A Christmas Caroline is a modern-day version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The plot is the same but the situations are different. For one thing Ebenezer Scrooge is replaced by Caroline Scroggins, a young woman who lives alone and doesn't go out much. Scrooge was a bitter man who made comments such as “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” Caroline Scroggins is more of a loner who likes to save her money by keeping her heat low and not partying with her friends. The lighter main character is good for the book because the novel is hilarious.

What I liked most about this novel is the wit of the writer. This is what earned the book a five star rating. Here is an example: “My sibling had been the type of person who would [blank] her pants but still manage to see the positive in it - at least it proved she didn’t need any more fiber in her diet.” The jokes are often bathroom or bedroom humor, but they had me laughing. If you like writers with edgy styles, this novel is for you.

Once We Were Family by Nancy Saling Graham

 

Once We Were Family is the story of a family living in Berlin as the Hitler regime rose to power. It's told from the viewpoint of Annalise, one daughter of Axel Klaus. Annalise and her father sympathize with the people who are being abused and sometimes help them, but not enough to ease their guilt.

Annalise’s siblings represent a range of responses to their authoritarian government, from resisting quietly, while working with the Nazis to the younger ones who are fully indoctrinated in school. Annalise also has one sister who is only concerned with her appearance and marriage potential.

About halfway through the story, Germany loses and Hitler takes his own life in the bunker. Now the plot becomes the story of a young German woman living in West Berlin. There are still some horrible situations to get through, but there is also hope.

Whitewater by William McGinnis

Whitewater is a fun novel, a thriller that can be a little predictable, but always entertaining. I loved the descriptions of the area around the Kern River and of riding its waves. But there's also an exciting plot involving a drug cartel and what happens when the bad guys find out that the main characters: Adam (a former navy seal) and Tripee (an undercover FBI agent) have learned too much about the cartel’s activities. There were times when I had to suspend disbelief, but that’s true with most thrillers. Overall, the book is interesting and a good summer read.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

 I loved this book. I bought the audio and listened to it on a long trip I was taking. It made the travel time go by quickly.

When I first was looking into this novel, I thought it would be about the children in the school. It turned out to be more about the parents, about their gossip, their egos, their false assumptions and group think. It also has a message that becomes clear at the end. I recommend this book to anyone who likes character driven novels.

The Baron's Ghost by Kyro Dean

 

The Baron's Ghost tells the story of Christina Ravensworth, nee Rushing, a female spy and sometimes assassin. Although the plot is a fast paced adventure story, Christina is not a simple action heroine. She lost her parents when she was seventeen and thinks about her mother almost every day. Her mother once told her “that a soft, kid-skin glove could protect against dust, get done what must, and earn people's trust.” Christina still wears gloves and thinks about her mom each time she puts them on. She also embarks on adventures with two men she's attracted to: Philip, the Viscount of Portsmouth, and Charles Blackwell, someone she knew as a child. Both of these men do not always appear to think of her as a friend. This is a good book for readers who enjoy action packed, complex stories.

Talk by Greg Peterson

When Addie Young's father dies, she inherits one-hundred acres of land and receives a cryptic letter that was written by Cole Younger, one of Addie's ancestors and a gunfighter who rode with Jesse James. She believes the letter contains clues to find a treasure, so she sets out to locate the land and whatever is hidden on it. She runs her Mustang off the road on her way into the town of “Talk” and is soon being helped by Jack, the mayor of that little town, who takes a shine to Addie. It is going to take some time for the local mechanic to fix Addie's car, so Jack offers her a place to stay while she waits.

The novel is interesting for a few reasons: the relationship between Addie and Jack grows in a way that's fun to follow, there is plenty of information about the Ojibwe Indians, and Addie falls in love with the sweet feel of the town and its residents. There's also a spiritual side to the plot, especially at the end.

I liked the characters in “Talk” and the easy pace of the plot. It is a sweet novel.

Top Model tells the story of Estelle Li, a young Asian woman trying to make it in the competitive world of fashion modeling. Estelle is a great example of someone with a strong personality trait that is simultaneously her best and worst quality. She is extremely ambitious and willing to do anything it takes to get ahead. Readers can admire her strength and determination, but her ambition pushes her to places she shouldn’t go.

The novel is centered on Estelle, yet there are also interesting characters around her. Lily is her agent and her friend. She is concerned for Estelle but keeps her client’s career at the top of her priorities, even if she might deny doing that. And then there is Sofie Tsai, another Asian model who is younger than Estelle but has had more success. They are extremely competitive.

Top Model gives us an inside picture of the modeling industry, which may exist to showcase beauty but is often ugly at its core. The novel is captivating. If you pick it up, you’ll have problems putting it down.