And the Mountains Echoed

By Khaled Hosseini 

As many streams flow into a central river, so does this novel by esteemed author Khaled Hosseini. When Pari is four years old, she is taken to the big city of Kabul, away from her small village family, never to see them again. Abdullah, her older brother has cared for her since the day she was born, as their mother died during Pari's delivery. Their father, remarried, works day and night to provide for his family in this poor village in Afghanistan. The separation of Pari and her brother begins a chain of effects lasting through decades and changing the lives of everyone it touches. Written with beautiful language, these chapters are almost short stories in themselves woven together with the central thread of Pari, who spends her life mystified by an empty void she does not understand and Abdullah, who never fully accepts the loss of the special bond they shared. Do not get frustrated by the numerous names, dates and places. This is an enjoyable read but one must pay close attention as it jumps forward and back through time.  A must read for summer!
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The Storyteller

By Jodi Picoult

Sage Singer is a twenty five year old lost soul. At such a young age Sage feels she has lost everything has ever mattered. Her parents, her beauty, her friends and sadly, her hope. Living in a small town in New Hampshire, Sage has spent her life in the shadows of her outspoken sisters and questionable faith. She squirrels herself away as a baker, working nights for an ex-nun and sleeping all day while the world spins forward without her. Until Sage meets Josef Weber. A 95 yr old German man could that will change her path and life forever. Sage is deeply connected to her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, who has never shared her past but continued on to a loving full life. The Storyteller is more than another Holocaust story of survival. The moral codes of guilt, forgiveness and regret are dissected through a story within a story. Jodi Picoult never fails to amaze the reader with her intricate web of characters connecting in ways never imagined. There is no doubt that she is the ultimate storyteller. Don not miss this awesome summer read!
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Oleander Girl

By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Fall in love with Korobi Roy as she takes us on a journey through friendship, family, loyalty and secrets of the past.  This most endearing main character finds herself engaged to the man of her dreams, while forced to question everything she ever believed in about her parents, grandparents and most of all, herself. Korobi attends college in Kolkata, India, while living with her grandparents in their ancient beautiful home. Her grandfather is an especially well respected lawyer with a deep rooted family history that makes Korobi the perfect match for Rajat, son of two successful parents enmeshed in their climb of the social ladder. Korobi's honesty and innocence bring out the very best in this young man, Rajat, who is living life in the fast lane. After a confusing vision following her engagement, Korobi finds herself searching for the truth surrounding her parents death. Korobi is determined to understand the mother she has never known and follow her heart, no matter what the cost. From India to America Korobi's mix of strength, curiosity and bravery helps her confront these ghosts, both real and imagined. The author brings the story alive with the sights and smells and sounds of a rambunctious city (so vivid!) and young love of Rajat and Korobi, extremely likeable characters. Similar to my other India favorite's, here is a beautiful story not to be missed. An enjoyable read of a culture both exotic and mysterious that takes the reader to another continent, if only for a few days!
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Maya's Notebook

By Isabel Allende 

Maya Vidal is abandoned by her parents when she is very young. She is raised by her loving, intelligent beautiful grandparents whom she calls Nini and Popo.  When Popo unexpectedly passes away Maya is devastated and this tragedy leaves her despondent and careless. The beautiful, soccer playing girl is now a rebellious, belligerent teenager. Her behavior spirals out of control until she hits the very bottom of our society. This story approaches love, loss and friendship with a mix of spiritual guidance and sometimes magical beliefs. The very brightest star to the absolute lowest point in a humans life is described with extraordinary detail. The happiness and pain comes alive on these pages as the novel unfolds from their artistic home in Berkeley CA to the streets of Las Vegas and finally a remote island off of Chile. This author has a remarkable way to bring the reader into the very hearts and minds of these loveable characters. Do not miss reading this unique, one of a kind story. Excellent!

