The Last Romantics / Tara Conklin / 368 p.

   

 In the spring of 1981, the young Skinner siblings—fierce Renee, dreamy Caroline, golden boy Joe and watchful Fiona—lose their father to a heart attack and their mother to a paralyzing depression, events that thrust them into a period they will later call “the Pause.” (Goodreads)

   The narrator is Fiona who has become a renowned poet.  She recounts the story of her siblings and herself while participating in a reading of one of her poems in her later years.  This is a story of her family's interactions, betrayals, forgiveness and love throughout their lives.

American Dutchess: A Novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt by Karen Harper / 357 p.

Based on the life of Consuelo Vanderbilt, this fictionalized novel of her life was interesting. I don't know how accurate it is, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Consuelo was an only child. Her mother was strict and arranged a marriage for Consuelo with the Duke of Marlborough in England that would profit both families - a title of Dutchess for Consuelo and Vanderbilt money for the Duke. It was a loveless marriage, however Consuelo produced two male heirs (and heir and a spare) that pleased everyone and provided the love Consuelo was missing from her husband. She was well-received in England and used her status and wealth to help the common people. Consuelo did find her voice and strength later in her life. She also found love, redemption and forgiveness for her mother.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here / Patrick Ness / 319 pages

You know who they are, those indie kids-- the ones who end up being The Chosen One when the supernatural happens, the ones who have the unique powers, the ones who pretty much save the world from the Ultimate Evil?

Well this is not their story.

This story focuses on (somewhat) ordinary kids who just want to graduate high school before it gets blown up.  Again.  Mikey wants to ask Henna out before her family goes to Africa and has a severe case of OCD.  Mel has to graduate a year late while coping with anorexia.  Jared keeps a lot of secrets from his friends, revealing to them only 1) he's gay, and 2) he's part-god (the God of Cats to be exact; cats love this guy).  Each chapter also begins with a short side story on the indie kids' battle against the Immortals, particularly focusing on a girl named Satchel, though there are other characters like Finn, Dylan, Finn, Kerouac, Finn, Wisconsin, Finn, Finn, and even a prince.  Oh, and not to mention Finn.

This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I must say: this was a witty, yet sad, yet heartwarming book all at the same time.  Every character faces a different conflict, both internal and external, while having to deal with the flaws he or she has, making them more realistic.  As the books tagline says, "Sometimes you have to find the extraordinary in the ordinary."

We Never Asked for Wings/ Vanessa Diffenbaugh/ 310 pgs.

Letty Espinosa is a single mother of two children: 15 year-old Alex, and 6 year-old Luna. Letty has worked three jobs for years to help support her parents, of Mexican descent, and relatives still living in Mexico. Alex and Luna have been basically raised by their grandparents. After Letty's father goes back to Mexico, followed shortly by her mother, Letty is forced to take responsibility for Alex and Luna. It's a story of a family trying to become a family, with issues arising, decisions to be made, and the angst of teenage years. There is also the issue of illegal aliens, and mothers only wanting something better for their children. This is a wonderful read. I highly recommend this book!

Flight Behavior/Barbara Kingsolver/436 pgs.

Monarch butterflies have migrated from Mexico to a rural town in Tennessee--the question is, why? The majority of townspeople believe it is a miracle from God, whereas the scientists who come to investigate view it as a result of climate change. The story mainly centers around Dellarobia Turnbow and her husband's family. Her in-laws own the property containing the trees in which the butterflies have made their home. Up until the infestation of butterflies, the Turnbows were planning on cutting down the trees--they need the money to pay loans from the bank. It's a slow moving book which delves into current problems with climate change and the impact it has on family life, the economy, etc., especially in rural areas.