Beautiful Ruins is a novel filled with unforgettable characters who have insatiable appetites for all the things that success brings. Much of the charm of the novel is Walter’s ability to transport us to far-flung locations both wondrous and thrilling. It’s also a cautionary tale with some unconventional and unique methods of storytelling.  

Rakesh Satyal's 'Blue Boy' tells the story of Kiran, a Indian-American boy who lives in a quaint Cincinnati suburb. The 12-year-old does everything he can to meet his parents' expectations. Yet Kiran isn't like other boys: He prefers ballet and his mother's Estée Lauder make-up, proclivities that alienate him from not only the other kids but also his fellow Indians at temple.