Heartland by Sarah Smarsh

• This memoir looks at the impact of class on young adults.
• Much of the book focuses on the challenges of crossing class lines.
• The book combines personal narrative with ties to larger political and societal debates.

The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen

• I never knew I would enjoy reading about Mongols and slaves.  I was missing out.  This book combines a rich historical context with action.
• I blame the author for keeping me up past my bedtime reading.
• Overall, this is a really compelling story set in a fascinating time.

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

• The only other Donoghue book I've read is Room, and this book features similarly messed up characters.
• I enjoyed Catholic/non-Catholic conflict that is a constant source of tension for the main character throughout the novel.

Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente

• The best description I've read of this book is Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets Eurovision, and it is right on.
• Clippy is my favorite character.
• I enjoyed this novel, and think it would make an even better film.

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje

• Young children grow up in the aftermath of World War II.
• They discover their distant parents were involved with espionage during and after the war.
• Overall, this is an engaging character-driven novel.

Severance by Ling Ma

• This novel touches on the topics of new college students, cults, and religion.
• The story is told from 3 points of view.
• The plot focuses on the relationship of the main character with a young woman who joins a cult.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

• In this novel a person from real world London slips into a mysterious shadow world of London.
• There are twists and turns throughout the book.
• The characters are fantastical, yet somehow normal and flawed.