Book #5:
Scythe by Neil Shusterman (Length: 464 pages) This is a YA (12 and up) dystopian novel, the first of a trilogy. I’ve seen it on so many “Best of” lists that I wanted to finally read it and I LOVE it! The writing is excellent. The plot is similar to Hunger Games, but not as angsty. The premise is that 300 years in the future, thanks to Thunderhead (ie, a turbo-charged Cloud) there is no more death or disease or climate change, but as a result, the population explodes out of control. Enter these Jedi-type warriors called Scythes who have yearly quotas of people to kill. The plot is very memorable and this is fantastic. It’s violent but not gory and it’s an absolute must-read. It will make my top 10 books of the year.
Book #6:
The Last One by Will Dean (Length: 445 pages). This novel has to be the most unique thriller I’ve ever read. 50 year-old Caz sets off on a week-long cruise from England to NYC with her new boyfriend. The first morning she wakes up and the entire ocean liner is empty of passengers and crew. The plot is propulsive–I read this in a few days. The writing quality is fantastic and it’s compulsively readable. I thought about it after setting it down until I was able to pick it up again which is my favorite kind of novel. I really enjoyed the resolution. I give it 4 stars.
Book #7:
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano (Length: 361 pages). This is #2 in a series featuring Finlay Donovan, a recent divorcee with 2 young children and her sidekick/nanny Vero. In this novel Vero is harboring a mysterious secret and once again the pair stumbles into a murder and tries to solve it. More bumbling capers ensue. The writing is solid, the quips are smart and I enjoyed the side romance much more in this one. I will eventually get around to reading the 3rd book the next time I need a literary palate cleanser. A solid 3 star read.
Book #8:
A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark (Length: 47 pages). I listened to this novella because I heard rave reviews about it on a podcast. Set in 1912 in an alternate universe in a “steampunk” Egypt where other-worldly creatures mix with humans. I loved the female investigator’s character/protagonist and found the plot to be super-propulsive. There’s not a dull moment. This is so inventive and you’re in this fantasy world immediately. The dialogue is snappy, the murder at the center is interesting and it’s just a lot of fun! If you’re looking for a quick audiobook or a quick read to act as a palate-cleanser between books, give this one a try!
Book #9:
Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi(Length: 335 pages) This is a horror novel–think the Exorcist mixed with The Lord of the Flies. Truly the scariest novel I’ve ever read, this is set in a boys’ orphanage in the early 1900s in a remote Pennsylvania valley. There’s true evil afoot here. Please don’t read anything else about the plot online as it will spoil it–just trust me that this novel is beautifully written, with a gorgeous sense of place and a truly unforgettable plot. Not a word is wasted, and it’s simultaneously horrifying yet hopeful. A fantastic horror novel that will rank amongst the best I’ve ever read.
Book #10:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (Length: 153 pages). I’ve had this slim self-help book on my bookshelves for a while. It styles itself as “A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” and is organized around 4 simple agreements the author suggests one should adopt in their own life: 1) Be impeccable with your word; 2) Don’t take anything personally; 3) Don’t make assumptions and 4) Always do your best. There’s nothing ground-breaking here but this book contains several great reminders. I know of several people who swear by this book so I’m glad I finally got around to reading it.
Book #11:
Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes (Length: 447 pages). This is SUCH an enjoyable book. The plot revolves around two women in London who mistakenly switch gym bags. One bag contains red Christian Louboutin pumps and the other, cheap black bumps. Ultimately both women experience what it’s literally like to walk in someone else’s shoes. The premise sounds a bit cheesy but I found a surprising amount of depth here and I really enjoyed this book a lot. The resolution of the plot lines is so satisfying to read and the plot is more memorable than the average rom-com. Definitely pick this one up–a great vacation read!
Book #12:
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (Length: 312 pages). I‘m a sucker for a gorgeous cover and I ADORE this book. Set in a small town with a “creepy” old house and a family-owned coal mine turned power plant, the three main characters are Opal, in her mid-twenties, her younger brother Jasper, a high school junior and the man who lives in the creepy Starling House, Arther. The writing is gorgeous and so evocative, the characters are beautifully drawn and developed. This is part horror, part fantasy and I enjoyed every word. Five stars from me!
Book #13:
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (Length: 320 pages). This Hercule Poirot novel is often mentioned as readers’ favorite Agatha Christie mystery so I was excited to check it out. The plot is fast-paced, the clues are numerous and interesting and I didn’t figure out this locked room mystery at all. Such a fun read and Hercule Poirot is delightful here. I read this using the Serial App which I recommend–I use the free version and it’s nice to read classic novels bit by bit each day.
Lora Terrill 