Aoibheann Sweeney’s first novel was one of those books that I ended up reading in about two or three sittings. There wasn’t much to break, no barriers between myself and the main character, no code of haughty intellectualism, just some solid narrative.  What immediately appealed to me was the ease with which Sweeney builds the relationship between the reader and the main character of Miranda. Basically this coming of age story begins with Miranda and her father on an island in Maine. At the time I read this book a co-worker of mine was traveling cross country to Portland Maine. She had told me the beauty of Maine was blinding. Miranda is the daughter of a rather eccentric and quaint man who never leaves their island home. Miranda lands a job working in a library in New York City after she graduates from High School. It’s here at that the story takes off and Miranda’s life reflects many of the same things we all experience when we first begin to make our “own” way in the world.  The book to me was about leaving. About leaving what we are comfortable with and trusting what we don’t know about ourselves. Sweeney manages to be sensitive without being safe, wistful without being boring, and remains playful and devoted to her narrative. Great first novel and I am looking forward to her second.