Just for Fun

Us by David Nicholls

Nicholls brings his trademark wit and wisdom to this by turns hilarious and heartbreaking examination of a long-term marriage. Biochemist Douglas Petersen is about to embark on a "grand tour" of Europe with his artistic wife of 25 years, Connie, and his temperamental 17-year-old son, Albie, who is about to leave for college. But on the eve of their departure, his wife tells him that, after the trip, she wants a divorce. A shocked Douglas hatches a scheme to win back his wife and repair his fractious relationship with his son. Traveling from the museums of Paris and Amsterdam to the beaches of Spain, the Petersen family struggle to regain their equilibrium, but Douglas' determination to "have fun," complete with an ironclad itinerary, leads to spectacular fights, hurt feelings, and simmering tensions, all of which are conveyed by Nicholls with both humor and a deep compassion for human frailty. As Douglas looks back in longing on the couple's first heady days of love and courtship, he struggles to maintain his touching optimism for the future of their marriage. This tender novel will further cement Nicholls' reputation as a master of romantic comedy. (Booklist *Starred Review*)

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

Actor Graham (Gilmore Girls, Parenthood) turns to a new creative outlet with her breezy first novel set in the demoralizing if funny bustle of New York City's 1995 acting world. Twenty something Franny Banks is destined to act, if she can can actually land a decent audition and an even more decent part. Able to pay her rent since she snagged a coveted comedy-club waitressing job, Franny lives the typical life of a struggling actor as she tries to balance finding a good agent, going to auditions, making a splash in her acting class, and keeping her disliked if much-needed job while fretting over the looming self-imposed deadline of three years to make it on Broadway. Her roommates, good pal Jane and wannabe writer Dan, play her foils as she also deals with family issues and the very enticing James Franklin, from her acting class. A jaunty style and cutesy Filofax entries mark this as light yet enjoyable reading. (Booklist Reviews)

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie

Entreated by her ex-husband to help with two orphans recently placed in his custody, closure-seeking Andie discovers the task to be much harder than anticipated in light of the orphans' delinquent antics, a haunting and Andie's rekindled feelings. (Publisher Summary)

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

One Plus One equals one fine novel. With its ensemble cast of skillfully crafted characters—from single-mom Jess Thomas to tortured goth teen Nicky and gifted sister Tanzie to Ed Nicholls, technology millionaire—each person's story flows on its own, yet they all meld together into an uncommonly good story about family, trust, and love. Moyes gets things rolling as this hysterically mismatched mélange—along with Norman, a slobbering 80-pound dog of "indeterminate" breed—embarks on a road trip from the English shore to Aberdeen, Scotland, so that Tanzie can compete in a maths "Olympiad." Her ability to enroll in a prestigious school rides on whether she can win the competition's cash prize. She's certainly earned the best education; her family just can't afford it. In a riotous twist and momentary lapse of good sense, Ed volunteers his "top-of-the-range" Audi, complete with his services as driver. There are high jinks galore as perhaps one-too-many gastrointestinal problems arise, but, in all, the trip, with what Ed perceives as its terrifying "boundarylessness," delivers on its promise, just not in the way anyone anticipated. (Booklist *Starred Review*)

Heartwarming Stories of Friendship

    

The Firelight Girls by Kaya McLaren

Camp Firelight has welcomed eager campers every summer for several generations, but now the well has dried up, and the site is slated to close for good. Already heartbroken over the loss of her lifelong partner, retired camp director Ethel reaches out to nearby alumnae for help in preparing the cherished place to sell. Her plea touches several former campers facing times of great flux in their own lives. Laura fears her empty-nest marriage is at risk, Shannon is considering a midlife career change, and Ruby is wracked by guilt for an act of betrayal committed years before. Together once again at their beloved childhood camp, the women begin reclaiming the optimism of their youth. When they find a terrified runaway hiding in the campgrounds, they turn their energy from personal rejuvenation to outward altruism, setting out to help her and maybe preserve the camp, too. There are no surprises here, just a predictable, heartwarming story about bonds between girlfriends and love of all kinds. ~(Booklist Reviews)

Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky

Two old friends, troubled by present crises and past mistakes, reunite on an island off the coast of Maine. It's been 10 years since Nicole, a food blogger, has seen her best friend, Charlotte. Now, Nicole is at her parents' summer home on Quinnipeague Island, publishing contract in hand, preparing to write a cookbook on local cuisine. She is also there to ready the place to sell after her father's sudden passing. When Nicole summons Charlotte to Quinnipeague to help with the book, Charlotte has reservations due to a secret she has harbored for years: Shortly before Nicole's wedding, she had a drunken one-night stand with Julian. A pregnancy resulted; the child was given up for adoption. Sharing the seaside house while Julian is away, Charlotte and Nicole bond once more over the challenges of wresting recipes from the crusty islanders and over best-selling beach read Salt. ~ (Kirkus Reviews)

The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery
Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there's a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she's never seen. He won't even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time. Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg became a VP at her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too lateuntil he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she really can have it all. Although Pam Eiland adores her husband, she feels restless now that the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise him brings the heat and humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she'll have to redefine herself. Again. Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, the girls of Mischief Bay will discover that life is richer with friends at your side. ~(Publisher Summary)

Looking for a light new read?

Not a diet book or a self-help title, Ada's Rules: A Sexy Skinny Novel will entrance chick-lit readers, particularly those who have ever set unrealistic weight-loss goals in preparation for an event.  That's what happens when preacher's wife Ada Howard receives an invitation to her twenty-five-year college reunion from an old flame.  In the process of working on a strict new health regimen, Ada develops a new perspective on life.