Vivian And I

This remarkable memoir of the legendary Vivian Mackerrell, on whom the character Withnail in Bruce Robinson's iconic film was largely based, is also an attempt to capture the essence of growing up as part of the 'Baby Boom' generation.

“A delectable mixture of ice cream and romance.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “For fans of Jenny Han.” —School Library Journal “A rare, enjoyable portrait of a woman-run business.” —Kirkus Reviews From the author of The Last Boy and Girl in the World and The List comes a bold and sweet summer read about first love, feminism, and ice cream. Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends. Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is “Head Girl” at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business…but Grady’s got some changes in mind…

In this darkly comedic road trip novel, seventeen year-old Vivian Apple returns home after the alleged Rapture to find her devout parents gone and two mysterious holes in the roof. Vivian never believed in the Rapture, or the uber powerful Church of America. Now that she has been left behind, Vivian's quest for the truth begins.

Asks readers to imagine ordinary, everyday events as wondrous and magical occurrences.

Fiction. LGBTQIA Studies. The playful and poignant novel LITTLE BLUE ENCYCLOPEDIA (FOR VIVIAN) sifts through a queer trans woman's unrequited love for her straight trans friend who died. A queer love letter steeped in desire, grief, and delight, the story is interspersed with encyclopedia entries about a fictional TV show set on an isolated island. The experimental form functions at once as a manual for how pop culture can help soothe and mend us and as an exploration of oft-overlooked sources of pleasure, including karaoke, birding, and butt toys. Ultimately, LITTLE BLUE ENCYCLOPEDIA (FOR VIVIAN) reveals with glorious detail and emotional nuance the woman the narrator loved, why she loved her, and the depths of what she has lost.

"Vivian's Lesson" by Elizabeth W. Grierson is a thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of love, self-discovery, and personal growth. Grierson's narrative follows the journey of the titular character, Vivian, as she navigates the complexities of relationships and her own emotional development. The novel explores the choices and challenges faced by Vivian and the lessons she learns along the way. Grierson's storytelling is both introspective and emotionally resonant, making "Vivian's Lesson" a compelling read for those interested in character-driven fiction and the exploration of human emotions and relationships.

After earning their master’s degrees, Carwyn Hillis and his recently engaged friend, Bret Hightower, decide to celebrate their accomplishments and Bret’s last few months of bachelorhood with a ten-day trip to Europe. As the friends move from country to country, Carwyn begins to realize that Bret is not exactly the person he thought he knew. In Amsterdam Carwyn meets Vivian, a beautiful and captivating woman who, despite her personal history and baggage, might just be Carwyn’s unexpected soul mate. As Carwyn contemplates whether this serendipitous romance could be the beginning of something more, he is unaware that back home in New England a ruthless criminal organization has made the decision to eliminate Bret—a decision that will also put Carwyn’s life in danger. All too soon Carwyn must return home and leave Vivian behind in Amsterdam. When he leaves, Carwyn has no way of knowing that a sophisticated sociopath will set his sights on Vivian. But then Carwyn receives a chilling phone call that raises the stakes and changes everything. In this compelling mystery, expect the unexpected as one young man suddenly finds himself tangled in a dangerous web of organized crime, kidnapping, and murder. He must come to grips with his life, decide whether or not to stick by his best friend, choose whether to risk everything for a woman he barely knows—or to simply save himself instead—and determine, for the first time in his life, what he is truly made of.