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Crossroads (2021) is the first novel I’ve read by Jonathan Franzen, an author who made a big splash when his first novel, The Corrections, was released, just over twenty years ago now. Franzen has gone on to write other popular novels (with single word titles), including Freedom and Purity, along with multiple essay collections.

Rating: 5/5

This conversational collection of essays is great reading or listening. In American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures (2018), 32 authors share their personal experiences growing up in America as 1st or 2nd generation Americans. Some vignettes cover a specific childhood incident; others reflecting, as the children of immigrants, on their parents’ choices; still others speak on current matters.

Tin Man (2018) is a slim volume packed full with beauty and emotion. It's a story about love - young love, first love, friendship, hidden love, lost love and all the heartbreak that ensues. It's a coming-of-age story of two young boys who find solace in each other after the loss of and rejection from their parents. It's a bittersweet study of loneliness, grief and acceptance.

Gone Girl (2012) by Gillian Flynn had been on my radar for a few years but once I finally paid it the attention it deserves I was glad I did! I liked it so much that when I finished, I immediately checked out the audiobook on Libby so I could listen to it with my spouse.

When love begins to blossom while she's at a romantic comedy themed resort, can Julia trust it? Or is her supposed real-life love story just part of the show?

One Of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

When the creator of a high school gossip app mysteriously dies in front of four high-profile students, all four become suspects. It's up to them to solve the case.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is a heart lifting story about finding your voice, LGBTQ+ representation, friendship and love. This is a quick read with a happy ending. The character Anne wants to get into college and tries to find a way to become more involved in after school activities after a meeting with her guidance counselor. While Bebe is trying to figure out life after coming out and joining the cheerleading squad as the first transgender cheerleader. This graphic novel is a definite must read!

With her latest book, Mercy Street (2022), novelist Jennifer Haigh explores the nua

Tokyo Ever After is a great book to read if you enjoyed the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. The characters in this story were really interesting and worked well with each other. Zoom Zoom is a teenage just trying to understand who she is and where she comes from, finding out she’s a princess in Japan is a big surprise. Her friends are her found family and help support her through the changes of her new life. Zoom Zoom not only has to navigate culture shock and her new fame but she also falls in love and doesn't know who to trust. I enjoyed reading her journey. 

Molly Gray is an excellent hotel maid, completing her daily tasks by returning rooms to a “state of perfection.” She is less successful at connecting with people, struggling with social awkwardness and unkind coworkers. Her life changes dramatically when she discovers Mr. Black dead in his bed.

Unbroken (2014) by Laura Hillenbrand tells the remarkable story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini.  Louis was made to run by his brother Pete, who saw the boy had talent but realized that it would also keep him out of trouble.  He eventually went on to compete in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, where he shook Hitler's hand.