This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

   

   "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant" is a novel about the life of the Tull family, which is marked by abandonment and discord, but also love and resilience. The story is told from the perspective of each family member, providing a unique viewpoint on the family's dynamics and history. The matriarch, Pearl, struggles to raise her three children, Cody, Ezra, and Jenny, after their father abandons them. Each child deals with the abandonment and their dysfunctional family in different ways, shaping their adult lives. The novel explores themes of family, love, abandonment, and the idea of home.

   The 1830th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. The Accidental Tourist

   

   The novel follows the life of a travel writer, who, after the death of his son and subsequent separation from his wife, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He meets an eccentric dog trainer who is the complete opposite of his introverted and orderly self. Through their relationship, he learns to embrace the unpredictability of life and move beyond his grief. The story is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected turns life can take.

   The 2273rd Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. Breathing Lessons

   

   This novel revolves around a middle-aged couple, Ira and Maggie Moran, and their journey to a funeral. The story delves into their relationship dynamics, their regrets, and their hopes for the future. The narrative explores the complexities of marriage, the disappointments of parenthood, and the general trials and tribulations of life. The couple's interactions with other characters they meet along the way further illuminate their struggles and their enduring love for each other.

   The 2388th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. Three Days In June

   

   Gail Baines, an awkward mother of the bride, navigates a turbulent few days before and after her daughter Debbie’s wedding: she loses her job, feels excluded from pre-wedding plans, and is surprised by the unexpected return of her ex-husband Max. When Debbie shares a troubling secret about her fiancé, the wedding—and the family’s buried history—are thrown into doubt. The novel follows how these events force the family to confront past choices, misunderstandings, and the complexities of love and marriage.

   The 12448th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. A Spool Of Blue Thread

   

   The novel delves into the complex dynamics of the Whitshank family, spanning across four generations, living in Baltimore, Maryland. The narrative weaves through time, unraveling the family's secrets, rivalries, and bonds as it focuses on Abby and Red, the aging parents, and their children who grapple with their own identities and relationships. The story explores themes of legacy, memory, and the nuanced fabric of familial love, all symbolized by the titular spool of blue thread, which holds sentimental value and represents the threads of stories that connect the family members to each other and to their shared past.

   The 14450th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. Searching for Caleb

   

   In "Searching for Caleb," a quirky, upper-class family is brought to life, with a focus on the Peck family's black sheep, Duncan. Duncan, who rejects the family's traditions and expectations, embarks on a quest to find his missing uncle Caleb, who disappeared decades ago without a trace. Alongside him is his cousin, Justine, who also feels out of place within their family. The novel explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the need for personal freedom.

   The 14649th Greatest Book of All Time

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7. 7. A Patchwork Planet

   

   The novel centers around Barnaby Gaitlin, a 30-year-old man who is still trying to shake off the bad reputation he earned in his youth. He works for Rent-a-Back, a service that helps elderly people with odd jobs, and he finds fulfillment in helping them. However, his family and the society still see him as a failure. He meets Sophia, a wealthy woman who doesn't fit into his world, and their relationship causes him to reevaluate his life and the choices he's made.

   The 17151st Greatest Book of All Time

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8. 8. If Morning Ever Comes

   

   The novel explores the complexities of family dynamics and personal growth through the eyes of a young man who returns to his coastal hometown in North Carolina from college in New York upon hearing of his sister's sudden marriage. As he reacquaints himself with his family's quirks and the rhythms of small-town life, he grapples with his own uncertainties about the future, his place in the family, and his understanding of home. The narrative delves into themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the bittersweet nature of coming-of-age, as the protagonist confronts the universal challenge of figuring out where he belongs in the world.

   The 17151st Greatest Book of All Time

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9. 9. Vinegar Girl

   The Taming of the Shrew Retold

   

   In this modern retelling of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," the story unfolds around Kate Battista, a sharp-tongued and independent young woman who finds herself caught in a peculiar predicament. Her eccentric scientist father concocts a plan to marry her off to his brilliant but socially awkward lab assistant, Pyotr, to prevent him from being deported. As Kate navigates the chaos of her father's scheme, she grapples with her own desires and the expectations placed upon her, leading to unexpected revelations about love, family, and self-discovery.

   The 17151st Greatest Book of All Time

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