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The sudden death of a child is every parent's nightmare. Young Lydia's unexplained death cases her siblings and parents to seek answers within themselves and their relationships with Lydia. So many things left unsaid ...so many things would have been done differently. If you are a parent, you will re-examine your relationships with your own children from a different perspective. This gut wrenching novel will stay with you long after the final page.

This first book in the series will get your young reader hooked. Witches, goblins,along with favorite fairy tale characters collide with twins from the real world!!! The plot is full of twists, turns and surprises which has kept my 8 year old grandson saving his money to buy the next in the series. Great series to keep kids reading over the summer.

A beautifully crafted debut novel that tells a timeless story of adolescent love and secrets that follow us throughout our lives. The church mothers are a modern day Greek chorus accompanying us as we follow Nadia, Luke and Aubrey navigate the waters of love, friendship, secrets and regrets. I couldn’t put this novel down. Poweful,haunting and so well written!

At age 70, I am far beyond the schoolyard days and gossip, but this novel still rings true in its portrayal of parenting, marriage and friendship! The novel is at times hilarious and at other times shocking and sad. On the surface it is a who done it which you will not want to put down. Beyond that it raises questions for all of us. Sometimes we don't really know our friends, spouses or children. Sometimes we don't know to what lengths we would go to protect them. Sometimes we don't know our own inner strength . A great book club choice with so many discussion possibilities! It deserves 6 stars!

Times have changed,but the desire for political activism remains. Eli, a frustrated phd student, longs to connect to a bigger, more important cause. With new found friendship in Sam. support from a former girlfriend, Eli enters a the world of the radicals. Mcilvane writes a compelling story of misguided ambitions, lost love, and sacrificed ideals in a haunting and lyrical way. Mcilvane is a gifted "poet" and he snares the reader into a web of words and dangerous worlds.

Dragon wants an egg like all the other dragons and is so happy when he finds one to raise as his own: a penguin!!!! Such a sweet story especially for adoptive parents and their little ones!

As an Anderson Cooper fan, this book was a must on my reading list. He and his mother Gloria Vanderbilt share their fascinating stories and innermost thoughts through a series of emails to each other. Such a loving bittersweet exchange that reminds us it is never to late to start a conversation with those we love.

So reminiscent of Olive Kitteridge , Anything is Possible is Strout at her best. This collection becomes the back story of Lucy Barton, and here you will meet Lucy's neighbors who give us insight to Lucy's struggles as well as their own. Now I need to reread Lucy Barton and almost think if you have not read Lucy Barton first, read it after Anything is Possible. Strout is such a masterful story teller they are both worth more than a single read!

I am still smiling thinking about this book. My 7 year old grandson read it to me the other night. He is a reluctant reader but read this in about 30 minutes!!!We laughed so hard about the lovable ridiculous dogs who figure out how to survive without humans. I had to buy a copy for myself!!!

The stories of three young women whose lives cross in WW II is fast paced and allows the reader three perspectives of a horrible time in history. At times, the descriptions of the concentration camp make for difficult reading. But the story of victims, survivors and perpetrators remains to be told again and again. The biggest flaw in the novel is the romantic relationships; these seem almost trite in spite of the circumstances. The other flaw is too many "Ta da" moments of coincidence or chance happenings. Still a novel worth reading and thinking about long after you turn the last page.

This fast paced novel pulls the reader into a world turned upside down by a strange power young girls discover within themselves. Although many authors have incorporated how power corrupts into their works, The Power does it in a fascinating way. I read The Power in one day and am into my second reading of it. A timely novel which makes us question those in power and those who abuse it.

I was not all that familiar with the graphic novel genre until my 7 year old grandson began reading Mighty Jack to me. Jack is a pretty great kid who lovingly takes on the role of protector and caretaker to his his sister Maddy who doesn't speak....or should I say, not to the human world. Jack and Maddy create a most unusual garden where snails can grow to the size of a house and mythical creatures reign. Here, Maddy thrives until the garden becomes too dangerous and....I guess I have to now read the next book in the series. My grandson is a reluctant reader, but this book and its amazing illustrations "speaks" to him and he has little trouble reading it to me or his 4 year old twin brothers. Now I need to get the second book in the series for him!

Four Seasons In Rome is a beautiful love letter to Rome, Doerr's twin baby boys and Pliny the Elder who all taught Doerr the wonder of seeing the world for the first time. And how fitting that his great novel All the Light We Cannot See was born in Rome! As a grandmother of fraternal twin boys and a traveler to Rome, I hated for the book to end.

Great book for reluctant 1st/2nd grade readers. Mr Wolf and his sidekicks, piranha,shark and snake are on a quest to prove they are really good guys. Their first mission is to help 200 dogs escape from the city dog pound. My grandson read this book to me recently and I don't know who laughed more. I am now in the process of getting the whole series for him.

Such a great activity book for Mo Willems' fans young and old! I had great fun helping my grandsons navigate the activities which correspond to another lovable pigeon story! What caregiver doesn't need a life saver like this book on a rainy day??? Just be sure to share it with your little ones!

