"Crow Lake" is a compelling novel that explores the dynamics of a rural Canadian family dealing with tragedy. After the death of their parents, the Morrison children struggle to stay together and maintain their family farm. The story is narrated by the youngest daughter, who is now a successful zoologist, reflecting back on her childhood. The narrative delves into themes of love, loss, survival, and the power of education, all set against the backdrop of the harsh, yet beautiful, northern Ontario landscape.

This novel is set in the small town of Holt, Colorado, and explores the intertwining lives of its residents. The narrative focuses on a high school teacher raising two sons after his wife leaves him, a pair of bachelor brothers who have lived together on their family farm for decades, and a pregnant teenager kicked out of her home. The characters' lives intersect in unexpected ways, offering a poignant exploration of community, resilience, and the human capacity for connection and kindness.

"October Light" is a story set in Vermont, revolving around an elderly brother and sister, James and Sally, who have lived together for decades but have a strained relationship due to their differing views. When James locks Sally in her room after an argument, she finds a novel within a novel, which becomes her only escape. The book explores themes of aging, isolation, and the clash of old and new values, all the while providing a commentary on the changing American society of the 1970s.