July Books

Unsub by Meg Gardiner
This is the first in a new series by Edgar Award-winner, Meg Gardiner, and it is a "don't miss" mystery. The police genre is not the same as a thriller; it focuses on the business of a police investigation, the criminal motivation, the psyche of the unknown subject (aka Unsub), the relationships of the detectives, the impact of the job on their home life, and the obsessive draw of the job to the police detective.  In this case, Gardiner creates  a pretty bad-ass female detective, Caitlin Hendrix, whose father was a policeman twenty years ago, obsessively chasing a serial killer named The Prophet who was terrorizing the Bay area.  Yep, the Prophet is back and Caitlin, her ATF badass of a boyfriend, and her fellow detectives go down the rabbit hole into the nine circles of Dante's hell.  What I appreciate most about this book that I obsessively finished in twenty-four hours, is Gardiner's ability to create deep, engaging characters who are so complex, who do stupid stuff, act heroically, and yes, even make choices that they know are wrong but they can not help themselves; in other words, they are quite human.  Honestly, this is the best detective book I have read in ages, even better than the famed Norwegian writer Jo Nesbo.  I will be waiting breathlessly for the second in the series; it cannot come soon enough.

Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown
Need a vacation read this summer?  Here it is...one day, Billie, wife to Jonathan and mother to Olive, heads out for a hike and does not return.  A year later, Jonathan has quit his job to write a memoir of their life, struggling to make ends meet while he fights to obtain a death certificate, never having found a body. Yep, he needs the insurance money to make a few payments. Meanwhile, Olive is having visions of her mother desperate for help, leaving breadcrumbs of clues about her secretive past.  We see the husband's struggles as he investigates their finances and the burgeoning relationship with his wife's best friend, as well as Olive's high school issues and her dawning awareness of her own sexual identity. As author Janelle Brown slowly reveals Billie's life, we see the clues that Jonathan needs to follow to find the truth.  Admittedly, this began a bit slowly for me; it took me until about 50 pages to really get pulled into the story.  Then it was a rockin' ride until the end, with some intriguing twists and turns and a few 'ah-ha' moments.  Don't put this book down; the ending will satisfy and amaze you. (July 11 pub date)

The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham

Are you looking for that next hot, psychological thriller?  If so, Michale Robotham's latest is a great choice.  With shifting perspectives, the story is told by Meg, a well-to-do wife and mother, expecting her third child and by Agatha, an outlier who has been knocked around pretty hard in her earlier life.  As the tale unwinds, we see that perhaps Meg is not so perfect, and that Agatha has a deep well of past tragedies, mental illness, and trauma that has shaped who she has become.  While there were a couple plot holes that left some questions, it was some excellent character development, with no easy answers of who is right, wrong, or culpable.  In the first twenty or so pages, I felt like this might be a rip-off of Girl on the Train, but nope, it definitely has its own voice and its own vibe.  I read voraciously and finished it in twenty-four hours. Solid page-turner and thriller:) (July 11 pub date)



Reading With Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by Michelle Kuo
This memoir drew me in slowly and insidiously; Ms. Kuo finishes her degree at Harvard University, is accepted into the Teach for America program, and heads to Arkansas to change the world. As I grew to know Ms. Kuo and her middle school students at Star, the 'alternative' school in the Mississippi delta, I became enmeshed in their lives, both teacher and students. As a former English teacher myself, I wondered if this book would be too saccharine, or too heartfelt, or too tragic? It was none of the above.  It is a gripping and engaging memoir of a young woman who tries whole-heartedly to make a difference, to change a child's life.  When she meets Patrick, a sixteen year old stuck in eighth grade, Ms. Kuo sees a glimmer of hope in this young man.  As life buffets both Patrick and Michelle Kuo to unexpected places, his teacher never gives up on him.  And I mean never - who can say that? For any teacher who always wanted to be 'the one,' the teacher who changes a child's life, read this book.  For a new teacher, just starting out, read this book and be inspired by what it means to truly teach, and the incredible time and effort it takes to be amazing.  To anyone who believes in the power of literature to change the world, read this book.  I will never forget Ms. Kuo, Patrick, or the strength of character shown by them both. (July 11 Pub date)

