Friendship/ Love/ Family/ Relationships
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This is the story an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in
Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he is
guided on his quest by a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist. No one
knows what the treasure is or exactly how Santiago will be able to reach his goal. But the book
becomes much more than the physical journey. Rather it becomes a statement about the
transformative power of dreams and about being true to oneself.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (Ex Libris Selection)
Narrated by Enzo, a dog with great insight and a droll sense of humor, this book follows the life of Enzo’s
master Denny, a race-car driver who is beset by the greatest challenge of his life: a fight to clear his name
and regain custody of his young daughter.
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Taylor Greer grew up poor in rural Kentucky with the goal of getting away. But when she heads
west with high hopes and a barely functional car, she meets the human condition head-on. She
arrives in Arizona with a three-year-old American Indian girl whom she "acquired" on the road,
and she learns that she must somehow come to terms with both motherhood and the necessity of
putting down roots.
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
(Ex Libris selection)
This novel is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the last years of the Civil War. It appeals to
history buffs, outdoorsmen, and those concerned with roles of women. It has a love story and an
amazing ending.
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Cold Sassy, Georgia, named for the cold breeze under the sassafras tree that stands near the
railroad depot, is a typical, quiet Southern town. However, on July 5, 1906, things take a
scandalous turn. Speaking in the Southern dialect, Will Tweedy leads the reader through the
humorous scrapes and inner workings of a fourteen-year-old boy’s conscience.
The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer (Ex Libris Selection)
This is a kind of Benjamin Button story in which a baby born with the appearance of an old man
grows more youthful as time goes on. The story, told with wit and charm, is about romantic
love, the steadfast loyalty of boyhood friends, and the challenges of raising a most unusual child.
Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
John Gunther recounts his search for a cure for his son, who has a brain tumor. Johnny,
seventeen and super smart, is cooperative, optimistic, and humorous; but above all he is
courageous as he faces test after test, operation after operation before finally succumbing to the
tumor. The story, however, is not so much about suffering and death, but about joy and life.
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
(Ex Libris Selection)
This funny page-turner is perfect for the poolside. The author explores the serious and humorous
sides of sisterhood, motherhood, and daughterhood in the Louisiana Bayou. (P.S. Boys will like
it, too.)
A Dog's Life by Peter Mayle
This is a delightful book written from the point of view of Mayle's dog Boy, who "overcomes
humble beginnings" to become master of the Mayle household. His obedience training has to do
with training the family to do what he wants, rather than the other way around. This book is for
all lovers of dogs, irony, and good humor.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The narrator of this classic is Pip, a young orphan whose encounters with an escaped convict; an
eccentric, even maniacal old woman; and a beautiful girl teach him a great deal about life, love,
and the true definition of success.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
As London emerges from World War II, writer Juliet Ashton finds the subject for her new book in a letter
from a man she has never met, a man with whom she begins a fascinating correspondence about a
remarkably eccentric society on the island of Guernsey.
Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls
Told with wit and grit, this is the true story of the author’s grandmother, a colorful character who started
life in a dirt dugout in west Texas; became a teacher at fifteen; rose above a first marriage to a scam artist;
tried her hand at poker, horse-breaking, flying small planes, ranching, and bootlegging; and found a life of
love and substance with an amazing husband and family. This book helps to explain where Jeanette
Walls, author of her own biography The Glass Castle, made have found her source of resilience and
pluck.
Home to Italy by Peter Pezzelli
This novel is a charming ode to new beginnings and the Italian concept of enjoying life. Peter
Pezzelli’s tale of a widower who returns to his childhood home to rebuild his life and continue
practicing bicycling, only to be struck by the thunderbolt of love, is not only a delight to read but
a must for those who love the sport of bicycling.
Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
(Ex Libris Selection)
In the opening scenes, Henry Lee is awash with grief over the death of his wife and what he perceives to
be the dwindling prospects of his old age. However, when he hears about the recovery of the belongings
of Japanese-Americans who had been forced into internment camps during World War II, forty years
earlier, Henry is jolted back in time to his first love with a beautiful young Japanese-American girl.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
(Ex Libris Selection)
The setting is a futuristic dystopia, a nation called Panem that is obsessed with a sadistic survival game
that pits young people of its twelve districts against each other. Can Katniss, a young woman of intellect
and superior athleticism but also of exceptional compassion, prevail over her wily, cut-throat
competition?
