The Guineveres by Sarah Domet

Four girls, each named Guinevere, are all one another have after their parents have tragically abandoned them at The Sisters of Supreme Adoration convent and have left in the care of Sister Fran. The Guineveres, better known as Vere, Gwen, Ginny, and Win are bound together by their name and stand together through all of the circumstances of their plain lives at the convent. Together they learn about God, history, and contrary to the nuns' wishes, sex. With nobody to rely on but themselves and the dream of life outside the convent, the Guineveres form a tight bond and assuage their longing for the family members that have abandoned them. In this coming of age story, the Guineveres struggle to maintain their essence while exploring both their faith and their dreams.

The Guineveres is the first novel from new author Sarah Domet. With beautiful prose the insular world of Catholicism is alluringly detailed. With alternating chapters on less likely known saints, Domet does a wonderful job of illustrating the role of saints in the Catholic church, explaining the importance of Communion, and the flaws of those within the church. 

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

Meet Abby and Gretchen. It’s 1988; they’re 16 and have been best friends since the fourth grade. They both attend Charleston, South Carolina’s prestigious Albemarle Academy.  Gretchen comes from a wealthy if distant family and Abby…does not.  Abby and Gretchen have a great friendship.  Closer than sisters, they’re always together no matter what their parents think.  One evening during an attempt to take acid, Gretchen, Abby and a two other friends run around a country estate waiting for the drug to kick in.  Gretchen gets the great idea to go skinny-dipping and before the others can stop her, she’s ripped off her clothes and dashed through the woods towards the river.  The others realize what Gretchen hasn’t: the tide is out, affecting the depth of this part of the river.  Abby races through the woods trying to find her friend.  She finally finds Gretchen cold and muddy a few hours later.   While it seems like crisis has been averted, their problems are just beginning.

It begins with Gretchen not being able to sleep.  Her parents say they hear weird sounds coming from her room at all hours.  She loses weight.  She won’t shower.  She rarely talks to any of her friends and when she does, manages to say or do something outrageously nasty.  Abby tried to appeal to Gretchen’s parents but gets a typical “We know our daughter.  She’s fine.”  This is genteel, southern code for “We don’t talk about our problems out loud and we certainly wouldn’t talk about them with YOU.”  In a desperate plea, Abby tells Gretchen’s mother the whole story of what happened the night Gretchen started to act strange.  Before she knows it, she’s been accused of dealing drugs and is forbidden to see her best friend.  Everyone else has ditched Gretchen.  Her parents and teachers are in denial.  How can she help her friend if she’s not even allowed to talk to her at school? 

One morning nearly a month after the incident, Gretchen arrives at school completely changed.  Not only has she showered, but she’s gotten a drastic new haircut, new clothes and seems to be… almost glowing.  Everyone wants to be seen with Gretchen, wants to date her, or wants to be her friend.  Sinister things keep happening to Abby and Gretchen’s circle of friends.  When a voice that isn’t Gretchen’s speaks from her best friend’s mouth Abby finally knows the truth: Gretchen’s been possessed.  Is Abby and Gretchen’s friendship stronger than the devil himself? 

Readers who enjoyed Hendrix’s first book, Horrorstör, will appreciate the author’s second novel. Adult and teen horror enthusiasts alike will find plenty to entertain while grossing themselves out.  Bonus: the book is set up like a high school year book which makes for some entertaining finds before and after you finish the novel. Check out MyBest Friend’s Exorcism from the library today!

Ana of California by Andi Teran

Fifteen year old Ana, from East Los Angeles, has been in and out of foster families for most of her life. With only the option of a group home left, Ana and her social worker explore the possible options of emancipation, but only after Ana successfully completes a semester long farm trainee program. Willing to try just about anything, Ana agrees to being placed on the Garber family farm in Hadley, California.

Emmett and Abbie Garber are a brother and sister duo that have been running the family farm; however, times have been tough in more ways than just financial. Abbie makes the decision to take part in the farm program that brings Ana to them. Unlike Emmett, Abbie is thrilled to have Ana living with them, appreciating both Ana’s hard work and her positive presence.

Ana begins to acclimate to life in Hadley. Ana and Abbie bond over art, music, and life in general. While Emmett is a bit more gruff in his interactions with Ana, it's easy to see that she's beginning to create a soft spot in his heart. Ana's found a friend in the eccentric Rye Moon and has developed a crush on bad boy Cole Brannan. Tangled in small town secrets and gossip there are reasons Emmett and Abbie refuse Ana to see Cole. With setbacks along the way, Ana's biggest concern is being sent back to life in a group home.

Ana of California loosely emulates L.M. Montgomery's classic Anne of Green Gables series, but spinning it with a modern twist. For those who liked the classic L.M. Montgomery books, this will be an interesting read as you draw connections from Emmett and Annie to Matthew and Marilla, Cole to Gilbert Blythe, the nosy Minerva Shaw to Avonlea's Rachel Lynde. Avid Anne of Green Gables fans are sure to see the humor in this new take.