Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo

In this story, veteran novelist Merullo continues the spiritual odyssey he began in Golfing with God (2005). This road novel is loaded with humor, reflection, good food and sadness. Otto Ringling a successful New York editor and satisfied family man, finds himself reluctantly accompanying her sister’s guru, on a trip through Middle America to their childhood home. Cecilia tells him she's giving half of their state to her guru, an enigmatic Mongolian monk, and that she wants Otto to drive him there. A grumbling Otto reluctantly agrees, mapping out a route that will take them along some of the Midwest's most charming back roads. This is a moving story of spiritual awakening and a journey of self-discovery and I believe that every reader will learn much about themselves as they travel through it.


Merullo, Roland. Breakfast with Buddha, Chapel Hill, N.C.: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2007.

Bill Warringto'ns last chance by James King

Bill Warrington, a Korean War Veteran, seeks to repair his relationship with his distanced children while he still can. Bill has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and has the ‘last chance' as it refers to his last opportunity to reconnect to his kids before his mind is totally gone. Bill devises a plan to “kidnap” April (his teenage granddaughter) for a summer road trip. While leaving clues along the way, with the intention to force his children to overcome mutual distrust and work together. This a psychological road novel of a coming of age tale, presented in a funny, haunting and moving tone. Booklist considers that this novel “has the exact balance of humor, redemption and reconciliation”.


King, James. Bill Warrington’s last chance, New York: Viking 2010

Domestic Fiction_Saving cicadas by Nicole Seitz

Priscilla a single mum packs the family into the car to escape, when she realizes she is pregnant. Her mother, her 8 year-old daughter Janie, her sister Rainey who has Down Syndrome and grandparents all embark a sudden trip. Saving cicadas is the story about a family traveling back to its home town and the uncovering of their secrets, told through the eyes of 8 year old Janie and her grandmother Mona. This is an inspirational book for an adult audience about family sagas, secrets to be revealed and women’s lives and relationships. Part road trip, part mystery, and completely unexpected, Saving Cicadas will keep you engaged until the last page.

Seitz, Nicole. Saving cicadas, Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson 2009.

Songs of the humpback whale: a novel in five voices

Jane married Oliver, a successful oceanographer. She decided to reexamine her life and her marriage after one outbreak of violence to her husband. Jane takes her daughter and travels across America to stay with her brother Joley. Oliver, is left with his whale sound tapes behind in San Diego. Jane following instructions in a series of letters waiting for her in designated post offices, giving her concise directions to the next post office and each letter provides Jane with a chance to reflect on her forgotten past. Now, Oliver used to tracking humpback whales, has the task of tracking his unpredictable wife. This book is a cross country road novel, is a story of love, loss, and self-discovery, with an intricately plotted storyline and a moving tone. “Charming and poignant, Picoult's novel is even better after a second reading” Library Journal.




Picoult, Jody. Songs of the humpback whale: a novel in five voices, New York: Pocket Books 2001.