The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy

In this multiple plot novel, we come to realize that the different characters in each story are unknowingly connected as the book progresses.  Van Booy shifts back and forth in time and place from World War II in France to 2010 Los Angeles, telling the stories of John Bray, a wounded American soldier in World War II, intersecting with a German infantryman named "Victor Hugo" in France.  The characters also include Martin, a handyman at a retirement home, Amelia, a blind museum curator in New York City and Danny, a Hollywood Hill film director.  Through acts of compassion from strangers, an unbroken human chain is formed.  Each individual's life is connected one way or another through time.  The compelling imagery of war and separation will stay with me for a long time.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Jacob grew up listening to his grandfather’s tales of adventure and travels, longing to have those same adventures as a child.  The older Jacob grew he begins to think the stories he once thought were true might be all tall tales.  After seeing his grandfather die, Jacob’s parents start to think he might be “going crazy”. After finding a message from his grandfather while cleaning out his house; Jacob realizes he needs to go the island that his grandfather grew up on to find out the truth.  I am excited to read the sequel to find out what happens to the Jacob and the children of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. 

The Robot Builder's Bonanza by Gordon McComb

This is the grand-daddy of all modern hobby robotics books.  Long before LEGO Mindstorms was big, the first edition of this book was guiding users on how to adapt and program their Apple II computers to run household robots.   This second edition has been extensively updated and covers both the physical hardware you need to create your own robots (wheels, servo motors, drives, etc.) and the programming to make it all happen.  Including a new section on LEGO Mindstorms and stamp-sized microcontrollers, this is the single best book for any amateur robotics hobbyist.  This would make an excellent weekend project for parents and kids.  Highly recommended.

Blessings by Anna Quindlen

Skip Cuddy, caretaker of an estate called Blessings, finds an abandoned baby in a box and decides to keep her. This is his story, and the story of the matriarch of the estate, Lydia Blessing.  This short novel is a quick read but has complex characters, nuanced relationships and tough social issues.  It is a good book for contemplation and discussion.

Thunderstruck & Other Stories by Elizabeth McCracken

In this collection of nine short stories, McCracken delves into the themes of family, love and loss.  The stories are heart breaking with dark humor.  Hungry is set in the 1970's Des Moines where Sylvia is taking care of her granddaughter Lisa, as her son is dying in a hospital.  Sylvia is torn between wanting to be there for her son and keeping Lisa 'happy.'  In Juliet a library patron is murdered.  How does the staff react to this tragedy?  How much does one really know a person?  The title story explores the parent-child dynamics; perceptions are at stake.  These stories demonstrate how fleeing life can be.

Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter

This is the story of young Jade McKinley. She grew up in a Midwestern town with a loving family and close friends. After the death of her serious boyfriend she decides to go to Chicago to begin a career as a guitar player and never look back. After some time has passed she finds herself alone, pregnant, and broke. She is forced to return to her home town to get help and recover. Afraid to face her parents at first, she stops at the home of the young town mayor and longtime friend of the family, Daniel Dawson. Read and find out what happens to young Jade as she bravely faces an uncertain future. I found this book to be a relaxing summer read, good for taking a break from the busy activities of life.

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

Working on a North Carolina tobacco farm in 1960, teenager Ivy Hart lives with her ailing, temperamental grandmother, mentally ill sister, and this sisters small child.  Jane Forrester, their social worker, is married to a doctor who would rather she did not work but Jane is determined to.  She becomes deeply involved with this impoverished family and her actions cause conflicts with her husband and her boss. Jane questions this states Eugenics Sterilization Program which eventually causes much drama in this story. I enjoyed this book and plan to read more books by this author!