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Written in 1847, this novel remains a favorite, especially among younger readers who continue
to be entranced by the young Jane and her mysterious Mr. Rochester. An unhappy orphan, Jane
eventually becomes a governess who is smitten by her gruff employer. Jane’s story is filled with
many travails, including a shocking revelation on her wedding day. The happy ending finally
arrives, though, and Jane and Rochester are united forever.
The Jester by James Patterson
In this novel set during the Crusades, a man sets off to find his kidnapped wife and must pose as
a court jester in order to do so. One reader describes this book as “even better than Michael
Crichton's Timeline.”
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Set in war-torn Afghanistan, this is the story of Amir and Hassan, childhood friends who grow
up as close as brothers despite the fact that Hassan’s father is a servant in Amir’s household.
While Amir’s childhood is at first blissful, the mounting ethnic, religious, and political tensions
soon bring him to some painful realities about himself and his country. When the Soviets invade
Afghanistan, Amir and his father flee to America, leaving Hassan and his father to fend for
themselves. Nagged by guilt, the adult Amir must later return to his homeland to redeem himself
and to repay the debt he feels he owes to Hassan and his family.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
When computer science professor was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decided to deliver a “last
lecture” on “really achieving your childhood dreams” as his legacy to his wife, young sons, and students.
Not at all maudlin or sappy, this book will inspire you and make you laugh.
Leaving Cold Sassy: The Unfinished Sequel to Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
These fifteen chapters of an unfinished sequel to the best-selling novel Cold Sassy Tree are drawn to a
conclusion by Burns’ editor, who also reflects on the inspiring life of Olive Ann Burns.
Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
This is a story of a boy living in China during Mao's regime. Leaving home at a young age to
join a ballet academy, he is at first homesick and hates the art. As he practices, his passion for
ballet grows, and he becomes one of the most famous dancers in China.
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards
(Ex Libris Selection)
When his wife gives birth to a healthy baby boy and a girl with Down’s Syndrome, David, a
doctor, asks his nurse to keep the girl’s birth a secret and to deliver the child to an institution. In
a wave of compassion, the nurse claims the baby for her own and raises her secretly in another
city. Watch the unfolding of the parallel lives of the twins and discover something about the
meaning of unconditional love.
Miracle at St. Anna by James McBride
Based on an actual World War II event, the novel recounts a horrific massacre in an Italian
village. However, the book is not so much about battles and valor but about the effects of war on
civilians and the warm and unlikely relationships that can form when people are brought together
by adversity.
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
Durrell’s account of growing up on Corfu is filled with humor and great anecdotes about his
encounters with the animals on the island.
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
This is the story of a young artist born into a Hassidic Jewish community in New York. His
dream of becoming an artist conflicts with his parents’ dreams for him.
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
(Ex Libris Book)
This is the story of a young woman's coming-of-age and the murder that rocked turn-of-thecentury America. (Publisher’s synopsis)
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
View life in the court of King Henry VIII from the perspective of Mary, the younger sister of the
more famous Anne Boleyn. Filled with adventure, intrigue, and outrageous characters, this work
of historical fiction is a real page-turner.
A Painted House by John Grisham
(Ex Libris selection)
In something of a departure from his usual spy-thrillers, Grisham tells a story described as
simultaneously “heartwarming” and “heartbreaking.” It is a coming-of-age tale set in rural
Arkansas in which Luke faces not only the harsh realities of life but also the essence of the
human spirit.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The classic opening line of Pride and Prejudice establishes the tone and the plot of this novel
first published in 1813. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of
a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Mrs. Bennet is preoccupied with finding a good
husband for each of her five daughters. As the central characters Darcy and Elizabeth bumble
through a romance replete with pride and prejudice, you’ll see how little the game of love has
changed.
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
If you are a lover of the mystery novel, then make tracks to your favorite bookstore. The famous
first line, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly,” invites the reader to enter the life of a young
woman who marries the handsome Maxim DeWinter and moves to his lavish country estate. The
spectacular ending will not disappoint you!
