Category — Book Reviews

As I say every month, I’m shamelessly stealing this idea from Jessica Lahey. She has a recurring monthly date where she reviews all the books she reads that month. Book reviews are important for authors, and I want to get better at doing this.

So. I’m going to review them here and also online, but I’m going to do it a little differently. I’m only going to review the stuff I really liked. I don’t see a reason to spend my time writing about something I didn’t love; it’s just using up more of my energy. So only positive reviews.

These are the books I liked (or mostly liked) from May.

The Impossible Thing (Belinda Bauer): This book was a slow burn that sucked you in until it was all you could think or talk about. It is very clever, not only in how everything came together but in how the author makes you care deeply about these eggs, even if you entered reading the story thinking you didn’t really care about eggs. She makes you care. It’s a great story, masterfully written.

Probably Nothing (Lauren Bravo): A perfect, hopeful, kind, heartwarming book. It literally made me feel good while reading it. I loved every character and wished I could get to Ann’s kitchen, too. She would annoy me in the moment but I would be grateful to feel her love. This book is like being squished in the best kind of hug.

A Game of Lies (Clare Mackintosh): This is the second book in a series (third book coming out soon), and you probably need to read the first book to like the second. You cannot go wrong with a Clare Mackintosh book. She writes a solid, page-turning thriller. Not scary. Packed with fun Welsh terms and scenery. This one stretched some believability, but it was still enjoyable and I heard the next book in the series is excellent, so I didn’t want to skip a book.

Count My Lies (Sophie Stava): 3.5 rounded up. I liked the writing, but this book fell into the pit that many thrillers fall into, where the character knows what the reader knows. In other words, they get to conclusions that the reader could get to with their knowledge but which the character could never possibly get to with the character’s knowledge. It’s an enjoyable read but so far-fetched.

The Keeper of Lost Causes (Jussi Adler-Olsen): This is the first Department Q book — I wanted to read them before I heard spoilers from the tv show. Every so often you find a series where you instantly love all of the characters and setting, and your heart fills up with joy for days as you think about how many good books you have ahead of you. This was one of those series. I love Carl. Love Assad. I even love Vigga. It was intense, especially the end, but wonderful. Amazing book. Think Three Pines but more surliness and in Denmark.

The Absent One (Jussi Adler-Olsen): This is the second Department Q book. This one was 4.5 rounded up. I didn’t love the translation style as much as the last one, but it was still an intriguing (and disturbing) plot. And I love these characters so much.

What did you read last month?

As I say every month, I’m shamelessly stealing this idea from Jessica Lahey. She has a recurring monthly date where she reviews all the books she reads that month. Book reviews are important for authors, and I want to get better at doing this.

So. I’m going to review them here and also online, but I’m going to do it a little differently. I’m only going to review the stuff I really liked. I don’t see a reason to spend my time writing about something I didn’t love; it’s just using up more of my energy. So only positive reviews.

These are the books I liked (or mostly liked) from April.

The Word Is Murder (Anthony Horowitz): I’m rereading the series because it makes me happy. The books are so clever, and I love them so much that I don’t read the next one until there is another on the horizon. I just can’t stand the idea of not having an Anthony Horowitz book in my back pocket whenever I need a book that I know is going to be really really good.

Sunrise on the Reaping (Suzanne Collins): This book is chilling and troubling, maybe more so reading it right now against the current news. I didn’t love the last prequel, but this one feels as familiar as the original Hunger Games and is equally as devastating. I had so many “wow” moments as things came together.

This Is Not a Game (Kelly Mullen): A sweet, easy to read and enjoyable murder mystery with a gaming theme. It made me want to visit Mackinac Island. It was a book that was the perfect read when I needed something a little lighter.

Fair Play (Louise Hegarty): I think the people who are not giving this book 4 or 5 stars just don’t “get” the book. Because once you “get” the book — and you will understand the book if you pay attention to the middle — there is no possible way to read this book without your heart in your throat. I will think about this book for a long time. You will be blown away by the cleverness and emotion and beauty. Amazing job.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King (Harry Trevaldwyn): This book wins for absolute fun. There were so many times that I laughed aloud. I switched to the audio, which was read by the author, and it was even better hearing the story spoken. The most interesting thing was that I would listen to the book when I was feeding Beorn (while he was sick), and his body would relax when he heard the author‘s voice. So strange. But it brought both of us joy, so I will be forever grateful. If you loved Heartstopper, but sometimes wished those kids were a little less earnest and a little more realistic, run to this book. These are the nicest kids and the funniest kids without being unrealistic kids.

What did you read last month?

As I say every month, I’m shamelessly stealing this idea from Jessica Lahey. She has a recurring monthly date where she reviews all the books she reads that month. Book reviews are important for authors, and I want to get better at doing this.

So. I’m going to review them here and also online, but I’m going to do it a little differently. I’m only going to review the stuff I really liked. I don’t see a reason to spend my time writing about something I didn’t love; it’s just using up more of my energy. So only positive reviews.

