I can’t photograph all the books I read, mostly because I share the good ones and recycle the others to a used bookstore. But I try to capture some special ones.

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

So, I picked this book up at a used bookstore, because I was interested in the premise, not realizing Forman is a young adult writer. Now, I’ve read some wonderful young adult books, but this wasn’t one of them. The topic (trigger warning) is a young woman’s (Meg) suicide that may have been prompted by an online suicide support group. Meg’s best friend, left at home when Meg went to college, is trying to tie up the missing pieces. The guilt of survivors is a huge part of this story. It’s an okay read, but a lot of the characters seem false to me.

God Help the Child by Toni Morrison

After the last book, I wanted something I could count on – like Toni Morrison – and this one delivered. It’s a tale of how parents’ behavior can live on in their children and how self-image is often grounded in childhood. It’s a tale of how loving oneself must come before loving another. It’s stark and deep. Can’t go wrong with Toni Morrison.

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky

At its heart, this is a novel of secrets, forgiveness, and family – the ones we are born into and the ones we choose. The protagonist, Maggie, has run from an unbearable tragedy for which she feels guilt and built a new life in a small town. Secrets don’t always stay secret, though, and through the course of the story, we discover other characters hiding parts of their past. It was an enjoyable read.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

A friend mentioned this book and its unusual plot twist, and I finally gave it a shot. It’s really odd, not the usual psycho-thriller or crime mystery. It’s little of both, with a ghost story and cult thrown in. It has more descriptions and deep, dark thoughts than I prefer, with too little plot-forward motion. I’m glad I finished it for the twist, but this wasn’t a keeper for me.

Hope on the Inside by Marie Bostwick

Hope and Rick have a solid long-time marriage, but cracks start appearing when Rick loses his job. With their 4 adult children out of the nest, they relocate and downsize to cut expenses. Then Hope discovers an opportunity to work with women inmates at a local prison. The story offers ups, downs, and raises some tough questions. It’s a good novel about family and friendship.

The Winner by David Baldacci

This is an older Baldacci novel that I recently discovered, and it has probably the most convoluted plot ever. But I always love Baldacci’s writing, and while the beginning dragged a little, the last half made up for it. The plot deals with a lottery scam by a most evil person, a single mom and her daughter, and two good men who help save the day. Glad I read it.

All Adults Here by Emma Straub

Just the kind of book I love – family relationships, secrets, and conflict. A widowed mother with 3 adult children is having a secret relationship, and the kids have secrets of their own. Interestingly, it’s the teenage granddaughter who has been dealing with some bullying who teaches them all about being open and understanding. Another good read.

It’s my birthday and Mother’s Day! Which of my 2 new books should I read first?

Heart the Lover by Lily King

Lily King is not afraid to try an unusual approach. The title comes from a made-up card game, but the novel is filled with a love of literature, young love/longing, and misunderstanding. It’s a relatively short novel but is emotionally intense.

Kin by Tayari Jones

I can’t describe how wonderful this book is. It starts with two young Black women, both left motherless in the days of segregation, and who call themselves “cradle friends.” Vernice moves to Atlanta to attend Spelman College, and Annie heads to Memphis in search of the mother who abandoned her as an infant. Their experiences are vastly different, but they continue to support one another emotionally, even after Vernice marries the disabled son of a wealthy Black family. It’s a novel about love, dignity, trusting, and seeing others for who they truly are.

Anything for You by Saul Black

I did not enjoy this book, and it nearly hit the DNF stack. However, I finished it, because I knew there would be an interesting twist at the end. Getting there entailed skimming over a lot of intense sexual encounters and more detail than necessary, in general. The ending was surprising and thought-provoking, but this one is not a keeper.

Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett

This novel was okay but not quite what I expected. The mother has reinvented herself in a season of peace, except for the estrangement from her son. The son is doing meaningful work but suffers from a tragedy in his youth that keeps him from family and solid relationships. A sudden illness sends the son to his mother’s retreat where they both have the chance to heal.

True Crime by Patricia Cornwell

“Patsy” (as she is known, but I can’t picture) is the author of the best-selling series about Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta. I enjoyed many of those back in the day, but this is her memoir, explaining how she was drawn into medical forensics and crime. Her entire story is unusual, from childhood, her unlikely friendship with Ruth Graham (Billy’s wife) to her deep dive into the world of autopsies. She crossed paths with many well-known people as her popularity grew. Overall, it’s an interesting story, but I think closer editing would have helped.

Whistler by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett always delivers, and the unusual premise of Whistler appealed to me. A middle-aged woman reconnects by chance with the stepfather she hasn’t seen since she was a child. The two had shared a special bond, and the novel explores that, along with complicated family dynamics and LGBTQ issues. It’s about grief and hope, loss and love.

Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld

This is a collection of short stories by an author whose other books I’ve read. Sittenfeld doesn’t wrap every story up neatly, but she leaves the reader with things to ponder, such as how we’ve changed since college or becoming parents. There’s no single theme in the stories, but all are thought-provoking and well-written.

So, I started The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, but I couldn't get through all 634 pages before July 1. Great book so far, but I’ll say more next time.