Flight Behavior Follow-Up
My book club of 13 years has a few favorite authors we go to time and time again for a guaranteed great read, and Barbara Kingsolver is near the top of the list. From Poisonwood Bible to Demon Copperhead and her essay collection Small Wonder, her work has won us over with great stories, relatable characters, and thought-provoking ideas. Few novels had us chatting longer than Flight Behavior.
The main character, Dellarobia Turnbow, is an overworked, under-appreciated farm wife and mother who discovers a swarm of 15 million rare butterflies on her Tennessee sheep farm. Working with scientists as they study the displaced monarchs, she learns about their precarious situation that mirrors her own. The most resilient adapt and survive, inspiring Dellarobia’s own flight to freedom.
Recommended for: book clubs, literary fiction fans, nature-lovers, disaffected spouses
Read if you like: Ann Patchett, Geraldine Brooks, Louise Erdrich
The Last Murder
April brings us to our next pick for the TOWN Book Club: a thrilling novel by international best-selling author Stuart Turton, celebrated for his genre-bending storytelling and inventive mysteries. Turton first gained widespread acclaim with The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, which put a bold, original spin on the classic whodunnit.
This month, we’re diving into his latest release, The Last Murder at the End of the World—a gripping post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world on the brink, where a single murder threatens the survival of what remains of humanity. Blending high-stakes suspense with philosophical questions about morality, memory, and survival, the novel showcases Stuart Turton’s signature ability to twist genres and expectations. It’s a smart, atmospheric read that will keep you on edge—and thinking—long after the final page.
Read along with us and join the conversation when we get back with a discussion in our June issue — the Music Issue.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the book, as well as your suggestions for future picks. Reach out on social media (@towncarolina) or by email at leigh@communityjournals.com. Happy reading!
