Books to Read Right Now!

Holy cow I’ve read a lot of books since the last time I wrote a blog post about books! It’s definitely no secret that I love to read. Here are all of the books I’ve read this fall/winter. I hope you can check out the good ones and let me know what you’ve been reading.

Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon

This book was awesome. It was fast-paced, had great plot twists and just the right amount of characters. The author doesn’t dive too deep into the characters themselves but you don’t really need it for this story.

Rhonda is a twenty-something woman who is not thrilled with her life so far and lives in a boring, small town. She witnesses a kidnapping and does nothing to stop it. Rhonda feels extremely guilty and is determined to rescue the little girl and find out who was responsible. Did I mention the kidnapper is a 6-foot-tall bunny rabbit? And there are characters named Peter and Warren and Pat? It’s a little kitschy but still very good and definitely worth reading.

The Crooked House by Christobel Kent

I wish I would have paid closer attention when I read this book because, by the end of the book, I was a little confused as to who was who and had to keep reminding myself and thinking way too hard. There are quite a few characters to keep track of and not all of them are necessary, in my opinion. The story itself is very good. Allison is a young woman who likes to live as anonymously as possible because, when she was a teenager, her dad murdered her entire family. Her new boyfriend, Paul, has been invited to a wedding in the town where the murder happened and wants Allison to attend with him. She decides to go with him, hoping that no one will recognize her; but, of course, they do. She is thrust back into the nightmare of her family’s murder and discovers that the truth about her family might not yet be known. I definitely recommend it but pay attention!

Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin

I didn’t finish this one. It sounded so good: a real-life account of what it’s like to be a mother on Park Avenue. But I just couldn’t take it. Listening to how ridiculous some of these women are and how mean-spirited they are and how their children are like an accessory was nauseating. I was bummed because I have dreams about living in New York, but I just couldn’t stomach this book.

The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban

This is a young adult novel and it’s a decent read. It wasn’t one of the best books I’ve ever read but I did like it. Tim Macbeth is a new senior at an elite prep school who happens to be an albino. Tim is used to people staring, making fun of him and not wanting to be around him. He falls in love with one of the most popular girls in school, Vanessa. While you’re reading this book, you’ll know a tragedy is coming but you won’t know what it is until the end. The whole book reads as one big foreshadow. The story is told back and forth through Duncan, a current senior and Tim. Tim has left Duncan CDs to listen to of his story of his senior year. It’s a quick read and pretty decent but not great.

Hope’s Peak by Tony Healey

I have had really good luck with my kindle first-reads so far! This was another new author choice and it was fantastic. It seems to me like it might be developed into a series; that always makes me happy because you know there will be more. Detective Jane Harper and her partner (and new lover) Stu are determined to catch the serial killer in their small town. They have no real leads but soon meet Ida Lane who has “remarkable gifts” and is able to help them determine who is killing these young girls. I love a good mystery and this didn’t disappoint. I wasn’t sure how Healey was going to hang on to my interest when he revealed the killer’s identity towards the middle but he sure did! There are twists and turns and a great ending. If you like murder mysteries, you’ll like this one.

The Things We Wish Were True by Marybeth Whalen

This was another kindle first book and it was a great one. I definitely recommend it. Forgive me that my description is going to be somewhat vague because I read it so long ago and can’t remember names! It’s basically the story of a small, quiet town that comes together after a tragedy. The main character, Jencey, comes back home to help after the tragedy and secrets are revealed. There’s a big twist at the end and you will enjoy the character development. You will especially fall in love with the little girl!

Evelyn, After by Victoria Stone

This was unexpectedly good. A wife finds out her husband has had an affair and wants revenge. Yawn, right? But it’s so good. The author does a great job of putting a new spin on this overused plotline. Evelyn gets a call late at night from her husband that he needs help because he’s been in a car accident. She shows up to help and he’s with another woman. What seems like another boring affair tale turns out to be a great story. You should read it!

Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo

I love this series of books about the Amish in Ohio. They are page-turners and so interesting. The main character, Kate Burkholder, is one of my favorites. I also enjoy the references to Ohio. In this book, Kate travels to New York and pretends to be Amish again to infiltrate a new Amish community to find out more about their mysterious leader and children who are supposedly in danger. If you have read this series, and love Kate, you won’t be able to put this down as Kate finds herself in serious danger and doesn’t see a way out. If you haven’t read this series, start at the beginning. They are soooo good!

The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter

If Karin Slaughter could just write one book every single month, I’d be so freaking happy. I love her books so very much. My friend, Sherri, just asked me for a book recommendation and I discovered that she hadn’t read any of Slaughter’s books yet. I was very envious of the fact that she has all of her books to read and I’m all done with all of them. Seriously, Slaughter can’t write fast enough for me! (If you haven’t read her books yet, start at the beginning and read in order.)

This was another book in the Will Trent series. Oh, how I love Will. And Sara. And Faith. But not Angie. I can’t stand Angie. But guess what? She’s back to cause major trouble (AGAIN!) for Will and Sara. Will recently investigated a famous basketball player for rape. Now, he is in the middle of a murder investigation that not only involves the same basketball player but Will himself. Will struggles to keep Sara on his side while trying to figure out how Angie got herself in the middle of this mess. There are so many subplots and twists and you wonder how Slaughter will pull it all together but, because she’s SO FREAKING AMAZING, she does. When you turn to the last page, you will be counting down the days until she writes her next one. I love her books!!!