I realize I say this every summer, but I love these long, light evenings, perfect for lounging with a good book. And I've been reading up a storm, in my usual array of different genres.
Calypso, by David Sedaris. Sedaris's new collection of cheerfully misanthropic essays, mostly autobiographical, was thoroughly entertaining. While slightly more maudlin and less raucously absurd than some of his previous work, his reflections on aging, middle age, and mortality are both wryly funny and thought provoking. Don't misunderstand me: I still laughed until my sides ached. But this collection is simply more reflective and thoughtful in some ways than his past work. I can never get enough. The audiobook, read by the author, is a stellar performance.
Only Human, by Sylvain Neuvel. Third in Neuvel's brilliant Themis Files series. As a child, Rose Franklin found a giant metal hand near her home in South Dakota. As an adult, she became a scientist who studied the hand and found the other pieces of the giant robot, assembling it and the team who would pilot Themis. She and her team used Themis to protect Earth from geopolitical conflict and an alien invasion. Now, returning to Earth after ten years on Themis's home planet, Rose finds her old alliances in shambles and the planet itself on the verge of collapse. Even as her oldest friends turn against one another, Rose must piece together the fragments of the Earth Defense Corps or all of her work will have been for nothing. This science fiction series reads more like psychological suspense, full of puzzles and twists--I love it.
Eleanor & Hick, by Susan Quinn. Having recently read Amy Bloom's fascinating latest novel, White Houses, about the relationship between AP reporter Lorena Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, of course I wanted to know more. Quinn's book briefly covers the vastly different childhoods of these two unlikely friends, and then moves on to their enduring relationship which spanned more than thirty years. These two fiercely compassionate women spurred each other on to right wrongs during their turbulent lifetimes, and held each other up through private hardships. Quinn's work was masterful, and I greatly enjoyed this in audiobook format.
Set This House in Order, by Matt Ruff. I revisited this old favorite, which I had read more than a decade ago. Andy Gage was born in 1965 and was murdered not long after by his stepfather. Only, it was Andy's soul which was murdered, and it shattered into over a hundred pieces, many of which became souls in their own rights. Now, together, these souls run Andy's body and struggle to coexist in his head. Andy's new coworker, Penny, is also a multiple, only not all of Penny's souls know that the others exist. It's only in helping Penny's souls to work together that the two discover a terrible secret that Andy has been hiding...from himself. Truly fascinating stuff.
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova. Genova, who writes about characters with neurological disorders (Left Neglected, Every Note Played, etc.), writes here about Harvard professor of cognitive psychology Alice Howland. She's esteemed in her field, has written a text book, is married to another Harvard professor and scientist. And then she starts to become increasingly forgetful, missing a conference where she was meant to be a speaker, losing track of her lectures during classes. When the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's turns her world upside down, Alice must choose how to make the best use of her time while she is still herself. A fast and compelling read which made for excellent discussion in my book club. This is also available in Large Print and audiobook. It has also been made into an award-winning film starring Julianne Moore.
The Uncoupling, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Interestings, The Female Persuasion) is adept at giving readers a fresh lens through which to look at different issues. When the new drama teacher at Stellar Plains High School chooses "Lysistrata" for the annual school play (the comedy by Aristophanes in which women stop having sex with men in order to stop a war), a strange effect falls over the community--the women lose interest in sex, for reasons they don't understand. Even more confused and upset are their husbands, boyfriends, and lovers. The result is that these couples must all reflect on their shared histories without sex in the picture, with a variety of outcomes. Unusual but enlightening. Also available as an audiobook.
Bring Me Back, by B.A. Paris. Finn and Layla, young and in love, are on vacation when Layla disappears. Authorities are alerted, and while Finn is the original suspect in her disappearance, he is eventually cleared. Layla never resurfaces. A decade later, Finn has started to finally move on. He's moved out of the cottage that he and Layla shared, though he cannot bring himself to sell it. He's engaged...to Layla's sister, Ellen. Then Finn get's a call from an old neighbor, a man who swears he's seen Layla near the old cottage. Long-lost items from Layla's past begin to appear out of nowhere. And then someone emails Finn...claiming to be Layla herself. An absolutely gripping novel from the author of Behind Closed Doors.
Also available in Large Print and audio.
Caged, by Ellison Cooper. This debut thriller had me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down. You can read my original review here.
The Supernatural Enhancements, by Edgar Cantero. Told in a series of letters, journal entries, and transcripts, Cantero's debut begins months after the last of the Wells sons jumped out of his bedroom window to his death. His heir, a long-distant cousin from across the Atlantic, arrives with his sidekick/bodyguard, Niamh, a young mute teen with a punk hairstyle. They're excited about their change of fortune, and the rumors that the mansion is haunted are just an added bonus. Until, that is, they start to dig into the house's mysterious past and find that ghosts are just the beginning. Ambitious and ultimately very rewarding. His sophomore novel, Meddling Kids, is still my favorite to date, though his new novel due out today, This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us, may change that--we'll see!
