I read a lot of books. If I took the time to write for myself as much as I read, I’d likely publish more than one blog a month. Unfortunately (yet fortunately), because writing is also what I do for a living, there are only so many of my own words I can write (and read) in one day, which is why, at the end of every day, I turn to the words of others for comfort, inspiration, and escape.
At the beginning of 2021, I decided to start a hand-written journal to document the books I read this year, including the title, author, date of completion, rating, and my personal review. Not long ago, Rod suggested I turn the journal into a post so I could both publish a new blog and share the many stories I consumed with you, my readers.
The following is a list of the books I read in 2021, complete with a publisher’s overview, my star rating (between one and five), and the thoughts I jotted down in my journal just after finishing each book. These books are in order from what I deem to be the best to the worst, and I’m pleased to say that of the 23 books I read this year, very few of them were bad. With that said, please know up front that I used the pages from the worst book I read as kindling for a fire. In other words, not everything I read this year was comforting, inspiring, or escape-worthy, but the books were all still worth it if for nothing more than to introduce you to what you should (or should not) read in the new year. Enjoy.
Title: Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor Author: Layla Saad Rating: 5 Stars
Overview: Structured as a 28-day guide targeted at white readers, Me and White Supremacy aims to aid readers in identifying the impact of white privilege and white supremacy over their lives. It contains quotations, terminology definitions, and question prompts. The book teaches readers how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of color, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.
Kate’s Thoughts: This book could quite possibly be the most significant and life-altering book I’ve ever read. I finished it in mid-January 2021 (while also keeping a separate 28-day journal to coincide with the book’s prompts) and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. From my journal, “SO important and difficult, yet essential to not only combatting racism but to addressing our own inherent and learned biases. This book forces us (white people) to accept and work to change what we often wish wasn’t true.” White folks, please know that even the best of us will get defensive while reading this book. KEEP GOING. Question yourself. Question your motives. Question what you know and, more importantly, what you still have yet to learn.
Title:Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia Author: Elizabeth Gilbert Rating: 5 Stars
Overview: Eat, Pray, Love is a 2006 memoir by American author Elizabeth Gilbert that chronicles the author's trip around the world and what she discovered during her travels. At 34-years-old, Elizabeth was educated, had a home, a husband, and a successful career as a writer. She was, however, unhappy in her marriage and initiated a divorce. She then embarked on a rebound relationship that did not work out, leaving her devastated and alone. After finalizing her difficult divorce, she spent the next year traveling the world. First, she spent four months in Italy, eating and enjoying life ("Eat"). She then spent three months in India, finding her spirituality ("Pray"). She ended the year in Bali, Indonesia, looking for "balance" between the two and fell in love ("Love").
Kate’s Thoughts: I should have read this book years ago, but I didn’t. Then again, at the height of its popularity when I was in my early 20s, I’m not sure I was mentally or emotionally ready for the impact it would have on me now in my late 30s. I’m so glad I waited and that I never bothered watching the movie either. For everything that has been said and written about this memoir, it really does hold up. The writing is effortless and aspirational. From my journal, “Elizabeth’s search for balance is so relatable as are her relationships with family, friends, and strangers, too. I also adore her prose, which is witty, honest, sometimes sad, but always hopeful. Overall, an excellent story about finding peace while on a journey to get to know God.”
Title: The Vanishing Half Author: Brit Bennett Rating: 5 Stars
Overview: The Vanishing Half is a multi-generational family saga set between the 1940s to the 1990s that centers on identical twin sisters Desiree and Stella Vignes. The two light-skinned black sisters were raised in the fictional town of Mallard, Louisiana, and witness the lynching of their father in the 1940s. In 1954, at the age of 16, the twins run away to New Orleans. However, Stella disappears shortly thereafter. In 1968, Desiree leaves an abusive marriage and moves away from Washington, D.C. to return to Mallard with her 8-year-old dark-skinned daughter, Jude. Jude grows older and moves to Los Angeles, California through a track scholarship at the University of California, Los Angeles. While working part time as a caterer in Beverly Hills, Jude sees a woman who appears to be her mother's doppelgänger. The woman is actually Stella, who has been passing as white.
