Staff Pick of the Week

LeAna's Pick

Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell

Though set in Pennsylvania, West Virginia natives will recognize the rural coal-mining mountain town setting and hard-working townsfolk. The story centers on Harley Altmyer, who finds himself the guardian and sole parent of his three younger sisters after his mother is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his father. Overburdened and barely managing to suppress feelings of anger and helplessness, he finds an escape in an obsessive passion for his middle aged neighbor, which stirs up family secrets and leads to an unforgettable ending. Few female authors can write a novel from a young male perspective this believably.