I’m overdue for a book review post, so I’ve super-sized this one with eight suggestions. I have read or listened to sixteen books since my last round of reviews, and half made the cut. Some were Advanced Reader copies that were provided to me from Net Galley, and these books are indicated with an asterisk.
I hope you find at least one that interests you, but you can always check out my huge list for past recommendations if none of these float your boat. And remember, life is too short to read a crappy book.
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel, but the description sounded intriguing.
Simon is a librarian who receives a mysterious book from a bookseller; the book is inscribed with Simon’s grandmother’s name. The story alternates between the story told in the book he receives (involving a circus and its curious performers) and the present. Simon delves into his family history, including a pattern of drowning that claimed his mother and other female ancestors.
This was one of those odd books that has an otherworldly feel, although it is definitely not of the fantasy genre. I like odd, though, and Swyler’s debut novel is definitely worth a read.
The Scorpion Rules* by Erin Bow
If you liked Divergent and The Hunger Games, you may enjoy this intriguing and refreshingly new approach to Earth-in-the-distant-future story lines.
In Bow’s future Earth, an AI rules and he (it?) minimizes war by holding territory rulers’ children as hostages. If war is declared, the hostages from both sides die. Greta is one of these Children of Peace, and as inevitable war between her country and newcomer Elian’s looms near, Greta must shed her obedient and docile shell and determine how she can prevent the unpreventable.
I love the concept, and I enjoyed the story, but I wanted more. While the author creates a fairly comprehensive world 400 years in the future, the characters remain two dimensional. Perhaps I am being overly critical; I don’t typically have such high expectations of a YA. I am usually content to read an entertaining story, and accept the fairly standard characters as they are.
Even doing that, The Scorpion Rules is a fast-paced, original read, and definitely worth the time for any dystopian or fantasy YA fan. This book will be published on September 22nd.
Mosquitoland by David Arnold
Mosquitoland is the perfect book for fans of YA, and for readers who never read YA. I highly recommend this read, for adults and teens. Sixteen-year-old Mim Malone is the wittiest narrator I’ve encountered in a long time. Living in Mississippi with her father and new stepmother, Mim boards a bus and heads back to her sick mother in Cleveland. Her journey is literal and figurative, and the people she meets along the way could be main characters in their own books. A smart, funny, and poignant book, you will not regret spending an afternoon curled up reading Mosquitoland.
Mim describes herself : “I am a collection of oddities, a circus of neurons and electrons: my heart is the ringmaster, my soul is the trapeze artist, and the world is my audience. It sounds strange because it is, and it is, because I am strange.” How can you not love her already?
The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson
In 1962, Kitty is a single woman, co-owner of a bookstore, and content with her life. She begins having dreams of another life, where it is 1963 and she is Katharyn, married with children. At first, Kitty enjoys these lovely dreams, but the lines between the two worlds begin to blur. What is real and what is a dream?
I read this book in one day. Granted, I did nothing productive that day, but the book sucked me in. It wasn’t completely predictable or completely shocking, but it was thoroughly enjoyable. The title is horribly bland and almost irrelevant to the plot, but look past it and give this one a try. Going on a plane soon? Grab this book, and time will fly.
Finders Keepers by Stephen King
This is the second book in a trilogy, although reading the first one is not crucial to enjoying this one. This one was good too; I always enjoy King’s non-horror novels. This is a thriller/mystery, NOT horror. It is not scary or bloody (ignore the gory cover), and it will not keep you up at night.
The novel opens with the murder of John Rothstein, an author who published only one iconic book in his career. His murderer is Morris Bellamy, who steals his cash and something much more valuable: a stash of notebooks containing at least one more novel.
Morris is arrested and jailed for another crime, but not before he hides the books and money. Years later, teenager Pete Staub finds them both. When Morris is released from prison, he comes looking for his stash.
King is a master storyteller, and while this isn’t my favorite (that would be 11/22/63), it’s a good read.
Every Day by David Levithan and Another Day* by David Levithan
A. wakes up every day in a different body, and today it is the body of Rhiannon’s boyfriend. For the first time, A. wants to be with another person, for more than just one day. How will A. see Rhiannon again?
I was fascinated by this concept, and I loved this book. It touches on so many aspects of the human experience – who are we if we have no cumulative memories, and no one really knows us? A. wakes up as so many different seventeen-year-olds, and lives as that person for one day, trying to leave no mark. Rhiannon changes everything; A. wants to be with her tomorrow, and the next day. While I’m sure the love story appeals to teenagers, I found the exploration of relationships so interesting. I knew there was a sequel, which I started reading the day after I finished Every Day.