Home Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari
By the author of the internationally acclaimed book Sapiens, Harari is back with his 'brief' look into tomorrow (okay, it is not brief - it was 15 hours of listening!).  This is not my normal genre, somewhere between science and philosophy, but I cannot tell you how many times I said "Really??" as I listened to the audio.  The author does a skillful job of going back and forth through time, showing us the history of certain aspects of life and then the theories of where the future might take us.  For example, in the past our main issues were around famine, war, and plague, yet the future holds very different problems.  Will we create a 'super' homo sapien due to genetic testing, technology, and need?  What is the difference between humans and animals and do we really deserve to be at the top of the food chain? Will religions around a god become defunct, and instead center around data - the analysis, the usage, and the importance of data?  Good grief, the algorithms that have been created to gerrymander voting districts is nothing compared to what Google and Facebook can do with our likes and our searches (ie. pick the perfect life partner for you!) Harari posits that our futuristic goals will center on the never-ending search for bliss, immorality, and deification.  However, he does emphasize the ideas as theories, and not unchangeable facts.  Overall, this was a truly fascinating listen that will forever make me look at certain aspects of our world through a different lens.

June 2.0

Into The Gray Zone: A Neuroscientist Explores the Border Between Life and Death by Adrian Owen
Admittedly, non-fiction books about anything medical seem to be a siren song for me; I find them boundlessly fascinating.  Having read and loved Being Mortal, The Remedy, and My Own Country, I was immediately drawn to this one.  Matthew Owen, a neuroscientist, embarked into a career to explore, learn, and hopefully discover what occurs in a patient's brain when diagnosed as being in a 'vegetative state.' Throughout the book, he intersperses real life patient stories, discussions of his own life and experiences with the medical world, as well as the head injury of the woman he once loved.  I found his patient stories the most fascinating, with many "wow" moments as more and more of the gray zone was opened up to Owens and his fellow scientists, as both technology and learning progress continued to expand.  At times, the medical-ese stumped me and got a bit dry, but Owens was able to jump back into a narrative pace that helped bring the story alive to someone like me, fascinated with medicine but a complete dunce when it comes to the science of it all.  For those people who are impacted by a brain trauma, who work with children or adults with brain injuries, or for those other people like me who are just suckers for a good medical mystery, this book is a great choice.

Bellevue:  Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital by David M. Oshinsky
Did I tell you I am fascinated by medical  non-fiction? Yep, here is another one and it is a slam-dunk five star read. Author David Oshinsky does a masterful job of deep research, traveling far back into the 18th century, to shed light on the most storied hospital in American history.  At the forefront of every dangerous plague and historical catastrophe (ie. yellow fever, tuberculosis, AIDS, childbed fever, mental illness, the Civil War, Hurricane Sandy, 9/11, etc. etc. etc.), Bellevue has the been the best training ground for every type of medicine known to humanity. Yet, this book is not dry and boring, far from it.  Oshinsky sprinkles in fascinating tales of the real life humans who made this hospital hum, who discovered life-saving vaccines, who invented the modern-day ambulance, who battled sexism, anti-semitism, racism, and who ultimately set the example for all to see, that everyone, rich or poor, deserves medical care.  It is an inspiring, engrossing, completely absorbing look at not only our medical society, but its place in our culture.  I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

The Reminders by Val Emmich
What would it be like if you remembered absolutely everything that happened in a day, as well as what day of the week and time it occurred? Cool or not? Think about it...there's a reason why our brain rids itself of minutia and keeps the good stuff.  However, eight year old Joan remembers what was said, done, worn, etc. for pretty much every day since toddler-hood.  Not trivia or math factoids, just what happened.  Therefore, she is desperate to be memorable herself.  Enter Gavin, her parent's grief-stricken friend who moves in with them after losing his partner a few months ago.  Gavin, a network television star, set the social media world 'ablaze' when his neighbor videoed him burning pretty much everything in his house in an attempt to rid himself of memories.  See where this is going?  The Reminders tells of a beautiful friendship between Gavin and Joan, as well as showcasing the place of art in our lives, what is important in families, and how to make a little girl 'remember' her special talent.  It is a heartwarming book that will leave you utterly satisfied.

