A House for Happy Mothers by Amulya Malladi

Priya has almost everything she could ever want. The perfect job, a loving husband, and a home in California's Silicon Valley. The one thing she can't do? Have a child of her own after several failed miscarriages and IVF attempts. Asha is the exact opposite. She lives in a small hut, in a rundown neighborhood in India, with a two children that she and her husband can barely keep a roof over. These two women may have completely different lives, but they'll be forever linked.

Desperate to do almost anything to secure a better future for her extremely gifted son, Asha decides to become a surrogate, essentially renting out her womb for a little bit of money, to wealthy couples who are unable to have children. Priya desperate in her own way, takes a chance when she relies on Asha, her surrogate, to make her dreams of becoming a mother happen.

A House for Happy Mothers is an interesting look at surrogacy and surrogate mothers, particularly in India, where surrogacy has more or less become an industry, with a fascinating, vibrant look at Indian culture, feminism, and family.

Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson

Fortune Smiles is a collection of short stories, each with an unusual point of view: the pedophile with a heart of gold; the North Korean defector who is disgusted with South Korean culture; the former East German prison guard who denies he did anything wrong; the well-meaning single-parent father clumsily trying to care for his toddler after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have destroyed southern Louisiana; the computer engineer endeavoring to help his paralyzed wife; and the cancer-stricken wife who feels jealous of women who offer help to her husband and children. The people in these stories are heartbreakingly unable to communicate with those dearest to them. Adam Johnson won a Pulitzer Prize for his book The Orphan Master's Son and his writing talent is quite evident in this collection of perceptive stories.

Something New: Tales From a Makeshift Bride by Lucy Knisley

This adorable graphic novel by artist Lucy Knisley touches and illustrates just about everything it seems a newly engaged, bride-to-be feels at some point throughout the course of planning one of the most important days of her life. From the common issues such as finding "the one" to  dress shopping to choosing a cake, Knisley offers her often hilariously witty opinion and carefully crafts an illustration to go along with it. Aside from the traditional something borrowed, something blue traditions, Knisley shares not-so-common traditions including the slapping of the groom's feet with a fish and the German tradition known as Polterabend, in which wedding guests bring old dishes or glasses and smash them at the bride and groom's feet.

Though Knisley's Something New: Tales from a Makeshift Bride is filled will funny anecdotes, the book also touches on really important issues such as feminism, assumed expectations, gender stereotypes, family drama, and typical wedding chaos, including the importance (and cost!) placed on "just stuff." So whether you're a bride-to-be, a proud relationship partner, or still waiting for "the one" to sweep you off your feet, this book is reassuring that all of the feelings one has surrounding their wedding have surely been felt before.

Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen

It's the dress of the season, the perfect little black dress that every woman wants. This charming, witty story weaves together many short stories about the lucky women who get to wear this dress. Nine Women, One Dress tells the stories of Natalie who works as a salesgirl at Bloomingdale's who just can't seem to get over her jerk ex-boyfriend who broke her heart to Felicia who has been in love with her boss for the last eighteen years to Max, a Polish immigrant to America, who has spent the last 70 years of his life as a pattern maker for one of the top designers in New York City and how this dress has forever changed their lives.

The best way to describe this funny book, is like a grown-up version of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, where the greatest pair of jeans are exchanged for the perfect little black dress. With the perfect amount of heartwarming parts, this story resonates with every woman who has always wanted to find her perfect dress.

Slice Harvester by Colin Hagendorf

Twenty-something Colin Hagendorf was stuck in life. He was the punk rocker type, who probably drank more than he should, and suffered from bad relationship after bad relationship. In an attempt to kind of right his wrongs and piece his life back together, Colin decided to try a piece of classic cheese pizza from every pizzeria in New York City...all 435 of them and blog about the slices (both good and bad!) and structure that it brought to his life.

With the quest to try all of the pizza that New York City has to offer, this adventure provided just what Hagendorf needed. Written as if the reader is conversing with Hagendorf, he sticks to his convictions, whether it be about punk rock or pizza. Written with humor, Slice Harvester will make you feel for the author all while craving a slice of really good pizza.

The Highly Effective Detective by Richard Yancy

Currently out of print, but readily available to borrow from the Milwaukee County Federated Library System is the Highly Effective Detective from Richard Yancy. Teddy Ruzak is the hilarious, naive, not the brightest yer keenly observant, Highly Effective Detective. Teddy has been skating through life as a security guard for over a decade after failing out of the police academy. His mother has recently died, and he has inherited enough money to open his own agency. Of course, Teddy didn't check state regulations on licensing and has no actual experience or knowledge in detective work, yet he manages to stay afloat with the help of his friend/secretary and his uncanny ability to observe. His first case involves a hit and run incident and the poor victims are baby geese. The client/eyewitness was so upset at the time that all he noticed about the vehicle is that it was a black SUV. This SUV ends up leading to a much more deadly case. Yancy's book is plot-driven with a suspenseful tone and very amusing dialogue. Readers that enjoy Diane Mott Davidson, Martha Grimes, Roberts Parker, and Spencer Quinn might also enjoy this book.

The After Party by Anton DiSclafani

It's 1957 in Houston, Texas where the days are long, hot, and  money is to be made in the Texan oil fields. While the men are off working in the oilfields or for large oil companies, the women live a high society kind of life focused on debutante balls, garden club meetings, beautiful dresses, and perfectly decorated homes. Living this lavish lifestyle are two best friends Joan and Cece. Joan has always been beautiful and sought after and Cece has always tried to stay out of the limelight, while acting as Joan's protector. When Joan's life begins to spiral out of control shrouded in secrets, Cece is the one left trying to put the pieces back together, even if it risks losing her marriage.

The After Party is a beautifully written photograph of the late 1950s, showcasing secrets, female friendship, love, and sexuality.