A Mother's Guide to the Apocalypse by Hollie Overton

 

I loved how the dystopian elements meshed with the family drama. But then -- like so many other books -- it just jumped the shark.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Anomaly by Michael Rutger

 

Fun.

The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine

 

meh

In Pursuit of Beauty by Gary Baum

 

I appreciated how, well, novel this was. It would be a great choice for bookgroups.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The President's Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins

 

meh

The Payback by Kashana Cauley

 

meh

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

 So, so good.

After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People by Dean Spears and Michael Geruso

 

Very interesting.

High Season by Kate Bishop

 

I think the downside to reading a lot is that many plot devices seen way, way overused. So this was an enjoyable read, but then there was one common plot twist too many.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan

Great characterization, interesting setting, and then -- like so many other mysteries -- it just jumped the shark several times.

Review copy provided by publisher.
 

Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle

 

I feel like I didn't get this. Like on some fundamental level, someone told a joke that just went right over my head. (Or maybe there is no there there?)

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Deep End by Julie Mulhern

 

Decent.

Dwelling by Emily Hunt Kivel

 

A lot of fun elements, but they didn't cohere well.

Review copy provided by publisher.

An Inside Job by Daniel Silva

 

I think it's time to admit that I just don't like Silva's books.

The Better Half by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans

 A lot of fun.

All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

 

Very Enjoyable.

The Carpool Detectives by Chuck Hogan

 

Fascinating and well-written.

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen

 

Very weird and super fun.

The Slip by Lucas Schaefer

 

Books set in Austin are always fun

 But this was also confusing.

The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers by Samuel Burr

 

Decent.

Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug

 

A good intro to usability testing.

Lights Out in Lincolnwood by Geoff Rodkey

 Interesting.

Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie

 

Recommended: this was fun and funny, with thoughtful social commentary.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz

 

Solid.

Daikon by Samuel Hawley

 

Really good.

The Fear Index by Robert Harris

 

Meh.

The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully

 

Decent.

Dinner with King Tut by Sam Kean

 

Sam Kean annoys me.

Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug

 

Really interesting.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

 

OK, I guess. I think fantasy just isn't my thing.

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline

 

I was really worried that this was going to be lame -- but it wrapped up well.

Review copy provided by publisher.

You're Safe Here by Leslie Stephens

 

meh

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

 

Lots of good elements, but some aspects were too on the nose.

Poppy Harmon Investigates by Lee Hollis

 

Solid.

The Unheard by Nicci French

 

Solid.

History Lessons by Zoe Wallbrook

 

A perfect blend of mystery, social commentary, and light humor. Recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher.

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

 

Solid.

Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart

 

Decent, but not spectacular, and I find myself irritated at the praise that the author gets for this level of writing.

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

 

Decent.

The Beach House Murders by Peter Boland

 

Solid.

You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Sutanto

 

Solid.

New People by Danzy Senna

 

Meh.

Written Out by Howard Mittelmark

 

Quite fun.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano

 

I've been a little worried that this series was fading in quality, but this throwback short story was great fun.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Best of all Worlds by Kenneth Oppel

 

OK, I guess.

Eat a Peach by David Chang

 Very interesting.

Beach Hut 512 by Dorothy Koomson

 

I guess there is a market for what I have come to think of as "the implausible mystery," but it isn't me.

Review copy provided by publisher.

What Was She Thinking? by Zoe Heller

 

Very nice.

The Namaste Club by Asha Elias

 

OK, trying to describe this without spoilers: I was initially rolling my eyes a bit at the characterization, but the nice twist at the end redeemed the book in my eyes.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Runner 13 by Amy McCulloch

 

The setting -- an ultra marathon in the desert -- was quite promising. But the plot suffered from something that a lot of mysteries suffer from: just way too many coincidences and unnecessary drama.

Review copy provided by publisher.