Kate’s Thoughts: This is a story about identity, ambition, family, love, sorrow, and honesty. I was absolutely blown away. Bennett’s prose and the connection she has to every single one of her characters is inspirational. From my journal, “A smart, thoughtful concept brought to life by imperfect and (mostly) endearing characters the author clearly loves and knows well. EXCELLENT writing.”
Title: The Bonfire of the Vanities Author: Tom Wolfe Rating: 5 Stars
Overview: The Bonfire of the Vanities is a 1987 satirical novel about ambition, racism, social class, politics, and greed in 1980s New York City, and centers on three main characters: WASP bond trader Sherman McCoy, Jewish assistant district attorney Larry Kramer, and British expatriate journalist Peter Fallow. The novel was originally conceived as a serial in the style of Charles Dickens' writings: It ran in 27 installments in Rolling Stone starting in 1984. Wolfe heavily revised it before it was published in book form. The novel was a bestseller and a phenomenal success, even in comparison with Wolfe's other books. It has often been called the quintessential novel of the 1980s.
Kate’s Thoughts: Tom Wolfe is one of my favorite writers and while I’ve read a lot of his work, I didn’t pick up The Bonfire of the Vanities until December of 2021. Like everything he writes, it’s exceptional and the themes of white privilege, elitism, classism, and racial justice still hold true nearly 35 years later. What makes Tom Wolfe so rare as a writer is that even in his fictional works, he immerses himself in his subject matter to be sure he’s accurately portraying his characters’ points of view. From my journal, “A masterpiece that stands the test of time and tells the satisfying tale of a pompous asses’ fall from grace.”
Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid Rating: 4.5 Stars
Overview: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a 2017 historical fiction novel that tells the story of the fictional Old Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo, who at the age of 79 decides to give a final interview to an unknown journalist, Monique Grant. Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jump start her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Kate’s Thoughts: I LOVED this book. I loved the concept. I loved the characters. I loved the anecdotes. I loved the ending. The story is so unexpected and so unlike any other love story I’ve ever read. Yes, there are some flaws, but not enough for me to knock it down and not encourage everyone I know to read it. So please, devour it as soon as possible. You will not be disappointed.
Title: The Guest List Author: Lucy Foley Rating: 4.5 Stars
Overview: The Guest List is a fun, fast-paced, guessing game of a read. On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?
Kate’s Thoughts: There are two mysteries on this list that I describe as perfect and this is one of them. From my journal, “Not too dark, in no way predictable, just a fun, fast, and easy read. I especially liked Hannah, the Plus 1, who was an important, impromptu support system to Olivia, the sister of the bride and bridesmaid.”
Title: Rock Paper Scissors Author: Alice Feeney Rating: 4.5 Stars
Overview: In Rock Paper Scissors suspense author Alice Feeney examines the age-old question, how well do you know the one you love? When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family, or even his own wife. Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts – paper, cotton, pottery, tin – and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after. Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.
Kate’s Thoughts: This is the second perfect mystery on this year’s list. What I found the most interesting and enjoyable about this one is that the mystery begins to unfold toward the middle and continues to unravel itself until the very end. With questions consistently being answered, I was never bored, but I still couldn’t have predicted this book’s amazing conclusion. Initially, I thought Adam’s face blindness was a dumb trope, but it actually makes a lot of sense. The first few chapters are also a bit dull, but remember to pay attention because you will find yourself turning back to relearn a lot of important information.
Overview: The Office of Historical Corrections is a short story collection by American writer Danielle Evans. Published in November 2020, the collection consists of six short stories and a novella (after which the collection is named) that deal with topics of race, loss, legacy and loneliness in America. Throughout the book, Evans skillfully interprets cancel-culture, fake news, and political cults in order to craft a unique critique of the country's underlying racism. The success of the collection stems from balancing the gloom of racism with Evans’ wry commentary.
Kate’s Thoughts: From my journal: “Through a series of short stories and a novella, Evans addresses the subjects of race and U.S. history in realistic yet fictional contexts while also artfully changing her tone in each story so that no one piece is told from the same point of view. The writing is absolutely superb and, more so, important, especially in light of the many injustices we as white people finally began to recognize in 2020.” My favorite stories from this book include, “Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain,” “Alcatraz,” and “Anything Could Disappear.”