The Thirst by Jo Nesbo
If you like dark mysteries, filled with smart but conflicted police, sadistic and brilliant killers, and cynical yet humorous forensic scientists and reporters, and you still haven't discovered Jo Nesbo, where have you been?? Nesbo's Norwegian mystery series starring Harry Hole (pronounced Ho-lay) began a good ten years ago, with The Bat.  I, however, did not discover him until book #7, The Snowman.  The brilliant thing about this series is that you really don't have to read them in order; they all stand on their own.  Admittedly, I do like to see how the characters grow, change, and yes, even die off.  Harry started out as an idealistic young policeman in the first book, and I have watched him go through the most terrible physical and psychological traumas known to man. And yes, he always wins.  The latest is a great mind-bender involving two creepy killers, a new journalist with her claws deep into her police source, a young naive detective who wants to emulate Harry, and the insidious draw that serial killers have to pull Harry Hole back into detective work.  It is a serious page turner, un-put-down-able until literally the last page. Dive into this Norwegian mystery series - you won't be disappointed.

The Last Neanderthal by Claire Cameron
I found this book to be packed with intriguing and fascinating details about the life of ancient humans; the next time I complain about having to go to the grocery store for the second time in a day, I should remember how exhausting the whole 'hunting-gathering' life is! The premise of this novel is to delve into the lives of the Neanderthal people in France, while at the same time telling the story of the paleo-anthropologist who is discovering the bodies on her dig literally thousands of years later. The non-verbal lives of Girl, Him, and Big Mother, as well as Runt (the modern human child she adopts) are depicted in short chapters, full of details of a year in their lives. Each night I picked up the book, wondering "Do I really like this book?"; usually that question was answered in the affirmative in a few minutes, as I was drawn back into the ancient world of humanity.  I was unclear if I was as interested in the story of modern day Rose, as she struggles with the balance of financing the dig and staying true to her research, as well as her own pregnancy and the problems it creates. However, as the story crescendos in the final third of the novel, Cameron deftly brings the two stories together, weaving a powerful theme of survival, loyalty, strength, and perseverance.  This is a different book that will leave you in awe of the research, writing skills, and character development; if you want to take a walk on the wild side of long-ago history, I highly recommend it.

June Books

French Bistro by Nina George
Did you read and love The Little Paris Bookshop, George's first big American hit? If so, pick this one up also; if not, you still need to pick up this book.  Set in Brittany, France, this is the story of Marianne, a sixty-year old woman whose life needs a directional change.  Following a botched suicide attempt, Marianne literally runs away, leaving behind her German husband, an autocrat with whom she has spent forty loveless years. When asked why she was in Kerdruc, Marianne replies "I was on a quest for death...then life intervened." Thanks to the kismet of a little painted tile, we meet the quirky characters of the small Breton seaside town of Kerdruc: the white witch of the forest who battles dementia, the beautiful young waitress and cook who refuse to acknowledge their mutual love, the man who tangos his wife back into his arms, the hotelier with a desperate lost love, and an artist who can see deep into Marianne's soul.  This is a beautifully told tale of love lost, found, forgotten, and forsaken, asking the question "Does love have to be earned through suffering?" No one dies, there is no dark mystery, nor stomach-churning tension.  Instead, this book touched my soul, leaving me feeling bereft of my book friends as I turned the last page. The Little French Bistro will leave you with your heart full.

