A story that features a kamikaze pilot, middle-school bullying, prostitution, and a teenager contemplating suicide probably doesn’t sound uplifting or inspirational, but it manages to achieve these goals and so much more. You will love Nao, the Japanese teen at the heart of this magical tale whose diary is swept across an ocean into the hands of Ruth, a writer who lives on a remote island off the Canadian coast. Fantastic choice for book club discussions.

—Mary of R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison

5 of 5