Self-help, positive thinking Dr. Laura style.  My favorite chapter title?  “The Earth Is Not the Center of the Universe–And You and I Aren’t Either!”

A fascinating new book from Levine, inspired by the Biblical story of Jephthah, who must sacrifice his own daughter to fulfill a vow made in haste.  Kezi and Olus have fallen in love.  But Olus isn’t just a good-looking guy–he’s the Akkan god of the wind, while Kezi is a mere mortal.  To further complicate things, Kezi only has 30 days to live.  Together, Kezi and Olus set out to change fate and find a way for their true love to last forever.  Levine has created an interesting world of gods and mortals.  Most young readers will take this book at face value–the simple struggle of 2 people trying to make true love last forever.  More discerning readers will find much to discuss in Levine’s worldview–fate, gods and mortals, and the existence (or non-existence) and character of one god over everything.

A cute story about Jane, a thirty something New York single who is trying to break away from her domineering mother and find the right guy.  An easy summer beach read, but nothing that will change your life.  I mostly enjoyed it because we were just in New York City, where most of the book is set, so I could picture in my mind most of the places that the characters went.

Grisham returns to his roots with a classic courtoom/legal drama.  At stake this time is a 40 million plus verdict, handed down by a jury against a negligent chemical company, which is of course appealed to the state supreme court.   Lawyers, politicians, businesspeople and ordinary citizens are pitted against each other, all trying to win for their side.

Although I enjoyed the book on the surface (who doesn’t like a classic good guys vs. bad guys story?), Grisham seemed to be “preaching” in this book much more so than I remember him doing in his previous novels.  (Maybe I’m wrong–it’s been awhile since I’ve read his earlier books).  An example:  At one point, a conservative group is questioning a potential candidate.  The conversation goes like this:

Abortion?  Opposed.  All abortions?  Opposed.

Death penalty? Very much in favor.

No one seemed to grasp the contradiction between the two.

There are many other not-so-subtle digs in the book against conservatives in general, and big business in particular.  In contrast, of trial lawyers, Grisham says, “No one fought as hard for the little guy.”  Grisham’s point in writing the book was to illustrate the influence that private money has when it is allowed in judicial elections.  He could have made this point just as effectively without tarring all businessmen as corrupt, and all conservative Christian groups as blindly supporting anyone who claims to be pro-life.

During one long summer, Ruby and her mother together learn that true love is more than being someone’s “Honey, Baby, Sweetheart.”  Caletti once again breaks the mold of the typical teen romance to address issues that really matter–family, faithfulness, speaking your mind, and doing the right thing.

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