1Q84, by Haruki Murakami. It's 1984 in Tokyo and Aomame, following the advice of a taxi driver, begins to notice the puzzling anomalies in the world around her. She realizes that she has entered an alternate, parallel existence, one that she calls 1Q84, a world that bears a question. Meanwhile, aspiring writer Tengo takes on a ghostwriting project despite some deep misgivings. It is only as their two stories converge over the course of this single year that we learn just how deeply these two strangers are connected. Also available in audiobook.
Suicide Club, by Rachel Heng. Lea Kirino is a "Lifer". Her genetic makeup has given her the opportunity to live forever, if she does everything just right. Lea is an overachiever--she's risen steadily through the ranks as a trader for the New York exchange, where they now trade organs and upgrades instead of stocks. She has a beautiful apartment and a fiance who rivals her own genetic perfection. With the right balance of calibrated nutrition, low-impact conditioning and systematic upgrades, she just might live forever. Of course, the flip side of this is that she cannot die--death is not just taboo in this culture, but illegal. Then she finds she has a connection to the Suicide Club, a group of people who reject the societal drive for immortality. There lies the choice: live forever by the governmental regime, or go rogue and have a shorter life knowing the only family she has left. Heng's debut is catalogued as science fiction, but is more psychological, and philosophical, thriller than anything else. Totally engrossing and ultimately brilliant.
The Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang. Stella, at thirty, loves her work developing algorithms that predict customer purchases. For her, math is the one thing that unites everything in the world, and she revels in the logic of it. She has more money than she needs, and no social life. Definitely no boyfriend, despite her mother's repeated attempts to set Stella up with suitable bachelors--Stella's mother wants grandbabies, now. It might have something to do with Stella's seeing French kissing as akin to pilot fish cleaning a shark's teeth. She applies logic to her quandary and decides she needs lessons in relationships, from a profession. The escort she hires, Michael, agrees to go along and help her check off the boxes for the list she has compiled--he can't afford not to. And he realizes that Stella has Asperger's, which will make his approach that much more complicated. But when their partnership starts to make sense, can a real relationship follow? I have to say that this debut was one of the most surprisingly emotional novels I've read in some time. For what looks like it might be a bit of fluff, the author's deft hand with a variety of subject matters (Asperger's, cultural clashes, relationship pitfalls) and her beautifully drawn characters made this one of my favorite reads of late.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Can't Keep It To Myself: Caged, by Ellison Cooper
Ellison Cooper's debut novel Caged is a series kickoff featuring FBI Senior Special Agent Sayer Altair, a neuroscientist who studies the brains of serial killers. When she's appointed team leader on a task force tracking a brutal new serial killer, however, it seems like she's met with resistance on every side. Her boss is more worried about image and funding, it seems, than catching the real killer. And when a local senator's missing daughter is identified as one of the killer's victims, Altair must contend with the senator's press conference obsession, which is filled with confidential information leaked directly from her team. So who is the leak, and why are they undermining the case?
This page-turner is tightly plotted, peppered with red herrings, and features a relatable heroine. Fans of authors like Karin Slaughter and Tana French should absolutely check this out. I could not put it down!
This page-turner is tightly plotted, peppered with red herrings, and features a relatable heroine. Fans of authors like Karin Slaughter and Tana French should absolutely check this out. I could not put it down!
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Meg's Picks: August 2018, part 3
Looking for an engrossing read to tote along with you next month? Here are a few of my picks!
The Masterpiece, by Fiona Davis. Davis's historical fiction (The Address, The Dollhouse) has been a huge hit with readers. This latest features New York City both in the 1920s and the 1970s, centering on Grand Central Station. In 1928, Clara is scraping by teaching art and illustration at the Grand Central School of Art, until she finally lands a job drawing illustrations for Vogue. But even the brightest star dims with the crash of 1929, and Clara disappears from record after 1931. In 1974, divorcee Virginia gets a job working at the Grand Central information booth. While exploring the abandoned art school, she finds one of Clara's paintings, a painting that bears a striking resemblance to a Clyde painting up for auction at Sotheby's. Who really painted the Clyde, and what happened to Clara in 1931? Fans won't want to miss this one. Also available in Large Print.
Trust Me, by Hank Phillippi Ryan. In this stand-alone from the author of the Jane Ryland series (Say No More, etc.), grief-stricken journalist Mercer Hennessy has given up on hoping for good days in the aftermath of personal tragedy. Then she finds a renewed sense of purpose when she's assigned to write a true crime book about the Baby Boston murder trial. The mother of a two year old little girl stands trial for the girl's murder, and Mercer is sure the woman is guilty. But when a not-guilty verdict is delivered, Mercer must write a story of redemption, but who is redeemed and who is innocent remains to be seen.
