Decent.
BestBooks is a record of all of the books that I have read since November 2004, with brief descriptions and reviews.
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Sunday, July 06, 2025
Saturday, July 05, 2025
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 01, 2025
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.
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Friday, June 27, 2025
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott
The disadvantage of reading a lot is that a lot of plots begin to seem overdone. But this was different, interesting and clever.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Monday, June 23, 2025
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Friday, June 20, 2025
Far and Away by Amy Poeppel
This was SO much fun. I read so much that so many books seem derivative, but plot and characterization were both fresh.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick
I thought I was going to love this because I really liked The Measure, but this one missed the mark.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Monday, June 16, 2025
The Nimbus by Robert P. Baird
This is the novel that the academic theology geeks have been waiting for! So much fun!
Review copy provided by publisher.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
I'm often critical of plots that jump the shark, and maybe if you read a synopsis, this seems like it would. But, honestly, I thought it worked well and was clever.
Review copy provided by publisher.
King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby
So S. A. Cosby is one of my favorite writers, and this was fantastic (if a bit gruesome).
Review copy provided by publisher.
Stupid TV, Be More Funny by Alan Siegel
This was a mixed bag: the subtitle is a bit of a misnomer in that the book focuses more on the history of the show than on the show's impact on the culture. That said, it was still fun and funny.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Monday, June 09, 2025
Friday, June 06, 2025
Thursday, June 05, 2025
Tuesday, June 03, 2025
Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor
This felt like it would be too similar to Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, but then it went in a different -- and much more interesting direction.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Flashlight by Susan Choi
I almost gave up on this because it had a strong 'one damn fact after another' vibe, but I'm so glad I didn't because it ended up eventually pulling everything together brilliantly.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Monday, June 02, 2025
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Friday, May 30, 2025
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
My Father Always Finds Corpses by Lee Hollis
This was delightful. I read a lot of mysteries, and they can therefore seem overdone, but this was clever and innovative.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Friday, May 23, 2025
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
The Doorman by Chris Pavone
I was super excited about this because I really liked Two Nights in Lisbon. And it started strong, with complex characters and interesting social commentary. But, as is often the case, there was just one too many twists in it.
Review copy provided by publisher.
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