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
(Ex Libris Book)
From the moment she's struck by lightning as a baby, it is clear that Mary Anning is marked
for greatness. On the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast, she learns that she
has "the eye"-and finds what no one else can see. When Mary uncovers an unusual fossilized
skeleton in the cliffs near her home, she sets the religious fathers on edge, the townspeople to
vicious gossip, and the scientific world alight. In an arena dominated by men, however, Mary is
barred from the academic community; as a young woman with unusual interests, she is suspected
of sinful behavior. Nature is a threat, throwing bitter, cold storms and landslips at her. And when
she falls in love, it is with an impossible man. (Publisher’s synopsis)
River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke
The Bynums are part of a steady migration in the 1920s from the fields of the rural South to the
streets of bustling Washington. In a city caught between tradition and progress, prejudice and
dawning tolerance, the family must learn to survive.
A River Runs through It by Norman Maclean
This novel is famous for its great descriptions of fly-fishing in Montana. It is the story of two
brothers who grow up in the mountains. The fishing scenes are real and also serve as metaphors
for their family relationships. The river runs through both the comic and the tragic parts of the
book. Catch this one in your book bag!
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Ex Libris Selection)
While the whole world has been reduced to a bleak and savage post-apocalyptical landscape, one
man struggles to provide love, nourishment, and protection for his young son.
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall
This book is a great example of how we stereotype and pre-judge people, but at the same time
God looks past our bumbling and misguided efforts, allowing us to grow and love. Those who
recommended it for our list said they couldn’t put it down. You’ll love this true story of a
Dallas-area art dealer who befriends a homeless man he meets at a Fort Worth mission. The
movie version of their story will be filmed in Dallas in the coming year.
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay
During World War II, ten-year-old Sarah is arrested by the French police in a round-up of Jewish
men, women, and children but not before she tries to protect her younger brother by locking him
in a closet in their home. Sixty years later a journalist assigned to cover a story on the round-up
becomes intrigued with the story of Sarah and her brother. At first drawn to the poignancy of the
story, the journalist soon finds that the history of her own family is intertwined with that of
Sarah.
Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand
If you have ever rooted for a dark horse--whether a literal race horse like Seabiscuit or for a
person who seems unlikely to succeed--you’ll love this true story of a rags-to-riches horse and
the three men who contributed to his success, bringing excitement and pleasure to people
during the cruel years of the Depression
Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
This is a story of two cousins, Anju and Sudha, whose relationship strengthens as they learn dark
family secrets and share their experiences of arranged marriages and personal tragedies that
follow. The story is set in both India and the United States and describes an exceptional bond
between two women.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (Ex Libris Selection)
Lovers of mystery stories will be charmed by the precocious, fearless, and witty sleuth Flavia De Luce,
who, despite the fact that she is an eleven-year-old girl living a rather sheltered life in a manor outside a
small English visitor, manages to immerse herself in solving a shocking murder.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
This classic work of historical fiction explores the French Revolution from the perspective of
families in London and France. Filled with intrigue, suspense, revenge, love, and self-sacrifice,
this lengthy and intricately woven work is well worth your time.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (Ex Libris Selection)
The narrator’s rather sedate life in a book store is upended when she meets the eccentric owner
of a strange old house and is swept up in the mysterious world of ghosts and family secrets.
True Grit by Charles Portis
(Ex Libris Book)
It tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen years of age when a coward going by the
name of Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life,
his horse, and $150 in cash. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father's blood. With the one-eyed
Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available U.S. Marshal, by her side, Mattie pursues the murderer
into Indian Territory. (Publisher’s synopsis)
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
(Ex Libris Selection)
The author revisits his beloved college professor, Morrie Schwartz, in the last months of the
older man’s life. Their re-kindled relationship turns into one final series of “classes,” as Morrie
teaches Mitch (and the reader) lessons on how to live.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Read the book that has created all the buzz about the unlikely love story of a noble vampire and
the new girl in school. Meyer fans, please note: While you will want to read the whole series,
you may use only one of Meyer’s books to meet the summer reading requirement.
Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
In small-town Oklahoma, a young pregnant woman finds herself abandoned and forced to live at
a Wal-Mart. She soon finds conversation, friendship, and a new family with the people of the
town. This book is real life--it will make you sense the magic in everyday things.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights has been called “the most haunting love story in the English
language.” The story is of Catherine and Heathcliff’s tender attachment that increases over the
years and grows into a passion that destroys one generation and nearly wrecks a second. (Hint:
make sure your copy of the book contains a genealogy chart.)