Spring Reading List

 



According to Amazon, I read a record number of books this past winter and spring, although how I managed that I can't imagine! Here are a few that kept me turning pages:


The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

One of my favorite authors returns with an intense look at how vulnerable we are to defeat from within, and how easily the line between right and wrong can blur --a theme I've explored more than once in  my own work. The premise is based on the Indian legend in which the grandfather tells his grandson the story of the two wolves, one dark and one white, that are constantly fighting for control inside every man.  "Which one will win?" asks the boy.  The grandfather replies, "The one you feed."  The fact that Penny's next book is called The Black Wolf  causes me some concern about the characters' choices.


Home Before Dark by Riley Sagar

I don't like scary books. The book features the story behind a fictional bestseller described as "the scariest true story since the Amityville Horror".  What was I thinking? Yes, it was terrifying. Yes, it kept me turning pages (and jumping at every sound) far into the night. Don't read it alone. And remember, it's fiction.  As in, it didn't really happen.  I promise.


The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden

 I confess, I've fallen into the Frieda McFadden rabbit hole this past winter. She's a prolific author of psychological suspense who never fails to keep me guessing up until the very last page. Her stories always start out perfectly predictable, but don't be fooled-- they absolutely are not.  I absolutely loved this one!


By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

This is the story of two female writers four centuries apart.  One of them is the true author of Shakespeare's plays who had to keep her identity a secret because  of the prejudices against women in her time.  The other one is the author of a play about the true author of Shakespeare's plays, who has to keep her identity a secret because of the prejudices against women in her field in her time.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Even though I would have preferred less time in the Shakespearean era and more time with the present-day characters, this is an absolutely fascinating study  of women's power (or lack thereof) wrapped in a thoroughly entertaining tale.  Loved it.


Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

I love discovering new authors, and this one was a gem for me.  This was a completely absorbing mystery that I thought I had figured out... but I hadn't.  I love it when that happens. 


Missing in Flight by Audrey J. Cole

I can't resist a good airplane thriller, and this one had the added appeal of being a locked-door mystery. How does a baby go missing on a jet liner 30,000 feet in the air? Lots of twists and turns in this one; completely escapist reading.


Famous Last Words by Gillian Mcalister

  I love a good British detective/ mystery/thriller, and it's even better when the author takes the time to delve into the emotional journey of solving the case instead of just laying out the clues. This book was unexpectedly intriguing.   


What about you?  Read any great books lately? 


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