Real talk, I have a confession. I read 5 books on my 9 day honeymoon. I swear I did lots of other stuff too! But we went to Europe so the flights alone gave me some solid reading time, same with trains traveling between cities. And at the last spot on our honeymoon we had a pool and a lot of relaxation time. So that’s prime reading time right there! They were all good books too! So let’s get into it.
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub – I bought this on a whim at the airport before our plane left for Italy in a mix of dehyrdation and irrational fear that my Ipad battery might die. This book centers around two best friends living as middle aged adults with their respective families in Brooklyn and about how their lives are intwined, and have been since college, and how it ain’t always simple. It’s got a thread of rock and roll. It’s got some pretty strong emotional subjects but still ends up being a light and enjoyable read.
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins – Well if you read Girl on the Train then you already know Paula Hawkins is a twisted genius. It is another who-done-it. This one has kind of a darker feel somehow than Girl on the Train (total honeymoon reading 😂). It is deep and it really keeps you guessing until the end.
Black-Eyes Susans by Julia Heaberlin – Another dark read. Oops. This book could be by Gillian Flynn or Paula Hawkins. It is a psychological thriller. And yes it will keep you guessing until the end. Legit. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away but its about a crime that happens in childhood and the ensuing fear that follows the woman all through adulthood. And it turns out that fear is validated when the alleged perpetrator returns. Dun dun dun! But who is it?! You’ll have to read to find out! I will say the only thing with this book is that it’s completely unbelievable – like in the sense this is highly unlikely to ever occur in real life. It just felt a little far fetched to me. But it’s entertaining nonetheless.
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena – This is another suspenseful book. Are you sensing a trend? This one starts during an alcohol fueled dinner party. A crime occurs during the party and the book follows the track of the investigation from the different characters points of view. You are never going to guess the perpetrator in this one. You’ll think you have what happened figured out and then BOOM something else drops.
Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple – From the author of Where’d You Go Bernadette (fab read if you haven’t already devoured it). About the day in a life of a hot mess. She is happily married and has a kid but her life is upside down for no apparent reason. But just in her head. You track the main character as she tries to get back on track but really ends up on a new one due to some of her actions and some actions of her husband. Although I’m not going to lie I was a little bit disappointed with the ending. It was wrapped up too nicely in a bow. If my husband changed in such a way that her husband did, and so suddenly, I’m not sure I could just come to terms with it like he just changed his socks and not like he just changed their entire lives. Which is what it seemed like she did.
Did you guys read one of these books? What were your thoughts? What should I pick up to read for fall?
