General Fiction on My June Reading List

June is one of the big publishing months of the year. What follows are general fiction titles that caught my attention. Some of these books are perfect for light reading on a hot day by the pool; some are heavier and will make you think.

The blurbs are taken from the publishers' summaries. I've also provided the names of the audiobook narrators.

The Angel of Rome by Jess Walter (Harper): A stunning [short story] collection about those moments when everything changes—for the better, for the worse, for the outrageous—as a diverse cast of characters . . . [question] their roles in life and [find] inspiration in the unlikeliest places. First line:

Mother was a stunner.

Audiobook: Read by Edoardo Ballerini and Julia Whelan

The Beach Trap by Ali Brady (Berkley): Two best friends torn apart by a life-altering secret. One Summer to set the record straight. First line:

There’s something unique about friendships forged between girls at summer camp.

Audiobook: Read by Brittany Pressley and Imani Jade Powers

The Catch by Alison Fairbrother (Random House): A story of the gifts we’re given over the course of a lifetime—the ones we want and the ones we don’t yet understand that we need. First line:

My father, a minor poet, celebrated holidays out of season.

Audiobook: Read by Julia Knippen

Dele Weds Destiny by Tomi Obaro (Knopf): The story of three once-inseparable college friends in Nigeria who reunite in Lagos for the first time in thirty years . . . about mothers and daughters, culture and class, sex and love, and the extraordinary resilience of female friendship. First line:

In the photo they are eating something out of frame, pounded yam, perhaps, or maybe eba.

Audiobook: Read by Tarlye Peterside

Gilt by Jamie Brenner (Putnam): A luxurious and richly compelling . . . novel . . . about a famous family jewelry dynasty and the hidden past that could topple it all. First line:

She reached for her mother's hand, excited and just a little bit afraid.

Audiobook: Read by January LaVoy

Girls They Write Songs About by Carlene Bauer (Farrar, Straus & Giroux): A thrumming, searching novel about the friendships that shape us more than any love affair. First line:

Rose and I moved to New York to be motherless.

Audiobook: Read by Cady Zuckerman

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand (Little, Brown): An immensely satisfying page-turner . . . about a summer of scandal at a storied Nantucket hotel. First line:

Nantucket Island is known for its cobblestone streets and redbrick sidewalks, cedar-shingled cottages and rose-covered arches, long stretches of golden beach and refreshing Atlantic breezes—and it's also known for residents who adore a juicy piece of gossip (which hot landscaper has been romancing which local real estate mogul's wife—that kind of thing.

Audiobook: Read by Erin Bennett

The Measure by Nikki Erlick (William Morrow): Both heartbreaking and profoundly uplifting, [this] is a sweeping, ambitious meditation on life, family, and society that challenges us to consider the best way to live life to the fullest. First line:

It was difficult to imagine a time before them, a world in which they hadn't come.

Audiobook: Read by Julia Whelan

Nora Goes off Script by Annabel Monaghan (Putnam): Filled with warmth, wit, and wisdom, [this] is the best kind of love story—the real kind where love is complicated by work, kids, and the emotional baggage that comes with life. First line:

Hollywood is coming today.

Audiobook: Read by Hillary Huber

Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins (Berkley): A funny and surprising new novel about losing it all—and getting back more than you ever expected. First line:

Six months ago, if you had asked me what I thought I’d be doing today, the answer would not have been transporting a drugged skunk to the house where my soon-to-be ex-husband lived with his much-younger fiancée.

Audiobook: Read by Xe Sands and CJ Bloom

These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany (Grand Central): A paean to youth and female friendship—and to all the joy and messiness love holds. First line:

"Do you think Eid sex is a thing? Like birthday sex, but just the Muslim equivalent?"

Audiobook: Read by Shazia Nicholls

Tracy Flick Can't Win by Tom Perrotta (Scribner): A pitch-perfect new satirical novel about ambition, coming-of-age in adulthood, and never really leaving high school politics behind. First line:

There was another front-page story in the paper.

Audiobook: Read by a full cast

Truth about Ben and June by Alex Kiester (Park Row): This . . . novel explores the complexity of a modern-day marriage and motherhood, when a new mother vanishes one morning, and her husband must retrace events of their recent past to bring her home. First line:

On the day everything fell apart, Ben awoke to the sound of the baby crying.

Audiobook: Read by Brittany Pressley and Pete Cross

Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore (William Morrow): A delicious summer read set in midcoast Maine, tackling family secrets, marriage, motherhood, and privilege. First line:

The Greyhound from Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Rockland, Maine, takes twelve hours and thirty-three minutes with three stops, all of them in the places where you don't necessarily want to use the bathroom but may find you have no choice.

Audiobook: Read by Stacey Glemboski

Who You Might Be by Leigh N. Gallagher (Henry Holt): A fiercely original debut that takes readers from 1990s Southern California to a UFOlogist holdout in Nevada, the graffiti playground of Detroit, and a self-important New York art scene in an unflinching examination of how life’s most unexpected turns—and the people we meet along the way—shape who we become. First line:

Two fourteen-year-old girls, one beautiful and one just okay, are running away from home on a northbound Amtrak.

Audiobook: Read by Aven Shore

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What I Read in October: Part I

I read 11 books in October, one of which was a DNF. Here are my brief thoughts on the first six; see my post on Monday for the remainder. The books are presented in no particular order.

Note that the following thoughts are also available on Goodreads. Thanks to the publishers and to Libro.fm for the print, digital, and/or audiobook review copies. "AFM" means you can find my thoughts about the audiobook production over on the AudioFile Magazine website.

Fault Lines by Emily Itami (Custom House, Sept.): This is the story of Mizuki who once dreamed of becoming a singer but is now a proper Japanese wife and mother who often feels invisible. When she meets a handsome, charming restaurateur who seems to really pay attention to her, she lets the friendship evolve into an affair. All the while she struggles to balance her love for her family with the need for something more. The novel includes beautiful descriptions of Tokyo--the sights, sounds, smells, and food. In the end, the was book only okay for me.

