Everything is Tuberculosis -- John Green

I'm not usually a non-fiction reader beyond the occasional memoir, but when I saw that John Green's latest book is about tuberculosis, it called out to me. My college sweetheart, a kind, smart, lovely guy, died of drug-resistant TB 12 years ago. He had been living in Thailand for years and he died there. This book helped me understand how an educated, well-off  and well-meaning person can die in a poor country. Would the outcome had been the same in the US, who knows? But, as Green so clearly states, poverty, greed by drug companies, and the state of our health care systems throughout the world are now the primary causes of death by TB, not an inability to recognize and cure the disease. Green is a wonderful writer and his book is full of individual stories as well as facts. It is an upsetting read, but I think an  important one. We are far from a world where health care is available to all.

Happy Hour -- Marlowe Granados

The book descriptor for Happy Hour, a debut novel from Marlowe Granados, is "coming-of age," and this is certainly a story of youth. You have to be 21, resourceful, smart, and brave to live the lives of Isa and Gala during their New York summer. Not able to legally work due to their status, they manage to eke by through entrepreneurship, cunning, personality, and beauty. Isa, the narrator, especially enjoys the good things in life, and has learned the essence of good taste. Gala is more wily. I was especially taken by Isa and really loved her voice. She is a great observer who had me chucking out loud at the behavior and pretention of those around her. If you were a little wild in your youth, Isa will speak to you. Even if you were a good girl, there are things to be learned from having your wits about you. 

Live Fast - Brigitte Giraud

An everyday life is cut short in a motorcycle accident in this brief, autobiographical novel of grief. Winner of the French  Prix Goncourt award, Brigitte Giraud's intense exploration of "what if" is a moving meditation on the small details and decisions we make throughout a day. As the moments in Claude's day unfold, his wife imagines all the ways a move in different direction may have changed the outcome. 20 years later, Claude's wife still tries to grasp how a life can end, and a how life can continue. I was fascinated by the structure of this novel, and I was impressed by the descriptive prose. Some may be put-off by the desire to change the past, but I was mesmerized. 

Dream State -- Eric Puchner

Dream State is a buzzy book right now. Kind of Franzen-like, but not quite as deep, or as captivating, but pretty good none-the-less.  CeCe, Garrett, and Charlie are tied in a knot of their own creating. Needy, idealistic, and all somewhat selfish, they are interesting, but not totally believable or likeable. I was in the mood for a big messy family story, so I enjoyed this novel. On another day, it may have had too many loose ends and holes. 

When Women Were Birds — Terry Tempest Williams

 My friend Cathleen recommended this book, and I read it on a plane ride from Sarasota to Dallas. A plane might not be the best place for this book that is so full of nature and life, but 3 uninterrupted hours were just perfect. Terry Tempest Williams’ memoir is meditation on mothers and daughters, creativity, nature, love,  birds, religion, and lots more. Heading to see my mom for her 92nd birthday, it was the perfect read. 

My Darling Boy - John Dufresne

A Florida story about a father searching for his addicted son. Olney, the dad, is a retired journalist, Cully, the son, is deep into drugs. Their story is filled with all types of unlikely characters and diversions. Think old Florida trailer park types mixed with doctors, crazies, and other odd balls. As the book wanders between stories, Olney goes in search of Cully. It's a meandering book. I didn't really like it, but I was fairly eager to keep reading. 

Bad Badger - Maryrose Wood

Sometimes there is nothing better then reading a children's book. With the world such a crazy place, it feels good to sink into the lives of badgers, seagulls, and mollusks. Septimius may not be a perfect badger, but he certainly is a great friend. And gully, the seagull, may not have much to say, but she can caw to her friend all day. A sweet tale of fitting in, finding friends, and accepting who you are. 

The Patron Saint of Liars - Ann Patchett

Having just seen Ann Patchett give a great talk at a luncheon, and because my mom, who at 91 is still a discerning reader, had recently read this book and recommended it, I decided to give Patchett's first novel a go. At first I was underwhelmed...the story of a young pregnant woman at a religious home for unwed mothers just didn't speak to me. But, there was a moment in the book where that all changed and I was drawn in. I think it was the moment that had me thinking about the lies the title implies. The story of Rose, Son, Cecilia, the home, the town of Habit, and the cast of nuns and unwed pregnant young women is masterful. Sometimes it's definitely worth checking out the the backlist. It's a pretty amazing debut effort.

Rental House - Weike Wang

Rental House is kind of a love story, kind of a dysfunctional family story, partly an immigrant story, and finally a hopeful story. Keru and Nate are an unlikely couple. Having met in college, their backgrounds are so diverse it feels as though a river runs between them. But, there is no doubt they are a couple and in some way were meant for each other. Rental House had me laugh out loud a few times and feel concern for the divides in our country. It was right up my alley...a kind of quirky, kind of poignant story. 

Shred Sisters - Betsy Lerner

A fast read about mental illness, families, self-image, and loss. Betsy Lerner has been a literary agent for many years, so I was expecting a little more. But, the story of sisters Amy and Ollie was interesting enough to keep me reading. Read on a plane and in hotel rooms, it was ok for a travel book.