The Masterpiece, by Fiona Davis. Davis's historical fiction (The Address, The Dollhouse) has been a huge hit with readers. This latest features New York City both in the 1920s and the 1970s, centering on Grand Central Station. In 1928, Clara is scraping by teaching art and illustration at the Grand Central School of Art, until she finally lands a job drawing illustrations for Vogue. But even the brightest star dims with the crash of 1929, and Clara disappears from record after 1931. In 1974, divorcee Virginia gets a job working at the Grand Central information booth. While exploring the abandoned art school, she finds one of Clara's paintings, a painting that bears a striking resemblance to a Clyde painting up for auction at Sotheby's. Who really painted the Clyde, and what happened to Clara in 1931? Fans won't want to miss this one. Also available in Large Print.
Trust Me, by Hank Phillippi Ryan. In this stand-alone from the author of the Jane Ryland series (Say No More, etc.), grief-stricken journalist Mercer Hennessy has given up on hoping for good days in the aftermath of personal tragedy. Then she finds a renewed sense of purpose when she's assigned to write a true crime book about the Baby Boston murder trial. The mother of a two year old little girl stands trial for the girl's murder, and Mercer is sure the woman is guilty. But when a not-guilty verdict is delivered, Mercer must write a story of redemption, but who is redeemed and who is innocent remains to be seen.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Meg's Picks: August 2018, part 2
Love a good suspense novel that has a character's plot come back to haunt them? Here are two excellent choices being published in just a few short weeks!
The Drama Teacher, by Koren Zailckas. It's 2008 and Gracie (or whatever other alias she chooses to use) is struggling to maintain her middle-class lifestyle while her husband hunts for a new job out of town. Gracie, you see, was raised to survive by lying, stealing and grifting. So when times are tough for her and her two kids, and her husband is mostly absent, old instincts kick in. In short order, she ingratiates herself to a wealthy woman, fakes her teaching credentials, and gets herself hired as a drama teacher at a prep school, gaining entry for her kids in the process. But even the longest con has to end sometime, and when Gracie's past begins to haunt her new life, the result will be gloriously messy. This should make for excellent poolside reading.
Sweet Little Lies, by Caz Frear. Detective Cat Kinsella is investigating the murder of a housewife, but the case links to her past in ways she couldn't imagine. Eighteen years ago, Cat's family became friendly with a girl named Maryanne while on holiday, and when Maryanne disappeared, Cat's father lied to the investigators. Could her estranged father, who owns a nearby pub, be involved in this case as well? Big buzz for fans of Tana French and Clare Mackintosh.
The Drama Teacher, by Koren Zailckas. It's 2008 and Gracie (or whatever other alias she chooses to use) is struggling to maintain her middle-class lifestyle while her husband hunts for a new job out of town. Gracie, you see, was raised to survive by lying, stealing and grifting. So when times are tough for her and her two kids, and her husband is mostly absent, old instincts kick in. In short order, she ingratiates herself to a wealthy woman, fakes her teaching credentials, and gets herself hired as a drama teacher at a prep school, gaining entry for her kids in the process. But even the longest con has to end sometime, and when Gracie's past begins to haunt her new life, the result will be gloriously messy. This should make for excellent poolside reading.
Sweet Little Lies, by Caz Frear. Detective Cat Kinsella is investigating the murder of a housewife, but the case links to her past in ways she couldn't imagine. Eighteen years ago, Cat's family became friendly with a girl named Maryanne while on holiday, and when Maryanne disappeared, Cat's father lied to the investigators. Could her estranged father, who owns a nearby pub, be involved in this case as well? Big buzz for fans of Tana French and Clare Mackintosh.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Meg's Picks: August 2018, part 1
Want to know what I can't wait to read next month? Here are a couple that have made my short list!
The Other Woman, by Sandie Jones. This debut thriller features one of a woman's worst nightmares--the evil mother-in-law, on steroids. When Emily and Adam start dating, everything is perfect between them. But that all changes when Adam introduces Emily to the other woman in his life: his mother, Pammie. Pammie takes an instant dislike to Emily, but as Emily and Adam seem to be fated for happily ever after, Pammie is having none of it and it seems she will stop at nothing, not even violence, to put an end to the relationship. If you love a plot-twisting thriller, I highly recommend adding this to your list.
This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us, by Edgar Cantero. I adored Cantero's last novel, 2017's Meddling Kids, which was a genius homage to the old Scooby-Doo cartoon. So I cannot wait to read his new novel, which features twin private eyes Adrian and Zooey, who just happen to inhabit one androgynous body and go by A.Z. Kimrean. She's creative, he's highly cerebral with a photographic memory, and together they're going to need all the skills they both possess to find the person responsible for a series of murders, recuse an undercover cop, and avert a major gang war. If you like your detective stories quirky, highly entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny, Cantero is your man.
The Other Woman, by Sandie Jones. This debut thriller features one of a woman's worst nightmares--the evil mother-in-law, on steroids. When Emily and Adam start dating, everything is perfect between them. But that all changes when Adam introduces Emily to the other woman in his life: his mother, Pammie. Pammie takes an instant dislike to Emily, but as Emily and Adam seem to be fated for happily ever after, Pammie is having none of it and it seems she will stop at nothing, not even violence, to put an end to the relationship. If you love a plot-twisting thriller, I highly recommend adding this to your list.
