Ready for the first round of book reviews of 2016? There are quite a few of them, although more than half I read or listened to in December.
Disclosure: The Amazon links are affiliate links, which may earn me enough to buy a 99-cent Kindle special. The books that are asterisked are free advanced reading copies from NetGalley.
The Forgotten Room by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig
We’ve all read them – the novels that follows multiple generations, and ties it all together in the end. Throw in love and loss, and you have yourself an entertaining albeit predictable read. Dr. Kate Schuyler is caring for Captain Ravenel in 1945, and there is an immediate connection. Olive is a housemaid in 1892, and Lucy is an office girl in 1920. All three have a connection to the old Pratt mansion and its “forgotten room.”
It’s not difficult to ascertain that the three women are connected, but even though I figured out much of the plot as I read, there were still a few surprises. And I was quite content to be along for the ride. While I actually had to write down the characters to keep the relationships straight, the fast-paced storyline captured my interest immediately and I finished the book in two snow days.
Some romance, mystery, family saga, a little melodrama…The Forgotten Room is a great choice for that long flight, car ride, or that fifteen minutes of bedtime reading before you nod off and start drooling on the page.
The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz
Thank you to Nina for recommending this thoroughly enjoyable read. I love all historical fiction set in New York City, and this YA novel is no exception. Joan is a fourteen-year-old romantic, determined to become a woman with a future better than life on her father’s farm. The story is told through Joan’s diary entries, as she begins a new life as a housemaid to a wealthy family in Baltimore.
Joan is a likable narrator, and her youthful exuberance and perspective is charming. This one is also a great read for a tween or teen.
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff (audio)
This book got a lot of buzz in 2015, and I understand why. It’s the story of a marriage told over two decades – the first half is narrated by the husband, and the second by the wife. I can’t say much more without including spoilers, but I will say that the second side to the story is certainly illuminating.
Critics have claimed the book is too wordy and literary, although fans cite these same characteristics as reasons to love it. I had no problem with the writing, and I thought Groff’s storytelling was layered and thoughtful. This would be a wonderful book club pick; there are so many things to discuss!
Try Not to Breathe by Holly Seddon*
(Expected publication February 23, 2016)
The novel opens in 1995, and fifteen-year-old Amy Stevenson gets in the car of her older man-crush. She is found days later, in the same vegetative state that she remains in fifteen years later. The case was never solved.
In 2010, reporter Alex Dale begins to explore Amy’s case as a part of her story on vegetative patients. Amy shows signs of brain activity, but her story is trapped inside her mind. Alex is determined to solve this cold case while finding her own way out of her losing battle with alcoholism.
This debut novel was engrossing from the first chapter. Told from various perspectives and time frames, Seddon gives readers just enough information to keep us interested and guessing. The plot was well-paced and the characters were fascinating.
I would not be surprised if this book is one of the “it” books of 2016. You may read comparisons to Gillian Flynn and Girl on a Train – those are flimsy comparisons at best. But if you like the psychological thriller/mystery genre with a character driven plot line, definitely give this one a read.
Don’t Let Me Go by Catherine Ryan Hyde (audio)
This was an enjoyable and easy listen that I’m sure translates into an equally enjoyable read. The cast of characters are all residents of a shabby L.A. apartment building: former Broadway dancer and agoraphobic Billy, manicurist Rayleen, elderly Ms. Hinman, bigoted Mr. Lafferty, kind Felipe, and nine-year-old Grace and her mother Eileen. Eileen has started using drugs again, and this band of misfits works together to take care of Grace to prevent Child Services from placing her in foster care.
The plot reads like a movie script, but I didn’t mind. As the others try to save Grace, will she save them? Very Hallmark movie-esque, but there’s nothing wrong with a story that makes your heart feel good.
The narration is in third person, but it alternates perspective between Billy and Grace. I enjoyed the different voices on the audiobook, and I couldn’t believe that the woman reading Grace’s chapters was not actually a nine-year-old girl!
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin*
Knowing nothing about Truman Capote or the socialites he ran with in the fifties and sixties, this novel was a fascinating look at the people behind the masks. Focusing on the friendship between Capote and head socialite Babe Paley, Benjamin creates a fairly compelling story to fill in the pieces between the facts. Fame and fortune comes with a price, and friendships forged among the diamonds and glitter cannot be trusted.
I’ve seen this book on quite a few “to-read” lists published by magazines and websites; the media is creating a buzz. While I wouldn’t rate it as the next great novel, it’s worth a read, especially if you enjoyed Benjamin’s The Aviator’s Wife.
Twain’s End by Lynn Cullen*
It’s a good thing that I wasn’t a die-hard Twain fan before I read this novel, because I certainly wasn’t after I finished it! Using actual events as her backbone, Cullen creates a fascinating account of Samuel Clemens’ later life, specifically as it involves his longtime secretary Isabel Lyon. Why did her marriage cause him to fire her and skewer her in the press after years of dedicated service? Cullen speculates that the two were romantically involved, and her novel is the story of two outsiders who can’t stay apart even when society demands they do.
