River Song

by Craig Lesley

There's something to be said for reading fiction set in places you know, among people you recognize. Lesley's "Winterkill" about a father and son struggling to find connection, both Native Americans from the Northwest, was inspired and unique.

In "River Song" the same characters are back, traveling from Warm Springs to Yakima to Pendleton, making a few bucks fighting fires, fishing and working in apple orchards. It's a hard life and seems as if it would drive anyone down but most of the characters in River Song persevere, not knowing any other kind of life.

The Indians and the rednecks, the tourists and the farmers, the yuppies and the truckers -- it all seems so familiar and Lesley has painting a stirring and accurate portrait.

Honolulu

by Alan Bennert

A good story, well-researched and told, about a Korean picture bride who comes to Hawaii. The story tells the story of Honolulu, and Oahu, from the turn of the century through the 1930s, using her life as a tool.
I found the parts in Korea most interesting, maybe because I already know a good amount about Hawaiian history. The culture in Korea was fascinating to me, as I knew little about it.
Regret (sons are preferred) longs for a life away from the constraints of early 20th century Korea and accepts a mail-order marriage. The marriage fails but she makes a life for herself on Oahu.
The author uses Regret to tell the story of plantation workers, racial prejudice, Oahu's wealthy elite and even the Aloha wear industry.

Lean Mean Thirteen

by Janet Evanovich

Never great literature but always entertaining, funny, and surprising, her heroine Stephanie Plum never disappoints.
In this story the P.I.'s ex-husband is kidnapped and she's trying a relationship with her cop sometimes-boyfriend.

King Dork

by Frank Portman

The most irreverant, hysterically funny, offbeat and touching story about being a teenager who doesn't fit in. I was halfway through it before I realized it was a teen book, not adult, but I enjoyed it so much I finished it anyway.

The hero is a hopeless geek, with a weird family and only one friend. His father died when he was young and he finds some books that belonged to his dad when was young, becoming obsessed with understanding what his father was like. The book follows this journey, as well as his adventures trying to survive high school.

So, so fucking funny I can't begin to explain.

The Girl in Green

by Laura Lippman

Tried another book by Lippman, this one back to her private detective heroine, Tess Monahan.
It was entertaining and fun, a good beach read.
'Nuf said.

13 1/2

by NEVADA BARR

I've always enjoyed Nevada Barr; I've read several of her forest ranger-turned-detective series and found them engaging, funny, unpredictable and original. None of those things are typical for formulaic detective mysteries.
This one was not part of the series but an atypical psychological thriller about a sociopath, very surprising and dark.
Loved it.
The book opens with a horrific murder that orphaned two young boys. The story line jumps around a bit, from the post-murder childhood, the family before the murders, and a seemingly unrelated present-day story set in New Orleans. I kept changing my mind about the mysteries and I kept being wrong.
I love books with great characters that I can't predict.