This post includes affiliate links. Please refer to my full disclosure for more detail.
For us bibliophiles, there’s nothing like getting lost in a good book. And it helps to hear what other people think about a book before taking a chance on it. Besides, with us not judging them by their covers, how else are we supposed to pick out a good one from the pack?
Without further ado, welcome to the first installment of Rox Recommends! I wanted to share my experience with the books I read over the course of September. It was a busy month, but I somehow still managed to read four books. I like to keep my reading varied, and being a part of a book club has certainly helped with that. I’m hoping there’s a little something here for everyone.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
This book has received a lot of press in the last year, and rightfully so. It’s been a top pick for book clubs (how it ended up on my list), and there’s now a mini-series in the works. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Celeste’s writing style is different from what I’m used to, with prose taking center stage and dialogue used deliberately and sparsely. But she weaves a wonderful story that challenges our beliefs of what makes someone a mother. At the forefront of the story are women of different ages throughout a community outside of Cleveland, OH, and males take a backseat for once. You’ll find yourself doubting your choice on which side should win in a legal battle even after the story ends, and enjoy reading the coming of age of young and older women alike.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Sharp Objects also explores motherhood in a typical Flynn way: dark and twisted. I appreciate Flynn’s use of very visceral imagery, making me cringe several times throughout the story (sardines…ugh!). This was another one that landed on my list thanks to my book club, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Just like Little Fires, Sharp Objects had a mini-series that aired on HBO this summer, and I watched it after finishing the book. To sum up the premise: Camille Preaker, a reporter from Chicago, is sent back to her hometown to cover a story of two young girls who have turned up dead with all of their teeth missing. There are twists in true Flynn style, and if you enjoyed Gone Girl, add this one to your list.
Death Runs Adrift by Karen MacInerney
I love a good cozy mystery, and MacInerney never disappoints. Death Runs Adrift is book #6 in her Gray Whale Inn series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She has a knack for crafting a mystery that leaves you guessing whodunnit til the very end. Her writing style is comfortable and flows easily, sucking you into the world of Cranberry Island off the coast of Maine. As someone who lives in Austin, it’s nice being transported to cooler temperatures when it’s triple-digits outside. It’s been fun seeing the progression of the characters throughout the series, and still be able to read each one as a standalone if you wanted. She’s written other series that I adore, including the Margie Peterson mysteries (my favorite!), Tales of an Urban Werewolf, and Dewberry Farms mysteries. Do yourself a favor and pick them all up. You won’t be disappointed.
Telling Lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block
Nothing sparks my creativity quite like Lawrence Block. This is the third book of his I’ve read in the last few months that provides writing advice, and I appreciate his dry sense of humor throughout the content. He makes it all seem so easy, saying “It’s just a book, it’s no big deal,” and you find yourself nodding your head in agreement. His style reminds me of sitting in a dark tavern in New York City, both of us with scotch on the rocks, listening to a jazz musician in the background while waxing philosophical about writing. He provides these amazing nuggets of wisdom between puffs on a cigar, and you hang on every word. At least, this is how it felt in my mind while reading. If you’ve ever considered writing, I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book.
And there you have it! These were the books I finished in September, and I’ve already got a list going for what I’m reading in October. I’d love to hear your feedback if you’ve read any of the books above. Did they hit you the same way? What did or didn’t you like about them? I want to hear from you!