Hopefully you’ll have some down time, or travel time to get lost in a good book. Here are four of our favorites this year, and a fifth totally shamless plus for Cheryl Benton’s novel, “Can You See Us Now?”

Pachinko – a Heartbreaking Family Saga

A second novel is a tricky thing and many of them disappoint. Not this one. Min Jin Lee’s first book, Free Food for Millionaires, wowed everyone, but Pacinko is on a whole different level. A good, old-fashioned family saga, this is a heartbreaking, fascinating story you’ll be sorry to finish. Set in Korea and Japan, a fisherman’s daughter fights her own battles through a tumultuous century of occupation, war, and a fragile peace.   Get the book.

The Flight Attendant – A Thrilling Ride

A flight attendant wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man – and no idea what happened. 

Cassandra Bowden is definitely a flawed character. She is a flight attendant, a binge drinker, hooks up with a lot of wrong guys, and has the occasional blackout. There are many moments you will cringe at her behavior, but you will find yourself caring about her and hoping she straightens herself out.  This thriller of a ride will keep you reading into the night, and we did not see the ending coming.  Get the book and find out.

Katerina – A story of love, guilt, and regrets

You may well remember the controversy around James Frey’s critically acclaimed first book, “A Million Little Pieces,” which was promoted as an autobiography when it was revealed much of it was fiction.  But still it was a brilliant book.  His latest novel “Katerina,” which many actually do think is autobiographical, has not been embraced by the critics, but we loved the book, which tells the story of a young writer and a young model on the verge of fame, both reckless, impulsive, addicted, and deeply in love. Twenty five years later he receives an anonymous message that draws him back to the life, and possibly the love, he abandoned years prior. It takes a little getting use to Frey’s unique writing style – often a freestyle poetry form – but then we came to appreciate the brilliance. And we cried at the end. Get the book.

 The Kennedy Debutante – for Lovers of Historical Fiction

Katherine “Kick” Kennedy was JFK’s younger sister. This fictional account tells her story of arriving with her family in London in 1938 when her father Joseph Kennedy was the U.S. Ambassador. From her coming out party as the “it” girl of London and her “forbidden” love of an English noble Protestant this captivating novel is set again the backdrop of WWWII and follows the exploits of the forgotten and rebellious daughter of one of America’s greatest political dynasties.  It starts off slow but picks up steam. And if you’ve always been fascinated with the Kennedy clan, add an extra star. Get the book.

Can You See Us Now?  – a debut novel from the “Head Tomato”

“Loved this book. The value of true friendship and women over fifty.”

“I absolutely loved this story! It is a story of hope and love and friendship”

“With a can-do attitude, life exists after 40. Great picture of New York and its women..”

“What a great read! LOL in some places, crying in some and cheering in other places. Wow! A “must read.”

Three best friends rebel against unsolicited AARP cards, hot flashes, bosses, becoming invisible, and the perceptions of what’s old.  We’re excited to say that readers are loving the book.  It has garnered 100 five star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. And trust us, we don’t have that many friends.  Read an excerpt.  Get the book.

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