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. Empire Falls

   

   "Empire Falls" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the life of Miles Roby, a man who has spent his entire life in a decaying, blue-collar town in Maine. Miles, a kind-hearted man, runs the Empire Grill, a local diner, and dreams of escaping the town and his manipulative, wealthy boss. The novel delves into the complex relationships and social dynamics of the town, examining themes of love, loss, and the economic decline of small-town America.

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2. 2. Straight Man

   

   The novel is a comedic exploration of academia through the eyes of William Henry Devereaux Jr., a reluctant and sardonic interim chair of the English department at a struggling Pennsylvania college. As he navigates the absurdities and bureaucratic challenges of university life, including faculty disputes and budget cuts, Devereaux's personal life also unravels with marital tensions and a strained relationship with his father. Amidst the chaos, his irreverent humor and existential musings provide a poignant and humorous critique of the academic world and the search for meaning in middle age.

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3. 3. Nobody's Fool

   

   Set in a small, declining town in upstate New York, the story follows the life of Sully, a stubborn, aging, and endearingly flawed man who navigates a series of personal and financial challenges. Despite his rough exterior and tendency to make poor decisions, Sully's interactions with a colorful cast of characters, including his estranged son, ex-wife, and a host of quirky townsfolk, reveal his underlying decency and resilience. The narrative explores themes of friendship, redemption, and the complexities of human relationships, all while capturing the humor and pathos of everyday life in a struggling community.

4. 4. That Old Cape Magic

   

   The novel follows Jack Griffin, a middle-aged man grappling with the complexities of his life, including his strained marriage, the legacy of his parents, and his own identity. Set against the backdrop of Cape Cod, the story unfolds over the course of a year, capturing Jack's journey through a series of weddings and funerals that force him to confront his past and reconsider his future. As he navigates these personal challenges, Jack reflects on the nature of happiness, family, and the enduring impact of childhood memories, ultimately seeking a path to reconcile his aspirations with reality.
5. 5. Bridge Of Sighs

   

   The novel explores the intricate dynamics of small-town life through the eyes of Louis "Lucy" Lynch, a man reflecting on his past as he prepares for a trip to Italy with his wife. Set in the fictional town of Thomaston, New York, the narrative weaves together Lucy's memories of his childhood, his complex relationships with his family and friends, and the contrasting paths taken by him and his childhood friend, Bobby Marconi, who has become a successful artist in Venice. Through richly drawn characters and poignant storytelling, the book delves into themes of love, loyalty, and the enduring impact of personal choices and societal changes on individual lives.

6. 6. Ship Of Fools

   

   The book is a collection of interconnected short stories that explore the lives of passengers aboard a cruise ship. Each story delves into the personal struggles, relationships, and secrets of the characters, revealing their vulnerabilities and desires. As the journey progresses, the passengers' interactions lead to moments of introspection and unexpected revelations, highlighting themes of human connection, loneliness, and the search for meaning. The narrative weaves humor and poignancy, offering a rich tapestry of human experiences set against the backdrop of a confined and transient environment.

7. 7. Chances Are...

   

   Three college friends, now in their sixties, reunite on Martha's Vineyard for a weekend that stirs up memories and unresolved mysteries from their past. As they reminisce about their youth, they confront the disappearance of a woman they all loved, unraveling secrets and truths that have lingered for decades. The story weaves together themes of friendship, love, and the passage of time, exploring how the choices of the past continue to shape the present.

8. 8. Um Homem A Meio Da Vida

   

   Set in a small town in New England, this novel explores the complexities of middle age through the lens of a college professor grappling with personal and professional challenges. As he navigates the intricacies of his relationships with his wife, children, and colleagues, he confronts the realities of his own ambitions and regrets. The narrative delves into themes of identity, purpose, and the passage of time, painting a poignant picture of a man at a crossroads, seeking meaning and fulfillment in the midst of life's inevitable transitions.

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9. 9. The Best American Short Stories 2010

   The Best American Series

   

   This anthology presents a diverse collection of short stories that capture the essence of contemporary American life, exploring themes of identity, relationships, and the human condition. Each story, penned by a different author, offers a unique perspective and voice, showcasing the richness and variety of modern storytelling. The narratives range from poignant and introspective to humorous and thought-provoking, providing readers with a compelling glimpse into the complexities of everyday experiences and the universal emotions that connect us all.
10. 10. The Destiny Thief

    Essays on Writing, Writers and Life

    

    This collection of essays offers a captivating glimpse into the mind of a Pulitzer Prize-winning author as he reflects on the unpredictable nature of life and the creative process. Through a series of personal anecdotes and insightful observations, the author explores themes of fate, ambition, and the often elusive pursuit of success. With a blend of humor and wisdom, the essays delve into the challenges and triumphs of a writer's journey, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities of storytelling and the human experience.

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11. 11. Everybody's Fool

    

    An affectionate, bittersweet portrait of life in a small upstate New York town, centered on a stubborn, wisecracking everyman and the colorful, flawed people who orbit him; as aging, lost opportunities, buried secrets, and the slow decay of the community converge, old loyalties are tested and surprising acts of kindness and forgiveness emerge. The novel balances comic misadventures with poignant observations about family, mortality, and the messy ways people try to do right by one another.

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12. 12. Ein Mann Der Tat

    

13. 13. Life And Art

    

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14. 14. Under The Falls

    

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15. 15. Somebody's Fool

    

    An aging, irrepressibly stubborn man who has spent his life skating by in a dilapidated upstate mill town faces the messy realities of family, old friendships, and changing community fortunes; as he insists on helping and meddling in equal measure, he navigates late-life romance, grudges, and a search for dignity. Wry, compassionate, and sharply observed, the novel captures the humor and heartbreak of small-town life while its protagonist reckons with the past and what it means to belong.

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16. 16. The Whore's Child And Other Stories

    

    A collection of keenly observed, darkly comic short stories set in small-town America, centered on flawed, often middle-aged characters who grapple with regret, stalled ambitions, family tensions, and unexpected moments of grace. The prose balances wry humor and melancholic insight as teachers, fathers, ex-convicts, and ordinary townspeople confront past mistakes, shifting identities, and the messy loyalties of community, revealing through sharp characterization and quiet epiphanies the human capacity for self-deception, forgiveness, and surprising redemption.

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17. 17. Mohawk

    

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18. 18. The Risk Pool

    

    A middle-aged novelist visits his ailing, larger-than-life uncle in the small rust-belt town where he grew up and, through vivid recollections of a turbulent childhood marked by alcoholism, poverty, and the town’s decline, traces how that reckless guardian and the community’s hardships shaped his identity, creative voice, and complicated feelings about loyalty, forgiveness, and belonging.

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