Thriller

Rating: 9/10

I am ashamed to say that for a split second, I doubted that I would find myself captivated by this particular Stephen King book.. Shame. On. Me. A Stephen King novel with no supernatural element? Maybe later. But then the rave reviews were impossible to ignore and so here we are. If you thought Annie Wilkes was bonkers, you have no idea! Diabolical and depraved and so much fun. Full disclosure, I read this a while ago but I wanted to save the review for the launch of Summer Reading season. Make sure to check out the In The Margins page on Friday!

Culture & Sociology

Rating: 7.5/10

Magical thinking works in service of restoring agency amid chaos, but in The Age of Magical Overthinking, the author argues that in the modern information age, our brain’s coping mechanisms have been overloaded, and our heightened irrationality has caused our grasp on reality to slip. Our brains have always played tricks on us, often as a form of self-preservation. Those mental magic tricks can go horribly wrong when combined with too much access to data and too many point of view. This book offers cautionary tales to help us navigate.

Fantasy

Rating: 8/10

Just a mere orphaned peasant girl, Rin discovers she is to be traded off by her foster parents to a middle-aged husband in exchange for the promise of riches. Her only means of governing her own destiny is by taking a formidable exam that could potentially land her a free ride to a prestigious military school. When she gets in, her peers and teachers make it clear that Rin does not belong at there. In order to gain the power she requires, she will have to flirt with villainy. And maybe even embrace it.

Memoir

Rating: 9/10

When Newman sat down with a friend to record his life story, he wasn’t particularly interested in reliving the past, but rather setting the record straight. He wanted his record of it all in his words rather than the mythology created by other people. I have been a fan as long as I can remember and now have at my finger tips a veritable encyclopedia of this actors’ thoughts and motivations. It's revelatory, introspective, and profound and in my humble opinion, not to be missed! P.S. Pair with Ethan Hawkes documentary The Last Movie Stars. You won’t be sorry.

Fiction

Rating: 9/10

“We didn’t call the police right away”. And so begins this gripping story of a family whose lives are upended when their beloved father and husband goes missing. Part mystery, part dynamic family drama and part compelling examination into the meaning of happiness. A deeply moving and deliciously brainy story, beautifully told. With a cast of finely wrought characters, bursting with idiosyncrasies and strong opinions. What’s not to love!

Horror

Rating: 9/10

In this phenomenal debut, we start off with a dear reader letter. One with a warning. That we won’t believe the story we are about to be told. That evil dwells in the places we least expect it. And that it’s about to be revealed to us exactly the nature and depravity of that evil. The residents of Clifford Island seem stuck in a time loop and have some rather odd superstitions. Everything must be precise and on schedule. The rules must not be broken. Anything that deviates from that will result in dire consequences. And you won’t believe what those might be!

Thriller

Rating: 7.5/10

As Dani heads undercover to work with a group of mercenaries and killers, she never expects to be caught in a complex trap. One with a puppet master, Nemesis, who informs her and the other’s that there will only be one left standing. And to get to that point, they must solve a series of riddles and mazes to move forward in the game and unlock the escape to freedom. Reader’s get to solve the puzzles along with Dani, what fun!!

Thriller

Rating: 8.5/10

This author always get added to my to be read list. And when I read her dedication, I was knew I would not be disappointed. “For the men who inspired this book…you’re damn right I wrote about you.” What more do you need? The couple at the center of this twisted tale of love are masterful at playing games. The push and pull, the poke and prod, it’s ceaseless. And that results in a mesmerizing and addictive thriller you will be hard pressed to stop reading.

Thriller

Rating: 8/10

What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else believed so too? Does the truth even matter? After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. And given that she has no memory of that night, she can’t exactly hold it against them. Things get even more complicated when a podcast about it comes out. Sign on for the story, stay for the banter!

