Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

My rating:  4.5

I typically don't care for short stories but I really enjoyed Unaccustomed Earth.  It may have been due to the delightful capturing of the cultures, the way that each story feels 'completed' at the end (even if I didn't want it to end) or just due to Lahiri's exquisite writing style.
I particularly enjoyed the stories of the generational/cultural differences and the last 'novella' of the trio of stories.  So well done.

I agree with other's that Lahiri's style is so similar that you don't want to read her books back-to-back but, I plan on reading all of them and would definitely recommend this one.

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobsen

My rating: 4.7

This wonderful little novel is about Jack, who is camping with his mom and he wakes up to find her gone.  You soon realize that the mother has some type of mental illness and this isn't the first time there has been erratic behavior.  It is about Jack's quest to find her and then get back home.  He is quite resourceful and encounters a lot of things.

This is an easy read with a lot of depth to it. It is recommended for ages 9 and up although I think the subject matter is pretty advanced.  This is very well written and emotionally compelling.  It will be interesting to see what my niece thinks of it as this is a book we are reading together.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

My rating: 4.5 

 There were parts of this book that made me that crazy lady in the car next to you laughing so hard. Other parts of it, were mildly amusing and some parts felt long and rambling. Do not get this book if you are easily offended or if you are put off my cursing.

 It is worth checking out to see if any of it hits your funny bone. I would definitely recommend the audio version as I think that really enhanced it to hear the author reading it and it wouldn’t have been near as funny and more rambling if I had read it.

The Round House by Louise Erdich

My rating:  4.4

I enjoyed this story of a woman living on a reservation who was attacked.  The story is told through her son Joe’s eyes.  While there are definitely enjoyable comedic moments that are reminiscent of Sherman Alexie, it also captures the impact and ripple effects of an attack.  Very well told.

The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

My rating: 4.2

I thought this book was going to be morbid but it wasn't. It was actually recommended to me by my g/f, who's husband is dying of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer so, when she said it wasn't morbid, I had to trust her. I loved his mother and wished I could have known her. There is a plethora of books listed so, if you listen to the audio book, be sure to have a pen and paper in hand (I understand the paper version has the list of books at the end). I loved the many messages of this book including that books can bring people together.