Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra

 

Nearly every sentence of this book was gold.

Limelight by Amy Poeppel

 

This was funny.

Sometimes People Die by Simon Stephenson

 

Surprisingly good -- several plot twists that I didn't see coming, and more complexity than might have been expected.

Small Admissions by Amy Poeppel

 

This was just delightful -- really funny.

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

This was a lovely read, but then the ending was silly.

The Hostage by A. F. Carter

 

This was really well done. I liked that it was a departure from the usual tropes. Recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Suspect by Scott Turow

 

Decent story, with one of the best protagonists ever. Recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Gospel of Wellness by Rina Raphael

 

This was fantastic. It's a really important cultural critique and one of those books everyone should read. Also, it was just a lot of fun. 

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Club by Ellery Lloyd

 

This was lame. 

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

 

This was amazing -- so, so funny. Definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time. Highly recommended.

Early Riser by Jasper Fforde

 

Very quirky, very funny.

Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke

This was fantastic -- a great combination of mystery, social commentary, and excellent writing. Recommended.

The Net Beneath Us by Carol Dunbar

 

I didn't like this -- it felt kind of emotionally manipulative as well as unresolved.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott

 

meh

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

Honestly, this was disappointing.

Pleasantville by Attica Locke

 

 Attica Locke is one of my favorites. As usual, an excellent combo of mystery and social commentary. Highly recommended.

Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson

 

This worked on so many levels. Why have I never read Robinson before?

American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America's Jack the Ripper by Daniel Stashtower

 

This was solid. Lots of interesting details.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman

 

I honestly can't believe this was published. The writing is spectacularly cliched, and the story is bizarre.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

 

A really delightful book with a really lame ending.