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan
For lovers of independent bookstores, page-turning mysteries, and well-developed characters, this book is for you. Just in the first chapter, I felt like I was back as a bookseller at Village Books here in Bellingham, re-shelving books at the end of the day, dealing with the 'regulars', and closing out the cash drawer.  However, unlike the main character of Lydia, I never found a dead body hanging upstairs, thank goodness.  Yep, that is how this story begins. As Lydia is drawn into Joey's secret life before, and inherits his collection of books where a secret code is hidden, her own past trauma is explored as well.  Survivor of a terrible in-home invasion and murder scene, Lydia has demons of her own, as well as a difficult relationship with her father. As all of these pieces of her past crash into the secrets of Joey and his suicide, it truly creates the perfect story.  Sullivan, a bookseller in his previous life as well, has created a masterful story in his first outing on the publishing side.  Picked for June's Indie Next listing, this book is sure to be a huge hit for all people who love a juicy plot set in a unique locale.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
Seeing comparisons to The Orphan Train, a historical fiction book that many of us loved, I knew that Wingate's latest novel would be a good fit.  Based on the horrific real-life Tennessee Children's Home Society and the heinous woman who ran it, this is a tale of family secrets, hidden lives, and tragic abuse. Told through dual perspectives, two young women reveal the story.  Rill Foss, a young girl who lives in poverty with her family, is taken from her river home in 1939, along with her four other siblings.  Highly prized for their blond curls, they are stolen in order to be sold to the highest bidders, enduring both physical and emotional abuse at the Home. The story of today is told through Avery Stafford, the daughter of a well-to-do family whose father is a senator and part of a powerful family in South Carolina.  As Avery befriends an old woman in a nursing home, she uncovers pieces of the past that may directly impact her own family.  Wingate throws in a bit of a love interest for Avery, as well as some introspection of her direction in life.  Personally, I could have done without the romance, but the sister-relationship is beautiful and well-developed. My only issue is the one sentence of a highly offensive racist belief that white girls should be scared of black men raping them.  I know, it's just one sentence, but really?  As the author does nothing in her book to deal with racial issues, which is perfectly understandable in the context of this story, throwing in a one-off that perpetuates a racist stereotype is just unacceptable. Take that sentence out, and it's a four-star book.

The Breakdown by B. A Paris
I really loved Paris' first book, Behind Closed Doors; it was a tense, powerful thriller about an abusive husband and a wife who eventually fights back.  This second book is good, yet I found it to be a bit reminiscent of the first.  The premise of the plot is new and different, however. On her way home from a pub gathering, Cass takes a shortcut through the woods and sees a car pulled over; due to the terrible storm that night, Cass continues on her way home and hears the next day of the woman's murder.  As the guilt roils her emotions, we also see the ongoing memory issues with which Cass struggles, the impact it has on her young marriage, the slow deterioration of her mind as well as her life, and the help/hindrance of many supporting characters.  I read voraciously, with guesses in mind of 'whodunnit' (yes, I was correct from my original guess but perhaps it's because I read a ton of mysteries and not that it was obvious? Hmmm), yet I did wish that Cass did not take so terribly long to grow a backbone and act like a strong capable woman.  I would like to see Paris develop that strength sooner, or at least in her next book, have a woman who is a bad-ass and not such a pushover. With that said, if you're looking for a page-turning thriller, this one is pretty solid.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
The author of Strange the Dreamer (and if you have not read this book yet, drop what you're doing and read it - truly stunning in style, character, and plot line), wrote a trilogy a few years ago that I am finally reading. Where has it been all my life?! If you like YA fantasy filled with magical beings (ie chimera), complicated characters (badass teens, monsters, and a few seraphim thrown in), and seriously complex and fascinating plot lines, this series is for you. In the first book, we meet Karou, a young woman who lives in Prague and attends art school with her best friend, Zuzana (don't judge - it's Czech). Karou has been raised by chimaera and knows nothing of her past life, which is revealed to her after falling in love with Akiva, a seraphim come to Earth.  I know, sounds crazy, right? Yet Taylor is a master storyteller, unwinding the secrets of the past and present through beautiful language and thoughtful development of her characters.  I cruised through this entire trilogy in a week's time. If you've never explored fantasy, give this one a shot - it is an incredible escape from the nastiness of the real world.

The Party by Robyn Harding
I am baffled by the 'rave' reviews for this so-called thriller.  Liane Moriarty, Paula Hawkins, Ruth Ware...these women can all write page-turning thrillers filled with complex characters; Robyn Harding, however, lost me on this one.  The premise was promising: sweet sixteen slumber party, tragedy ensues as does a trial, school bullying, and marital issues.  Unfortunately, the characters are all pretty two-dimensional, with very predictable behavior and not much growth shown by any of the teens or parents. Did I read it quickly?  Yep.  Would I like those four hours back?  Absolutely. I appreciate beautiful writing, provocative themes, and well-developed characters; this book was just not for me