A powerful look at the human condition told through photographs of people stopped on the streets of New York and their reactions. I love how this collection has no beginning and no end; I often pick it up and start at a random place.Humans of New York remains on my coffee table where others can take a glimpse or a long look at human nature. A great gift!

If you have never read Bohjalian's novels, stat here. The plot and characters will draw you in as you observe a family in crisis. After hosting a bachelor party that goes horribly wrong with a double murder, Richard fights to save his marriage, his job and one of the perpetrators of the murder! This is a fast paced page turner, you will not regret losing sleep over.

Another great novel by the author of Rules of Civility. Under house arrest in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow, Count Rostov offers a glimpse of a changing Moscow through the hotel workers he befriends,and the guests who invite him into their lives. The ending is one of the best I have read in a long time.

Ferrante's final novel in the series rumbles like Vesuvius and erupts with such literary force that you will long for her next novel. The saga of Elena's and Lila's friendship, set against a gritty, violent but alluring Naples, is also a story of family,love, commitment and the search for self-identity. Ferrante is a master story teller.

I want to give this book a 10! Adichie has written a powerful, beautifully written novel that gives the reader the gift of insight. I will look at America and the plight of every black person through a different lens. If you read only one book this year, make it Americanah.

What starts out as a young girl's search for her missing mother becomes oh so much more.Picoult has written not only a page turner but a very moving account of the bond between not only human mothers and children but elephant mothers and their offspring. The ending will blow you away.

Monsieur Perdu, a literary apothecary, prescribes the exact book for what "ails" you. I am sure he would prescribe this sweet novel to all lovers of books and believers in the magic of stories.

Frog and Toad are timeless stories of friendship for young readers! I had forgotten what a treasure these stories are until my 5 year old grandson received one as a gift! He can't wait to be able to read it himself!!!

A children's book for all ages! And a great gift for any graduate! This simple story reminds us that our ideas shape our goals, change us and ultimately may even change the world.

This is not the usual secret a husband keeps from a wife, but one revealed in a letter to be opened upon his death. The problem is Cecelia, the wife finds the letter by accident, reads it and has to deal with its effects not only on her marriage but on the lives of two other women as well. A great book club choice!

This is a book, not only about an unbreakable bond between Denny and his dog,Enzo, but also about the strength of spirit shared by humans and animals, alike. Enzo narrates this story which will make you laugh through your tears and believe in the power of living through loss.

This is such a fun, interactive book for little ones. My grandsons, at age 2, are so enthralled with the pop-ups, peeks and pull-outs, that I had to buy more of these imaginative, clever books by Carter. He has written Easter Bugs and other holiday themed ones to add to your child's library or for gift giving!

This final novel in the Joe Coughlin trilogy is a face paced thriller with a jaw dropping ending. Moving between Cuba and Tampa, the plot follows many twists and turns with a full serving of corruption, sex, scandal, violence and history. Above all, it, like The Given Day and Live By Night. is about fathers and sons. Set aside some time to read this book since you won't want to put it down.

A fast paced mystery for fans of Gone Girl. Like Gone Girl, Girl on a Train, entangles the reader in a mystery narrated by an unreliable narrator, Rachel, an alcoholic prone to blackouts. Rachel fights her own demons as she struggles with her addiction, her failed marriage and a murder she thinks she has witnessed ( or did she?) A good read for a beach vacation or a snowy day!

Like The Dinner, Koch creates a bizarre narrator and a plot that will keep you reading late into the night. Trust me. You will never look at your family doctor the same way. The novel is a prescription for your next book club selection.

What does it mean to be civilized? Do we have the right to change a country's customs and values based upon our own??? Timeless questions the reader considers as he watches one African man's struggle to define himself and his community. A classic that belongs in every person's home library.

Kate's life becomes a nightmare when she learns of her daughter, Amelia's suicide. When an anonymous text informs Kate that Amelia "didn't jump, Kate's nightmare continues as she unravels the truth. This novel reminds us that, as parents, our children often have lives beyond our control and our knowledge. Told from alternating viewpoints, we see not only a mother's anguish, but a daughter's secret life. Add this to your summer reading list.

Although written over 50 years ago, this children's classic is a wonderful adventure tale of a young boy who saves a baby dragon. This is a perfect read aloud book to stir a young child's imagination. What a great introduction to the lost art of story telling.

Another beautiful book by Jan Brett. Not only is this a sweet turtle love story, but it also reminds old and young readers that lving creatures are happiest in their own environments. Add it to your child's library!

With better editing, this could have been a great read. The characters are well drawn, but there are too many pages of unnecessary details. If you enjoy long, drawn out tales, this is for you.

Told from alternating points of view, Lucy and Matt share the story of their relationship and the lies and choices that tear them apart. A fast-paced page turner that makes for a great Book Club selection. Loved it!

Marta beckons us from the pages. pleading with us to believe she is not Marta, but Elise, a victim of a crime that no one believes to have happened. Should we believe her?

