The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
I really liked this book. I thought it was especially well written (particularly when you consider that it was a debut novel). Edwards delves deep into the emotions and lives of all the characters. She also vividly depicts how one instance can change all of our lives forever. The characters grow and develop, not all as we hope, but they definitely change and amend over time. The journeys through depression (especially during a time when depression was not well known), grief (when it was respected, rather than dealt with), and teen angst (not really all that different) are all explored with great detail and personality. While the book may seem down and out, don't give up on it.
A bit of a spoiler follows. Keep reading if you don't mind a bit of the end being spoiled.
I really like how the book ended with hope. Not all characters grew and changed as much as possible, nor even as much as we would have wised them to. But the end does offer us hope that for those who still live, change and growth are imminent.
I only wish that Phoebe's life had been a little bit more explored, especially as she grew into a woman. We know (a little) about what it was like for Caroline as Phoebe was growing up, but what was it like for Phoebe? What were Phoebe's concerns; what was her life like?