Commonwealth by Ann Patchett is a novel about two families whose lives are thrown together when a father of four kisses a woman, not his wife, at a christening party and suddenly two families are split up. The six step-siblings form an unexpected bond during Summers spent running free together away from their parents.

There is a tragedy and a mystery at the core of the story which is revealed slowly, in parts, as the reader gets to know each of the characters. Beautifully written, this book drew me in from the beginning. Semi-autobiographical, this is one of Patchett’s best books.