Audiobook: Lydia Wilson did a fine job with the narration, but her British accent was off-putting--the main character of the book is a Japanese native who became proficient in English after spending a few years living in New York. I would have preferred an audiobook narrator who had an American accent or who had a slight Japanese accent.

The Ballad of Laurel Springs by Janet Beard (Gallery; Oct.): Set in the mountains of Tennessee, this book follows the lives of several generations of women from the early 1900s into the 21st century. One common thread through time is the story told in the folk song "Pretty Polly" and the nearby Laurel Springs, where the murder outlined in the song took place. Generally, this is a "men do women wrong"--again and again--kind of book.

Audiobook: The audiobook was read by Jennifer Jill Araya, Andi Arndt, Robin Eller, Angel Pean, Candace Thaxton, Megan Tusing, and Nancy Wu, each of whom performed chapters told by different women through time. The performances were solid, with no weak links.

The Guide by Peter Heller (Knopf; Aug): Peter Heller is one of my favorite authors. This book is a followup to The River, his 2019 book. As always, Heller writes beautifully about the outdoors and about fly fishing. He captures the sounds, the moods, and the excitement. He also writes a good thriller. This story is set in Colorado, where Jack (one of the main characters in The River) was lucky enough to get a mid-season job as a guide at an exclusive resort. The fishing is good, and his client is a famous singer, who wants to spend some down time away from prying eyes. She's at home in the outdoors, so Jack enjoys the time he spends with her. The lodge is upscale, but Jack and Alison begin to notice that something's off--and soon their curiosity puts them in danger. Though this isn't Heller's strongest novel, it's well worth your time.

Audiobook: Mark Deakins is the voice for Heller's work. The performance is stellar.

When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky by Margaret Verble (Marinar; Oct): I liked this story of Two Feathers--the stage name of a Cherokee woman who pretty much grew up in the Wild West show arena. It's 1926, and she's one of the star attractions at a Tennessee zoo. Her act involves diving into a pool of water while on horseback. After an accident makes it impossible for her to perform, she begins to observe the goings on of her fellow performers and staff. There's a lot in this book about Two's uncertainty of where she fits in society, based on her skin color and her heritage. Among the other characters are a white World War I veteran who suffers from PTSD, a black man who didn't live up to his family's expectations, and a Native American ghost. The plot is sometimes bogged down with the serious themes and issues, but the book held my interest.

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (Tor; Sept.): This is one of those books that's difficult to explain. It's a mashup of fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary fiction. I'm not quite sure how or why this book works, but it does. There are three basic plot lines that converge and twist together. Katrina Nguyen is a trans girl who ran away from the parents who don't understand her to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Shizuka Salomi is one of the most famous and respected violin teachers in the world. What the public doesn't know is that decades ago she made a deal with the devil; in order to regain her own soul she must deliver the souls of seven brilliant violinists -- Katrina may be her key to freedom. Meanwhile Lan Tran, a starship captain, fled from intergalactic war to hide out on Earth with her family. They blend in with Earthlings by running a doughnut shop.

As improbable as it seems the stories of these three women work and tell a tale of self-acceptance and finding safety even in the bleakest of times. The major themes are love, friendship, family, and loyalty, and Aoki's descriptions of the power of music and the tastes and meaning of food are powerful. CW: Katrina's transitioning experiences are sometimes rough. AFM

My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson (Holt; Oct.): Sharp, moving, thought-provoking collection of stories and the title novella. Johnson explores the legacy of slavery and ongoing racism in a variety of situations.

The title novella is set in the immediate aftermath of a white supremacy takeover of Charlottesville. A group of neighbors from a predominately Black neighborhood flee the violence and destruction, ending up at Jefferson's Monticello. Two of the characters are in fact direct descendants of the president and Sally Hemings. Besides issues of survival (including medical care), the novella explores relationships among the refugees and their sometimes uneasy connections to the estate, the house, and the artifacts stored there.

Audiobook: The unabridged audiobook is narrated by Aja Naomi King, January LaVoy, Landon Woodson, LeVar Burton, Ngozi Anyanwu, and Tomiwa Edun. Excellent performances all around.

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What I Read in August 2021

It's been a hot minute since I last wrote about what I've been reading and what's on my reading radar. Today, I'm sharing what I read in August.

I struggled a bit last month and had trouble becoming totally invested in the books I chose. The books are presented here in the order in which I read them; I've also posted these thoughts on Goodreads. Here's hoping September treats me better!

Thanks to the publishers and/or Libro.fm for review copies (digital, print, and/or audio).

The Glorious Guinness Girls by Emily Hourican (Grand Central Publishing): Hourican focused on the Guinness sisters as a way to examine the post-World War I years in England and the changing rules and social life of the privileged in both Ireland and England. Because this is historical fiction based on real people, other famous individuals of the era make appearances (such as the Mitford sisters). The time span is from 1918 to 1930 and is told through the eyes of a fictional character, a poorish cousin who comes to live with the sisters and be their companion. The author examines the elaborate rules of courting and having a season, the education of girls, women's changing opportunities, marriage, sisters, politics, labor, and the effects of the stock market crash. Worth the read. The audiobook is read by Roisin Rankin, who uses light, believable accents and captures the emotions and moods of the fictional cousin and the sisters.

Noyln by Michael J. Sullivan (Grim Oak Press): I just can't get enough of Sullivan and the universe he has created. I love the characters, the way the different series are linked, the world building, the action, the heartbreak, and the relationships. This book begins a new series that takes place after the "age of" books. I loved meeting new characters, visiting with a few familiar friends, and hearing how others became the stuff of legend. I can't recommend these books more highly for readers who like sagas, fantasy, great characters, and solid plotting. Note that if you're new to Sullivan, you can start at the beginning of any of the series and not be lost. I read the books in order of publication date, but you could also read chronologically, starting with the Age series. If you're an audiobook fan, you'll be happy to learn that Tim Gerard Reynolds is back as narrator. Truly, no one else could possibly be the voice for Sullivan's work. I bought both an audiobook copy and a print copy.

