Looking For A Good Read?

Is there anything more inspiring than a bookcase full of books? The books you can’t wait to get to, and the old favorites you can’t wait to re-read or pass on to a friend.

I’m curious by nature. And since I spend a lot of my time with books, I decided to try the Book of the Month Club. I’m really glad I did. I found that this is a good option for readers who don’t have the time to study all the new books. But it’s also a good option for people like me who read a lot.

(If you’re wondering, I am not affiliated with the Book of the Month Club – just sharing something that works for me.)

I like that Book of the Month presents selections in multiple genres each month – this means there is something for everyone and every mood.

And, as I mentioned above, I’m constantly looking for books, so this is just one avenue I use to scope out good reads. But it’s a solid one. I have liked most of my selections. It’s also fun being reminded each month when the new selections are ready.

Seeing as the holidays are fast approaching, I thought now would be a good time to share some of these books. For one, gift subscriptions are perfect for the hard-to-please. And, of course, books make excellent gifts.

Keep scrolling for some good reads!

That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.”

– F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

My Thoughts: This is a fast-paced thriller with unpredictable, multi-dimensional characters. The plot has plenty of twists and suspense and makes you wonder how well you really know anyone. Like their previous books, “The Wife Between Us” and “Anonymous Girl,” these two authors keep you guessing and turning the pages.

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The Book Of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

My Thoughts: Simone St. James does a great job of building and maintaining tension in this story. She also creates a ton of atmosphere. However, I think the real strength of this book is the characters. They are well-written and flawed enough to make them real: you want to know what happens to them.

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My Thoughts: Reading about different cultures is a favorite topic of mine, especially if it involves women. This author’s writing style offers a nice blend of humor and refreshing frankness about the difficulties of being a Vietnamese female in modern times. It’s also a story of the bond between mothers and daughters as it explores complicated dysfunctional relationships.

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Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

My Thoughts: This book explores the Frick family dynamics, their art, and the beautiful Gilded Age Mansion in NYC – now known as the Frick Collection. I live in NYC, so I loved the descriptions of the fountains, buildings, and statues. However, until reading this book, I had no idea that the figures and decorative sculptures above door frames were based on a real-life model. And that such modeling came at a cost.

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Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

My Thoughts: One of the highlights of this book is the isolated Scottish chapel that serves as the backdrop for Adam and Amelia’s weekend celebration. It’s the perfect spot for an atmospheric thriller like this one. Alice Feeney also knows how to keep you reading and engaged; the chapters are short, and the plot is layered and twisty. She keeps you guessing.

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Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese

My Thoughts: This is a must-read for me because it is a fictionalized version of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s inspiration for Hester Prynne, the main character in “The Scarlet Letter .” Who doesn’t remember this book from high school? I am way past high school, yet I still have fleeting thoughts about this book.

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The Lies I tell by Julie Clark

My Thoughts: I knew you were leaving a digital footprint when using the internet. But this book gives new meaning to what that means. It may make you think twice about what a nefarious internet con can glean about you. This story is about a successful con artist and a journalist – both out for revenge. It’s a thought-provoking domestic thriller with two strong female protagonists seeking justice and willing to break the rules to succeed.

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Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

My Thoughts: I love that the book is inspired by actual events. I also love that it stirs up a lot of disbelief and anger. It’s a powerful story of annihilating people’s rights. Young women from economically disadvantaged communities fell victim to a Government that sterilized them -without any form of consent. It does not matter what logic the US Government used to make this seem like an ok thing to do – it is not. However, on the brighter side, it’s also the story of a nurse who became the advocate for these victims. Everyone should read this story. It’s important and thought-provoking.

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Guest List By Lucy Foley

My Thoughts: The setting in this story is impressive. The author also pays a lot of attention to detail – the end result is you feel transported to this remote island and a part of the wedding. Although this book is billed as a thriller, I must say it is really a character study. And basically, everyone has problems and secrets. However, it does involve solving a murder, and the book is well-plotted and engaging.

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The Last Flight by Julie Clark

My Thoughts: So, here is a book I went into without knowing anything about the author – I had no expectations. Well, it worked for me. I liked the characters, pacing, and suspense. The plot was unique and intriguing – two women switch places to escape bad situations. Overall, this is a twisty, page-turner and a good choice.

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The Hunting Wives by May Cobb

My Thoughts: I love thrillers, so it’s not surprising that this was a compulsive read for me. Every Friday night, a group of housewives tell their husbands they are going for target practice at a friend’s house. This is normal for Texas. However, they don’t say they go to nightclubs and hunt for young men to hook up with after target practice. An important thread running through this story and one that resonated with me, is about friendship, how important it is to belong, and what a person will do to fit in.

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