Title:Dava Shastri’s Last Day Author: Kirthana Ramisetti Rating: 4.5 Stars
Overview: Dava Shastri's Last Day is the debut novel from Kirthana Ramisetti about ambition, greatness, wealth, and family. In it, Dava Shastri, one of the world's wealthiest women, has always lived with her sterling reputation in mind. A brain cancer diagnosis at the age of 70, however, changes everything, as she decides to take her death—like all matters of her life—into her own hands. Summoning her four adult children to her private island, she discloses shocking news: in addition to having a terminal illness, she has arranged for the news of her death to break early, so she can read her obituaries. As someone who dedicated her life to the arts and the empowerment of women, Dava expects to read articles lauding her philanthropic work. Instead, her "death" reveals two devastating secrets, truths she thought she had buried forever. And now the whole world knows, including her children. In the time she has left, Dava must come to terms with the decisions that have led to this moment—and make peace with those closest to her before it's too late.
Kate’s Thoughts: This is the last book I read in 2021; a book I finished on Dec. 30, my only child’s tenth birthday. First and foremost, the description of this book does not do it justice. While yes, Dava does break the news of her death early so she can read her obituaries, this story is so much more than “coming to terms” with how the world views her. It’s about the complexities of human beings and our relationships with ourselves, our children, and the outside world. I was astounded (yes, astounded) by how well the author was able to articulate both the flaws and the strengths of Dava, her four children, her husband, and two additional characters while simultaneously making them all so likable. They are all beautiful human beings who I quite literally cried for several times (which I never, ever do) in the few days it took me to read this book. I also loved the consistent questioning of a woman’s motivation for philanthropic work. Is Dava’s work self-serving? In many ways, yes. But do her motivations matter if her work impacts thousands? Probably not. I think of all the books I read this year, this one hit me the hardest on an emotional and morbid, yet hopeful, level. I can’t recommend it enough.
Overview: Novelist Helena Ross has three months to write the last book of her life. Three months to confess the details of that day, and how it changed everything. Four years ago, she lied. She stood in front of the police, her friends and family, and made up a story, her best one yet. And all of them believed her. Telling stories, after all, is what made her famous. Fifteen bestsellers. Millions of fans. Fame and fortune. Now, she has one last story to write. It'll be her best one yet, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave them stunned and gasping for breath.
Kate’s Thoughts: This is a sad, captivating, well-written, sincere story with intentional, well-known characters who kept me actively engaged from start to finish. And, although the clues were there the entire time, I never could have predicted the ending, which was unbelievably satisfying. I read in the Acknowledgements that the author deleted three months of work on the book that didn’t quite fit, and I love when writers have the guts to put their egos aside in favor of a better story. I also read that this is the first mystery from this author who typically writes contemporary romance and erotica. I can only imagine those are also equally well-written and I plan to check some of them out in 2022.
Title:56 Days Author: Catherine Ryan Howard Rating: 4 Stars
Overview: This intriguing thriller is set during the early 2020 days of COVID-19 and lockdown when, 56 days ago, Ciara and Oliver meet in a supermarket queue in Dublin the same week COVID reaches Irish shores. 35 days ago, when lockdown threatens to keep them apart, Oliver suggests that Ciara move in with him. She sees a unique opportunity for a new relationship to flourish without the pressure of scrutiny from family and friends. He sees it as an opportunity to hide who - and what - he really is. Today, detectives arrive at Oliver's apartment to discover a decomposing body inside. Will they be able to determine what really happened, or has lockdown provided someone with the opportunity to commit the perfect crime?
Kate’s Thoughts: The pandemic timing is spot on and oh-so-relatable. I think I read this book in two days. From my journal, “The various perspectives and big reveal at the very end makes this thriller unbelievably satisfying.” I wrote more, but I’d prefer to not give too much away here, so you’ll just have to trust me: read it.
Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue Author: V.E. Schwab Rating: 4 Stars
Overview: A 2020 fantasy fiction standalone novel follows a young French woman in 1714 making a bargain with the devil that makes her immortal but curses her to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.
