The Household Spirit — Tod Wodicka

Although they've lived side by side in the only two houses on Route 29 in rural upstate New York for over twenty years, Howie Jeffries -- avid fisherman, accidental recluse -- and Emily Phane -- seemingly well-adjusted college student -- have never actually spoken to each other. Both have their reasons: Howie is debilitatingly shy, and Emily has been hiding the fact that she suffers from a nighttime affliction that makes her terrified to go to sleep. But one day, when they least expect it, their worlds finally intersect. A most curious -- and curiously funny -- novel about two unlikely comrades-in-arms, THE HOUSEHOLD SPIRIT is a story about how little we know the people we see every day -- and the depths and foibles of the human heart.