Mister Magic by Kiersten White

 

 Solid.

I'm Starting to Worry about This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin

 

Possibly the funniest book I've ever read. I've already made plans to buy several copies as gifts for several people who I think will appreciate it.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Playground by Richard Powers

  

 I came into this with high expectations because I loved Overstory. Usually, that means the stage is set for disappointment. In this case, I was just completely charmed. It was everything I loved about Overstory.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

 

 So, so good.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

 

 Nicely suspenseful, but the ending was disappointing.

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

 

 A bit disappointing for Dave, who I really like.

Bitter Remedy by Alis Hawkins

 

 A really solid mystery -- with nice historical touches.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand

 

 This story didn't make much sense to me -- basics of a narrative arc were missing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

I Dream of Falling by Julia Dahl

 

I read enough mysteries that they tend to seem very formulaic. But this one wasn't. I thought it was really well done and quite clever.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Colored Television by Danzy Senna

 

Fun.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

 

Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite authors, but I was a bit disappointed by Nine Perfect Strangers. So I was nervous going in to this, and the nods toward pseudo-magical realism were making me nervous. But ohmygosh, she knocked this one out of the park. I absolutely loved it. Highly recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner

 

I feel like I didn't get this 

Guide Me Home by Attica Locke

 

 meh

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

 

 So disappointing.

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

 

 Solid.

The Guilty One by Kiersten Modglin

 

 This one fell flat for me -- probably because I didn't think it's portrayal of characters with particular conditions (sorry to be vague, but trying to avoid spoilers) was within the realm of reason. That said, there was an interesting twist.

Review copy provided by publisher.