Kate’s Thoughts: This book was one of two books I listened to via audiobook this year and I’m so glad I did. The audio narration by Julia Whelon is the most magnificent narration I’ve ever heard, which gives this unusual fantasy even more life than the written pages could ever do alone. From my journal, “Excellent narration, whimsical, perfect ending. The forgotten girl and her sympathy for the devil. Clever of her to finally surrender her soul for her story to finally be told.”
Title: Falling Author: T.J. Newman Rating: 4 Stars
Overview: You just boarded a flight to New York. There are one hundred and forty-three other passengers onboard. What you don’t know is that 30 minutes before the flight your pilot’s family was kidnapped. For his family to live, everyone on your plane must die. The only way the family will survive is if the pilot follows his orders and crashes the plane. Enjoy the flight. [Yes, seriously, this is the publisher’s summary.]
Kate’s Thoughts: This book is action-packed from start to finish. From my journal, “Nonstop action. I could not put it down. I’m also highly impressed by this debut novel from a former flight attendant who also happens to be an excellent writer. While she definitely pushed her limits with the pilot’s heroism (without even a hint of xenophobia), she did a wonderful job keeping me engaged page after page.” Thinking back on this novel, I truly hope it’s made into a movie. It’s great ride.
Title:Too Good to Be True Author: Carola Lovering Rating: 4 Stars
Overview: Too Good to Be True is a psychological thriller about revenge, deception, and one very smart sociopath. In it, Skye Starling is overjoyed when her boyfriend, Burke Michaels, proposes after a whirlwind courtship. Though Skye seems to have the world at her fingertips―she’s smart, beautiful, and from a well-off family―she’s also battled crippling OCD ever since her mother’s death when she was 11, and her romantic relationships have suffered as a result. But now Burke―handsome, older, and more emotionally mature than any man she’s met before―says he wants her. Forever. Except, Burke isn’t who he claims to be. And interspersed letters to his therapist reveal the truth: he’s happily married, and using Skye for his own, deceptive ends.
Kate’s Thoughts: This book is a lot of fun. It’s a little predictable at times, but I could not put it down. From my journal, “An interesting mystery about love, vengeance, and money. This is a book I would definitely recommend to a friend in need of a good beach read. It’s also a nice palette cleanser for someone (like me) who often reads a lot of dark mysteries and serious content.”
Title:The Maidens Author: Alex Michaelides Rating: 4 Stars
Overview: The Maidens,of the novel’s title, are a secret society of female students at Cambridge University who slavishly cluster around a brilliant, ponytailed dreamboat of a classics professor named Edward Fosca. Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered. Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld? When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything—including her own life.
Kate’s Thoughts: The only reason I rated this book so highly is because the male author writes his female characters so well that I was convinced for at least the first quarter of the book that the writer was a woman. It’s rare for a man to write female parts so insightfully, but Michaelides nails it. Unfortunately, the ending was less than satisfying. From my journal, “A good, who-done-it mystery with an unpredictable yet hard to believe and rather disappointing conclusion.”
Title:Girl A Author: Abigail Dean Rating: 3.5 - 4 Stars
Overview: Girl A is a novel by Abigail Dean that was published in January 2021. In the crime thriller, which includes the abuse of children, the narrator, Lex Gracie, doesn't want to think about growing up in her parents' House of Horrors. And she doesn't want to think about her identity as Girl A: the girl who escaped, the eldest sister who freed her older brother and four younger siblings. It's been easy enough to avoid her parents--her father never made it out of the House of Horrors he created, and her mother spent the rest of her life behind bars. But when her mother dies in prison and leaves Lex and her siblings the family home, she can't run from her past any longer. Together with her sister, Evie, Lex intends to turn the House of Horrors into a force for good. But first she must come to terms with her siblings - and with the childhood they shared.
Kate’s Thoughts: I originally rated this book a 4 when I finished it in February, but reflecting upon it now, almost a year later, I actually think it’s closer to a 3.5. From my journal, “This book was a page-turner with a lot of flaws. I rated it so high because I could not put it down, but I also had several issues, including the credibility of the narrator who, for the first 75 percent of the story, is actually imagining so much of her present. I also think her violent sex fetish was a bit unnecessary to the story, and I needed to understand more about the role her brother played in his siblings’ abuse. Overall, there were a lot of loose ends, but I still enjoyed it.”
