Mr. Boardwalk
Although the publicity for this book stresses its setting in Atlantic City, once the quintessential beach town, the novel is really about the trials of growing up in modern America -- and the fact that we never really finish growing up. We see the protagonist as both a kid and an adult, and he's always trying to figure things out. The book has humor, tragedy, sex, occasional drugs, some rabbinical wisdom, and a style that keeps you turning the pages. Highly recommended for any season.