With appearances by Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan, Twain’s End fills in the holes of history. Even if it is fiction, it’s still a good read.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman (audio)
Ove is a curmudgeon, and most people think he’s cranky and bitter. The young family who just moved in next door, however, see a different Ove. He’s a man with a story of love and sadness, and I enjoyed listening to it unfold over the course of the novel.
If you read or listen to this book, give it some time. Ove annoyed me for the first quarter of the book, just like he annoys many people who interact with him. But the more I read about Ove and his life, the more I became attached to him. This book is quirky, funny, and poignant, and you’ll be glad you read (or listened to) it.
Eight books across a few different genres…take your pick! Which book sounds most interesting to you? Happy reading–
i am finally reading All the Light We Cannot See. Fate and Furies is on my list.
Both good picks – enjoy!
Thanks!
Ordering TRY NOT TO BREATHE
right now.
x
That’s a good one – I hope you like it!
The Forgotten Room looks really good as do Fates and Furies and Try Not to Breathe. I love your recommendations since we seem to have similar tastes in books. Just started Ove. Not loving it because he IS annoying. Going to continue on!
I hope you start enjoying it, Kirsten. It took me awhile, but once I learned some of his story, I was hooked.
Many people have recommended Fates and Furies to me. Otherwise, the rest of these are all new. Thanks for the great suggestions. Sharing!!
Thanks, Julie – I hope you find one you’ll like!
That should be Julia – not Julie. Sorry for the typo!
Twains End looks really interesting!
It really was!
I put Fates & Furies on my “to read” list for this year! Try Not to Breathe sounds pretty interesting, too!
It was a good read – suspenseful but not in a scary way. A quick read too!
WOW. Those are some interesting books and I thank you for beautifully capturing the essence and voice of them all in your reviews, Dana. Twain’s End sounds incredibly interesting to me…
Pinning for later reference!!
It really was, Chris – I know so little about Mark Twain. Thanks for pinning!
I always love to get book recommendations. It seems I am always last to the party on a lot of books. It’s like I have to be hit over the head with some before I pick them up. And then of course, I see what everyone is talking about.
Ha! I get it. There are some really popular books that I never got around to reading. Sometimes all the hype leads to disappointment, though.
I’m so jealous but of couse SO happy you get to read lots and give us the recommendations. I haven’t had time to read anything, and I’ve got lots but one of your posts always gives me a boost. Martian was the last thing I listened to. I’m intrigued by A Man Call Ove. How did you get your hands on somethin not published yet? That’s pretty cool!
I joined NetGalley – it’s a place where publishers give advanced copies of their books (hopefully in exchange for a review). I only request books I want. If it’s good, I’ll review it here. If I don’t like it enough to review it, I just leave a review on GoodReads. You should look into it!
As you know I love these posts and (as you also know) I was desperate for something good to read! I just started Fates and Furies and, thanks to you, just pre-ordered Try Not to Breathe! Thank you!!!
Always a pleasure, Allie! Btw, did you know there are some updates on Serial about season one? There was a five day hearing, and the judge is going to rule on whether he can get a retrial based on an inadequate defense.
YES! I have been following along! I wish the “new” Serial podcast was covering that instead!!
A Man Called Ove is the February book club selection for a book club I’ve recently joined. I didn’t like it at first either – it bothered me that 59 Ove was considered a has-been and was acting like one too. Then I read his wife was gone and I became interested. Overall I liked and would recommend. It will be interesting to learn what the other book club members think. None of them liked our January read – Euphoria by Lily King.
I haven’t read that one. A Man Called Ove was one of those books that grew on me – definitely a unique read.
I loved The Forgotten Room and went to the book signing. The authors are a hoot! I loved The Aviator’s Wife, so I’m going to read the Swan’s of Fifth Avenue.
I had a feeling you would like The Forgotten Room. I feel like I know your tastes in books after reading so many of your posts!
Haven’t heard of most of these. Try Not to Breathe definitely sounds like the most interesting to me. Fates and Furies, the only one I’d heard of, is on my To-Be-Read List. I do love reads with ambiguity. Ugh will I ever get to all the books!
I know, I know…I need an extra hour in the day just for reading!
Ooh, Try Not to Breathe! I need that one! Also excited about Nina’s recommendation, as usual. I currently have four books out of the library that I just renewed to have until March 1st. Then I will need some snowy day books.
You’ll have to let me know if any of them are recommendation-worthy!
I’m happy you liked The Hired Girl! Oooh. . . audio of Fates and Furies would have been interesting.
It was good – I took an extra long walk towards the end just so I could finish it!
I’ve now got a bunch of books to add to my library list (I’ve already requested 3 since yesterday!). So many fabulous books to choose from 🙂
That’s always my problem – not enough time to read all the books I want to read!
I always love to get new book ideas! Thanks!
My pleasure!
Dana, I have been reading non-stop this winter and just started “The Ramblers” today after finishing “You”, but haven’t read any on your list and so going to add a few now, especially, “Try Not To Breathe”. So thank you so much for sharing and truly need to write up a post now sharing some of my recent reads and favorites, too when I get a chance 🙂
The Ramblers looks good – looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
I love book posts! Try Not to Breathe is going on my TBR list 🙂
It was so good – enjoy!