Title:Imposter Syndrome Author: Kathy Wang Rating: 3.5 Stars
Overview: Part page-turning cat-and-mouse chase, part sharp and hilarious satire, Impostor Syndrome is a shrewdly-observed fictional examination of women in tech, Silicon Valley hubris, and the rarely fulfilled but ever-attractive promise of the American Dream. In 2006, Julia Lerner was living in Moscow, a recent university graduate in computer science, when she’s recruited by Russia’s largest intelligence agency. By 2018, she’s in Silicon Valley as COO of Tangerine, one of America’s most famous technology companies. In between her executive management, self promotion, and work in gender equality, she funnels intelligence back to the motherland. But now Russia's asking for more, and Julia’s getting nervous. Meanwhile, Alice Lu is a first generation Chinese American whose parents are delighted she’s working at Tangerine. Too bad she’s slogging away in the lower echelons, recently dumped, and now sharing her expensive two-bedroom apartment with her cousin Cheri, a perennial “founder’s girlfriend.” One afternoon, while performing a server check, Alice discovers some unusual activity, and now she’s burdened with two powerful but distressing suspicions: Tangerine’s privacy settings aren’t as rigorous as the company claims they are, and the person abusing this loophole might be Julia Lerner herself.
Kate’s Thoughts: Truth be told, until I read my journal, I had totally forgotten about this book, which I finished in June. From what I remember, it was fine. Just fine. From my journal, “Clever and engaging. A little slow in parts with far too many Russian names to remember. I also found it interesting that I could be so sympathetic to a Russian spy.” On another note, as someone who actively lives with imposter syndrome, this story does not describe how I feel on a daily basis. I am, sadly, not a spy.
Title: The Searcher Author: Tana French Rating: 3.5 Stars
Overview: The Searcher is a character-driven mystery about retired detective, Cal Hooper, whose quest to find peace in a small Irish town leads him into danger. After moving to Ireland, Cal’s plans are to fix up the dilapidated cottage he's bought, to walk the mountains, and to put his old police instincts to bed forever. Then a local boy appeals to him for help. His brother is missing, and no one in the village, least of all the police, seems to care. And once again, Cal feels that restless itch. Something is wrong in this community, and he must find out what, even if it brings trouble to his door.
Kate’s Thoughts: This book is exhaustively long and at many times actually quite boring. From my journal, “This book is too long for its own good. However, it’s beautifully written and I really liked how well the author knows her characters. It’s certainly not a mystery - at least not in the traditional sense - but it was a semi-decent story.” In truth, I thought about this book a lot like I think about wine, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, but I won’t badmouth it either. For reference, I prefer beer.
Title:The Lost Apothecary Author: Sarah Penner Rating: 3 Stars
Overview: The Lost Apothecary is a compelling story that unites three women across 300 years. Set in London, and beginning in 1791, a female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious 12-year-old, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes the apothecary’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register. In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate.
Kate’s Thoughts: This book is good, but I think it may be a little too sweet for me. While I liked the overall theme of revenge and the transcendence of time, I didn’t find it at all suspenseful. From my journal, “This story made me realize I have read far too many gruesome mysteries. I kept waiting for something much worse and far more sinister to happen, which never did.” With that said, if you like easier and far less terrifying mysteries, this book is definitely for you.
Title: Not a Happy Family Author: Shari Lapena Rating: 3 Stars
Overview: Brecken Hill in upstate New York is an expensive place to live. You have to be rich to have a house there. And they don't come much richer than Fred and Sheila Merton. But even all their money can't protect them when a killer comes to call. The Mertons are brutally murdered the night after an Easter Dinner with their three adult kids. Who, of course, are devastated. Or are they? They each stand to inherit millions. They were never a happy family, thanks to their capricious father and neglectful mother, but perhaps one of them is more disturbed than anyone knew. Did one of them snap after that dreadful evening? Or was it someone else that night who crept in with the worst of intentions?
Kate’s Thoughts: Every character is unlikeable, which always makes for a tough read. Their collective dishonesty, however, kept me intrigued and guessing (for quite awhile) who the killer actually was. From my journal, “I found it difficult to empathize with anyone, including the dull detectives. A page-turner, for sure, but not nearly as satisfying as I had hoped.”