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Reconstructing Amelia

By Kimberly McCreight

 Amelia is a smart, beautiful, talented teen attending a posh prep school in Brooklyn NY. She has a best friend, plays field hockey and dreams of being in love. Amelias mom Kate has done all that she can to make their family the best it can be. As a single parent with a stressful but satisfying job at a top law firm, Kate may not have enough hours in the day but like most parents she thinks she understands her daughter. When tragedy strikes Kate delves into the details she never knew existed. Emails, texts, facebook and horrid videos announce all the things that have been troubling Amelia. As Kate searches for answers her past collides with her present and everything she once believed is questioned. This suspenseful story with vivid characters analyzes the truth, not necessarily in the eye of the beholder but in the mysterious electronic language of this generation. If you liked Gone Girl, Defending Jacob or This Beautiful Life do not miss this contemporary mesmerizing story which is already in the works for a movie starring Nicole Kidman, perfect! BUY IT NOW! Reconstructing Amelia: A Novel

Mom & Me & Mom

By Maya Angelou 

A beautiful memoir of what it means to be a mother, a daughter and everything in between. In magnificent prose Maya Angelou details her abandonment and lifelong reunion with her dynamic, brilliant and feisty one of a kind mother. Unable to "mother" as she would want to, Vivian Baxter sent 3 yr old Maya and 5 yr old brother Bailey to Arkansas to live with their paternal grandmother. After ten long but loving years they returned to San Francisco and the home of Vivian whom Maya decided to call "Lady." Although at times a very bumpy road Maya's mother never passed up a moment or opportunity to encourage her daughter to the limits of her talent, freedom and womanhood. She was blessed to have Vivian in her life and double blessed to have the ability to look back with such loving reflection. Most importantly, Maya Angelou has the words to share her story with the world. I found myself wanting to take notes. Don't miss this easy enjoyable perfect Mothers Day read!

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald  By Therese Anne Fowler 

The Jazz Age, Writers, Artists, Musicians, Prohibition, the earlier part of the 1900's in NYC, in Paris. A time when art is exploding. People of interest and ideas are displaying and performing art that had previously been reserved and conservative. Zelda Sayre, a beautiful girl filled with wit and talent and charm is swept off her feet in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama by none other than F. Scott Fitzgerald, handsome in a military uniform, consumed with desire for fame and riches he felt he should have been born to. Their tumultuous, love/hate relationship with family, friends and each other fits like a puzzle piece into this time period of risk and risque. Ms. Fowler's historical novel, told in Zelda's voice has the reader immersed in another world, a different place, a far off time. Entranced by this intense romance I could not put down, described in a voice so real, I dreamt of Zelda and Scott, heard their voices, almost tasted the champagne! All on the eve of The Great Gatsby remake arriving onto the big screen! WARNING: DO NOT MISS THIS READ!!!

Fever

FEVER  By Mary Beth Keane    This interesting, sad, historical, true story of Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary! Mary, a beautiful feisty Irish immigrant has made her way to NYC in 1893. She is a fantastic cook and soon finds work in some of the most prominent homes of the time. A few years later Mary is approached by a health inspector/physician and accused of spreading typhoid fever. She is bewildered and distraught and violently responds to their request for testing. Mary is subdued and taken to North Brother Island, a small isolated island adjacent to Manhattan. There, very ill people arrive, never to leave. TB, Diptheria, Typhoid, etc. Mary has never been sick a day and appears healthy and strong. She becomes the first "healthy" carrier and the DOH does not know how to handle the situation. This novel follows Mary's fate and difficult journey through the system. Mary is smart, outspoken and refuses to give up on life. Excellent novel of a subject we do not hear much about. Accurate portrayal of NYC in the early 1900's and relationships within the colorful, loud, immigrant neighborhoods of the lower east side. Highly recommend.

The House Girl

The House Girl By Tara Conklin  

It is the mid 1800's and Josephine, a 17 yr old slave girl that has never stepped foot off of her owners plantation in Virgina wants to/has to/ must! run!  She has been "lucky" if one can see that being a house girl was far better than being a field hand. Josephine's missus teaches her to read and allows her to assist with paintings and drawings that are her saving grace after 17 miscarriages. Josephine is beautiful and has an artistic gift that one can only be born with. Flash forward, Lina Sparrow is a young twenty something lawyer at an elite NYC firm and has taken on the historical case of a lifetime regarding reparations for slave descendants. These two worlds, so separate yet completely connected. Ms. Conklin brings the reader so deeply into the thoughts and hearts of its characters, it's as if you are under a spell as each chapter unfolds. The voices are palpable and while it is quite clear what the heroines should do next, the steps are never that easy. Highly recommend this amazing story of love and hope and dreams of freedom.

