Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

This book is about a small family from LA who struggle to fit in with conservative life in Seattle. The three main characters are all complex but well defined. The father, Elgin, is a brilliant computer programmer who neglects his family in favour of work. The mother, Bernadette, is an award winning architect who cannot let go of a past injustice. The daughter, Bee, is a highly intelligent young teenager who attempts to keep her unusual family functioning despite disputes with neighbours and Bernadette's increasingly erratic behaviour. The writing itself is not especially literary but the dialogue is believable and often very touching. The plot is a little romanticised but certainly compelling. I really enjoyed this heartwarming novel which would make a great beach read.