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Good Grief by Lolly Winston
By Allie Costa
The novel begins with Sophie already a widow and only in her mid-thirties. We, as readers, never see Ethan alive, and yet we do. He lives on in his wife's memories, her heart and her vivid dreams. Sophie thinks she is coping just fine - until she shows up to work in her pajamas and bunny slippers, causing her to lose her job (albeit it a cordial leave of absence rather than being abruptly fired).
This, then, is the jumping point of the novel. This is the catalyst for Sophie, making her get out of bed, get out of town and get on with her life. Such things seem impossible, even overwhelming at first, and she holds fast to Ethan's ring and striped ski sweater. She learns that others need her as much as she needs them. She gets closer to her best friend, both figuratively and literally, as she moves to Oregon. Sophie thinks signing up for the Big Brother/Big Sister program will get her a cute little girl to babysit; she instead gets a smart-mouthed smoker teenager named Crystal, whose tough exterior is slowly worn down by Sophie's gentle reassurances. Sophie may even learn how to get along with her mother-in-law -- and start dating again.
All the while, Sophie never, ever forgets the love she had for Ethan. The book is sweet, but never false. It kept my attention from start to finish. The realistic characters won my heart with their quirks, strengths and weaknesses. GOOD GRIEF is a fabulous testament to life, love and loss which can be appreciated by a wide range of adults.
What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci
By Allie Costa
At first glance, one might think Claire has it all. She's a high school cheerleader with a devoted best friend, a sought-after boyfriend, and a group of elite buddies.
Now take a closer look, and give Claire a second thought. Not everything is as it seems. Claire's parents are divorced, and her mother is drinking alcohol frequently. Claire is in remission from leukemia, which took her out of school for a year.
Enter Lani Garver, the new kid at school. At first, due to his long hair, slight build and tendency to giggle, the other students assume that Lani's a girl. Even after he sets them straight, most of his peers regard him as a freak.
Claire's path crosses with Lani's a few times in as many days. She learns that he is a few years older and quite a bit wiser than his classmates. A whirlwind friendship between the outcast and the cheerleader, a friendship which defies the teenage laws of cliques and clashing in their small town. With Claire as the protagonist, it becomes not just Lani's story but hers as well. Once he opens her eyes, she begins to see both the beauty and the cruelty in the world.
What Happened to Lani Garver is an emotional experience. Note that the title is a statement, not a question. This book is a realistic anatomy of a hate crime that will make you consider society's standards - and maybe even your own. Highly recommended.