Lean In

Lean In By Sheryl Sandberg

Sheryl Sandberg is the COO at facebook. She wears many hats; mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and high powered businesswoman. She wears them well. Lean In is about passion, living life to the fullest, and her personal experiences in the workforce. It describes Sheryl's compelling journey, the influential people she has met and her personal and sometimes public unease with the gender gap in the work place. After confirming a pattern in the many successful women and men she spoke with (and quotes) throughout this book, Sheryl Leaned In and faced her fears by chronicling her journey. There are a number of reasons to read this book, some you will agree with, some you will not,  but the most vital lesson is it is never too late to LEAN IN.

The Light Between Oceans

The Light Between Oceans By M.L. Stedman   Life. Death. War. Love. The world does not stop spinning and the waves do not stop crashing on the rocky islands surrounding southern Australia. It is post WWI and Tom is an honored, brave soldier that is trying to rebuild his life and put the death and destruction he witnessed behind him. He falls in love with Isabel in a small town just as he is beginning his post as lighthouse keeper on a rocky deserted island 100 miles away, called Janus. They marry and live in their own little world, isolated from all of civilization. The only voices they hear are each others and there is nothing they would not do in the name of love. But things are not always easy and there is a fine line between right and wrong. They are struggling with protecting their happiness at whatever the cost, convincing themselves the circumstances allow it. This novel is a love story, it is a debate of moral values, of family and friendship. The best lesson, forgiving -  you only have to do once, anger you have to feed continuously. Quite interestingly, and not a spoiler, the author M.L., I was positive! was a male and it turned out to be a woman. It is shockingly her first novel and sure to be a smash success!! Do not miss this one!!! Highly recommend this excellent read!!

Lessons in French

Lessons in French By Hilary Reyl 

Katie has just graduated from Yale, it is 1989 and she is an aspiring artist. Her mom has struggled to provide for her and desperately wishes Katie to follow a more substantial path with a promising future. Through friends of friends she has discovered an opportunity she cannot resist, to assist a famous photographer in Paris called Lydia Schell. It sounds too good to be true, Paris, romance, culture and meeting other inspiring artists. Although she will struggle financially and work hard to avert her mothers growing worries and disappointments, Katie is on the quickest flight to France she can find. In addition to all she hoped Katie also finds, lies, subversion, manipulation and the craziest household she has ever witnessed. The dynamics of those around her are both interesting and scary and Katie learns to find her own "style" and true self. Thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age story. Great characters, love Paris and enjoyable story!

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon 

Kamila Sidiqi and her sisters find themselves trapped in Kabul during the Taliban regime. They are educated modern devout women from a large family. Of the nine girls in the family, Mr. Sidiqi, a former military man, insisted that all his girls are fully educated, independent and self sufficient. Although things had never been easy the Sidiqi family had learned to manage and live life to the fullest despite the constant fighting and political upheaval throughout their beloved Afghanistan. When the Taliban arrives in the late 90's, times are not just difficult and they are finally impossible. For their own safety, the men are forced to temporarily leave Kabul and Kamila and her sisters have to find a way to survive. They stick together, and with a tremendous amount of ingenuity, hope and perseverance reach success they had only dreamed of. Ms. Lemmon, a reporter/writer, business student, details this amazing family and the brave people of their community. Easy to read, hard to imagine, more personal than a news brief, don't miss this intimate account of these amazing inspiring young women!

Gift From the Sea

Gift From the Sea  By Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Usually when we read books written long ago we can relish in how different life was "back then" or how much times have changed. It is amazing how this collection of essays by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a poetic, magical writer, has captured the timeless essence of women. For mothers, sisters, friends, everyday life which includes your hopes and dreams, past, present and future. She says so much in so few pages leaving the reader craving more of her words. Fifty years after its publication, nothing has changed because what mankind ("womankind") holds deep in the heart is  true for all people in all places and at all times. A book to read over and over, I highly recommend this uplifting work of art that is truly the authors never ending gift to us.

The Last Letter from your Lover

The Last Letter from your Lover  By Jojo Moyes 

This enchanting novel takes the reader inside of an old fashioned romance. Laurence and Jennifer Stirling, a wealthy married couple in 1950's, London. Jennifer is miserable, her husband is critical of every move she makes and every word she says. Her job is to look beautiful on his arm and be available when he needs her company. Jennifer is sad, she is lonely, she accepts this existence as she feels this is her job as a wife. Until she meets Anthony, a writer and although she knows it is wrong, she falls madly and passionately in love. Circumstances change her entire destiny. Skip forward 40 years and meet Ellie Haworth, a 32 year old writer in love with a married man. Ellie is anxious about the future of her job at the newspaper and her romance with an unavailable man. Until she meets Rory, until he shows her the beautiful, long lost letters and Ellie searches for the truth in love. Enjoyable, if a bit predictable, Ms. Moyes most certainly has a way with words and a creative mind and heart. Recommend this read!

