2021 Second Qtr Book Recommendations

Ever the avid reader, never the avid writer. I’m back with my list of four books I think you should be reading or listening to.

1. The 7 ½ deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

This novel was one that I honestly did not think I was going to enjoy – for starters, it’s LONG. The main character goes through multiple witnesses in a few days, which seems like a year by the time you’ve finished reading. The premise of this book is one that I’m familiar with: time travel, swapping bodies, a strange world where punishments are psychologically cruel, and a mystery. The level of complexity this novel creates can leave you confused, but still you want more, that’s how incredible the plot is. And from this, comes one of my favorite quotes, found within the first few pages, “How lost do you have to be to let the devil guide you home?” A worthwhile read once you get through the first few chapters of confusion!

2. Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, #2) by Holly Jackson

This series has quickly become one of my favorites, and I HIGHLY suggest reading the first novel to the series A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder since some of the previous plot is mentioned within the novel. This high school student gives off Veronica Mars vibes with her insatiable desire to investigate and solve crimes within her community, but Pip goes a step further by introducing her true crime podcast to the mix. After solving an older violent crime in the first novel, Pip’s investigate skills are beckoned by a student’s brother sudden disappearance. As someone who always wanted to fight and solve crime, Pip’s story makes younger me feel as if I’m finally getting the adventures that I so badly craved.

3. Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane

One phrase comes to my mind when I ended this novel: WHAT A BAD-ASS! Very quickly, the main character Lila Ridgefield reveals that her husband is a pervert and she tried to kill him because of this fact she newly discovered. The only issue is his body, car, phone, and video proof of his crimes have all suddenly vanished from school parking lot where she left them at. Is he alive? Did someone else find his body first? The entire time you’ll be rooting for Lila, but constantly worried that she’ll trip up with the multiple parties so intimately involved. You will NOT expect the ending and will definitely be glad you read this!

4. Snowbound by Blake Crouch

I have yet to read a Blake Crouch story that I did not enjoy. His stories always have these end scenes where the characters need to form an alliance to work through their obstacle or enemy. As someone who believes more in the group than the individual, I’m always excited to see the outcome of what teamwork and faith can do in Crouch’s mind. Snowbound focuses on the disappearance of women with long, dark, curly hair and how their families must start over, move on, or not move on from the missing mothers, sisters, and daughters in their lives. I finished this book in a day because I honestly had trouble putting it down – that cliché. You must figure out what happens to the Innis’ family and their companions in one of Crouch’s lesser known novels!

 

That’s all for now, folks. You’re welcome to follow my reading journey by clicking on the link listed below, if you want to see the ones that didn’t quite make the cut!

https://www.goodreads.com/mariannasreads