Lists: realistic fiction

Eighteen-year-old James has always been a loner, always been a little depressed, but at times lately he’s been wondering if he wants to live. At the very least, he’s decided he doesn’t want to live the way his family and peers expect him to—namely, going to college, where he’ll be surrounded by all those dreaded people his own age. Working in his mother's art gallery the summer after senior year, James reflects on his life and contemplates the future, while poring over midwest real estate ads, trying to attract the attention of John, the gay gallery manager, and deflecting his parents' attempts to talk.

The book is definitely character-driven; it’s quiet, only a couple of things could be said to “happen,” action-wise, and James often lapses into poetic musing and metaphor. Yet it's never boring and often hilarious. This is one of those deeply touching books I wanted to pass on to all my friends. Highly recommended for teens and adults.

Maurice Hall has known he was different since he was a schoolboy, but it isn't until he goes to Cambridge and meets Clive Durham that he begins to understand why. Even though this book was written nearly 100 years ago, Maurice's journey toward accepting his sexuality and finding love is as relevant ever. And in spite of the very restrictive society of the time, he does find happiness—though not where he ever would have expected! Forster's writing is just exquisite, with brilliant dialogue, lots of humor, and tingly, heart-wrenching romance. I've reread this book about a dozen times; highly recommended for teens and adults!

Though a challenging read due to its formal early 1900s language, Set in Stone is quite the page-turner! Fresh university graduate Samuel Godwin arrives at the Four Winds to tutor the estate's two teenage girls in art, where he soon senses that all is not as it seems. Meanwhile, the girls' young governess, Charlotte Agnew, is reluctantly reaching similar conclusions. What lurid secret drove away the last art tutor and last governess in quick succession? Did it have anything to do with the girls' mother's tragic death? The beauty and power of this book brought tears to my eyes in the closing pages. Highly recommended for teens and adults.