Author: Chanel Cleeton
Drama, 1935 Florida, strong female characters

Follow the lives of three very different women in this drama/romance set in a time period of Florida rich in unknown history-- at least history unknown to me. A storm organically weaves the characters lives together, a setting provides a turbulent backdrop, and a time creates plot elements that will be new and refreshing to most readers.  

Cleeton knows how to create a plot that is engaging and educates the reader in cultural and historical aspects.  Not only are you entertained, you feel time well spent in gaining an understanding.  If you enjoy this novel, Cleeton has also written a novel which takes the reader to 1958 Cuba and the build up to the revolution.  Next Year in Havana also delivers in aspects of suspense, romance, and historical fiction that takes you to that setting and time. 

Author: Mia P. Manansala
Light mystery, Asian-American culture, fun read

After a rough break up, Lila moves back home to help with the family restaurant. "Home" is packed with amusing Filipino "aunties" and a culture built around food and family.  Add in a couple murders and you have a delightful cozy mystery. 

Are there better mysteries out there? Yes, but this one is worth your time for the bonuses it give: the language and dialogue are fun and amusing, the glimpse into Asian-American culture is worthwhile, and the story line is entertaining. A perfect summer read!

Author: Laura Dave
Mystery; strength of love, and commitment.

Have you ever savored an exceptional chocolate? In that moment it is your total experience, you know you'll pop a Hershey's kiss tomorrow, but this has set the standard for chocolate.  The Last Thing He Told Me sets the standard for what mysteries should be, you'll go back to reading other mysteries but you will remember this one. 

Hannah's husband of one year leaves her a note saying, "protect her," then vanishes. "Her" is Bailey, a 16 year old step daughter. The plot of course thickens. Hannah and Bailey set out to discover what is behind the disappearance, unweaving a mystery neither knew.  The main characters are well developed, those on the edges are a little vague and unsettling, the right amount to create a suspenseful plot.  The plot evolves one step in front of unknown danger as Hannah determines who she can trust. 

Like that exceptional chocolate, you'll want to devour this in one sitting so don't start it unless you have the time to set sleep, work, and family aside.

Author: Paula McLain
Strong women; Martha Gellhorn, Hemingway's 3rd wife 

This is Paula McLain's second book that follows a wife of Ernest Hemingway, the first was The Paris Wife and followed the life of his second wife, Hadley.  Love and Ruin follows Martha Gellhorn and her time with Hemingway. 

McLain is a strong writer, the people are real and you experience what is happening to them.  Gellhorn was impressive on her own, without her connection with the famous Hemingway. She was very independent and a celebrated war correspondent at a time when women were expected to report on recipes and child rearing. 

The strongest parts of the novel follow Gellhorn's career and experiences in different wars. Where the book lags is when she's waiting for Hemingway, for his moods, his boyish pursuits, his ego to recover. At first I was bothered by the attention to Hemingway, but in the end you realize so was Gellhorn. 

Author:  Matt Haig
Time "travel," unusual romance

Tom Hazard has been alive for centuries, but is forced to move every eight years in order to keep the secret.  His latest relocation is as a high school history teacher in the 21st century, what better profession for a man who has lived history and met many of the greats.  Through Hazard's memories we also learn about his past life and loves, met the characters who helped and haunt him. 

The story is quirky, engaging, and somehow the author makes it feel real.  Great book to pick up if you're ready for something a little different.  

Women are taught from an early age to play it safe, urged to be careful, complimented for being nice and pretty, steered away from activities where we might fail.  Meanwhile, boys are encouraged to speak up, get dirty, take risks, and get up and try again if they fall down.  What happens?  We create girls who can get straight A's in grade school but have a hard time claiming success and happiness in the adult world where being perfect is impossible to claim. 

I was a school counselor for 28 years. Reshma Saujani described almost every girl and boy I worked with. Girls were the valedictorians, they knew how to get a perfect GPA. They were also the most stressed, with highest anxiety, most likely to drop out of college when they failed their first test. Boys, who had experience in failing and falling down, weren't expected to be perfect, often went on to have a better adult life experience. We need to start raising, teaching, and encouraging our girls to be brave and give up the notion that anyone needs to be perfect.  

Read this book for yourself and every girl you can influence to be stronger and happier.