The Romantics by Leah Konen

     Subtitled "a rom-com about love told by Love," The Romantics is narrated by the Love. And, he has a job to do with Gael Brennan, a total romantic, who is clueless about what Love has planned for him.  Gael's parents are getting a divorce. His girlfriend is about to dump him for his best friend, and he is about to fall for the wrong girl.  It's as if Love needs a refresher course on how to do his job.
     I despise gimmicky plots and narration, so I had to read this novel just to prove why those gimmicks never work.  I was wrong.  Love was definitely NOT sappy and neither was the story or characters.  Gael was a romantic but avoided being a pathetic looser.  His conflicts were authentic.  His confusion and frustration with the choices of those around him captured the struggles teens face.  I had to look past his nearsightedness when it came to his best friend and girlfriend, but that was kind of minor. 
     Konen obviously understands young adults.  She catches the dynamics of their relationships, situations, and emotions.  I like that the novel had an elevated message; it was a bit too neatly summed up in the end, but for a light summer read I enjoyed it enough to forgive the pushy conclusions by Love about love.
     Am easy, funny and romantic comedy-romance, go for it, if you're in the mood for lighted hearted distraction with a point to be made.

The Man Who Couldn't Stop, OCD And the True Story of a Life Lost in Thought by David Adam

     "I'm so OCD." It's a common phrase used to describe the parts of our lives that we are meticulous about.  It's associated with repetitive actions like hand washing or checking the locks on the house repeatedly.  But, what is it really?
     I thought I understood OCD, until someone close to me began to suffer, and I mean suffer with it.  The Man Who Couldn't Stop examines the real drive behind the compulsive rituals that those with OCD exhibit.  When your thoughts turn against you and become powerfully intrusive, when those thoughts are abhorrent to you, and when you struggle to stop them and they then become more powerful, then you are in the true turmoil of OCD.
      Adam presents not only his personal nightmare with intrusive thoughts, but builds his work on the latest brain research, historical accounts, and the progression of theories throughout history.  Using personal insight, storytelling, compassion and occasionally humor, he creates a commanding and comprehensive account that is straightforward and enlightening.
     Intrusive thoughts are highly disturbing and often produce even more troubling compulsive actions. Be warned, this book is not for the faint of heart or those who are easily distressed. 

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

     Agatha takes her famous and fastidious detective, Hercule Poirot, for a murderous train ride in Murder on the Orient Express.  Poirot must suddenly travel from Istanbul to London.  It's December, so he believes getting a spot on the train will be easy, but meets great difficulty as the train is fully booked.  M. Bouc, a friend and fellow Belgian, who overseas this train manages to get Poirot aboard and quickly turns over his first class accommodations to Poirot.
   The train becomes stranded by a snowdrift, and Agatha has her favorite type a of setting, a closed "room" where a murder takes place and a limited number of suspects will reveal themselves to Poirot and his "little gray cells."
    Ratchett, a wealthy and unpleasant American approaches Poirot and asks him to discover who is going to kill him for he has been threatened.  Poirot refuses, "For I do not like your face." As usual, Poirot is right.  Rachett is a nasty fellow who soon ends up dead.  Poirot must now discover the killer among the 12 passengers.
     The Queen of Suspense fits perfectly as a title for Agatha Christie. I rarely solve her mysteries before the end and this novel was no exception.  I must admit that I fell in love with her funny, little Belgian sluth: his unexpected English phrases, his adroit observations, and his meticulous, even fussy, habits.  But, mostly I loved how he would pause and think, something missing in today's busy and blaring world.

     I give my highest recommendation for Orient Express to anyone who loves a challenging puzzle.  Definitely not a modern suspense page turner, but no murder mystery has been more finely crafted or deftly resolve than the one in this novel.

     Oh! This is a must read before the movie, even though you will know "who dun it."