The Descendants / Kaui Hart Hemmings

A pointed look at a family in crisis. The book received a resurgence in popularity due to the film adaption. Hemmings beautiful crafts the story of a family patriarch Matthew King and his two daughters as they deal with the coming loss of their flawed wife and mother. The character of Joanie (renamed Elizabeth in the movie) comes to life through the memories of her husband, daughters, family and others. King and his daughters make the decision to visit individual family and friends and notify them the decision to take Joanie off life support, when they discover that Joanie was having an affair and set off to find her lover. A subplot focuses on King's role in deciding what to do with his family's ancestral land.

While the book is thin, it's not a quick read, but it holds your attention every step of the way.

The Truth about Forever / Sarah Dessen. New York: Puffin, 2004. (374 p.)

Macy Queen is not looking forward to her summer. Her "perfect" boyfriend wants to take a break while he is off at brain camp. She is stuck working at the local library circulation desk with two judgmental classmates. Her mother won't take vacation from her 24/7 real estate job. All this happens in the wake of her father's unexpected death.

Her summer quickly changes with the chance to work at Wish, a disorganized local catering company with a motley crew of characters, and her new friendship with the mysterious local artist Wes.

I read a lot of young adults books. This book was a welcome escape to one summer with Macy and her new friends.