A gripping, mystery where we follow Libby to the "dark places" of her past to unravel the truth of her family murders. If you liked Gone Girl, you won't be disappointed in Dark Places!

What a wonderful book to stir the imagination and interest in art. In this wordless book, you ( or your favorite little one) tells the story of a little girl's run away balloon in the museum. Outside, the city scenes mirror the famous paintings and statues. A beautiful introduction to art imitating life! A great gift!

If you liked Gone Girl, The Silent Wife should be your next read. Yes, it is another story of a dissolution of a marriage, but with new twists, turns and psychological warfare to ensnare the characters and you, the reader. A page turner...

A disturbing novel which raises many questions about the nature of evil and the monsters within...the stuff of nightmares.

Even better than Good Night Moon, the beautiful and clever illustrations illuminate a mother's love for her baby bunny. This should be a part of every child's library.

Lehane has done it again with another wonderfully crafted story of Joe Coughlin, a young man who chooses the dark side of life as he climbs the ladder of organized crime. The Prohibition era in Boston comes alive through another great Lehane read. Read it before it becomes a movie!!!

Lorca, a young teen girl, searches for a way to gain her mother's love.Victoria, an aging widow, searches for the daughter she gave up at birth. Through their unlikely friendship, their quests find some unpredictable solutions. Soffer has created two wonderful characters and a poignant story of love, loss and rebirth.

This gut wrenching story questions the power of love and the choices we make for those we love. The isolation of the lighthouse is a fitting metaphor for its keeper,Tom who bravely makes the first choice. A powerful story.

McIlvain's prose carries the reader on a tide of emotions as two young missionaries confront their faith and each other on their mission in Brazil. Although set in the context of a Mormon missionary experience, the missionaries, McCloud and Passos, confront universal questions of faith and doubt and leave the readers thinking about the core and truth of their own values. McIlvain is most assuredly on his way as a new, talented writer. Wow!

All of Jan Brett's books are magical and this is no different. Although the story is similar to The Mitten, it seems fresh with its funny and fantastic illustrations, Hedgie appears as a central character and reappears in some of her other books. Preschoolers, like my 2 year old grandson, will love The Hat and enjoy looking for Hedgie in Brett's other books,too.

I first read this to my grandson when he was about a year old; now almost 3, we still love to view the wonderful world of changing seasons through a young bear's eyes.

A sweet story of friendship and giving. Young readers will see how giving away a favorite toy to others is a great gift in itself.

Hazel, the terminal teenage narrator, would not like this to be called a cancer story. And she would cringe at the term, teen romance. It is a matter of life and death and how we face both. A witty, poignant novel for readers of all ages.

Play one of your old vinyls as you "skateboard" down Telegraph Avenue. With an over the top writing style, Choban creates an engaging plot and cast of "characters" you hate to leave behind. What a ride!!!!

I met Vita Sinopoli and her family on a group tour of Sicily a few years ago. In her 80's, she was taking her family to meet some of her relatives in a small Sicilian village. I was immediately drawn to her spunk, sense of adventure, good humor and the unwavering love and admiration of her family companions. During one of our conversations, she mentioned having written a book about growing up in Boston's "Little Italy", the North End. And so I read her book, the story of a second generation Italian growing up in Boston's North End ( 1927-1958). She not only shares her memories of the time, but also many simple, delicious recipes. Her inscription in the book she sent me read, "To remember is to honor the past". I will never forget Vita.

Born into Somali royalty and Saudi-Arabian wealth, Fatma is given away in infancy and married at age 12 in an arranged marriage which brings her to America. Here she attempts to take control of her life, but ends up on a path of self-destruction. Ultimately, Fatm's story is one of courage and hope as she navigates a cultural divide, faces her "demons" and herself. Ms. Labozzetta write a compelling, current coming to America story...a must read.

With poignancy and humor, Diaz explores love and loss.The heart and soul of these connected stories is irresistible Yunior who understands firsthand "this is how you lose her". Diaz has written another treasure!

It's 1974 and an aerialist walks a tightrope between the twin towers. McCann cleverly pulls us into the lives of 6 other New Yorkers who walk "tightropes" of love and loss. What a ride. I have to read it again.

F.ScottFitgerald must have been Towles' muse...what a delight to get lost in the images and characters of 1930's New York City. Pour yourself a gin and let Katey Kontent show you a glimpse of classes and choices that define our lives. I can't wait for Towles' next novel.

Tyler's misfit characters tug your heartstrings with this story about the unexpected death of a spouse. For those of us who have lost a spouse or known someone dealing with grief, unresolved issues and living life again, the story rings true as we learn how to say good-bye.

If you liked Shadow of the Wind, you will enjoy following familiar characters through another intriguing maze and when you get to the last page you will be pleased to see seeds sown for the next installment!

Shadow of the Wind has it all: intrigue, romance, humor and compelling characters who take you on a tour of Barcelona which will make you long to see it for yourself!