Recipe Test

There are two themes that I can always get on board with: time travel and alternate lives.

This novel explores nine variations of one woman's life, and it all is spurred by the fact that Rose Napolitano does not want to have children.

She's an academic who loves her career, but her husband's one request is that she give that up to pursue having a child with him.

The reader then goes on different paths with Rose to explore what a motherhood journey might look like or what the course might look like if she declines.

I devoured this in one satisfying gulp and it ended up being a phenomenal feminist book club selection. I appreciated how all of Rose's lives seem to lead her to the same unexpected path that I think any reader would understand.

Patrons can access a beautiful interview with Donna Freitas and hear why she thinks it is important for women to see characters like this in their literature. Immerse yourself further with our book club playlist that allow you to time travel through the book in song.

Cash and Delaney are dear friends that have the shared experience of being children of addicts and growing up in a small Appalachian town. So when Delaney receives a scholarship offer to an elite school, she accepts only because she can bring Cash with her on the same scholarship acceptance. 

Cash should be thrilled to get this offer but feels conflicted because his grandfather is raising him and battling emphysema. With their encouragement, though, he takes the coveted spot at the school.

It's through the support of one teacher; Cash begins to find his voice, people, and someone to call his own. 

I recommend this book on audiobook because Michael Crouch does a PHENOMENAL job narrating this and brings Zentner's story to life even more.

Jeff Zentner does coming-of-age stories beautifully, and the storytelling in this one is, particularly, superb. This was my favorite YA book of the year.

Immerse yourself further with my interview with the author and follow along through song with our playlist that takes you on Cash and Delaney's school adventures through song.