I was delighted to learn about This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper at this year's BEA. I was even happier when I was able to snatch up a highly-coveted galley.

I was already familiar with Tropper because I had read his previous books; Plan B: A Novel, The Book of Joe, and Everything Changes. I had loved them so much - I recommended these titles to my friends of either sex.

Jonathan Tropper's writing knows no gender barrier. He writes with such great clarity about issues both men and women can relate to that it instantly makes you feel at home with his work. His narrators always seem amazingly self-aware, bright, funny and candid even when in despair. It's not only sexual relationships that are covered so well in his books but also family dynamics and past friendships. Those that speak to all of us, regardless of sex, race, social class; like sibling rivalry, or guilt, or how you feel when you run into a long lost friend from school. The thoughts that run through your mind, how those thoughts make your feel, and what those thoughts and feelings say about you.

The title, This Is Where I Leave You, had me at hello, and when I learned it was a story about a guy who discovers his wife is cheating on him, who then subsequently loses his job and then to make matters worse, his dad dies and he needs to go spend time with his semi loony and estranged family - I knew I had to read it.

I won't tell you how it ends but I will definitely say don't let this one pass you by.

You don't have to take my word for it either: The movie rights have already been sold and the film adaptation is already in development. Read it before the film comes out.

www.jonathantropper.com
@tropper