Alafair Burke's Latest Novel...

If You Were Here

by Alafair Burke

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Review: In Burke's second stand-alone thriller book, readers follow former public prosecutor turned reporter McKenna Jordan. The opening scene occurs on the subway as a boy steals an iPod, and is chased by a woman who later lifts him off the subway tracks. McKenna is hot on the trail when this video footage goes missing; however, she tracks the video because the woman in the photo reminds her of long-lost best friend Susan. Is Susan really alive? Is it safer for McKenna not to find out the truth about Susan.

Sorry, but my short review doesn't do the book justice; let's just say that after reading I rushed to the library to check out two more of Burke's novels, Long Gone and an Ellie Hatcher series novel, Never Tell.

**Burke says this is her most autobiographical novel with a character like her husband, a graduate of West Point. The novel uses Susan's character to delve into elite military culture.

Author website: http://alafairburke.com/ Her website is pretty cool, with frequently updated blogs, tweets, and videos of her TV appearances. She also posts works in progress and asks fans for advice on scenes and character names, etc. which I think is cool.

Family Pictures

Family Pictures

by Jane Green

Genre: Popular chick lit

Review: Sylvie is a creative soon-to-be empty-nester. She is coming to terms with her daughter Eve's departure for college and potential eating disorder while caring for an aging, imperious mother and wishing her husband were home more. Sylvie starts wondering how Mark spends his time during the two weeks of the month he works on the East Coast. Her daughter Eve wants to attend college in NYC, but her stepdad is dead-set against it. The book alternates between Eve and Sylvie's perspectives in Part I, then moves among two other characters, Grace, another college-bound girl, and her mother, the reigning queen of the New Salem, CT social set. The second part of the book has a lot of "real housewives of Connecticut" type of drama if you like that kind of thing. 

Word of advice: Don't rush out and buy this book or anything, but it will entertain you if you pick it up at the library or bookstore. 

Funny. Quirky. Sad. Real

My American Unhappiness

by Dean Bakopoulos

Genre: Literary Fiction

As I noted in the subject line, I could write this review in four words: Funny, Quirky, Sad, Real. But I won't.

Review: We meet our protagonist at Starbucks, where he goes often to entertain his crush, an adorable barista girl. He has the uncanny ability to guess which drink people will order. Call it an insight into human nature.  At first glance, the main character is skating smoothly across the surface his life. Then his dying mother gives him an ultimatum--get married before she dies or he will lose custody of the nieces he loves. The dry wit, quirky characters, and dead-on descriptions of the Midwest kept me savoring this novel on each page.

The Best of Us

The Best of Us

by Sarah Pekkanen

Genre: Women's Fiction

Review: A birthday party on a fabulous tropical island goes awry when emotional storms and even a hurricane threaten the tranquility of the poolside paradise. Each female character is believable with a compelling backstory. The descriptions of the island are lush and vivid; perfect for a summer getaway, even if you are only sitting on your front porch. Ultimately though, this novel was a tad generic, and not my favorite of this author's work.

I recommend her other novels as well--you can read my reviews of These Girls and Skipping a Beat. This book was not quite as good as These Girls, so I would recommend reading that one first. 

Author website: http://www.sarahpekkanen.com/

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

Genre: YA fiction

Review: Okay, so admittedly the premise of this book sounds depressing. A cancer survivor, Hazel, isn't living her life. Her life has a clear sell-by date, but her mom forces her to go to a corny cancer support group. There she meets Augustus. They bond over discussing favorite books and they are there for their mutual friend when he's going through a hard time. Together, they set out on a quest to meet Hazel's favorite author. Despite my summary that in now way captures the essence of the novel, I hope you'll read it. The voice is unique, the writing is biting, witty, and fast-paced. 

This book will also be a movie starring Shailene Woodley!

Check out this article: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/03/19/shailene-woodley-fault-in-our-stars/

The best of Marian Keyes

The Mystery of Mercy Close

by Marian Keyes

Genre: Women's fiction

Review: I picked up this book because it looked funny, and I was in Ireland; I'd enjoyed Keyes work before, and looked forward to being transported on train rides with a light, funny novel. It turned out to be so much more. Hilarious, yes, but following private detective Helen Walsh as she tracks down a missing member of a washed-up boy band on the eve of their reunion concert proved to have unanticipated depth. Humorous and well-plotted, this novel also explores Helen's current and past episodes of depression. I have never read a better description of the reality of depression, and I found the novel hugely inspiring! As a writer, Keyes keeps getting better. 

Song to read by: "Bad Girls" by MIA, in honor of Helen being a pretty badass private detective

Just One Day...in Paris!

Just One Day

by Gayle Forman

Author of If I Stay
and Where She Went

Genre: YA fiction

Review: A teenage girl sets out on a tour of Europe with her best friend, the summer after senior year. Her best friend is trying out new identities in preparation for college, but she isn't quite ready to break out of her routine, organized lifestyle. Until she meets a beguiling Dutch actor, Willem, and follows him to Paris on a whim. Just one day there will change her life. This isn't a story about being swept away by a boy; it is a story about finding herself and who she wants to be. 

**There will be a follow-up novel that tells Willem's story