The Infinite Tides (2012)

Being far above the earth is usually described by astronauts in religious terms of awe and wonder, but as Kiefer shows in his well-studied, aching, but occasionally meandering debut novel, The Infinite Tides, there's always a point where you have to come down. Back from a stint on the International Space Station, Capt. Keith Corcoran must come to terms with his daughter's death and his divorce — both of which occurred while he was in orbit — and the mathematical absolutes of his job give way to the emotional helplessness of his personal life. The writing is often beautiful, but it could have been tethered to a stronger plot. B