but the Hornblower series of books and countless associated works is top of the list for adventures on wooden warships.

Santmyer is one of my favorite writers, but beware, her sentences carry a heavy weight, far beyond what is typical in a work of fiction. Herbs and Apples explores early 20th century feminism, small town life, and family dynamics in a fictionalized semi-autobiography.

Mary Stewart’s books are classics. This novel follows a young British woman on holiday on Crete, wandering into the mysterious unknown. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.