Home Waters by John N. Maclean (Custom House): This is more than the story of a family; it's a tribute to Montana, especially the big waters and the men who influenced both John and his father, Norman Maclean, the author of the novella "A River Runs Through It." In this well-crafted memoir, John tells the true story behind his father's fictionalized account of the Reverend Maclean and his sons, Norman and Paul. He also introduces us to his mother's family, the Burnses. John looks back at his family's history and recounts how he learned to fly fish, how five generations of Macleans have maintained the cabin built by his grandfather on the shores of Seeley Lake, and how Montana itself--with its wildness, waters, and beauty, shaped them all. For fans of his father's famous story, John writes about how the book came to be published by the University of Chicago Press, the factual account of his uncle Paul's death, and behind-the-scenes glimpses at how the movie was made. A beautiful book. For my thoughts on the audiobook, please see my review for AudioFile Magazine.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarity (Holt): This story of a missing sixty-something woman set in contemporary Sydney has some of the hallmarks of Moriarty's earlier work. The book starts with the disappearance of Joy Delaney on Valentine's Day 2020. Then the story looks into to the past, starting with the day about 6 months earlier that Joy and her husband answer their door to a young woman, clearly hurt and in distress. The present and past are revealed by introducing us to the four grown Delaney children and their father. We learn about their youth, their family dynamics, their relationships, their ambitions, and their connection to the sport of tennis. While the mystery of Joy's disappearance (a murder? a kidnapping? a running away?) and who may have been responsible is at the core of the novel, this is really the story of a family. For me, this was only okay. I didn't really connect to any of the characters and never got caught up in finding out what happened to Joy. The audiobook was read by Caroline Lee, who has narrated several of Liane Moriarty's books. Her performance was very good in terms of characterizations and expressive delivery.

Forestborn by Elayne Audrey Becker (Tor Teen): I really wanted to love this book, but it didn't hold my interest in either print or audiobook format. It took forever for the action to pick up, though we know quite early on that this will be a quest / journey type of story. And even when that quest starts, the drama wasn't really there for me. The author drummed home & overemphasized some of the bigger issues of the story instead of allowing us to experience and feel them along with the characters. I quit reading at about 56% in. The book has gotten good reviews and praise from both print/professional sources and consumer/social media reviewers. I'm in the minority.

All's Well by Mona Awad (Simon & Schuster): I picked this up because the audiobook is read by Sophie Amoss, who is one of my go-to audiobook performers. I should have known better, however, because I had mixed feelings about Awad's previous two novels (13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl & Bunny). Awad excels at creating strange situations and unique characters. Miranda, the main character in All's Well, is an actor-turned-drama professor who has been in horrible pain after sustaining an injury that ended her acting career. The plot revolves around pain, Miranda's relationship with her students, a little magical realism ... and I just couldn't take it anymore! I DNF'd at about halfway. Sophie Amoss was *brilliant* -- she absolutely understands where Awad is going and is the perfect narrator for the book. I doubt I'll give Awad another chance, no matter who is performing her next novel.

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins (Riverhead): Hawkins's latest thriller / mystery starts with the murder of a young man who lived in a shabby narrowboat. The larger concern of who killed Daniel and why is revealed through the stories of nosy neighbors, relatives, a one-night stand, and others. Everyone has something to hide or has survived a previous traumatic event. Family relationships are strained at best. Too many unbelievable connections and coincidences and too many characters with too many problems bog down the plot. For my thoughts on the audiobook, see AudioFile Magazine.

The Turnout by Megan Abbott (Putnam): I love Megan Abbott's work and I danced well into my 30s, so I had high hopes going into this thriller centered around two sisters who inherited a well-respected dance school from their mother. Sisters Marie and Dara Durant and Dara's husband, Charlie, grew up together and, in fact, lived together in the Durant family home until a few months before the story opens, when Marie moved out to live in a room above the dance school. It's fall, just weeks before the annual Nutcracker performance, when disaster strikes: there's a major fire in one of the practice studios. Enter a smooth-talking contractor who infiltrates the trio's lives, eventually threatening to expose their secrets and destroy all they hold dear.

The descriptions of the dance studio, the rehearsals, the jealousies, and the competition ring true. The relationship among Marie, Dara, and Charlie was formed when they were still children, all living with the Durant parents and all dancing under the tutelage of the girls' mother. The contractor is creepy and sleazy. It isn't easy to tell who is bad and who is good; you wonder whom to trust. The novel has the bones of a good thriller and held my attention, but I don't think is Abbott's strongest work. The tension gets derailed by too much description and I found it hard to root for any of the characters. The audiobook is read by Cassandra Campbell, who captures the characters' feelings and voices.

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams (William Morrow): Set in north London, the story is told from the viewpoints of two very different people. As they get to know each other over their newly discovered love of reading, they provide mutual support and stability at a much needed time. Seventeen-year-old Aleisha takes a summer job at the library only as a means to help her overworked brother and to bring extra money to the household while their mother is experiencing a particularly bad bout of depression. Mukesh turns to reading as a way to keep his connection to beloved late-wife and to forge a connection with one of his grandchildren. When Mukesh gets his first library card, he asks Aleisha for a book recommendation. She doesn't have one until she discovers a reading list tucked inside a returned library book. As the pair reads each of the books on the list, they discover how much reading has to offer and how important it is to let others into one's life. Sweet without being cloying; escape with some good messages. Recommended. The audiobook is performed by Tara Divina, Sagar Arya, and Paul Panting -- there are no weak links here; each narrator delivered on expression, characterizations, and emotions.

Invisible Years by Daphne Geismar (David R. Godine; my personal collection): An important and moving true story of the fate of an extended family during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. Told via letters, interviews, photographs, and more, this is an incredible book. Sometimes emotionally difficult to read. This family story is made all the more important as eyewitnesses to the horrors of the Holocaust are aging and dying. It's nonfiction books like this that keep the true history alive and help prevent revisionist accounts.

