Borrow My Heart by Kasie West

 I have read several of Kasie West's books in the past and I like their light hearted, just enough angst, and plucky characters. My daughter received this one as a gift so, of course, I had to pick it up and read it. 

The basis of the plot is based on a typical miscommunication scenario. I don't love these especially when they go beyond an acceptable time for one or both of them to come clean and resolve the lies that are being perpetuated. The fall out from these falsehoods ends in overreactions which makes everything worse. I was a bit disappointed in the story and the characters. The sub plot was interesting, however, which was one of a complicated family situation. This kept me reading to the end. And of course, in the style of many a Hallmark romance, there are dogs. 

Recommend: no

teen fiction, romance, dogs, family. 

Fortunately the Milk by Neil Gaiman

On our recent road trip we listened to the audio book version that was narrated by the author, Neil Gaiman. It was a quick listen, about an hour, and full of imaginative humor. 

This is a tale a dad spins to explain why it took him sooooo long to go to the corner market and pick up some milk so that his kids could eat their breakfast cereal. When he finally comes in the door the kids demand what took so long and so he tells them. I can imagine Neil Gaiman himself weaving this tall tale to his own family!  Very fun to listen to.

Recommend: Yes

Audiobook, humor, children, family

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

 Road trips are the best times to read a new book!  My daughter brought this book that her brother had given her on our road trip to Ohio. I picked it up and read it in a couple of days. It deals with a hard subject-suicide, but in a It's a Wonderful Life sort of way. Nora has lived a life full of regrets and those regrets coupled with some hard knocks nearly overcome her. As she prepares to end her life she finds herself in the Midnight Library. Here she gets multiple second chances to see how her life would have turned out if she had made one different choice. As she sees what could have been what is seems better and better. 

The multiple themes of missed chances and present realities put together may seem to be depressing and overwhelmingly discouraging. Yet, Matt Haig, spins a tale that left me feeling hopeful and not hopeless. We all have lives that are messy and we all miss opurtunities, but as Nora learned, life is about connecting with others despite our situation and serving and helping those around us. Miraculously as we do that we help ourselves find happiness and purpose. 

Recommend: Yes

Fiction, death, suicide, hope, friendship, family relationships