Some Five Star Book Recommendations

It has been too long since I have done any book reviews. Not that I haven't been reading, though. I read 12 books in May, 9 books in June, and another whopping 12 books so far in July. So get out your pen and paper and let's get started with the best of them.

The Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian was great historical fiction. Set in Boston, 1662, our main character is Mary Deerfield, a young woman who has not made a great match in marriage. She lives a privileged comfortable life, but her husband is a wretch. Some things happen and Mary falls under the suspicion of witchcraft. The story is compelling and twisty and I enjoyed it very much. 5 stars

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin was such a sweet book. Set during WW2, our main character Grace perseveres through hardship, blackouts, and bombings with the help of friends, storytelling, and a very special bookshop. If you love books about bookstores, you will love this one too. 5 stars

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is absolutely, without a doubt the best book I have read all year.  Our main character Ryland Grace (love that name) wakes up on a spaceship millions of miles from Earth, after being asleep for a very long time, with only two corpses for company. He can't even remember his name when he wakes up, much less what mission he is on. Turns out, he recalls when his memory returns, that he has been sent on a mission to save not only his planet, but the entire universe. He gets to the star system which is his destination, and guess what? He's not the only one who's been sent from a galaxy far far away to set things right. So so good. The audio version is outstanding, and in fact, I recommend it over the written book. Do give this one a try. 10 stars out of 5.

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau was a real winner for me. Our main character, Mary Jane is a fourteen-year-old girl who has been hired to be a childminder for an eccentric psychiatrist and his wife for an entire summer in 1970. It turns out the doctor has invited the country's most famous rock star and his superstar wife to live with them for the summer while the rock star gets treatment for drug addiction. This crazy household could not be more different from the restrictive, unaffectionate home Mary Jane comes from. Both liberating and eye-opening, Mary Jane is exposed to situations way outside her experience and comfort zone. The wisdom, maturity, and good sense she exhibits will make this book one of the best coming-of-age books you have read. Audio version is superb. 5 stars.

Malibu Rising is another outstanding book from author Taylor Jenkins Reid. Set in Malibu, California, the plot is about four famous celebrity siblings who are known for throwing a fabulous summer party each year. The action in the book takes place in one 24 hour period in 1983 (with flashbacks to set up the story). Each of the siblings is in some sort of crisis situation, and it all comes to a head at the family's out-of-control party. You can't go wrong with a book by this author. She is a must-buy for me and never disappoints. 5 stars. 

Falling by T.J. Newman was a wild ride for sure. It was the best thriller I have read all year, maybe the best going back a few years. If you enjoy a book that is a plot-driven page-turner, with every single chapter a cliff hanger, give this book a try. Basic plot: plane is hijacked. Terrorists are holding the pilot's family hostage and say they will kill them if the pilot doesn't crash the plane. Terrific character descriptions, gripping story. I devoured this book in two sittings. The author is a former flight attendant and wrote the book while flying red eyes back and forth across the country. Let me just say, it feels very authentic. White knuckle reading all the way. IMPORTANT NOTE:  DO NOT READ THE PROLOGUE.  It is not necessary and spoils everything. DO NOT READ THE PROLOGUE. 5 stars.

Stay tuned for some reviews of a selection of terrific 4-star books!