I may be in the minority of readers who wanted a sequel to Levithan’s first novel, so I was initially disappointed to learn that Another Day was not a sequel, but a companion piece told from Rhiannon’s point of view.
This book did not disappoint me. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Every Day, but I found her perspective interesting, particularly because the first book was so fresh in my mind. I feel like this novel filled in many of the blank spaces in the A./Rhiannon relationship, and seeing A. from another’s point of view was fascinating to me.
I’m still holding out for a sequel, though!
I am going to pick Every Day for my next book club pick – I want to talk to someone about it!
A Place We Knew Well: A Novel* by Susan McCarthy
This novel unfolds over the thirteen days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and follows the Avery family through these panic-filled days. While the crisis is the vehicle of change, the Averys are the center of the novel. As the world is on the brink of nuclear war, each family member is wrestling with his or her own demons.
A character study more than historical fiction, this book was quietly powerful. I knew very little about the crisis beyond what I learned in school, and I rarely read period pieces about the 1960s. Experiencing this major world event through the eyes of an American family was an effective way to capture the panic and uncertainty of the time. This book will be published on September 29th.
For those of you who loved Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You, I am currently reading an advanced reader copy of the sequel, After You. It will be published on September 24th, and I’ll be posting my thoughts on my Facebook page before then. Happy reading!
these all look so good! The Book of Speculation, The Bookseller, and Every Day will all be added to my list! Just started reading Station 11. So far so good.
I liked Station Eleven too. Happy reading, Kirsten!
Never heard of Mosquitoland. Sounds really interesting! Currently reading The Martian. Without Matt Damon’s mug on the cover. 🙂
I just finished listening to The Martian – LOVED it! Matt Damon’s mug was on the “cover” – every time I opened the app it annoyed me a little. Not that Matt Damon isn’t easy on the eyes, but still.
I really want to see the movie now – I think it will be fascinating to watch onscreen!
I’ve gravitated toward YA lately largely because when you’re an adult over the age of 25 it’s fast and easy reading. It can be for the audience it’s generally aimed at, of course, but still great for the adult crowd too.
That said, Mosquitoland looks like a great read. My stack is already about 10 feet high but I’m game for adding another one to my list. Yay for reading!
I agree with you about YA – it’s nice to have a fast and easy read, and there are many great reads out there. Definitely try Mosquitoland – I think you’ll appreciate the wit and humor.
fantastic roundup!
Thanks, Catherine! Hope you’re finding some time to read.
The David Levithan books sound fascinating!!! Thanks for the recommendation. A book that kept me hooked from start to finish was “The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster” by Scott Wilbanks (http://www.scottbwilbanks.com/) is a fantastic novel that has romance, time travel, mystery, and lots of twists and turns. The story follows Annie and her unusual correspondence with a 19th century schoolmarm, Elsbeth,Gundy, from Kansas. Annie lives in modern day San Francisco and finds this mysterious link in her backyard. Out of nowhere appears a mailbox with a letter from Elsbeth stating “Trespass is dealt with at the business end of a shotgun in these parts!” The two have to discover what is connecting these two very different worlds. I absolute adore the characters and the dialogue in this book. It is clever and witty and I really think it is enjoyable from start to finish. Hope you will check it out
I will, Leslie – thanks! It sounds really interesting, and I always like to give new authors a try. I appreciate the recommendation.
I’ve only read two (I think) Stephen King’s in my whole life and one was a book of short stories. I kept reading even as it was scaring me to death. I read Salem’s Lot and honestly can’t remember if I was able to finish it. So good to know non-horror of his exist. I didn’t know that. Anyway I MIGHT give the one you mentioned a chance. At least on the Kindle I don’t have to look at the cover.
Before you try this one, read 11/22/63. Not horror at all – it’s about a man who travels back to 1963 to try and prevent the Kennedy assassination. REALLY good.
OH gosh there are some cool ones I have never even heard of in this list! I think I need to pin this post to refer to when I am done reading the mile high stash I have now. The “Every Day” book especially intrigues me.
I’d love for you to pin it, Chris – it’s the perfect pinnable size and everything. And yes, I think you’d really like Every Day.
We are often reading the same books. I LOVED Mosquitoland and Every Day. I was really disappointed by Another Day though, which I just finished last night. It was honestly way too close to Every Day. It didn’t even feel like that much of a different POV. A sequel would have been way cooler!
