Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. An offbeat and quirky novel about a family consisting of mom, dad, and three daughters aged 10-17. The kids are “know-it-alls” who are smart-asses, often left alone to raise themselves as the parents are too consumed with their own problems (mainly the father trying to deal with an open marriage) to actually parent, or even buy food or keep up the house. Everyone was all very annoying, but it all came together, and ironically, “War Crimes Wes,” the 17-year-old daughter’s boyfriend, turned out to be the hero. At first, I loved it; then it bogged a little in the middle, but all came together by the final scene. Readers of Kevin Wilson’s quirky novels may want to give this a try.

See One, Do One, Teach One by Grace Farris, MD. This is a lovely graphic memoir about becoming a doctor, starting with pre-med classes, and ending with a residency in a Boston hospital. It was simple in the way each level of advancement was explained, but there was also an undercurrent of heart and of how all the apprehension about whether it was the right career decision came together. This is perfect for fans of Lucy Knisley’s graphic memoirs. This might also be a good read for those who like the current TV program The Pitt, although the memoir’s grittiness is implied rather than graphic.