These are the books I liked (or mostly liked) from March.

You Are Fatally Invited (Ande Pliego): I have found you the perfect beach read. This is a solid thriller about a writing retreat turned murder retreat. Each chapter is short enough that you’ll keep saying to yourself, “Just one more.” Not all of the crimes seem murder-worthy, but I could suspend those thoughts and go along for the ride. Looking forward to this author’s next book.

The Rachel Incident (Caroline O’Donoghue): This is one of those books that I kept seeing on other people’s lists, but I didn’t know anything about it. It was an exceptional book. Amazing and stunning and emotional. You will remember being in your twenties and trying to figure out the world. This book transports you.

Famous Last Words (Gillian McAllister): I always enjoy her books, though this one had a few inconsistencies that threw me off (character’s hands are tied in one scene, and we’re told they’re not tied in another, etc) because you think you’re being clever noticing and then they’re just editing oversights. It moves quickly and would make a great beach read.

Claire, Darling (Callie Kazumi): It has another name outside the US (Cuckoo), which is perhaps too large a clue? It was super engaging writing with a not very engaging plot. I kept wanting to pick it up, but there were zero surprises in the end. Which may be your cup of tea – a lite thriller.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me (Sarah Harman): While I don’t know if I’d ever want to spend actual time with the main characters — Florence or Dylan — they were fun to encounter on the page. It’s a super fast read and a good distraction from doomscrolling. It reminded me a little bit of a Bella Mackie book.

What did you read last month?

As I say every month, I’m shamelessly stealing this idea from Jessica Lahey. She has a recurring monthly date where she reviews all the books she reads that month. Book reviews are important for authors, and I want to get better at doing this.

So. I’m going to review them here and also online, but I’m going to do it a little differently. I’m only going to review the stuff I really liked. I don’t see a reason to spend my time writing about something I didn’t love; it’s just using up more of my energy. So only positive reviews.

These are the books I liked (or mostly liked) from February.

The Proof of My Innocence (Jonathan Coe): This is up there as one of the best books I’ve ever read. Coe is always reliably good, but this book is incredible. Sort of a mystery. Sort of not. Thought-provoking, mind-bending. Wow. I’m just blown away by this one. It will leave you thinking about it for weeks afterward.

Big Swiss (Jen Beagin): A friend recommended it, and I put off reading it because I wasn’t sure I would like it. Big mistake. It’s a great story with great characters – every one of them. Except one, but he’s terrible so it’s okay not to like him. It’s being turned into a television show with Jodie Comer as Flavia. I think it will be fantastic.

The Potting Shed Murder (Paula Sutton): This is the sweetest book – the perfect book to read when overwhelmed by the world. I passed it along to ChickieNob the moment I was finished because everyone needs a chance to spend time with kind characters in a beautiful space. I love Pudding Corner. I loved that I guessed every piece of this mystery. It was the least stressful and loveliest read. I am pre-ordering the next book in the series.

What did you read last month?

As I say every month, I’m shamelessly stealing this idea from Jessica Lahey. She has a recurring monthly date where she reviews all the books she reads that month. Book reviews are important for authors, and I want to get better at doing this.

So. I’m going to review them here and also online, but I’m going to do it a little differently. I’m only going to review the stuff I really liked. I don’t see a reason to spend my time writing about something I didn’t love; it’s just using up more of my energy. So only positive reviews.

These are the books I liked (or mostly liked) from January.

You Be Mother (Meg Mason): I own Sorrow and Bliss, but I haven’t read it yet, so this was my first Meg Mason book. It was a gorgeous, beautiful, heartbreaking book. You will love Abi and want her to win. Such a great piece on how we form family and what we mean to each other. And how people can let us down, and we can still find a way back to each other and trust again.

Mr. Wilder and Me (Jonathan Coe): I listened to the audio version while on trains, and I was sucked into the story despite never seeing any of the films mentioned in the book. Coe is an extraordinary writer, and the writing here is so subtle and clever. My only quibble is that I feel like he may have missed sides of Billy and Iz’s life that would have turned them from black and white to technicolour, but even black and white and even without ever seeing a Billy Wilder film, I loved this book.

The List of Suspicious Things (Jennie Godfrey): This book has been on my to-read list for a long time, and I bought it for myself now that it’s in paperback. I wish I had gotten it sooner. It will go down as one of the best books I read this year. I want to get it for everyone I know. I plan on re-reading this one a few more times this year — it was that good.

All Her Fault (Andrea Mara): Solid thriller with great pacing that (I think) is being turned into a tv show. It feels very tv show-y. I don’t usually read child endangerment thrillers, but I wanted to read an Andrea Mara book. And this one was so solid that I bought another one immediately after.

Strange Pictures (Uketsu): It was billed as a horror-mystery, but I can’t say that I was ever scared or challenged. It was neat how the stories fit together, but the answer to the mystery was usually delivered a page or so later, and the horror didn’t feel like traditional horror. I’m glad I read it, but I don’t know if I would read a second book like this.

What did you read last month?