I was still coming off the high of Every Day, so I wanted to read as much as I could about both characters. But I agree, I would love a sequel! Btw, I completely agree with your pithy review of Among the Ten Thousand Things, which is why it did not make it into my post.
Ok if I choose one to start, which should I? I adore Stephen King especially his non-horror ones. Bag of Bones is MY FAV (which I think I have told you before) so I’m tempted to start there but also love the concept of waking up in a different body each day… so which one? I think you know what I like from others…
Start with Every Day because it’s a faster read. They are totally different (that and the King book), but you can’t go wrong with either one. But if you adore King, read Mr. Mercedes first before you read Finders Keepers.
You’re right – the voice in Mosquitoland is awesome. I’ve added a few books to my Goodreads shelves from this post. Thanks for the tips! Can’t wait to hear what you think about After You. I didn’t realize Me Before You had a sequel – it seemed pretty tied up at the end. (I’ve reviewed it today on my blog. 😉 )
I read that Moyes didn’t plan on writing a sequel when she finished the first, but then changed her mind. Off to read your review…
Oh, which one to request from the library first??? So many great choices! I’m in search of a good book. I have been really into the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo. I brought two of them on my trip and was finished with them both before we left (though I find them a bit hard to get into). I think I need a lighter, easier read.
None of these are super light, but the YA ones are easy reads. Go for Mosquitoland first!
I have been so bad about reading over the summer! I know – that’s when we’re supposed to read the most, right? I vowed to get back into it and I have All the Light We Cannot See in my minivan. I keep telling myself I’m going to read it while I wait in carpool lines, but I have yet to crack it open! Of this list, The BookSeller and Msquitoland sound most intriguing to me.
Good choices, Lisa – Mosquitoland is a quick and easy read, too. You should try audiobooks since you spend time in the car – I love them.
Every Day sounds so interesting! Thanks for the recommendations!
My pleasure, Leslie. And if you have time to read any of them, I will be very impressed!
Mosquitoland and Every Day sound like the winners for me. I’ve never really loved Stephen King books, although the movies are different. But hey, maybe this is one for me.
I think you’d like them both, Tamara. I would recommend them over the King book for you (said as if I know exactly what you like and don’t like).
What a fantastic list! I see some books I need to add to my TBR list 🙂
Yay – happy reading!
Awesome, Dana! I just read The Aviator’s Wife and had to stop. It’s rated well, but I just couldn’t take the guy being such a douchebag to the girl lol. So now I’m on the lookout for my next book!
I’ve given up on books too, Nina – just not worth enduring if you don’t like it. Hope you can find a better one here!
I loved the Bookseller! Will probably make my year-end best books post. Adding a Place We Knew Well to my list. And may I say, with love, that if I saw your ARC of After you – I’d grab it and run – and even risk injury to you. How did you get your hands on that ARC?????!!!!!!! I am so JEALOUS!
I hope you get it, Allie – but now you know to request a book you want next time. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don’t – but it’s worth a shot!
great list! I jotted a few down. I was just thinking it’d be cool to listen to Finders Keepers on audiobooks. I’m listening to Dracula right now and it’s soooo interesting. Two books I read this summer stuck with me: (no three) You, but Caroline Kepnes; This Crumbling Pageant, but Patricia Borroughs; The House of Spirits, by Isabel dontrememberlastname. (<< that last one is an older classic and was made into a movie, but I'd never heard of it! It's incredible)
xoxo
I almost listened to Finders Keepers, but then a copy I reserved at the library came in so I read it. I just marked your three recommendations to read – thanks Beth!
Btw, I listened to Lolita this summer, narrated by Jeremy Irons. It’s a classic I’ve never read, and I think the audiobook kept my interest much more than the book would have.
WAHOOOOOO!!!!! Love your book lists.
I’d be surprised if any of these are new to you, Sue…you read as much as I do!
I always love book lists! I just added a few of these to my library list.
If you read any and love them, let me know!
I am actually reading The Book of Speculation right now and won a copy from a giveaway online. I am truly loving it and cannot seem to put it down now. Definitely agree very worth the read so far and now I am adding a few more of your suggestions above and also cannot wait to hear your thoughts on After You, as I loved Me Before You and am most definitely wanting to read After You, too!
I will let you know as soon as I finish it!
I’ve been waiting for this one!!! I’m intrigued by “A Place We Knew Well” since I’m Cuban and wasn’t alive during the CMC. But I’m WAY more excited about Jojo Moyes new novel!!!! Can’t wait for your thoughts. *FB stalking*
I’m about a third of the way through – so far, so good!