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky  By Heidi Durrow

Rachel is the sole survivor of a horrible accident. Afterwards, she is sent to live with her grandmother in Portland, Oregon. A neighborhood where she looks different than all the other children. Rachels mother was Danish, and she has inherited her shockingly blue eyes, while her dark skin, hair and other features are a unique combination of both her parents. This novel follows Rachel as she grows up. She is teased at school, lonely and always searching for love and friendship. A bright, beautiful girl, Rachel struggles with who she is, who she came from and most importantly, who she is going to be. This story is a touching, heartfelt journey surrounding the consequences of a tragedy and maybe explaining it at the same time. I highly recommend this interesting read. It is well written and without a doubt something to think about.

The Aviator's Wife

The Aviator's Wife  By Melanie Benjamin    Anne Morrow Lindbergh married Lucky Lindy, Charles Lindbergh after  graduating from Smith College in 1929. Anne, the shy, intelligent daughter of a banker/Ambassador father and socialite mother, surprised even herself marrying this famous American hero just a short while after his monumental solo transatlantic flight to Paris. They begin a life filled with travel, family, adventure and intrigue only to be hounded and tortured by the press and publicity that they could only escape in the silence of the sky. This beautifully written historical novel unravels the mystery behind this famous couple, mostly revered for Charles's flying but there is so much more! Through these dire times of change Anne was the strength behind her beloved children and husband. It took Anne a long time to find her voice and credit herself for accomplishments both public and private. Highly recommend this incredible story, and loved the way the author detailed her path of discovery as an afterword. Don't miss this great read!

The Boy

The Boy By Lara Santoro      Anna lives with her little girl Eva in New Mexico. After bizarre snips of conversation with even more off the wall characters, Anna is described as a free spirit who has left her cheating ex husband who resides in England. After much difficulties in every area of her life Anna has decided to focus completely on her daughter who ironically takes care of her mother much more than the other way around. Until, The Boy. The Boy who is the twenty year old son of her good friend and neighbor. The Boy that makes Anna's mouth ache. A lot happens in this rather short novel. It is a miracle that one can follow the sarcasm, wit, deep dark humor of this unique group of characters as it twists and turns so abruptly but somehow you know what's going on. Most likely it is because this writing is so articulate, intense and original it drags you deeper and deeper into these lives, to places you are not sure you want to go. The storyline is probably less crazy than I would like to believe but it is a quick read and I recommend it if only to experience this style of writing not often seen.

Miss Timmins' School for Girls

Miss Timmins' School for Girls 
By Nayana Currimbouy  

In 1974, Charulatta Apte is a young girl living with her parents in India. She is an only child and the loving light of her parents life. Charu is a smart, shy girl who lives on the edge of society due to a "blot," as she calls the scarlet birthmark, on the side of her face. The blot defines her life as she knows it and Charu has never been brave enough to venture out of the shell she created. After college Charu gets a job teaching English literature in a small mountain village boarding school. Miss Timmins' School for Girls is based on the British system and ideals of the missionaries of times past. Charu learns about love, loss, sexuality and her own inner strength after the mysterious death of a fellow teacher called Prince. A coming of age story with a murder mystery, this Indian novel contains the smells, sounds and quirky language of young girls in search for acceptance and happiness. If you enjoy the novels of India, this is a must read.

What Alice Forgot

What Alice Forgot By Liane Moriarty    While Alice is cycling away in her Friday Spin Class, she becomes dizzy, falls, bumps her head and so begins what Alice forgot. Alice has forgotten the last ten years. She does not know her three children, she thinks she is 29 and happily married, while in actuality she is 39 and in the middle of a nasty divorce. Her younger, happy, carefree spirit is shocked by the very "busy", angry lady she has become. While Alice tries to figure out what has become of her life and waits for her memory to return, she has to contend with her affection for her ex husband, distant sister, remarried mother and her apparent boyfriend. This witty, laughable satire is one any woman could relate to. The freedom, hope and bright light of a young marriage is extinguished by crying babies, lack of sleep, lost career and growing resentment of the spouse flourishing in the business world, choosing office success over stress at home. What Alice Forgot makes the reader remember. Loved this adorable novel, highly recommend this fun read.