Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Olive Kitteridge is a series of short stories that adds up to a satisfying reading experience. Olive is a retired school teacher in a small town. The series of stories don't always "star" Olive but she is always somehow involved.

If you enjoy reading about small town life and like characters that are sometimes flawed then this book won't disappoint you. Olive isn't always likeable but there are times when she shows a surprisingly vulnerable side that makes you want to know more about you.

The themes in the book are so universal that I couldn't help but think of living people that the various characters reminded me of. In my reading experiences that doesn't happen all the time. And when it does it's great reading!