Recommended Reading: The Veins of the Ocean, by Patricia Engel

Patricia Engel's 2017 novel about a young woman coming into her own after a series of tragedies is moving, emotional and a quick read for all that it is emotionally challenging. Reina Castillo came to the US from Colombia as a baby with her mother, father and brother, Carlito. They settle in the Miami area and their father tries to kill Carlito by throwing him off a bridge, and later Carlito kills his girlfriend's daughter the same way.

He is serving a death sentence when the book opens; Reina visits him every weekend in prison. Memories of their childhood wash over Reina as she navigates Carlito's last days. Soon she decides to move to the Florida Keys and meets Nesto, a Cuban immigrant trying to bring his family to him.

The Veins of the Ocean echoes with memory, magic and passion. It deals with difficult issues but there is hope as well among the waves and breezes of the Florida Keys. Reina and Nesto wrestle with freedom and exile, love and loyalty and what it all means. It's a wonderful book and perfect for summer.