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12 Science Fiction, Dystopian, & Fantasy Books for July 2021

What's your favorite type of escape reading for hot summer days? I go for either speculative fiction or crime fiction. In today's roundup, I'm sharing some of the science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian books that caught my eye this month. I've already read some of them (reviews to come) and haven't been disappointed yet. All of the following books will be available in July.

The short descriptions are based on the publishers' summaries or from my own impressions, and I've included audiobook information. Thanks to the publishers for the review copies (either print, digital or audio).

Science Fiction Meets Mystery/Thriller

The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry (Putnam): Set in an alternate New York City. A space/time-traveling serial killer is perused by the journalist who was assigned to report on the murder of Madison May. The audiobook (Penguin Audio) is read by Helen Laser.

Midnight Water City by Chris McKinney (Soho Crime): First in a science fiction noir trilogy. A kind of police procedural set in the not-so-distant future involving the murder of a space scientist and the detective who will stop at nothing to solve the case. The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Richard Ferrone.

We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen (Daw). Set on a space ship. A behavioral psychologist attempts to save her fellow crew members from a mysterious mental breakdown that begins to manifest after the ship was hit by a radiation storm. The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Catherine Ho.

It's a Dystopian World

Appleseed by Matt Bell (Custom House). Set in an alternative North America with sci-fi, historical fiction, and fantasy elements. In the past, two brothers plant apple trees in the territories slated for colonists; in the near future, a group of people are devoted to the rewilding of the continent; in the far future an AI being makes a startling discovery. The themes include climate change, survival, and humankind's relationship to the environment. The audiobook (Harper Audio) is read by Mark Bramhall.

Council of Animals by Nick McDonell, illustrated by by Steven Tabbutt (Henry Holt): Set in the future when humans are almost extinct thanks to pandemics, climate change, and more. The fate of the remaining people are in the "hands" of the animals. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by the author.

East Asian Roots

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Tordotcom): This hopepunk novel is set on a moon. A tea monk travels the wilderness offering solace to those they talk to; when they cross paths with a sentient robot, the two begin a series of discussions about the nature of humankind and what people need. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by Emmett Grosland.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan (Tor Books): Set in an alternative ancient China. This is a reimagining of the founding of the Ming Dynasty with a young woman, who must pass as male, at the center. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by Natalie Naudus.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (Knopf BYR): Based on Asian folklore and Western fairy tales. This is the story of a banished and silenced princess who must find a way to save both her cursed brothers and her repressed kingdom. The audiobook (Listening Library) is read by Emily Woo Zeller.

A Return to Camelot

Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian (Ace): A retelling of the Arthurian legend from the point of view of Elaine, the Lady of Shalott. The audiobook (Penguin Audio) is read by Ell Potter.

Sword Stone Table edited by Swapna Krishan and Jenn Northington (Vintage): A collection of reimaginings of Arthurian tales from a variety of perspectives, times, and places, emphasizing diversity in its many forms. The audiobook (Random House Audio) is read by a stellar cast of narrators.

Strong Young Women

Red Wolf by Rachel Vincent (HarperTeen): A fairy tale retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" in which the wolves have a surprisingly different role to play and a young woman must decide her fate and that of her community. The audiobook (Harper Audio) is read by Taylor Meskimen.

What We Devour by Linsey Miller (Sourcebooks Fire): A young woman is caught between believing what she’s always been taught--that the rulers of her land are evil--and an alternative view presented by the crown prince himself. Down which path will she find the salvation of her land? The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Amy Scanlon.

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What I Read in April: Part 1

Time for another quick round-up of the books I've read and listened to lately. I finished 16 books in April, most of them audiobooks. Why so many books? I spent the month doing some major paper shredding and cleaning out a storage room. All that gave me hours of good listening time!

Here is part 1 of what I read last month, in the order I finished each book (part 2 will go live on Thursday). Note that the following thoughts are also available on Goodreads. Thanks to the publishers and to Libro.fm for the print, digital, and audiobook review copies. "AFM" means you can find my thoughts about the audiobook production over on the AudioFile Magazine website.

The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer by Liza Rodman (Atria, March): In the 1960s, author Liza Rodman spent the summers in Provincetown, MA, so her schoolteacher mother could take on seasonal work and party with her friends. Liza and her little sister were left in the care of whomever their mother could find. One of their favorites was Tony Costa, a charming local handyman who would buy the girls ice cream and take them on drives to the nearby woods. When Liza was 10, Tony disappeared from her life, and it wasn't until years later that she learned he had been sent to prison for the gruesome murder and dismemberment of several young women.

The story alternates between Liza's memories of the two or three summers she knew Tony, including her interactions with her neglectful, heavy-drinking mother, and sections based on investigations into Tony's life and crimes. I love true crime, but this book seemed to lack a gripping element. The murders were, of course, horrific, but Liza herself didn't seem to be in any danger. In addition, Tony is described as being well liked, despite the fact that he was into drugs and had a checkered work life. You may have better luck.

The audiobook was read by Andi Arndt and Aida Reluzco, who alternated between the chapters based on Liza's memories and the chapters based on Tony. Their performances were fine; nothing particularly outstanding or problematic.

Lightseekers by Femi Kayode (Mulholland, March): I like a good mystery and was drawn to this book because it takes place in contemporary Nigeria. The general set up is this: Philip Taiwo and his family return from a long residency in the United States to their native Nigeria. Philip is a criminal psychologist with an interest in hate crimes. He's picked to investigate a brutal murder that took place in a small university town.

The narrative is full of interesting details about life in modern Nigeria, from university life to the courts, the law, and the power of the wealthy. The characters were well wrought and multidimensional. Despite these strengths, the novel, as a mystery, didn't hold up for me. By the middle of the book, I felt lost--partly because the book itself lost focus and partly because I'm not familiar with Nigerian university culture and politics, which played large roles in the story.

