The Dutch House by Ann Patchett was a birthday present that might wife received. And a fancy gift it was, what with an autograph and all.
I would’ve categorize this in the “gentle tale” section. There is an evil stepmother, a divorce, gentrification, death and of course a grand old house but none of it is angsty or melodramatic. So many books would fall into the Holden Caufield trap of making things bitter and annoying. But our guides through this tale, siblings Danny and Maeve are working through life no matter what life throws at them. They are 3D and evolving characters that you would want to spend time with.
By the end of this quick and enjoyable read, you are rooting for them to win. And when a quick resolution arrives at the end, even a secondary player seems fully fledged.
If we in Los Angeles had access to Yuengling, that would be perfect for this book. If you happen to have some Other Half cans I need the fridge, that would work to, since part of the action is in NYC. Closer to SoCal, you could look for a beer from Pomona’s Sanctum which the Dutch House was to the brother and sister.