This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us, by Edgar Cantero. I adored Cantero's last novel, 2017's Meddling Kids, which was a genius homage to the old Scooby-Doo cartoon. So I cannot wait to read his new novel, which features twin private eyes Adrian and Zooey, who just happen to inhabit one androgynous body and go by A.Z. Kimrean. She's creative, he's highly cerebral with a photographic memory, and together they're going to need all the skills they both possess to find the person responsible for a series of murders, recuse an undercover cop, and avert a major gang war. If you like your detective stories quirky, highly entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny, Cantero is your man.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Reading Ahead: August 2018, part 3
Need a new mystery or suspense novel to tote with you on vacation? Look no further!
Bone on Bone, by Julia Keller. This new installment of Keller's Bell Elkins series, following 2017's Fast Falls the Night, finds Bell back in Acker's Gap after a three year prison stint. Almost instantly, she finds herself at the center of a complicated, deadly case and facing one last, crippling secret about herself. Bell may have lost her job as the local prosecutor, but she still loves her ragtag little hometown. As she teams up with former Deputy Oakes, who is adjusting to his own life changes, and the new district prosecutor, Bell pits herself against a case more perilous, and more potentially heartbreaking, than any she's seen to date. If you're looking for a gripping new series to sink your teeth into, I highly recommend Keller--start at the beginning with 2012's A Killing in the Hills.
The Money Shot, by Stuart Woods and Parnell Hall. Second in this writing duo's new Teddy Faye series (after 2016's Smooth Operator) has the man of mystery donning a new disguise, this time posing as actor and stunt man Mark Weldon. When Centurion Studio's leading lady becomes the target of blackmail, Teddy is in a prime position to lend a hand. Only it's not just money these crooks are after, and things could get deadly in a hurry. Also available in Large Print.
Bone on Bone, by Julia Keller. This new installment of Keller's Bell Elkins series, following 2017's Fast Falls the Night, finds Bell back in Acker's Gap after a three year prison stint. Almost instantly, she finds herself at the center of a complicated, deadly case and facing one last, crippling secret about herself. Bell may have lost her job as the local prosecutor, but she still loves her ragtag little hometown. As she teams up with former Deputy Oakes, who is adjusting to his own life changes, and the new district prosecutor, Bell pits herself against a case more perilous, and more potentially heartbreaking, than any she's seen to date. If you're looking for a gripping new series to sink your teeth into, I highly recommend Keller--start at the beginning with 2012's A Killing in the Hills.
The Money Shot, by Stuart Woods and Parnell Hall. Second in this writing duo's new Teddy Faye series (after 2016's Smooth Operator) has the man of mystery donning a new disguise, this time posing as actor and stunt man Mark Weldon. When Centurion Studio's leading lady becomes the target of blackmail, Teddy is in a prime position to lend a hand. Only it's not just money these crooks are after, and things could get deadly in a hurry. Also available in Large Print.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Reading Ahead: August 2018, part 2
Thrillers and mysteries are standard fare these days, but what if it's something that shakes up the everyday? These two titles should do that very thing.
Texas Ranger, by James Patterson and Andrew Bourelle. Patterson teams up with New Mexico author Bourelle in this first stab at a western thriller. Rory Yates started out as a mere local highway patrolman, but his discipline and skills have brought him through the ranks to Texas Ranger. He arrives in his hometown to a gruesome crime scene and a brutal accusation--that he's responsible for the grisly murder of his ex-wife, Anne, a school teacher whose most outlandish action had been to divorce her Ranger husband. Determined to prove his innocence and catch the real killer, Yates finds himself embroiled in a case that would shock even the most hardened of law enforcement officers. Also available in Large Print.
The Mystery of Three Quarters, by Sophie Hannah. Hannah's new Agatha Christie estate novel featuring Hercule Poirot (following 2016's Closed Casket) joins Poirot coming home after luncheon to find Sylvia Rule on his doorstep, angry and ready to berate him. It seems, unbeknownst to him, that he's being credited with accusing Rule of murdering a man named Barnabas Pandy. He's said no such thing, and neither of them knew a man named Pandy, and the furious encounter ends in a stalemate. But upon entering his house, he finds a second stranger who is also accused of Pandy's murder, also supposedly by Poirot. And now Poirot has no choice but to investigate... Also available in Large Print.
Texas Ranger, by James Patterson and Andrew Bourelle. Patterson teams up with New Mexico author Bourelle in this first stab at a western thriller. Rory Yates started out as a mere local highway patrolman, but his discipline and skills have brought him through the ranks to Texas Ranger. He arrives in his hometown to a gruesome crime scene and a brutal accusation--that he's responsible for the grisly murder of his ex-wife, Anne, a school teacher whose most outlandish action had been to divorce her Ranger husband. Determined to prove his innocence and catch the real killer, Yates finds himself embroiled in a case that would shock even the most hardened of law enforcement officers. Also available in Large Print.