Narrator Cary Hite did a fine job with the audiobook. His expressive delivery; varied tempo, cadence, and volume; and good accents strengthened the setting and enlivened the characters.

Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee (Flatiron, 2020): I'm not sure how I missed this contemporary retelling of Anna Karenina when it first came out. Set in Manhattan, this novel includes the familiar characters (like Count Vronsky) of the original but adds in pop and social media references and places most of the upper-class diverse cast in high school. The story follows Anna K and her brother and friends over the course of a party- and drama-filled school year and veers from Anna Karenina in a couple of significant ways.

Despite the multiple brand name references (it got a little tiring), it was easy to get drawn into the YA story, and you don't need to be familiar with Tolstoy to like Anna K. The author's note at the end explains Lee's choices for her version of the classic. I'm looking forward to reading the just-released follow-up novel, Anna K Away. (library book)

All Girls by Emily Layden (St. Martin's, Feb.): Set in 2015 over the course of a school year in a prestigious private all-girls high school in Connecticut, this story is told from a variety of perspectives. From the opening pages we learn about a 20-year-old rape accusation, which the school has buried and for which the male teacher has suffered no consequences. The over-arching thread of the novel is the mystery of the rape: Did it happen? Who did it? Was it a one-time event?

Each female voice has something to say about the case and its affect on the school. The students also reveal their inner life and the personal issues they face, from their own #MeToo moments to bullying, eating disorders, family pressures, and feminism. The chapters flow well with each other, and the story gives us lots to think about. A complaint is that it's easy to lose track of who is who among the students and staff (AFM).

Dust Off the Bones by Paul Howarth (Harper, June 8): One of the best books of the year. Note that this is a sequel to Only Killers and Thieves (2018), which you should read first. (Click the link for my thoughts on book 1.)

Brothers Billy and Tommy McBride were forced into estrangement after their unwitting and complicated involvement in crimes against an Aboriginal community in the 1880s, when the boys were young teenagers. Now adults, Billy has become a wealthy landowner and seemingly has moved on from the tragedies of his youth. Tommy has changed his name, has rarely settled in one place, and has struggled all his life to come to terms with the events of his childhood.

Now almost 20 years later, a two-bit lawyer is hired to prosecute Noone, the brutal Native Police Inspector who was responsible for the crimes and for involving the boys. Noone, now a powerful and still cruel-man who is able to control a wide network of evil men, sets out to murder all witnesses to his earlier offenses. The McBride brothers are principal targets.

As in the first book, Howarth pulls no punches: there are no fairy tales in real life, and cold, calculating men don't soften with old age. Billy, Tommy, Noone, and others are vividly drawn and evoke strong and true emotions. The pace and tension are so tightly constructed it's almost impossible to put the book (or in my case, audiobook) down. Australia itself--the land, the people--plays a central role. This duology should be on your must-read list. Please try to avoid spoilers.

The unabridged audiobook was brilliantly read by David Linski, who also performed book 1. Linski portrays the characters perfectly and matches his tempo and volume with Howarth's style.

One Two Three by Laurie Frankel (Henry Holt, Feb.): This is the story of triplets, born in a town that has been scarred after a chemical plant contaminated their drinking water. Nearly everyone in the community has been affected, especially the children, most of whom are disabled in some way. Everyone who had any kind of money long since left the area; the ones who remain suffer in some way.

The Mitchell girls refer to themselves as One, Two, and Three (based on birth order). Mab, seems to be a typical teen, and Monday, the middle triplet, is on the autism spectrum. Mirabel is severely physically disabled, unable to speak or control her body, except one arm and hand. She is, however, intellectually brilliant and communicates through an app, which vocalizes what she types. Their father died from the poisoning and their mother has spent 16 years trying to get a class-action suit off the ground.

The story takes place over the course of a few months when the son of the original factory owner returns to town with his family to try to reopen the factory. Reminiscent of Love Canal or the PG&E case in California, this story is about the battle between big business profits and real people with real lives. The girls and other characters are sensitively and realistically portrayed. Very worth your while.

The unabridged audiobook was read by Emma Galvin, Jesse Vilinsky, and Rebecca Soler, who alternated the chapters told from the perspectives of the sisters. They conveyed the personalities of the girls nicely.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price (Harper Teen, April): This was fun. Using the characters from and general time period of Austen's Pride & Prejudice, this first in a cozy mystery series works on a number of levels. While the characters are recognizable from their personalities, this book places them in a completely different context from the original. Longbourn and Pemberley are family law firms, and Bingley's family is in shipping. When Bingley is accused of murdering his brother-in-law, Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy are both determined to solve the case.

Readers familiar with P&P will smile at the reconfigurations of Mr. Collins, Charlotte, Wickham, and others. The mystery itself was less engaging for me than Price's take on Austen. I enjoyed the book, though, and am looking forward to the next in the series.

The audiobook was nicely read by Morag Sims. Some listeners may have trouble with her accent and tone, so I advise giving the audio sample a try before buying.

Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson (Gallery, April): I picked this one up because the summary indicated a Jane Austen tie-in. That link turned out to be a very minor piece of the story, though Thompson includes a number of literary and and art references. The story is set in two time periods. In modern times, Hannah, an American woman living in London is surprised by a visit from her unreliable, alcoholic mother (Marla) who has been settling her own mother's estate back in their native Florida. Marla's showing up unannounced is only part of the surprise: Hannah's grandmother has willed the two women a paid-for apartment in the heart of Paris. In the past, we hear from the grandmother's mother, who lived in Paris in the 1930s, where she met many of the great writers and artists of the time.

This was only okay for me. The story was completely predictable and at the same time fairly unbelievable. I didn't connect enough to the women to root for any of them. Others will likely enjoy the details of Paris, the light romance, and the various mother-daughter themes.

The audiobook was read by Emily Tremaine and Imogen Church, who alternately took on the sections that were set in the present and past. I like both these narrators, but I don't think these were their best performances.

