Book #45:

The Only One Left by Riley Sager (Length: 400 pages).  Like many readers, I am hot and cold on this author as they’ve turned out some winners and some true duds. In this mystery, a young woman is hired as a caregiver for an older woman who is accused of killing her family 50 years prior. (In fact, there’s a creepy nursery rhyme that the locals chant about the horrific murders . . . a la Lizzy Borden). Leonora Hope, the older woman, is mute and can only move her left hand (and thus is able to type). Caregiver Kit is curious about whether Leonora did, in fact, kill her family, and her investigation drives the plot. The twist here is very clever, and I enjoyed the wild ride. It didn’t ever lag for me, and I thought the writing is strong. 4 stars.

Book #46:

Ascension by Nicholas Binge (Length: 352 pages). This is an odd novel: part thriller/mystery, part science fiction and it features Harold Tunsmore, a physicist who is invited on a mountaineering expedition on a brand-new mountain that no one has ever seen before. This mountain, which has appeared out of the ocean and is taller than even Mount Everest, is the scene of a prior expedition where all but 2 people have died. One of the 2 survivors happens to be Harold’s ex-wife. There are scary monsters and a creeping sense of dread here . . . both are elements I enjoy in my horror novels. On balance, I’d say this is well-written, memorable and weird, and I still can’t decide if I’ve actually enjoyed it. 3 stars.

Book #47:

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (Length: 406 pages).  After loving this author’s American Wife, I was excited to pick up this novel, one of her earlier works. Lee Fiora, a scholarship student from South Bend, Indiana, attends Ault School, a very prestigious boarding school outside of Boston in the 1980s, and this is her account of all 4 years there, written from her perspective as a young adult. Lee is a VERY insecure teenager and is not likeable (like many teenagers) and most of this novel is entirely too navel-gazing, but that’s also sort of the point. This novel is propulsive and very readable (much like American Wife) and cements this author as someone I’ll continue to read. (I also read Romantic Comedy but that wasn’t a favorite). 4 stars from me, but if you’re a reader who has to like the protagonist, skip this one.

Book #48:

Say Everything by Ione Skye (Length: 304 pages).  I listened to this memoir by the female lead in the iconic 1987 move “Say Anything”. I had read it’s a fantastic read on audio, and that’s absolutely correct. A must listen for any self-respecting Gen X-er, this is a very self-aware memoir by a woman who was raised by a single mom in the music/Hollywood scene. Ione is very open about her relationships with musicians here, namely Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys. Well-written and a fun look behind the scenes of the 80s and 90s movie and music scenes. 4 stars.