The Mystery of Three Quarters, by Sophie Hannah. Hannah's new Agatha Christie estate novel featuring Hercule Poirot (following 2016's Closed Casket) joins Poirot coming home after luncheon to find Sylvia Rule on his doorstep, angry and ready to berate him. It seems, unbeknownst to him, that he's being credited with accusing Rule of murdering a man named Barnabas Pandy. He's said no such thing, and neither of them knew a man named Pandy, and the furious encounter ends in a stalemate. But upon entering his house, he finds a second stranger who is also accused of Pandy's murder, also supposedly by Poirot. And now Poirot has no choice but to investigate... Also available in Large Print.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Reading Ahead: August 2018, part 1
While the biggest rush of summer books has begun to ebb, August will be no slouch when it comes to excellent new titles you'll be eager to get your hands on. Don't believe me? Read on!
Pieces of Her, by Karin Slaughter. Slaughter, who is among my absolute favorite thriller writers, treats readers to a new stand-alone novel that is already gaining exceptional praise. Andrea thinks she knows everything about her mother, Laura. Where she grew up, what she wants most in life, everything. Until a normal outing together erupts in violence and Andrea sees a side of Laura she'd never imagined. Before Laura was Laura, she was someone else entirely, an identity she's been hiding for nearly thirty years. Andrea, the police--everyone wants answers, but Laura isn't talking. Left with no other recourse, Andrea must make a desperate attempt to uncover her mother's past or risk them both losing everything. Also available in Large Print.
Tailspin, by Sandra Brown. Rye Mallett makes a living shipping cargo to far-flung places and gets paid well not to ask too many questions. He's got a solid reputation, he'll fly anywhere in any kind of weather, provided the price is right. So it's business as usual when he's asked to fly to a remote airstrip in fog-bound Georgia with a mysterious box for a Dr. Lambert. The mysteries multiply when he crash-lands, only to find a different person waiting instead of Dr. Lambert. Together, Rye and his new ally, Brynn, must deliver the box on a time-sensitive mission, with both authorities and thugs on their heels. What is in this box, anyway? Also available in Large Print.
Feared, by Lisa Scottoline. This new entry in Scottoline's bestselling Rosato & DiNunzio series (following 2017's Exposed) pits Mary DiNunzio against her arch-rival Nick Machiavelli, and he's out for blood this time. A suit is brought against the Rosato & DiNunzio firm by three men claiming sex discrimination, that they were not hired by the firm because they're men. Worse, their sole male employee resigns, claiming that there is legitimacy to the law suit's grounds. Machiavelli is representing the men, and he won't be satisfied with simply winning the case--he wants to destroy the law firm entirely. Mary and her associates can't lost everything they've worked so hard for, but can they stop it? Fans can't wait!
Pieces of Her, by Karin Slaughter. Slaughter, who is among my absolute favorite thriller writers, treats readers to a new stand-alone novel that is already gaining exceptional praise. Andrea thinks she knows everything about her mother, Laura. Where she grew up, what she wants most in life, everything. Until a normal outing together erupts in violence and Andrea sees a side of Laura she'd never imagined. Before Laura was Laura, she was someone else entirely, an identity she's been hiding for nearly thirty years. Andrea, the police--everyone wants answers, but Laura isn't talking. Left with no other recourse, Andrea must make a desperate attempt to uncover her mother's past or risk them both losing everything. Also available in Large Print.
Tailspin, by Sandra Brown. Rye Mallett makes a living shipping cargo to far-flung places and gets paid well not to ask too many questions. He's got a solid reputation, he'll fly anywhere in any kind of weather, provided the price is right. So it's business as usual when he's asked to fly to a remote airstrip in fog-bound Georgia with a mysterious box for a Dr. Lambert. The mysteries multiply when he crash-lands, only to find a different person waiting instead of Dr. Lambert. Together, Rye and his new ally, Brynn, must deliver the box on a time-sensitive mission, with both authorities and thugs on their heels. What is in this box, anyway? Also available in Large Print.
Feared, by Lisa Scottoline. This new entry in Scottoline's bestselling Rosato & DiNunzio series (following 2017's Exposed) pits Mary DiNunzio against her arch-rival Nick Machiavelli, and he's out for blood this time. A suit is brought against the Rosato & DiNunzio firm by three men claiming sex discrimination, that they were not hired by the firm because they're men. Worse, their sole male employee resigns, claiming that there is legitimacy to the law suit's grounds. Machiavelli is representing the men, and he won't be satisfied with simply winning the case--he wants to destroy the law firm entirely. Mary and her associates can't lost everything they've worked so hard for, but can they stop it? Fans can't wait!
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
What I've Been Reading: June 2018
Sometimes I'm lucky enough to get a really good run of fast, compelling reads that I whip through each of them in just a few days. It's rare that I get an entire month full of just such books, but when it does? Well, then I get what follows.