Children’s Poetry

Rating: 9/10

Starting with that title, this collection is sweet and silly and full of what the author describes as nonsense. And I think we so called “grownups” could use a bit more of that in our lives. Don’t miss the quirky page numbering, just more to delight in! This is a can’t miss read, you will thank me for it later!

Art Criticism

Rating: 7.5/10

I was intrigued by the premise of this work. Where the link between genius and monstrosity is explored and the balance of the two considered. A thoughtful contemplation of whether we can love the creation but dislike the creator. One whose work we love but morals we loath. Ultimately, an account of the fan’s dilemma. The author writes at length about how knowledge of the awful deed can disrupt our enjoyment of whatever greatness was given to us. She never spoon feeds a solution but rather encourages us to separate an opinion based on feeling versus one based on thought.

Fiction

Rating: 9/10

A masterful blend of fiction and true crime that is unflinching and evocative in its writing. Fearlessly taking on the tabloid fascination society has with serial killers and makes the story about the women. Those snuffed out in their prime and those remaining in the wake of the horror. The book opens on a night in 1978, hours before a soon to be infamous murderer descends upon a Florida sorority house, crafting a blistering portrayal of all that went wrong in pursuit of justice.

Thriller

Rating: 8/10

“This is what we’re going to do.” That’s what one of the sisters tells her siblings on the night they find their parents dead. Over a decade ago, sisters Emma, Juliette and Daphne left their home and haven’t returned or laid eyes on each other since. Burying the secrets they swore they would keep, telling the story everyone needed to make sense of things. And now that lies are all they seem to be able to live with, they are starting to seep out.

New Books Hitting The Shelves-April 2024

I’m a planner in every way you could imagine, a particular quirk that benefits my reading life. And now you dear reader, will reap the rewards with my new monthly post that will feature three of the most interesting books coming out in the next month as well as a few extra just for fun. Happy Reading! P.S. Keep an eye out for a special Summer Reading 2024 In The Margins Post…it’s looking good!

Fiction

Rating: 7.5/10

Every day at 3:55 am on the dot, members of Team Movement clock in for their shift at big box store Town Square. Under the watchful eye of a self-absorbed and barely competent boss, they empty the days truck of merchandise and stock the shelves. When the big boss announces he’s leaving, each of them becomes preoccupied by their lofty, and hilariously intricate, aspirations, but a retail job can only provide so much grandeur. Which is pretty much none.

Historical Fiction

Rating: 8/10

This novel illustrates beautifully how much this generation lost, youthful hopes and dreams extinguished before life could even truly begin. And how the women struggled with their service being dismissed as “not combat”, as it certainly felt that way as they were mired in blood and death. In this book they have a voice and it’s saying, we were there. An acknowledgement and tribute long overdue.

Thriller

Rating: 8/10

This novel follows a recent trend I have noticed. One where the narrator is speaking directly to the reader. Offering up a perspective that is meant to provide either transparency or obfuscation. You almost feel as if you are sitting in a bar, enjoying a cocktail while an engaging storyteller sets the stage for all that’s about to unfold. My advice? Drink up.

Fiction

Rating: 9/10

Spoiler Alert! Happy endings are within reach in this utterly charming book! Years ago, Jack, a bestselling and adored children’s book author stopped writing. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life. And Lucy is desperate for a life change. A wonderful tale of love and hope with sweet parallels to Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.

Mystery

Rating: 8/10

The Hunt meets Knives Out…need I say more? Set at an isolated and elite hunting club during a raging storm, the reader finds themselves awash in corpses. Alongside a doozy of a suspect list, rife with privileged and scheming characters. The author offers up a reading experience that is both challenging and fun. Full of tidbits and fun facts, its a must read for the mystery buff!

Entertainment

Rating: 7.5/10

Full of tidbits unearthed by archival sleuthing and behind the scenes insider information, this fun compilation tells the stories of hundreds of iconic movie quotes. Full of fun detours, like monkey business, trashy delights, and license to swill, this is a book movie lovers won’t want to miss! Question is, how long before I attempt to replicate for books!