Title:The Girl in the Mirror Author: Rose Carlyle Rating: 3 Stars
Overview: A seductive debut thriller from Rose Carlyle, The Girl in the Mirror is a book about greed, lust, secrets, and deadly lies involving identical twin sisters, Iris and Summer. Beyond what the eye can see, however, lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of Summer’s seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband Adam. Called to Thailand to help her sister sail the family yacht to the Seychelles, Iris nurtures her own secret hopes for what might happen on the journey. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes. When she makes it to land, Iris allows herself to be swept up by Adam, who assumes that she is Summer. Iris recklessly goes along with his mistake. Not only does she finally have the golden life she’s always envied, with her sister gone, she’s one step closer to the hundred-million-dollar inheritance left by her manipulative father. All Iris has to do is be the first of his seven children to produce an heir.
Kate’s Thoughts: This is the second of the two books I listened to via audiobook this year and, unlike The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I think the Australian narration of The Girl in the Mirror actually took away from the story, which wasn’t all that great in the first place. From my journal, “Vapid, unthoughtful, selfish characters and terrible narration. GREAT ending that makes you question who’s telling the story the entire time.” If it weren’t for that ending, I would have easily given this book 2 stars. The ending, however, makes this book worth the read. But please, read it, don’t listen.
Title:Everything We Didn’t Say Author: Nicole Baart Rating: 2.5 Stars
Overview: Juniper Baker had just graduated from high school and was deep in the throes of a summer romance when Cal and Beth Murphy, a childless couple who lived on a neighboring farm, were brutally murdered. When her younger brother became the prime suspect, June’s world collapsed and everything she loved that summer fell away. She left, promising never to return to tiny Jericho, Iowa. Until now. Officially, she’s back in town to help an ill friend manage the local library. But really, she’s returned to repair her relationship with her teenage daughter, who’s been raised by Juniper’s mother and stepfather since birth—and to solve the infamous Murphy murders once and for all. She knows the key to both lies in the darkest secret of that long-ago summer night, one that’s haunted her for nearly fifteen years. As history begins to repeat itself and a dogged local true crime podcaster starts delving into the murders, the race to the truth puts past and present on a dangerous collision course.
Kate’s Thoughts: This book wanted so badly to be good, but with far too many unnecessary sub-plots and flawed characters who weren’t written well enough to earn my loyalty, it never quite got there. From my journal, “I really wanted to like this book, but it was a mess. The ending was rushed and predictable and Juniper, the mother, sister, victim, and daughter, was far too flighty for my taste. Additionally, the book concluded with a lot of unanswered questions like, did the ill friend ever recover from her illness?”
Title: The Hunting Wives Author: May Cobb Rating: 1 Star (and only because it includes words that form sentences)
Overview: The Hunting Wives share more than target practice, martinis, and bad behavior in this novel of obsession, seduction, and murder. Sophie O’Neill left behind an envy-inspiring career and the stressful, competitive life of big-city Chicago to settle down with her husband and young son in a small Texas town. It seems like the perfect life with a beautiful home in an idyllic rural community. But Sophie soon realizes that life is now too quiet, and she’s feeling bored and restless. Then she meets Margot Banks, an alluring socialite who is part of an elite clique secretly known as the Hunting Wives. Sophie finds herself completely drawn to Margot and swept into her mysterious world of late-night target practice and dangerous partying. As Sophie’s curiosity gives way to full-blown obsession, she slips farther away from the safety of her family and deeper into this nest of vipers. When the body of a teenage girl is discovered in the woods where the Hunting Wives meet, Sophie finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and her life spiraling out of control.
Kate’s Thoughts: Holy shit was this bad. I did, indeed, use the pages as kindling for a fire, and it’s the first book in the history of my life I actually burned. From my journal, “About Sophie, the protagonist, I said aloud, ‘You’re a fucking idiot’ more times than I can count. She’s nothing more than a bored moron with very few goals aside from making bad decisions. Additionally, EVERY character was unlikeable with absolutely no depth, no morals, no empathy, and no soul. Very disappointing.” It’s also worth noting that this book has received rave reviews from a variety of sources. I can only imagine these reviewers didn’t read any of the other books on my list this year or they would clearly know better.
