Christmas has never brought out the best in the MacDougal family. Still, year after year, they gather together in the Blue Ridge Mountains to try to make the season merry and bright. But this year is an especially strained one, between Shayne's impending divorce, Morwenna's slavish devotion to work, and Bobbie's reluctance to face what life has to offer. Then, in the midst of a snowy sibling shouting match, a mysterious stranger appears.

Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe's El Royale, a rundown hotel with a dark past. Over the course of one fateful night, everyone will have a last shot at redemption; before everything goes to hell.

"This story about friendship and shyness plays out in a mini theatre, as a child unwittingly brings light and color--literally--into a lonely person's life."--Provided by publisher.

Carny Sullivan grew up in the zany world of a traveling carnival. Quaint and peaceful Serenity, Texas, has given her a home, a life, and a child. Logan Brisco is the smoothest, slickest, handsomest man Serenity, Texas has ever seen. But Carny Sullivan knows a con artist when she sees one---and she's seen plenty, starting with her father. As far as Carny Sullivan can tell, she's the only one in town who has his number. Because from his Italian shoes...

Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can't even admit to themselves. Amid all the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be. Frances Welty, the formerly bestselling romantic novelist, arrives...

"From one of the most accomplished writers of our time comes another brilliant collection of short fiction. Artful, agile, and inventive; Lydia Davis' newest collection of stories delves into topics ranging from marriage to tiny insects. These stories are a celebration of language and careful observation that once again confirms Davis' sincere love and mastery of the form." --

Mossy is a very bossy mosquito. Mossy thinks he lives in the country at a beautiful pond. Actually, it is a backyard pool in town. He loves playing with his best friends but often finds himself not considering their feelings. Mossy's friends have to learn to do the right thing even when Mossy does not. Mossy has a difficult time taking advice from others. This causes him to make a terrible decision that puts himself and his best friends in danger. Bossy...

In a post-apocalyptic world, Troy raises his now grown son, Jake, in a perfect wooded utopia thousands of miles away from the decayed cities. When Troy is severely wounded, Jake is forced to travel to the outside world to find life-saving medicine. Ordered to kill anyone he encounters, Jake defies his father by engaging in a forbidden relationship with a mysterious woman, Henrietta. As Jake continues this dangerous affair, Troy will stop at nothing...

A figure with no discernible identity appears in a small, religious town, throwing its inhabitants into a frenzy.

When their train breaks down during a snowstorm, Noah, a hopeless romantic, and Ammy, who refuses to believe in true love, are forced to travel together to reach their destinations.