Neapolitan novels by Elena Ferrante

It is the story of a 50 years old friendship between two girls that grew up together in the same poor neighborhood in Naples after WWII , one bookish and intelligent –Elena, and the other rebellious and street smart- Lila. They ended up in different places as adults, yet stay very close at heart all through their life. Through the four novels we follow them, and their friends and families, and watch how their dreams grow and dash when reality confronted them and took them in different directions. I thought it was a treasure.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The book takes place in Nigeria, the US and the UK. The protagonist takes on race, immigration, emigration, interracial relationship, feminism, what it means to leave home and then go back, all wrapped up in a complicated love story. The people described are real and flawed and her honesty is striking and vibrant, all together a great experience.

The Lake House by Kate Morton

Two different story lines decades apart, taking place in Cornwall, UK. The book is very descriptive and atmospheric. It has suspense, family tragedy, secrets and at the end they all connect and make sense. Overall an enjoyable experience.

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

The book is a psychological, atmospheric drama that later becomes a melodramatic crime story taking place in the 1920s in London. Very detailed, great sense of the period and strong characters . I enjoyed it a lot.