The Quiet Game by Greg Iles

Penn Cage is a very successful writer of John Grisham type legal novels.  But his wife has just died after a long battle with cancer and he decides to return to his childhood home of Natchez, Mississippi to heal.  He and his young daughter Annie are just getting settled when Penn inadvertently rips open an old unsolved murder.  Many people try to pressure him to stay away from the case but the more they press Penn, the more resolved he becomes to uncover the truth.  Fans of John Grisham will love the action and legal maneuvering in this story.  There are few explicit sex scenes that seemed a little out of place.  Overall though, I thought this book was a very engrossing read and it made me want to visit Natchez! 564 pages.

Amped by Daniel H. Wilson, read by Robbie Daymond

Fast forward to a future where scientists have developed a technological "cure" for ADHD, fetal alcohol and Downs syndrome.  A brain implant allows disadvantaged kids to succeed, no excel, in school and work.  The only problem is that now the "normal" kids and their parents are feeling disadvantaged. They unite behind a powerful politician. The result is predictable: disenfranchisement, segregation, persecution.  Unabridged audio book, 8 hours 42 minutes. 288 pages.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help tells the story of three women living in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s. Ms. Skeeter is a young woman trying to find her place in the world. She is a struggling author who decides to write about the plight of the African-American domestic help living in her community. Through her we are introduced to Aibileen, a gentle woman whose patient and caring nature often brings the voice of reason into situations and Minny, a spunky woman who has trouble holding her tongue and as a result, her job as well. This book came highly recommended by a friend and does not disappoint. This is Kathryn Stockett's first book and she did a fine job. 544 p.