Inevitably my mind turns to the start of school as summer begins to wind down. Maggie Pouncey’s debut novel is set in a small college town with a cast of characters who are tied one way or another to the fictional Darwin College. This is perfect reading as fall fills the air. Perfect Reader is smart, honest, and funny. It’s about a daughter coming to terms with her college president father’s death, and her return to the small college town where she grew up. Flora Dempsey is not always likeable as she struggles to make peace with her father’s wish that she act as his literary executor. At issue is a collection of heretofore unknown poems—love poems to be precise. Pouncey hits the mark as she explores the concept of reading (not just casual reading but intentional reading), learning and writing. Her sense of humor shines through as she takes on the provincial attitudes of Darwin’s elite academicians. Principally a character-driven story, Perfect Reader packs some intriguing plot twists making it a page-turner as well. It’s entertaining, and most importantly, a good read. ~Wendee