The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick 

This is the summer book I have been longing for. Charming, heartwarming, but nuanced with emotions. Arthur, our main character, lost his wife and has bridled his pain with routine. Eating the same breakfast, watering his fern, and dressing the same way each day. Arthur wakes up on the first anniversary of his wife’s death, ready for the same routine. However, he stumbles upon an unfamiliar piece of jewelry in his wife’s things. A fully decorated charm bracelet. After discovering there is meaning behind one charm, he is off on a journey to find the meaning behind these tiny symbols.  Arthur finally breaks out of his routine and finds out much more than he ever wanted to know. However, in the process, he finds himself. It may sound trite or cliché, but it was a lovely little story. Light, but not fluff, true to the human experience, but not too sad. I am thankful I found this little treasure.