American Rust by Philipp Meyer

The Woods by Harlan Coben

I took this book along on my spring break vacation because I wanted to have a good"beach" book for when I finished "Cutting for Stone." This was a perfect book to have while on my vacation to Mexico. I actually read it in about a day and a half. It is another quick read by Harlan Coben. This time the story is about a man who lost his sister to murder at a summer camp 20 years ago. Or did he? He starts getting clues that his sister may be alive. The events that occurred 20 years ago come back in full force which forces him to face his past. This is an easy and intriguing read. I literally could not put it down. It certainly isn't anything heavy, but a great book to read while on vacation or when you want something quick and a story that keeps you guessing until the very last page.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

This was one of those books that kept appearing on many lists of books to read. It was featured in People, Entertainment Weekly, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. I also saw it featured on the Amazon website and the Barnes and Noble website. I figured I'd better give it a try since it was on so many lists. I loved this book! It is not an easy read at about 500 pages, but well worth the time you will spend on it. I was disappointed when I was done and still think about the story and the characters. The story begins with the birth of twins to a nun and a surgeon who helps deliver the twins. The mother dies during child birth and the father leaves right after the birth. The twins are left to another doctor that works in the hospital where they are born. The book covers the lives of the twin boys as they grow up in the hospital and both eventually become doctors themselves. The story is very detailed, but quite interesting at the same time. It has a slow steady beginning, but builds page after page to an emotional and gut retching ending. I was pretty wiped out after closing this book. This is one of the best books I've read in several months. Please give it a try! I know you won't be disappointed.

Gone for Good by Harlan Coben

I read this book for my book club at work. It was a refreshing change of what we had recently been reading. This was a quick and "fun" read. I had read one of Coben's other books called "Tell No One." Coben writes a fast story that keeps you guessing until the very last page. This was a story about man and his family. His brother had been missing for many years and on the run after being accused of murdering his girl friend. Years after the murder the brother starts getting signs that his brother may be alive and may not be responsible for the murder. From there it is a roller coaster ride with many twists and turns. I enjoyed the story and I know other readers will also. It is especially fun when you get to the end of the story to see how it is actually going to end.