99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

I loved the author's first book The Hating Game and have been anxiously awaiting her newest. I waited for years! Worth it. Granted I still hold the first one as my favorite, but I couldn't put this one down! The main character is tough, funny, and full of problems which makes her feel so real. Humor abounds and the romance was enchanting though a bit drawn out. Definitely worth a read if you like contemporary romance.

Rating: 4/5
Pages: 368

Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this novel about twin sisters with psychic abilities set in Saint Louis. One twin, Vi, has embraced her supernatural powers and the other, Kate, has not. Vi has a vision that there will be an earth quake and seeks to warn her community of its impending devastation. The reader must read on to find out what happens.

Meanwhile, Kate, embraces a life of tradition and predictability as a stay at home mom of two children. I really liked this book for the reason that many reviewers disliked it. Kate's day to day of caring for small children is represented in a way I could really relate to. For example Sittenfeld writes, "Rosie’s clothes smelled like the teachers, which wasn’t to say the teachers smelled bad—just that there was no denying Rosie had been elsewhere." I just sent my son to daycare two weeks ago. While I love that he is cuddled and cared for while I am away, it is strange to have him come home to me smelling like another woman. 416 pages.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Becky Albertalli is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

First off, she has a fantastic name, which is completely irrelevant to people not named Becky.

Second, this book was so much fun to read that my face aches from smiling so much.

Third, Simon was one of my favorite 2015 reads, and I didn't think anything new could touch that adorable, huggable book. But I was wrong. This story was so enjoyable and relatable.

Fourth, a lot of YA gets heavy, regardless of genre. Albertalli's books have a way of tackling real issues in a way that's fresh and easy. It doesn't take anything away from the seriousness of a topic, but she also doesn't try to pulverize my heart, which I appreciate.

Fifth, the characters are authentic and delightfully teenagery. That should be a word. Just roll with it.

Sixth, the writing is funny.

Seventh, the pacing is solid.

Eighth, the parental units, actually most of the adults in the story, are decent, layered, and running the show as is typical of the real world.

Ninth, the depictions of neurotic first love/crush behaviors are amusing and spot on.

Tenth, Molly's voice is so earnest and honest, even when she's being unreasonably hard on herself. It's nice watching her grow, but it's realistic in showing that people change and grow slowly. It's more about the process, and evolving, not about achieving perfection.

Pages: 338

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Cutting for Stone is an absolutely beautiful story about love and medicine.  It is first the forbidden love of a beautiful Indian nun and a British doctor, both of whom are working in a small clinic/hospital in mid-twentieth century Ethiopia.  Next there is the love between their twin boys, who are left orphaned by her death during their birth and his disappearance.  Then there is the family love that evolves between their adopted parents, the two doctors who delivered them, and the babies.  Also, there is the love of the country, the images, sounds, and smells brought sympathetically to life by Dr. Abraham Verghese.  Conflict arises when both of the boys love a young woman they grew up with -- their housekeeper's daughter.
 
667 pages