The Nest

The Nest by Cynithia D'Aprix Sweeny, is a novel about four grown siblings in a very dysfunctional New York family each counting on a nest egg from their deceased father. All four have their reasons for wanting the money, yet one brother gets himself in trouble and almost all the money goes to bailing him out. What ensues is a complex story of how each of the siblings tries to deal with the problem alone and through coming together as a family.

This is such a well written book that it made me care about these mostly unlikeable characters and their problems. I was completely pulled into their story, their journey and their ultimate transformation. A great read.

The Secrets She Keeps

The Secrets She Keeps by Deb Caletti is a novel based on the divorce ranches that existed in Nevada in the 50's. Women would come and stay for six weeks to get residency, then legally get a divorce. The atmosphere was often like a big party, with cocktails and dancing and city women falling for cowboys, there were Hollywood stars who came and of course a lot of heartbreak.

Caletti moves back and forth from present day to the Summer of 1951 when something happened at Tamarosa Ranch that has been kept secret all these years. Although somewhat predictable, it's a good story and a good read. I could almost feel the wild Mustangs running by!

Sweetbitter

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler is a novel about a small town girl in her early 20's who comes to NYC and lands a job as a backwaiter at New York's most popular restaurant, which is hard to believe to start with. The novel spans the course of her first year in New York where she has an awakening through sex, drugs, and food.

I didn't love this book as much as the critics did, but I thought it was a good debut novel.

Cleopatra's Shadows

Cleopatra's Shadows is the debut novel by Emily Holleman. It is historical fiction based on the lives of Cleopatra's lesser known sisters, younger sister Arsinoe and older half-sister Berenice who became the first Queen to rule Egypt alone in a thousand years.

Interesting from an historic perspective about Ptolemaic Alexandria, yet Holleman never drew me in enough to care deeply about any of the characters in the book, and there was not enough written about the larger picture outside the palace walls; I was left with more questions than answers. A disappointing read about an intriguing royal family.

Sweet Salt Air

Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky is set on an imaginary island off the coast of Maine.Two childhood friends who spent Summers there growing up reunite after not seeing each other for ten years. They come together to work together on a cookbook based on island food, rich with local recipes including somewhat magical herbs that are an island secret.

Secrets are uncovered and both women's lives changed forever by what they discover during this Summer. Delinsky is a great storyteller and with just the right amount of mystery, romance and a great setting, she pulled me in. This is the kind of book that sweeps you away and transports you to another place.

I found the ending a bit predictable, but it was fun while it lasted.