Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Rating: Good
This is a coming of age book, and a good YA novel.  It is based in the 80's and the descriptions in the book will be nostalgic for those who were teenagers at this time.  Eleanor is a not so pretty new girl in school.  When she gets on the bus her first day, she is befriended by the reluctant Park.  There story goes through the typical desire of adolescence that most adults are familiar with, but what amazed me about the book is Park's parents. They were the good guys.  The ones that raised Park the right way. He doesn't care that she is a little heavier then other girls.  He isn't afraid to be her boyfriend, and he defends her when the other kids make fun of her, and play mean jokes on her. His parents allow Eleanor to seek refuge from her abusive family at their house, and allow Park to help her through the difficult times.  It is a story about a first love full of emotions and conflicts, but it also shows how to be a good friend.  

The Hurricane Sisters
by Dorothea Benton Frank
Rating Great!
The Hurricane Sisters is a fun book that will make you laugh out loud in some parts, and make you think in others. The book has it all from an eccentric grandmother Maisie, a cheating husband Clayton, Liz a mother, wife and daughter who is dealing with the family, Ashley the struggling artist, Ivy (nickname for IV) the gay son,  Mary Beth, Ashley's roommate and partner in crime, and Ashley's politician boyfriend name Parker. The mix of characters makes for a rich story about family, support, and life. The four women learn to except each others faults and strengths to become stronger themselves. Like most of Ms. Frank's books, it is based in Charleston SC and the descriptions and language in the book is typical southern.  The scenery is picturesque, and of course there is a hurricane brewing.

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion and the Fall of Imperial Russia
by, Candace Fleming
Rating: Good, non-fiction
I picked this book up for my mother who is visiting Russia in a few weeks, and decided to read it myself.  I did not know that the book was considered to be a middle school, or a very young YA book.  It didn't take long to figure that out. My rating is based on the idea that the reader is a young person.
The book is an easy historical read for the audience that it intended to reach.
A very general picture of the conditions of the Russian people, and the clueless Tsar and his family. There are quotes from letters written from families, both the royals and commoners. Very good for a reference in a middle school history or an English project.

Save the Date by, Mary Kay Andrews
Rating: Not so Wonderful

Cara, is a recently divorced florist in Savannah Georgia that is struggling to keep her business a float, while juggling a new puppy, an assistant that is recently out of rehab, and a new love affair. She is faced with more problems, from her over bearing father that loaned her money to start Bloom, as well as a famous florist from South Carolina that is expanding into Savannah.
The main character is often flustered, always defensive towards men, and on the verge of failure. (sound familiar?) Instead of concentrating on the floral shop and it's success, the reader is taken on a journey of multiple weddings where Cara is portrayed more as a friend then a florist. It would have been nice to have Cara in her shop instead of the many unrealistic escapades not preformed by a florist. Her involvement into the personal lives of her clients makes the story even more unbelievable  Mary Kay Andrews books are enjoyable for their wit and Southern charm, Save the Date didn't have either.  

The Last Magazine

The Last Magazine by Michael Hastings
Rating: Really Good
When I was reading this book I thought it was GREAT!  As I got towards the end of the book I thought that the language and sexual escapades were to explicit. Michael Hasting is a young intern at "The Magazine" a news periodical.  The book describes the people that he works with, and his responsibilities. Michael is hired as a research assistant and wants to be a traveling news correspondent like A.E. Peoria. A.E. Peoria is sent to Iraq when the US invades. He is caught in a assault on the military unit he is riding with as a reporter.  His experience instead of promoting his career causes a major set back.  Hastings is trying to impress both the international editor and the managing editor, both who are trying to out preform each other for the position of editor and chief of the magazine.  The book shows the journalism side to major events in the 21st century, from the genocide in Chad, the  invasion of Iraq, and hurricane Katrina to name a few. The author Michael Hastings was a journalist for NewsWeek, a contributor to Rolling Stones, and Gentleman's Quarterly.  He was killed in a car accident in 2013.  This book was found on his computer by his wife, and thought to be one of the first books he wrote.

I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You

I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You
by Courtney Maum
Rating: Totally stumped!
The story is told from the prospective of Richard, a man who cheated on his beautiful wife, and of course got caught.  It was interesting reading about this from a male perspective.  A different twist from the ordinary. Richard is an artist and his wife is a lawyer and they reside in Paris.  He loves his wife Ann, but thinks he loves his mistress, then realizes that he really loves Ann, after being dumped by his mistress.   When Ann is pregnant with their first child Richard paints a picture of a scene looking through a key hole at a vibrant blue bear.  The painting loses its sentimental meaning to the couple, when the affair is known to Ann, and the painting is sold.  Richard has to deliver the painting to a man name Dave in England where the mistress now resides, and is engaged to a man name Dave.  Here the book gets kind of weird.  The title threw me for a loop too.  No one is having "Fun" in this book.  Did I miss some inside joke? I keep looking at the cover. Is it suppose to be cynical?  Enlighten me please!! I'm ready for that OH, I get it moment.

The Husband's Secret

The Husband's Secret by, Liane Moriarty
Rating: Great
I read this book in January and liked it so much it was my book club choice for this year.  July is my month to host, and I reread the book for it to be fresh in my mind.  I can say I liked it as much the second time. How well does anyone really know the people that are closest to them?Once their secrets are revealed, the responsibility of knowing also becomes yours.
Cecilia Fitzpatrick finds a letter address to her in a box of old bank statements that is from her husband.  On the letter is her name and open after my death.  Cecilia is a good wife and wants to abide by his wishes but the letter is controlling her thoughts.  Tess with her husband Will, and cousin Felicity own and advertising company.  When her marriage is on the rocks she goes back to her hometown, to stay with her mother. She enrolls her son into her old elementary school.  Rachel is an elderly lady that works in the school office that both Tess and Cecilia's children attend. Rachel's daughter Janey was murdered as a teenager, and would have been around the age of Tess and Cecilia if she had lived.  All three women barley know each other, but their lives are intertwined by secrets. Excellent writing by Liane Moriarty. Fantastic plot and characters.  A GoodReads Best of 2013