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Late Winter Reading: Part I

Long time, no thoughts on books. Here's Part I of a quick run-down of what I read in February and March, in the order I read them. Part II will appear on Monday. The following thoughts are generally taken from what I posted on GoodReads. "AFM" means I reviewed the audiobook for AudioFile Magazine, and you can find my review of the audiobook production there.

All of the following books were provided by the publisher in one or more forms (digital, audio, print). Thanks too to Libro.fm.

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. (Putnam, Jan. 2021): This is a powerful look at life, love, family, brutality, hope, and hopelessness on an antebellum Mississippi plantation. The author imagines a place for gender equality and queerness in several traditional African cultures and interweaves that with the stories of the enslaved in America.

The book was strong overall, but the elements of magical realism sometimes detracted from the principal story lines. (AFM)

Before the Ruins by Victoria Gosling (Holt, Jan. 2021): Part coming of age, part mystery, this book contains elements of first love, sexuality, addiction, poverty, and friendship. When a young man goes missing, his mother contacts his childhood friend, asking her to try to find him. This sets off a chain of events that causes Andrea to recall her painful childhood and to contact the people from her past who were with her on the night of a murder.

Some of the elements of the mystery were easy to figure out, but there were still a few twists. (AFM).

The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson (Simon & Schuster, March 2021): Clear and easy to follow account of the career of Nobel Prize-winner Jennifer Doudna who, along with her team, figured out how to employ CRISPR technology to edit genes. Her discoveries had a direct impact on developing the new RNA vaccines, including those for COVID. Isaacson's work exposes the struggle of women in science, competition and cooperation in research, the intersection of research and industry/business, and the ethical and evolutionary implications of gene-editing technology.

The material in this book is accessible to anyone with a basic knowledge of biology. (AFM)

The Girl from the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat (Graydon House, Feb. 2021): The book itself is well written and focuses on a young Jewish woman who escaped Europe and was working in Jersey when the Nazi army occupied the British Channel Islands. The story of Hedy and how she managed to survive despite being Jewish was well told, though I had some issues with a few plot inconsistencies and historical points.

I lived in Jersey's sister island Guernsey while conducting my doctoral research (in the 1980s) and really wanted to love this book. (AFM)

The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O'Donnell (Tin House, Jan. 2021): Set in the late 1800s in London, this Gothic mystery brings together a bicycle-riding woman journalist, a down-and-out orphaned Cambridge student, and a Scotland Yard inspector as they separately and then together become involved in an apparent suicide case and the mysterious disappearance of several young women.

The book works on a lot of levels: good period details, engaging mix of gothic and humor, and well-constructed plot. It was fun to see how our heroes ended up working together and figuring out what happened to the women. Here's hoping we'll hear more from Olivia, Gideon Bliss, and Inspector Cutter. (AFM)

Girl A by Abigale Dean (Viking, Feb. 2021): Lex grew up under increasingly abusive circumstances, enforced mostly by her father but not stopped by her mother. When Lex finally escapes, she flags down a car, begging the driver to call for help and save her six siblings. By the time the police get there, her father has committed suicide, but her mother is sent to prison. Years later, after their mother dies still in prison, Lex wants to turn their childhood home into a community center, but first she needs permission from her siblings, whom she hasn't seen since their escape.

The book asks: Who really survives such abuse? Is is possible? What happens when Girl A is forced to confront things she's learned to suppress. It's a difficult read. The audiobook was read by Ell Potter, whose performance captured Lex's conflicted thoughts.

Fire in the Straw by Nick Lyons (Arcade, Oct. 2020): I've been a fan of Nick Lyons's writing since my husband introduced me to his short pieces on fly fishing decades ago. I remember being excited when I learned he was starting a publishing business. Despite knowing about him, I didn't know the trajectory of his life. In this collection of essays, Lyons writes about how fly fishing changed his life and about his dedication to getting an education. He talks about his writing, his loves, his losses, and his perspective on aging.

Whether you've been a fan for years or are just discovering Nick Lyons, this is a highly recommended read.

A Pairing to Die for by Kate Lansing (Berkley, Jan. 2021): I really liked the first book in this cozy mystery series, which is set in Boulder and features a local wine maker and her boyfriend, who is a chef and restaurant owner. As with the first book, I liked the descriptions of Boulder, the wine, and the food, and I like the characters. This second outing didn't disappoint me, and I was happy to see the growth of the characters and to meet new people. The murder mystery was also well plotted.

If you're into wine, food, Colorado, and/or cozies, then give this series a try.

The Princess Spy by Larry Loftis (Atria, Feb. 2021). American Aline Griffith was determined to help her country during World War II. Through a fortuitous introduction, Aline is accepted for training as a U.S. spy and is sent to Madrid, where she infiltrates society, dates a famous matador, and then marries a count, all while carrying out dangerous missions and helping the resistance.

I had never heard of Aline, but I'm glad I know her story. Kate Reading did an excellent job with the narration, including characterizations, accents, and pronunciations.

This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith (Grand Central, Feb. 2021): When driving home one night, Tallie sees a young man who looks like he's about to jump off a bridge. She stops and talks him into going home with her. Over the course of a long Halloween weekend she and Emmett form a bond, even while hiding their secrets. Tallie's secret, which we learn almost immediately, is that she's a licensed therapist, which makes her dealings with Emmett reasonably believable. Themes of grief, friendship, and family and a down-to-earth ending.

The audiobook was narrated by Kamali Minter and Zeno Robinson, who brought out the emotions and personalities of their characters.

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Sound Recommendations: 8 Audiobook Reviews

I been a little busy with work this month, but I still managed to listen to 8 books since I last checked in with you. BTW: I have been reading in print & digital too--I'll get to those books next time.

Before I get to my mini reviews, I'd like to remind you that I list the books I've read on both Library Thing) and Goodreads, so if you're curious, you can always follow me there. I also post book content on Instagram.

