The Florist's Daughter by Patricia Hampl

Winner of a 2008 Minnesota Book Award, this memoir follows Hampl’s childhood in St. Paul.  The florist of the title was her father who not only provided flowers to customers off the street, but also to the residents of the gorgeous mansions on Summit Avenue in St. Paul before the business deteriorated.  As much a history of old (circa1950s) St. Paul as recollections of her family, this book provides a snapshot of life in the smaller of the twin cities from the perspective of a daughter who, while once a wandering hippie, wound up returning to her roots. Interesting if a bit slow.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn   by Betty Smith

While this is definitely not a recent book, it was first published in 1943, it's a book that is well worth reading. I first read the book 10+ years ago, and have read it again several times.

The book is about Francie Nolan, who is growing up in Brooklyn during the early 1900's. It paints a vivid picture of what Brooklyn was like during this period and makes you feel like you really know the characters.

Penny From Heaven By Jennifer Holm

From Amazon.com:
It’s 1953 and 11-year-old Penny dreams of a summer of butter pecan ice cream, swimming, and baseball. But nothing’s that easy in Penny’s family. For starters, she can’t go swimming because her mother’s afraid she’ll catch polio at the pool. To make matters worse, her favorite uncle is living in a car. Her Nonny cries every time her father’s name is mentioned. And the two sides of her family aren’t speaking to each other!

Inspired by Newbery Honor winner Jennifer Holm’s own Italian American family, Penny from Heaven is a shining story about the everyday and the extraordinary, about a time in America’s history, not all that long ago, when being Italian meant that you were the enemy. But most of all, it’s a story about families—about the things that tear them apart and bring them together. And Holm tells it with all the richness and the layers, the love and the laughter of a Sunday dinner at Nonny’s. So pull up a chair and enjoy the feast! Buon appetito! Junior

The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante

Agnes and Honey are best friends growing up in a religious commune called Mount Blessings.  The girls have completely different views of the commune and their lives within its walls.  Agnes embraces the commune and its beliefs and yearns to become a Saint, while Honey longs to be free of the compound and the struggles and suffering she faces.

Agnes, Honey and Agnes' younger brother are removed from the commune when Agnes’ grandmother discovers a disturbing secret.  Honey is thrilled to be leaving, although she will miss working in the butterfly garden with her guardian.  Agnes longs to return to Mount Blessings to continue her path towards Sainthood.  As events unfold the girls friendship is tested, new truths are revealed, and ultimately they must both decide how to shape their own lives.  Young Adult

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Armageddon in Retrospect by Kurt Vonnegut

I picked up the newest Kurt Vonnegut "Armageddon in Retrospect."  It is a collection of his final writings, put together by his son Dr. Mark Vonnegut. The book has some wonderful items that include one of his last speeches given and the letter he wrote to his family after he was rescued from being a prisoner of war during World War II.  If you've read "Slaughterhouse V," you'll recognize the letter as being the basis of the story. 

Love in the Driest Season by Neely Tucker  

Love in the Driest Season: A Family Memoir was given to me by a good friend.  I began reading it one afternoon and a few hours later I had it finished.   

It is a story about a newspaper reporter, sent to Zimbabwe, and his wife.  While in Zimbabwe both volunteer at a local orphanage where they meet Chipo – a little girl who is near death; when she latches onto the author’s finger, he falls in love with her.  This story chronicles their journey through not only trying to adopt a child from Zimbabwe, which they have been told is impossible for foreigners to adopt, but volunteering in an orphanage where the majority of children will die due to lack of resources, medicine and basic needs not being met.  It is an amazing story of determination and perseverance that will tug at any ones heart strings.