Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
I have absolutely loved everything I’ve read by Kristin Hannah, and my friend, Sharon, said she enjoyed all the pop culture references in Firefly Lane. Starting in 1974, the novel traces the friendship of the more reserved Katie and her wild best friend Tully. For more than thirty years they are a part of each other’s lives, and with that kind of history comes a bit of heartache and drama. Honestly, there were moments where this book didn’t feel as polished as some of her others, but it reminded me a lot of the movie Beaches with a touch of Terms of Endearment. I’d recommend Firefly Lane to fans of either.
The Leaving by Tara Altebrando
A young adult recommendation from my students, The Leaving centers around the return of five children believed to have been abducted 11 years prior. The trouble is that while six disappeared, only five came back. Those who returned have no memory of their captivity, and their struggle to remember makes up most of the book. I’ve got to admit, I could not put this one down. The plot was fast paced and suspenseful, and it got me thinking about memory and childhood and experiences. I’d recommend to all YA fiction fans and those who are just looking for a good book to read while relaxing on spring break.
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
I totally dig true crime, and this book showed up on my desk as a recommendation from my coworker, Ryan. It tells the story of Ted Bundy through through the lens of Ann Rule, a former Seattle police officer, who volunteered alongside Bundy answering phones for a crisis hotline. Even as Rule’s career shifted from patrolling the streets towards writing about her experiences, she and Bundy maintained contact. The story of Ted Bundy is interesting enough on its own, but hearing it from the perspective of somebody close to him is even more mind blowing. I’d recommend this book as a must read for all true crime fans as well as anybody, like myself, who has a strange fascination with serial killers.
Fly Away by Kristin Hannah
The sequel to Firefly Lane, Fly Away continues the story of Tully and Kate via the viewpoints of Tully and Marah. I don’t feel like I should summarize the sequel in the same post as the original for risk of spoilers. But, if you do read Firefly Lane and enjoy it, then I think Fly Away is worth your while. It’s always nice to see where characters you have grown to care about end up in life.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Thematically similar to its predecessor, The Hate U Give, On the Come Up is set in the same fictional neighborhood of Garden Heights. Bri, the main character, dreams of becoming a rapper. She has the talent, but her life is riddled with complications. Her mom, Jay, is a recovering addict. Her brother, Trey, has turned down the opportunity of grad school to help the family financially. Her father, a budding rapper himself, was gunned down by gangsters. Her aunt, Pooh, although one of Bri’s biggest supporters, is a drug dealer involved with the Garden Disciples gang. Still, Bri tries to make it as an artist, figuring it’s the only way she can help her family. Throughout the course of the novel, Bri needs to do some soul searching. Her rap persona is not exactly matching up with her reality. I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy YA literature as well as those with a particular interest in race relations.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
This book is getting a lot of buzz, so I definitely wanted to check it out. Following Lale, a young Jewish man, as he volunteers for his brother to submit to the Nazis and finds himself at a concentration camp, The Tattooist of Auschwitz was obviously a powerful read. What made it stand out to me was the moments of true human tenderness (hate that word, but it works) that is intertwined with the horrific reality of the Holocaust. Desperate to survive, Lale winds up as the tattooist, inking numbers into the prisoners as they arrive at camp. This book was full of characters that I grew to care about deeply, and the plot was suspenseful and engaging. I’d recommend The Tattooist of Auschwitz to anybody who enjoys historical fiction with a romantic flair.
Next Level Basic by Stassi Schroeder
After a serious read, I always like to lighten it up a bit, so what better way than by reading the self-touted “definitive basic bitch handbook”? I rarely veer towards self-help books, but I love Vanderpump Rules, and Stassi has always been my favorite. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit, but I read this in one day. Throughout the chapters, Stassi encourages her “Khaleesis” to embrace their inner basicness and weirdness. She praises quirkiness while sharing her own experiences and opinions on fashion, relationships, beauty, etc. It was an easy read; I honestly felt like I was curling up with a copy of US Weekly. But, it was the perfect breezy summer book for those, like me, who love them some VPR. Note: Those of you who aren’t into BRAVO television and trashy reality TV might not dig this one, but I sure did.