Coming up later this week, I have a fun post involving a collaboration, and I'm planning a Weekend Cooking post as well. Hope you're all staying healthy and safe.

• The Heatwave by Kate Riordan (Grand Central; Aug. 18): This domestic thriller is set in the south of France and involves a deteriorating estate, family secrets, and a closed community. Although I didn't guess all the secrets and the atmosphere was tense, I was ultimately left with a meh feeling. I don't think everything has to be explained in detail, but some plot lines weren't fleshed out enough, and the ending was unsatisfying. The audiobook was nicely read by Miranda Raison (Hachette Audio; 8 hr, 46 min). Her accents and expressive delivery kept me invested in the story.
• The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi (Holt; Aug. 4): This mystery is set up as a book within a book. The frame involves a young book editor who is working with an author to bring his collection of short mystery stories back to print. Within the frame, we have the stories themselves, which were written (by the fictitious author) to teach lessons of a good mystery. The stories are retellings of Agatha Christie classics, so it was fun to figure out which story went with which Christie. Other than that, I wasn't all that drawn into the frame mystery: what are the editor and author hiding? Note, however, that this book has won tons of praise. As I wrote in my AudioFile magazine review, this is recommended for Agatha Christie aficionados (read by Emilia Fox; Macmillan Audio; 11 hr, 16 min).
• The Less Dead by Denise Mina (Mulholland; Aug. 18): This thriller involves a pregnant doctor (Margo) who, in the aftermath of her mother's death and a breakup with her boyfriend, decides to try to get in contact with her birth mother's family to learn more about her heritage. What she discovers is that her biological mother was murdered just days after giving up her baby. Now that Margo's met her aunt, she finds herself getting increasingly tangled up in their personal dramas as well as in the unsolved serial murder cases that include her own mother. There were definitely some scary moments and it was difficult to tease out the motives and secrets of the people Margo meets, but in the long run, the book was only okay for me. I didn't really connect or care enough. Katie Leung did a fine job with her narration (Hachette Audio; 8 hr, 4 min)--good accents, building tension, believable emotions--so the miss is totally on me.
• Death of a Liar by M. C. Beaton (Grand Central; 2015). This is the 30th in the series. I don't have more to say, except that I am still enjoying this very light, fun cozy series. Graeme Malcolm (Hachette Audio; 5 hr, 20 min) is always a pleasure to listen to.
  

• Death of a Nurse by M. C. Beaton (Grand Central; 2016): The 31st in the series. Graeme Malcolm (Hachette Audio; 5 hr, 28 min) did it again!
• 10 Things I Hate about Pinky by Sandhya Menon (Simon Pulse; July 21): This is the third book Menon has written about Indian-American California teens; the books have some overlapping characters but can all be read as stand-alones. Pinky's story is successfully based on The Taming of the Shrew (think of the movie Ten Things I Hate about You) and is generally interesting with relatable characters. Though I liked it, it was my least favorite of the three novels. Some of the story lines seemed unnecessary and others were a little drawn out; still worth the listen. Narrators Vikas Adam and Soneela Nankani (Simon & Schuster; 7 hr, 11 min) team up to read this young adult rom-com. Adam's delivery isn't as smooth as Nankani's, but I got used to it.
• Brave Enough by Jessie Diggins and Todd Smith (U of Minnesota Press; March 10): In this memoir, cross-country ski champion Diggins talks about her journey from her childhood in rural Minnesota to standing on the Olympic podium to accept a gold medal. She speaks frankly about her eating disorder and the less glamorous aspects of being an elite athlete along with the wonderful opportunities, friendships, and rewards of training with a team. Maybe not the best-written memoir of all time, but I liked getting to know Diggins. More on the audiobook read by Allyson Ryan (Tantor; 10 hr, 532 min) in AudioFile magazine.
• Death of a Ghost by M. C. Beaton (Grand Central; 2017). This is the penultimate book in the series. Sadly it wasn't my favorite of the bunch, but I still liked spending time with copper Hamish Macbeth. Only one more book to go! As always, Graeme Malcolm (Hachette Audio; 5 hr, 37 min) put in an terrific performance.

Thanks to the publishers (audiobook & print) for the review copies. And thanks to Libro.fm.

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11 Picks for Speculative Fiction Fans

Here at Beth Fish Reads I try my best to provide book news for a range of reading tastes. Last week I was all about true stories, so this week I’ve taken a 180. The books featured today are not only fiction but have some fantastical elements. Most are set in fully imaginary worlds, but one takes places in the bleak future and a couple are based in contemporary times.

Here are 11 November books that caught my eye. The summaries are from the publisher, and I’ve included the first line and audiobook information as well. Speculative fiction lovers have a lot to be grateful for this month.

Note: All books were provided (digital, print, or audio) by the publisher; some first lines are from advance reader copies.

Life and Limb by Jennifer Roberson (DAW, Nov. 5) The first installment in a new urban fantasy with a western slant on Armageddon.

Gabe Harlan, ex-con biker, and Remi McCue, Texas cowboy, are informed—no, commanded—by a higher power that they must form a partnership, bound by blood and bone, to help save the world. Complete strangers one moment, they have now been thrust together, conscripted into heaven’s army-on-earth. While Remi is willing to believe in such things, to Gabe, newly released from prison, it makes no sense that heaven would count on humans when it has angels in its armory.

First line: “His voice was rich, a much loved, clear baritone, as he handed his seven-year-old grandson a gun.” Audiobook: Read by Kevin Stillwell (Audible Studios; 10 hr, 57 min).

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White (Delacorte Press, Nov. 5) This first in a trilogy offers a fresh look at Guinevere and her role at Camelot.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom’s borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution—send in Guinevere to be Arthur’s wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king’s idyllic city fail. . . . To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old—including Arthur’s own family—demand things continue as they have been, and the new—those drawn by the dream of Camelot—fight for a better way to live.

