Christian Nation by Frederic Rich

 

On the one hand, this was way too didactic to work as a novel. On the other hand, it was kind of fascinating to compare his timeline with what has actually happened.

Bury What We Cannot Take by Kirsten Chen

 

 Very good.

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton

 

 meh

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

 Cheesy, but I liked it.

The Distant Echo by Val McDermid

 

Solid.

The List by Yomi Adegoke

 

 Solid.

With Regrets by Lee Kelly

 

Meh.

The One by John Marrs

 

 This was super clever.

Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman

 

 Decent.

In the Dark I See You by Mallika Narayanan

 

Lame.

Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch

 

Solid.

Lost in Time by A. G. Riddle

 

 Fun.

The Future by Naomi Alderman

 

This was amazing.

Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni

 

 Solid

Moon over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

 

 Solid.

Night Swim by Megan Goldin

 

meh

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

 

 Really good, and I particularly liked the ending.

Desert Star by Michael Connelly

 

Decent.

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

 

I loved this, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

 

This was fun.

Reykjavík: A Crime Story by Ragnar Jónasson

 

meh

Stranger by Ben H. Winters

 

Very clever.

Self Help by Ben H. Winters

 

This was fun.

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella

 

meh

A True Account by Katherine Howe

 

This was fantastic. I can't say too much without spoiling the twists, but let me say that it was extremely clever.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Inheritance by Nora Roberts

I believe this is my first Nora Roberts book -- I was underwhelmed. Sometimes, it is difficult to tell if the problem is a narrator who is just not sticking the landing or if the problem is the text itself.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle

 

Solid.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

meh

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

 

Super fun.

This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! by Jonathan Evison

 

meh

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

 

Interesting.

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

 

One of my favorite books of the year -- so, so funny.

Challenger Park by Stephen Harrigan

 

I thought this was really well done.

I See You by Clare Mackintosh

 

Solid.

Land of Milk and Honey by C. Pam Zhang

 

Started very strong and then just kind of withered.

Dangerous Women by Mark De Castrique

 

This book was fantastic -- I hope the series continues.

The English Experience by Julie Schumacher

 

I loved this -- perfect blend of cynicism and optimism.

Mother, Neighbor, Russian Spy

 

I don't usually do podcasts, but this was gripping.

Absolution by Alice McDermott

 

I really enjoyed this. It took on a relatively unusual topic and setting, It's one of those books that feels well worth the read, but also that it isn't obvious how/why that is the case.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger

 

I usually like Unger, but I didn't like the sort of Christmas/horror mash-up. It just felt unnecessary, and not clever.

Review copy provided by publisher.

I Used to Be Fun by Melanie Summers

 

Super funny (maybe especially for women of a certain age), and interesting to think about.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Last One by Will Dean

Well, I didn't see that twist coming.

The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin

 

I loved the local color (I mean, a serial killer from Round Rock?!?), but it was a bit cheesy, especially the romance angle.

The Body at Rookery Barn by Kate Hardy

 

I don't usually go in for cozy mysteries, but I thought that this one was really well done.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Death Valley by Melissa Broder

 

Very weird, but I think I liked it.

Instant Mom by Nia Vardalos

 

This was super funny and a really interesting perspective.

The Exchange by John Grisham

 

Kind of a departure for Grisham. It was decent.

Going Zero by Anthony McCarten

 

I loved this so, so much.

The Nix by Nathan Hill

 

I really liked this. I wish there were more Nathan Hill books.

Holly by Stephen King

 

This was fun.

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

 Started strong; did not stick the landing.

The Armor of Light by Ken Follett

 

As usual, I'm embarrassed by how much I enjoy Follett.