Best laid schemes

Susan Parker, a bright twenty‑six‑year‑old with a string of almost‑relationships and missed chances, finds herself at a crossroads. After a series of fleeting romances and a modest academic career, the death of her parents leaves her to forge her own path, and she settles on a job as a librarian in Indianapolis. The move promises a fresh start, yet Susan battles a lingering sense of being trapped by the expectations tied to her name and her past.

The novel follows Susan’s witty, introspective narration as she navigates the quirks of library life, the subtle politics of small‑town society, and the internal tug‑of‑war between ambition and contentment. Her sharp observations about identity, name, and the “best laid schemes” of her generation make her journey both relatable and gently humorous. Listeners will be drawn into her world of books, missed connections, and the quiet determination to rewrite her own story.