Find You First by Linwood Barclay, recommended by Dennis
Nine young adults, conceived at the same fertility clinic, begin disappearing, every trace of them wiped away. One of them manages to find a sibling through a DNA testing service, giving them a clue to their biological father: an extremely rich tech tycoon who is dying of a genetically inherited disease. Should he tell them about the genetically inherited disease, considering his money could be helpful if they do become sick? Will he be able to find them before they all disappear?
This book starts off with a bang and ends the same way. If you like thrillers, this book is for you.
The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley, recommended by Diana
Eighteen-year-old Daunis’ mother’s family is white. Her father’s family is from the Ojibwe reservation. Daunis longs to fully become part of the Ojibwe Tribe like her half-brother, Levi. Their language, traditions and medicines continually increase her longing to become part of the community, a community that holds hockey and the players as celebrities. Daunis was once one of two women that played on the Ojibwe hockey team until an injury required her to stop playing.
Tragedy strikes the community when young hockey players begin turning up dead from a new unidentified drug made on the island. When Daunis witnesses the shocking murder of her best friend, Daunis commits herself to finding the truths behind her death.
This YA novel kept my interest from the first page to the last with lots of suspense and unexpected drama.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston, recommended by Megan
August is new to New York City and adulthood, dealing with a strange upbringing that has left her cynical and socially awkward. She has no idea what she wants to do with her life or how to move on from her mother’s obsession with a decades-old disappearance. One day, she steps on the subway only to meet Jane, who’s everything August isn’t: generous, charming, and outgoing. August is captivated, even more so when she discovers that Jane has apparently been stuck on the subway, unaging, since the mid-1970s. August must find a way to rescue her – even if that means sending Jane back to the ’70s and giving up a chance at love.
This is a wonderful novel that quickly rocketed to the top of my favorites list thanks to its quirky characters, magical realism, and theme of found family.
Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins, recommended by Karen
A heartbreaking but touching story of how a person on the autism spectrum handles the terminal illness and death of their spouse, and how challenging it is to keep living despite being totally and utterly devastated. The depiction of how every person handles grief differently is realistic, and the characters are well written and stay with you long after the end of the book.
The Color of Rock by Sandra Cavallo Miller, recommended by Tracie
Abby runs away from her life in Phoenix to a position at the clinic at the Grand Canyon. With wobbly beginnings, Abby learns about the hikers, tourists, and locals, fitting into the close knit community and how to deal with her hidden demons. The inside scoop of living and working at the Grand Canyon is intriguing. I’m looking forward to the next book in the planned trilogy.
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner, recommended by Trish
That Summer is full of unexpected plot twists, turns, the power of friendship, and retribution. There are two Dianas, Shoemaker and Starling, each living their own lives and dealing with their own tribulations. One misplaced punctuation mark leads to a connection that changes their lives forever.