We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

     We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is a perfect summer read.  The story centers around the wealthy Sinclair family, which consists of two grandparents, their three daughters, and their many grandchildren.  Cadence Sinclair Eastman is the main character in the novel.  She spends her summers with her mother, aunts, and cousins on her grandparents' private island off the east coast.  Throughout the book, Cadence recalls the memories of these summers.
     One summer, however, is difficult for her to recall.  It was the summer of her 15th year.  During this summer, Cadence suffered an accident that caused her tremendous pain and headaches for two years.  To make it worse, Cadence can't remember what happened to her.  Two years after the accident, Cadence returns to the island to reconnect with her family and to try to piece together the story of what happened to her.  When Cadence asks about the accident, no one seems to want to share any information with her, so it is up to her to retrace her steps, visit familiar places, and try to recall the memories of that summer.  As Cadence begins to remember the events leading up to her accident, readers start to uncover the truth of what happened, and the ending is quite a surprise!
     The adult characters in this book are broken and selfish.  They fight over money and inheritances, and they put their children in the middle of their battles. The teens in the book try to avoid being dragged into their parents' fights, and they vow to try to make a difference in the world.  Along with these interesting characters, E. Lockhart's style of writing is beautiful.  It is full of imagery and metaphors, and literally pulls the reader right in.
     If you enjoy a book that explores family relationships, has a bit of mystery to it, and is beautifully written, you will definitely want to pick up a copy of We Were Liars.