Labor Day
By Joyce Maynard
($24.99, William Morrow)



"Labor Day" focuses on three well-defined and engaging characters in an unusual situation that materializes in a discount-shopping store. In an oblique way, the author's choice of this setting makes it palpable. After reading this, the reader may never enter another such store without seeing those encountered as potential characters in their own novel.

This beautiful and poignant story encompasses love, sex and adolescent yearning, all told in the space of six days to fill a book of just over 240 pages. Thirteen-year-old Henry tells us everything. At times, we don't know whether to hug him or scold him; but we always know that he loves and admires his mother and wishes they were part of a real family, with a father who believed in him.

Until the end, you won't know the results or meaning of those six days that began on that hot day in the discount store. This is a story well-told and spun through, and what you will know is that, "Wherever it is you make your home, there is always this other place, this other person, calling to you."

Mary Burns is the owner of The Bookworks, located at 1510 Third Street, downtown Marysville, 360.659.4997, or online at www.marysvillebookworks.com. Comments or requests are welcome at [email protected].