Erica Boyce has an engaging debut novel with 'The Fifteen Wonders of Daniel Green'. Daniel is a member of a secret society of 'Circlers' who, for the love of it, travel around the country making crop circles.

The true secret is that this is done with the blessings of the farmers with the hope that it inspires interest in a region, farming, or simply remind the world that agriculture exists. There is something healing about the process of making a circle that comforts Daniel and helps him to forget about his past, if not move on.

It has become a lonely life for him, so it should come as no surprise to the reader when the bright, young daughter of the Daniel latest client is allowed into Daniel's secret and the two begin to share aspects of themselves they'd become afraid to explore.

This was a quick read, its set in Vermont - though it sounded and felt like no part of the state I know - and does interesting things with its premise. Boyce is another young author to keep an eye on.

Another fine Penguin original, buy one from your local bookseller this Tuesday!

Millie is working another in a long line of temp jobs in Chicago. At thirty she expected to have gotten more from life. It's been over a year since her long term relationship imploded, she lives alone in the apartment subsidized by her parents, and the only friend she hasn't alienated is a bore. There is a possibility her current job could be permanent, could this change everything?

I loved, loved, loved this book. It is awful and cruel and just so fucking dead-on. I'm a reluctant millennial, I don't hold to the generation-bashing business - can baby boomers or gen x really afford to throw any stones? - but I just don't feel like I have anything in common with my age cohort. I buy things, not experiences, for one. Collecting is important, damn it.

Off-topic, sorry. Never mind.

'The New Me' is a convincing portrait of a young woman at a crisis in her life, trying to solve her problems with the solutions she's been taught to attempt. There are many things that Millie and I don't have in common, but her experience rang true with my own in many other ways. Butler moves the narrative from Millie's often claustrophobic and occasionally self-destructive behavior to her supervisor's, co-worker's, neighbor's, whenever an outside perspective is illuminating. This is a brief book, but every word counts. I loved the ending.

This was pure, excessive delight from start to finish. Moss' "Totally Radical" history of 80s and 90s teen fiction skews towards the female and the romantic, but many of these books were ones that I read growing up.

Moss begins by describing her love of reading, and her eventual returning to Sweet Valley High, etc, in her adult life. She provides important background to the genres, poo-poos the idea that 'good' YA Literature started with John Green, and divides the bulk of the books she discusses into categories - dating, scares, mysteries, school, etc.

Another real benefit to having this book is the trove of cover art that it features. Cover art was better in the 80s and 90s, we all know it. Romance and limited SF & fantasy publishers are the only ones who still get how to market a fun book.

The only flaw I found was in the exclusion of boys' titles, though Moss does touch on Goosebumps and a few others. I hope a sequel or companion may be in the works.

This is not 'The Magicians'. This book falls squarely into the tradition of disaffected youngsters flailing about after adulthood sets in and trying to find some kind of meaning to it all. One of these youngsters, obviously, is more precious than the rest and it is his journey that we follow.

Hmm, the above may sound a little harsh, but I actually like this genre a lot, its a nice snapshot of 'cool' hedonism of past decades. Its fun to read the references, the opinions on musical icons and movies, and - 'Warp' in particular - commentary on science fiction.

The plot revolves around Hollis Kessler and his quest to find something to do with his days in the funk surrounding the exit of his professional ex-girlfriend and, in the meantime, a side-quest to have a good party in a stranger's house. There's a manic pixie dream girl named Xanthe and several other friends who serve as a sliding scale of debauchery and wasted potential.

Grossman has a good ear for catching realistic dumb conversations (I mean that in the best way) and there is a heart to this book that makes it rise above all of the faint praise I've given it thus far. I enjoyed reading it. You might, too.