Dava Shastri's Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti

Title: Dava Shastri's Last Day 

Author: Kirthana Ramisetti

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Have you ever wondered what people will say about you after you have died? Billionaire Dava Shastri has decided to ensure that it is publicly announced that she has died on a specific day, but has arranged her own death to happen a short time afterward. She knows she is dying, but wants to know what people will share about her legacy and is used to the world conforming to her own desires. She invites her family to her island, and they all cope with the public news of her death - and learning of her impending death - in their own ways. Her grandchildren finally find a way to connect with her, and family secrets are discovered, but nothing quite works out the way that Dava planned! Maybe you can't orchestrate the big life and death events, but there are lots of moments that are worth reaching for in-between, as this book demonstrates.

- Katrina 

Check out Dava Shastri's Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti @ the library!

Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara

Title: Clark and Division

Author: Naomi Hirahara 

Genre: Historical Fiction; Mystery

Light on mystery but rich in period details, this story follows Aki, who, along with her parents, were recently released from a concentration camp for Japanese Americans. Because they were not allowed to return to their home in California, they chose to settle in Chicago. Aki's older sister, Rose, was able to leave ahead of the other family members, and she found them a place to live. Shockingly, they find out when they arrive that Rose died in a subway accident ruled a suicide. Aki determines to find out exactly what happened to Rose in Chicago. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate this World War II era tale.

- Sarah

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Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis

Title: Eight Perfect Hours 

Author: Lia Louis

Genre: Realistic Fiction

There is something about living through a strange, once-in-a-lifetime experience that bonds you to anyone you spend that time with. It is a unique bond, one made all the stronger when you know that you're never going to see this stranger again. This is what happens when Noelle and Sam spend eight hours stuck in their cars during a snowstorm that has brought traffic to a stand still. But then Sam flies back to the US. and Noelle continues home to take care of her ailing mother in England. That should have been all there was to their story, but the world seems to have other plans for them! What happens when two strangers get pushed into each other's lives time and time again, no matter how unlikely they all realize the situation to be?

This is a story about the magic of meeting someone who just seems to relate to you in an easier way than anyone else, of taking the cares of the world-or at least your family!-all on your own shoulders, and of realizing that, just possibly, the world has more in store for you than just surviving!

- Katrina 

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Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Title: Graceling

Author: Kristin Cashore

Genre: Fantasy

This YA novel will appeal to young readers and adults alike. There is excellent world building and the characters all feel very realistic. The basis of the story is that people are born with special talents, called a Grace, that emerge sometime in their life. They are marked by having a set of different colored eyes. There lead character is a strong willed woman named Katsa. She struggles with her Grace and what it entails. Follow her on her journey to self discovery and acceptance! 

- Gina

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Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

Title: Counterfeit

Author: Kirstin Chen

Genre: Fiction

Ava's old college roommate, Winnie, reconnects with Ava seemingly out of the blue. Winnie charms Ava's difficult young son and endears herself to Ava in other ways. Then Winnie asks for a favor, which ensnares Ava in Winnie's high-end counterfeit purse business. Ava gets caught, but is she as innocent as she seems? A breezy read great for your next vacation, especially if you're a fashionista.

- Sarah

Check out Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen @ the library!

The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey

Title: The Love Story of Missy Carmichael

Author: Beth Morrey

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Maybe you've heard of the concept of "found family"? This is about "found community"; about a bunch of people who just refuse to let Missy Carmichael go! Missy is a private, self-conscious woman whose children have moved out and moved on with their lives, and she doesn't have many people whom she regularly interacts with, much less whom she could call friends. One day, she stumbles into a situation and embarrasses herself thoroughly, but discovers that she is suddenly surrounded by a group of people who simply won't let her excuse herself and disappear. This is a story for the times that you are convinced that you are unlovable, or have been left behind in your life, as it proves again and again that the best love stories just might be ones that help you to rediscover your love for yourself!

- Katrina

Check out The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey @ the library!

Making Piece by Beth M. Howard

Title: Making Piece

Author: Beth M. Howard

Genre: Memoir; food memoir

When the author receives news that her husband has died, she decides to make and share pie as a way to deal with her grief. A journalist, she packs up her RV and, together with a filmmaker friend, interviews pie experts at various stops. Her journey eventually takes her to the American Gothic House, which she then rents and where she opens her very own pie stand. While this is another memoir born of economic privilege and the author can't resist overstuffing her story with pie metaphors and similes, you will root for her and appreciate her message of connecting through food. Several pie recipes are included.

- Sarah

Check out Making Piece by Beth M. Howard @ the library!