First line: “There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl on the cusp of womanhood.” Audiobook: Read by Elizabeth Knowelden (Listening Library; 10 hr, 51 min)

Sisters of Shadow and Light by Sara B. Larson (Tor Teen, Nov. 5) The story of two sisters living in a fairy-tale world.

Zuhra and Inara have grown up in the Citadel of the Paladins, an abandoned fortress where legendary, magical warriors once lived before disappearing from the world—including their Paladin father the night Inara was born. On that same night, a massive, magical hedge grew and imprisoned them within the citadel. . . . For fifteen years they have lived, trapped in the citadel, with little contact from the outside world . . . until the day a stranger passes through the hedge, and everything changes.

First line: “The night my sister was born, the stars died and were reborn in her eyes.” Audiobook: Read by Caitlin Kelly (Macmillan Audio, 14 hr, 42 min)

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw (Simon Pulse, Nov. 5) A dark fantasy set near a haunted woods lightened by elements of romance.

Rumored to be a witch, only Nora Walker knows the truth. She and the Walker women before her have always shared a special connection with the woods. And it’s this special connection that leads Nora to Oliver Huntsman—the same boy who disappeared from the Camp for Wayward Boys weeks ago—and in the middle of the worst snowstorm in years. He should be dead, but here he is alive, and left in the woods with no memory of the time he’d been missing.

First line: “Never waste a full moon, Nora, even in winter, my grandmother used to say.” Audiobook: Read by Emma Lysy and Mark Turesky (Audible Studios; 10 hr, 16 min)

Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade (Tor, Nov. 5) An epic fantasy full of adventure and friendship.

Everyone loves Mathias. Naturally, when he discovers it’s his destiny to save the world, he dives in headfirst, pulling his best friend, Aaslo, along for the ride. However, saving the world isn’t as easy, or exciting, as it sounds in the stories. The going gets rough, and folks start to believe their best chance for survival is to surrender to the forces of evil, which isn’t how the prophecy goes. At all. As the list of allies grows thin . . . they must decide how to become the heroes they were destined to be or, failing that, how to survive.

First line: “ ‘Why?’ Mathias said as he stared down at the back of his best friend’s head.” Audiobook: Read by Nick Podehl (Macmillan Audio; 12 hr, 33 min)

Day Zero by Kelly deVos (Inkyard Press, Nov. 12) Set in the near future, a story of survival after organized violence ends life as we know it.

Seventeen-year-old coder Jinx Marshall grew up spending weekends drilling with her paranoid dad for a doomsday she’s sure will never come. . . . Now that her parents are divorced, she’s ready to relax. But all that disaster training comes in handy when . . . a pattern of violence erupt[s] all over the country. . . . In a desperate attempt to evade paramilitary forces and vigilantes, Jinx and her siblings . . . make a break for Mexico. . . . But if they can survive, will there be anything left worth surviving for?

First line: “I will save the world.” Audiobook: no information

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (Doubleday, Nov. 5) Stories come alive in an underground world where time is fluid and people are not what they seem.

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, . . . he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues—a bee, a key, and a sword—that lead him . . . through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians—it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead.

First line: “There is a pirate in the basement.” Audiobook: Read by Dominic Hoffman and others (Random House Audio, 18 hr, 37 min)

Eight Will Fall by Sarah Harian (Henry Holt BYR, Nov. 26) A dark adventure fantasy with battles, monsters, and forbidden magic

In a world where magic is illegal, eight criminals led by rebellious Larkin are sent on a mission to rid their kingdom of monsters. Descending into an underground world full of unspeakable horrors, Larkin and her crew must use their forbidden magic to survive. As they fight in the shadows, Larkin finds a light in Amias, a fellow outlaw with a notorious past. . . . But as the beasts grow in number and her band is picked off one by one, Larkin is forced to confront a terrible truth: They were never meant to return.

First line: “Beneath Larkin’s glowing lantern, luminite shimmered like fish scales in the darkness of Ethera Mine.” Audiobook: Read by Lauren Fortgang (Macmillan; 10 hr, 15 min)

Unnatural Magic by C. M. Waggoner (Ace, Nov. 5) A standalone historical fantasy with strong female characters who hope to forge peace in their land

Onna Gebowa is determined to become a great wizard. She can write the parameters of a spell faster than any of the young men in her village school. But despite her incredible abilities, she’s denied a place at the nation’s premier arcane academy. . . . Tsira is a troll who never quite fit into her clan, despite being the leader’s daughter. She decides to strike out on her own and look for work in a human city. . . . Trolls have lived alongside—and been revered by—humans for generations, but now it appears they’re being targeted by a sinister sorcery. And Onna and Tsira both begin to devote their considerable abilities into figuring out how to stop the deaths before their homeland is torn apart.

First line: “Onna Gebowa always liked numbers.” Audiobook: Read by Shiromi Arserio (Blackstone; ~14 hr)

Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao (Delacorte Press, Nov. 19) The start of an epic fantasy series with elements of mystery, political intrigue, and corruption

In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are unnatural—dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, has a terrifying secret. Her deadly Affinity to blood is her curse and the reason she has lived her life hidden behind palace walls. When Ana’s father, the emperor, is murdered, her world is shattered. Framed as his killer, Ana must flee the palace to save her life. And to clear her name, she must find her father’s murderer on her own. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is far different from the one she thought she knew.

First line: “The prison bore a sharp resemblance to the dungeons of Anastacya’s childhood: dark, wet, and made of unyielding stone that leaked grime and misery.” Audiobook: Read by Emily Woo Zeller (Listening Library; 13 hr, 57 min)

Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean (HMH BYR, Nov. 6) Set in a world where women battle for power and shape-shifters are despised

Each generation, a competition is held to find the next empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Marry the prince. All are eligible to compete—all except yokai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy. Mari has spent a lifetime training to become empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be, if she weren't hiding a dangerous secret. Mari is a yokai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit.

First line: “Breathing in the dark, and not her own.” Audiobook: Read by Hanako Footman (HMH, 9 hr, 52 min)

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