A Summer in Sonoma, by Robyn Carr. Originally published in 2010 and re-released this summer, this tale of four friends who help each other through crises is classic Carr. Cassie has terrible taste in men, until she becomes friends with a guy who helped he when she was in trouble. Too bad he's completely unsuitable... Beth, a doctor whose body is betraying her for a second time, is trying to go it alone. Good friends don't let that sort of thing happen, though. Marty's husband is taking her for granted, and Marty has reached her breaking point. And Julie, married and a mother just out of high school, is struggling to keep her family together. Friends are always there to help one another through...at least when Robyn Carr is writing, anyway. Excellent easy beach reading.
Close Enough to Touch, by Colleen Oakley. After ten years in solitude, tragedy finally forces Jubilee Jenkins out her front door and into the world. She's not an ordinary librarian. She's a woman with an extremely rare allergy--the touch of another human could kill her. Eric Keegan has troubles of his own. He's left behind his ex-wife and daughter while he takes a temporary work assignment hours away, but he's trying to raise his adopted son, the child of his deceased best friend. Endearing and heartfelt, this tale of two people who want what's just out of reach is a compelling read. Highly recommended, especially for fans of JoJo Moyes and Liane Moriarty.
The Female Persuasion, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Uncoupling, The Interestings, etc.) is a favorite of mine, so when I got my copy of her latest novel, I couldn't stop myself from reading it in the span of two days. Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation when she meets feminist icon Faith Frank after a presentation at her university. This chance encounter draws Greer into a life she'd never dared imagine for herself, and further from her high school boyfriend, Cory, whose own life has derailed due to family tragedy. With overarching themes of honesty, loyalty, and admiration, this was a powerful, character-driven story. Excellent. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
White Houses, by Amy Bloom. Bloom (Lucky Us, Away, etc.) is one of my favorite writers--her style is spare, the books seeming deceptively short, but each word is so artfully chosen that a reader is immersed with just a few short phrases. Here, she explores the openly secret relationship between prominent female reporter Lorena "Hick" Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. After taking a job with the administration and moving into the White House, Hick is not only close to Eleanor, but she also develops an admiring understanding with Franklin, whose own lovers are also an open secret. Fascinating, beautiful, and told with a deft hand. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Favorite Sister, by Jessica Knoll. Knoll's 2016 debut, Luckiest Girl Alive, was a staff favorite here at the library, so we've been eager to see how her sophomore effort holds up. The good news? It's just as scathing and savagely funny as her first. The cast and crew of reality TV show Goal Diggers are gearing up for a fifth season, and while some of their onscreen alliances are scripted, they're even more cut-throat in their personal lives. Every one of them has secrets, and some are worth dying...or killing...to keep. Fan favorite Brett is perfectly at ease on camera, but her personal life is a disaster that's getting worse on the daily. Her sister and business partner Kelly, a single mom, is hopeful she'll get cast in the new season and finally move out of her sister's shadow. Stephanie, the veteran, had a bestselling debut novel, but her second and third have been lackluster, and she's desperate for her memoir to hit big to reestablish her relevance and her brand. But is that going to be her downfall? Bold, wry, and witty, this is a tale that highlights just what it takes, and what it can cost, to be successful. Also available in Audio.
The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner. Kushner's gritty latest finds Romy Hall in 2003, serving two consecutive life sentences in Stanville Women's Correctional Facility deep in California's Central Valley. She's been severed from the outside world, from the San Francisco of her youth and from her young son, Jackson. Inside, there is a new world to learn and navigate, that of hustling to survive, the absurdities of institutional living, and casual violence. While not for the faint of heart, this is a novel full of brilliantly diverse stories interwoven into a mesmerizing tale. Also available in Audio.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara. The Golden State Killer was an elusive rapist turned murderer who terrorized California in the late 1970s and early 1980s before, it seems, going dormant, leaving over fifty unsolved cases and ten dead in his wake. Thirty years later, true crime journalist Michelle McNamara, creator of TrueCrimeDiary.com, pored over police reports and interviewed victims and neighbors, determined to identify the unknown perpetrator. This is her work, culled in parts from her notes, unfinished at the time of her untimely death. Note: this helped reignite interest in these cases, and the GSK was caught in April 2018. Compulsively readable and fascinating. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor Oliphant has a flat and a job. She struggles with appropriate social interactions and her weeks are governed by a schedule that includes weekly phone calls with her mother and weekends dulled by vodka. It's only when she meets new coworker Raymond, and they together help Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, that Eleanor's careful routines begin to change. It's only as each of these lonely souls open up to one another that Eleanor finally begins to work out that she's only been existing, and that connecting with others is part of really living. Funny and thoughtful and absolutely perfect--I highly recommend it, and the audiobook is particularly exceptional. Oh, and this has been optioned for film with Reese Witherspoon attached to produce, so expect Eleanor Oliphant to be a household name in the future. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center. For those who love heartfelt novels about overcoming obstacles, like Me Before You, Center's new novel is an absolute must-read. I can't tell you the last time I so much wanted to see a character come out on top after adversity. Margaret Jacobsen is on the cusp of all of her happily-ever-afters. She's got her dream job lined up. She's getting engaged. Then in an instant, Margaret must learn to start over. Nothing can ever be the same, but as the old falls away, new relationships are built. Old hurts can be healed, but some things must be let go before we can move on. I loved this book and these characters and I recommend it very, very highly.
Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts. In the span of eight minutes, the normal evening at the Down East Mall in Portland, Maine is shattered. That's how long it takes from the first shot fired to the last of three rampaging teen shooters to be taken down. The survivors, in their grief and shock, do their best to cope in the aftermath. For the young waiter on break, it is the impetus to enroll in the police academy. For the first person to call 9-1-1, it becomes a wellspring of creative inspiration as she uses art to work through her grief. But for one individual, the evening was unfinished. For the mastermind behind the three shooters, the survivors are simply new targets. And those who remain must work to stop it before they're in the cross-hairs. A little different for Roberts, but excellent reading. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Outsider, by Stephen King. King, who has shifted in recent outings to more suspense with a supernatural twist (what I'm saying here is, if you think his work is too scary for you, try the new stuff), brings readers a new fight between good and evil. When a crime is committed in a small community, people are shocked and appalled. When the apparent perpetrator turns out to be well-loved teacher and Little League coach Terry Maitland, there is outrage and fury. Before his day in court can happen, however, Maitland is killed--but the investigation has only just begun. Because there's no way Maitland could have done it, not only because it was so uncharacteristic, but because he was in a different part of the state, on television, with witnesses, at the time the crime was committed. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't let the page-length put you off, because this is a fast, gripping read. Just a helpful hint from your friendly librarian, though--if you haven't read King's recent Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch), you might want to read that first, as one of the key characters in said trilogy makes an important appearance in The Outsider.
Waking Gods, by Sylvain Neuvel. Second in Neuvel's spellbindingly unique Themis Files, following his debut, Sleeping Giants (2016). As a girl, Rose Franklin accidentally discovered a giant metal hand buried in the earth. As an adult, she has devoted her life to the study of the hand, and of the other pieces that fit together with it. Why was this giant robot disassembled, the pieces scattered across the planet? With every answer comes more questions. The situation grows dire when a second robot appears on Earth, only to attack. Then, more robots, each appearing in highly populated areas. If their intent is malicious, can they be stopped? No sophomore slump here, this is both action-packed suspense and thought-provoking philosophy wrapped up in an incredibly fast read. I'd recommend this for fans of Andy Weir's The Martian or Ernest Cline's Ready Player One.
Have a safe and happy 4th!
A Summer in Sonoma, by Robyn Carr. Originally published in 2010 and re-released this summer, this tale of four friends who help each other through crises is classic Carr. Cassie has terrible taste in men, until she becomes friends with a guy who helped he when she was in trouble. Too bad he's completely unsuitable... Beth, a doctor whose body is betraying her for a second time, is trying to go it alone. Good friends don't let that sort of thing happen, though. Marty's husband is taking her for granted, and Marty has reached her breaking point. And Julie, married and a mother just out of high school, is struggling to keep her family together. Friends are always there to help one another through...at least when Robyn Carr is writing, anyway. Excellent easy beach reading.
Close Enough to Touch, by Colleen Oakley. After ten years in solitude, tragedy finally forces Jubilee Jenkins out her front door and into the world. She's not an ordinary librarian. She's a woman with an extremely rare allergy--the touch of another human could kill her. Eric Keegan has troubles of his own. He's left behind his ex-wife and daughter while he takes a temporary work assignment hours away, but he's trying to raise his adopted son, the child of his deceased best friend. Endearing and heartfelt, this tale of two people who want what's just out of reach is a compelling read. Highly recommended, especially for fans of JoJo Moyes and Liane Moriarty.
The Female Persuasion, by Meg Wolitzer. Wolitzer (The Uncoupling, The Interestings, etc.) is a favorite of mine, so when I got my copy of her latest novel, I couldn't stop myself from reading it in the span of two days. Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation when she meets feminist icon Faith Frank after a presentation at her university. This chance encounter draws Greer into a life she'd never dared imagine for herself, and further from her high school boyfriend, Cory, whose own life has derailed due to family tragedy. With overarching themes of honesty, loyalty, and admiration, this was a powerful, character-driven story. Excellent. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
White Houses, by Amy Bloom. Bloom (Lucky Us, Away, etc.) is one of my favorite writers--her style is spare, the books seeming deceptively short, but each word is so artfully chosen that a reader is immersed with just a few short phrases. Here, she explores the openly secret relationship between prominent female reporter Lorena "Hick" Hickock and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. After taking a job with the administration and moving into the White House, Hick is not only close to Eleanor, but she also develops an admiring understanding with Franklin, whose own lovers are also an open secret. Fascinating, beautiful, and told with a deft hand. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Favorite Sister, by Jessica Knoll. Knoll's 2016 debut, Luckiest Girl Alive, was a staff favorite here at the library, so we've been eager to see how her sophomore effort holds up. The good news? It's just as scathing and savagely funny as her first. The cast and crew of reality TV show Goal Diggers are gearing up for a fifth season, and while some of their onscreen alliances are scripted, they're even more cut-throat in their personal lives. Every one of them has secrets, and some are worth dying...or killing...to keep. Fan favorite Brett is perfectly at ease on camera, but her personal life is a disaster that's getting worse on the daily. Her sister and business partner Kelly, a single mom, is hopeful she'll get cast in the new season and finally move out of her sister's shadow. Stephanie, the veteran, had a bestselling debut novel, but her second and third have been lackluster, and she's desperate for her memoir to hit big to reestablish her relevance and her brand. But is that going to be her downfall? Bold, wry, and witty, this is a tale that highlights just what it takes, and what it can cost, to be successful. Also available in Audio.
