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Sometimes it takes a sad story to make you feel better. When author Shani Boianjiu was young, she had an indescribable sadness. But reading The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas made her feel that there were stories she could connect with. Are there sad stories you love? Tell us in the comments.

Amanda Coplin's first novel follows Talmadge, the titular orchardist, who doesn't stray far from his fruit trees — but trouble comes to him in the form of two pregnant teenage runaways. The book, by turns lyrical and gritty, is a glimpse into the massive changes in the American West at the end of the 19th century.

The sidewalks of Park Slope, Brooklyn, are crowded with moms with expensive strollers and organic groceries. For many New York parents, it's paradise. But despite their seemingly perfect lives in the plush neighborhood, the characters in Amy Sohn's Motherland struggle with parenthood and marriage.

Golden Days starts out as a fun tale of '80s Los Angeles. By the end, it's a devastating portrait of life after a nuclear blast. Author Gabrielle Zevin says it showed her that novels, like life, can span multiple genres. Do you have a favorite book about life in California? Tell us in the comments.

Women have fought tirelessly to establish equal footing for themselves in relationships, politics and the workplace — and according to writer Hanna Rosin, they've finally arrived. "We have to redefine what we mean by 'head of the household,'" she says.

Tell Me More looks at literature from the rising BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Of those countries, China may be considered the most powerful. But for award-winning author Yiyun Li, it's China's personal stories that intrigue her. She discusses her book Gold Boy, Emerald Girl with host Michel Martin.

Tell Me More is reading literature from countries on the rise in the global arena: the so-called BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Sana Krasikov's short story collection, One More Year, focuses on Russia. She talks with host Michel Martin about her characters and what it takes to make it in Russia.

The actress and author's first novel, When It Happens to You, is built of interlocking short stories about a group of characters who orbit each other and the plot, sometimes touching, often not — but always exerting a tug on each other. Ringwald says that even at the height of her teen stardom, she was writing.

Jonathan Evison's heartbreaking, maddening new novel, The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, follows the budding friendship of professional caregiver Ben and his paralyzed teenage patient, Trevor. While the writing can be lovely, the book will test readers' tolerance of puerile sex talk.

Jasper Fforde is known to older readers for his Thursday Next literary fantasies. His first young adult novel follows 15-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange, who runs a wizard management agency in a world that's rapidly losing magic — but business is about to pick up.