The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

I waited a long time to get this book from the Library and the wait was well worth it! The book starts at a summer camp where a group of artsy teens meet and forge life-long friendships.  The "main" character, Jules (she was Julie before her new friends dubbed her with this name), is the outcast, a frizzy haired girl from the suburbs, not like the other privileged Manhattanites who take her under their wing. She is not sure why.
The story jumps around and covers about 40 years in the life of these characters. There are marriages, babies, tragic events and lots of conversations.
One of the characters, Ethan Figman, was a genius at animation at camp and  he ends up creating a famous television show. Another is Cathy Kiplinger, a dancer who doesn't quite have the body for dance and ends up a successful business woman. Jonah Bay, son of a famous folk singer gets involved with the Moonies for a while and his friends save him. The other two characters are siblings, Ash and Goodman Wolf. Ash (the sister) loves theater and her brother loves trouble.
I won't give anything away about the plot, but will conclude by saying that this is a very enjoyable and thoughtful book that I highly recommend.

All That Is by James Salter

I really didn't know of James Salter, but when this book came out it got a lot of press, being his first book in nearly 35 years. He's 87 years old and has, apparently, quite a reputation. I just had not heard of him!
This is simply the story of one man's life.... and the lives that encircle and envelop him.  The characters dive in and out of the story; some important and some on the fringe, but each one contributes meaning to this man's life.
It was an interesting book. I don't know how memorable it will be for me, however, in that it lacked a strong storyline.  I like a good story!

Oleander Girl by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Sister of My Heart is one of my favorite books ever. I read it so long ago, however, that I am not sure that I would still feel the same about it. I think I should re-read it. In any event, when I read about this new book by Divakaruni, I put it on reserve at the Library and got it quickly.
It was a good read; I was definitely into it. She writes with passion and keeps a good story going along, drawing the reader in all the way. I was not happy with all of the characters, however. Sonia, for example, was stereotypical, and even Rajat, her fiance, was a bit wooden.  But the main character, Korobi, was an endearing young woman, her tragic life making her strong and bold, rather than withdrawn and depressed.
Given what she has gone through in life, it's amazing that she still has such spirit and resolve. Her parents are both dead (supposedly) and she was raised by her grandparents, who she adores, but who have not always been truthful with her.
She searches for her father in America and what she finds is quite surprising.
The end bothered me a bit; I think I wanted something different for her, but overall, I really enjoyed the book.

The Dinner by Herman Koch

This dark book takes place over the course of a family dinner - one in which serious family business it to be discussed....but only after the two families have finished a fancy five course meal, with some interesting side courses!
This was a captivating read; it was on the best seller list in the Netherlands for quite some time. The author is Dutch. Two brothers, Serge and Paul, are not the closest of brothers; in fact, you could say they pretty much despise each other. But their two sons are in some trouble together and the brothers meet (with their wives) to figure out what to do. And they disagree vehemently as to the solution.
The book is a quick read, but a compelling one, with twists and turns all the way, and a sinister voice that is disturbing, but entertaining. I don't want to spoil anything, so instead will just say, take the time to read it, especially if you like psychological thrillers like Gone Girl. As a matter of fact, this book has been referred to as the Dutch answer to Gone Girl.

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

I forgot how much I love Kingsolver's writing! I have not read a novel by her since The Poisonwood Bible because that was such an amazing book. I can't imagine that she could ever do better. But this book blew me away, too! The novel is all about climate change, but that theme is threaded into a captivating story about a woman, Dellarobia Turnbow, who turns her life around based on an epiphany she has on the road to what could have been ruin.
Dellarobia is 28, smart, attractive, and bored with her life as a mother and wife of Cub, a local Appalachian who spends his time at home channel surfing and never staying on one program for more than a few minutes. Dellarobia had aspirations of attending college but her pregnancy with Cub's baby, which they lost, kept her from attaining that dream.
Her life changes when the butterflies appear and there's no going back. She meets up with scientists who come to their small town to try to figure out why the monarch butterflies have decided to migrate to this spot instead of their usual place in Mexico.
There are so many interesting and compelling passages in this novel.  It's such an interesting take on the issue of climate change. Everyone should read this book!

The Child's Child by Barbara Vine (Ruth Rendell)

Barbara Vine (AKA Ruth Rendell) is a wonderful British mystery writer who I have not read in quite some time.  This novel is quite captivating as it takes two forms as a novel within a novel. At the opening, we meet Grace and Andrew Easton after their inherit their grandmother's home.  It's huge, but rather than sell it, they move in together.  Andrew is homosexual and brings home his new boyfriend and then trouble ensues.  Grace begins reading a manuscript of a long-lost novel from 1951 called The Child's Child and the parallels to the present are disturbing. 
This was an interesting book about betrayal and disgrace.

The Inn at Lake Devine by Eleanor Lipman

I picked out this book quite randomly last time I was in the library.  The author's name was familiar and I read the inside cover description and it looked like a good read. I was not disappointed!
The story takes place in the early sixties and racial and cultural barriers are breaking down....somewhat.  Natalie Marx, a young Jewish girl, finds out that her mother has inquired about a rental at a resort in Vermont, but is turned down because they are Jewish. Natalie starts a campaign to get into this place and do justice.  What ensues is somewhat surprising and results in a delightful, romantic story, with some tragic turns.  I really enjoyed reading this short and sassy book!