The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner. Kushner's gritty latest finds Romy Hall in 2003, serving two consecutive life sentences in Stanville Women's Correctional Facility deep in California's Central Valley. She's been severed from the outside world, from the San Francisco of her youth and from her young son, Jackson. Inside, there is a new world to learn and navigate, that of hustling to survive, the absurdities of institutional living, and casual violence. While not for the faint of heart, this is a novel full of brilliantly diverse stories interwoven into a mesmerizing tale. Also available in Audio.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara. The Golden State Killer was an elusive rapist turned murderer who terrorized California in the late 1970s and early 1980s before, it seems, going dormant, leaving over fifty unsolved cases and ten dead in his wake. Thirty years later, true crime journalist Michelle McNamara, creator of TrueCrimeDiary.com, pored over police reports and interviewed victims and neighbors, determined to identify the unknown perpetrator. This is her work, culled in parts from her notes, unfinished at the time of her untimely death. Note: this helped reignite interest in these cases, and the GSK was caught in April 2018. Compulsively readable and fascinating. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor Oliphant has a flat and a job. She struggles with appropriate social interactions and her weeks are governed by a schedule that includes weekly phone calls with her mother and weekends dulled by vodka. It's only when she meets new coworker Raymond, and they together help Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, that Eleanor's careful routines begin to change. It's only as each of these lonely souls open up to one another that Eleanor finally begins to work out that she's only been existing, and that connecting with others is part of really living. Funny and thoughtful and absolutely perfect--I highly recommend it, and the audiobook is particularly exceptional. Oh, and this has been optioned for film with Reese Witherspoon attached to produce, so expect Eleanor Oliphant to be a household name in the future. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center. For those who love heartfelt novels about overcoming obstacles, like Me Before You, Center's new novel is an absolute must-read. I can't tell you the last time I so much wanted to see a character come out on top after adversity. Margaret Jacobsen is on the cusp of all of her happily-ever-afters. She's got her dream job lined up. She's getting engaged. Then in an instant, Margaret must learn to start over. Nothing can ever be the same, but as the old falls away, new relationships are built. Old hurts can be healed, but some things must be let go before we can move on. I loved this book and these characters and I recommend it very, very highly.
Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts. In the span of eight minutes, the normal evening at the Down East Mall in Portland, Maine is shattered. That's how long it takes from the first shot fired to the last of three rampaging teen shooters to be taken down. The survivors, in their grief and shock, do their best to cope in the aftermath. For the young waiter on break, it is the impetus to enroll in the police academy. For the first person to call 9-1-1, it becomes a wellspring of creative inspiration as she uses art to work through her grief. But for one individual, the evening was unfinished. For the mastermind behind the three shooters, the survivors are simply new targets. And those who remain must work to stop it before they're in the cross-hairs. A little different for Roberts, but excellent reading. Also available in Large Print and Audio.
The Outsider, by Stephen King. King, who has shifted in recent outings to more suspense with a supernatural twist (what I'm saying here is, if you think his work is too scary for you, try the new stuff), brings readers a new fight between good and evil. When a crime is committed in a small community, people are shocked and appalled. When the apparent perpetrator turns out to be well-loved teacher and Little League coach Terry Maitland, there is outrage and fury. Before his day in court can happen, however, Maitland is killed--but the investigation has only just begun. Because there's no way Maitland could have done it, not only because it was so uncharacteristic, but because he was in a different part of the state, on television, with witnesses, at the time the crime was committed. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't let the page-length put you off, because this is a fast, gripping read. Just a helpful hint from your friendly librarian, though--if you haven't read King's recent Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch), you might want to read that first, as one of the key characters in said trilogy makes an important appearance in The Outsider.
Waking Gods, by Sylvain Neuvel. Second in Neuvel's spellbindingly unique Themis Files, following his debut, Sleeping Giants (2016). As a girl, Rose Franklin accidentally discovered a giant metal hand buried in the earth. As an adult, she has devoted her life to the study of the hand, and of the other pieces that fit together with it. Why was this giant robot disassembled, the pieces scattered across the planet? With every answer comes more questions. The situation grows dire when a second robot appears on Earth, only to attack. Then, more robots, each appearing in highly populated areas. If their intent is malicious, can they be stopped? No sophomore slump here, this is both action-packed suspense and thought-provoking philosophy wrapped up in an incredibly fast read. I'd recommend this for fans of Andy Weir's The Martian or Ernest Cline's Ready Player One.
Have a safe and happy 4th!
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