msjamgochian'sinfinitebooklist

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is a luminous tale about the enormous difficulty of loving someone fully when you know too much about them. It is heartbreaking and funny, wise and sad, and confirms Aimee Bender’s place as “a writer who makes you grateful for the very existence of language” (San Francisco Chronicle). I attended Ms. Bender's recent reading at Elliot Bay Books and it made me want to listen to the audio version of TPSOLC. Bender's voice is pure velvet and the depth to which she knows her characters resounds in each sentence as she reads. This book is the perfect literary summer read.

Everyone loves this book; it's been favorably reviewed everywhere. It is intricately woven, sad, funny, and complex. Nevertheless, I was less than captivated as I read each piece (although the headlines as chapter titles were entertaining). The book often feels like a series of short stories all related to the paper in some way - a bit like Olive Kitteridge with less lovable characters. If you are a journalist or have lived in Rome as an expat it will satisfy. Click here to read my friend Brendan Kiley's review or here for an interview with Rachman .

Sara Zarr writes realistic fiction with completely believable characters and situations that nearly every teen can relate to in some fashion. Her books always make readers cry - but they also make them feel less lonely. Sweethearts tells the story of 17-year-old Jenna Vaughn, formerly known as Jennifer Harris. Jenna started a new school in Grade 9, leaving (or at least trying to leave) behind her rotten childhood memories: getting bullied in school, compulsively eating, and spending most of her evenings alone while her waitress/nursing student mom was at school or work. At her new alternative high school she has a cute boyfriend, a group of friends, and a new start. What she can't forget is her childhood friend and love Cameron Quick. When Cam unexpectedly shows up at her doorstep, forcing their shared past and the present to collide. Another excellent unforgettable story from my favorite young adult author, Sara Zarr. Click here to see Sara talk about all of her books. Grade 8+

Pure fun. Twelve-year-old genius Oliver uses his brainpower to gain wealth and fame - then decides to run for Grade 7 class president. The humor will appeal to fans of Mad magazine. Don't miss Jon Stewart and author Josh Lieb (executive producer of the Daily Show) discussing the book . Grade 6+

Blake has a girlfriend and a friend that is a girl. He loves Shannon but he ends up spending most of his time with Marissa, who is trying to deal with her meth-addict mom and turns to Blake for help and companionship. A romance told from the guy's point of view that deals with what it's like to have to choose between two people you care about; and what happens when you don't choose and just let nature take its course... give to fans of K.L. Going and Frank Portman. William Morris Award 2010. Grade 9+

Ten-year-old Kate Meaney is an aspiring detective. She spends her time meticulously observing the world around her, looking for evidence of a wrongdoing, and hanging out with her older friend, twenty-two-year-old Adrian. When Kate disappears, Adrian is fingered for the crime, but Kate's body is never found, and Adrian leaves town, effectively disappearing himself. Flash forward twenty years to 2004 and the Green Oaks shopping center, where Lisa, Adrian's younger sister, and Kurt, a sad and bored security guard, both work. Haunted by an image of Kate on the mall's surveillance cameras, Lisa and Kurt come together, accidentally solve the crime, and escape the drudgery of their suburban existences. This is a beautiful story about a single incident that effects multiple lives, the simplicity of letting life simply pass and the strength required to seek meaning, and the loneliness that can permeate empty spaces full of people. Catherine O'Flynn talks about the book here . Co...