Bookworm: I Just Finished... The Couple Next Door and The Timekeeper (January 2018)

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

My coworker, Sharon, left this book on my desk. Knowing she had been reading another novel just days earlier, I assumed it must be a pretty solid read for her to have finished it so quickly. The Couple Next Door is easily the most fast-paced story I’ve read in awhile. Centering around Anne and Marco Conti, a young couple who leave their infant daughter asleep in their crib while they head to the rowhouse next door for a birthday party (checking on her routinely and carrying the baby monitor with them) only to return home to an empty crib. As the couple begins to process the events of the evening, the detectives begin their search for answers. What is revealed is edgy, shocking, and super entertaining. I predicted a couple of the twists, but it didn’t stop me from frantically turning the pages. I’d recommend The Couple Next Door to any of my fiction loving friends.

The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom

I’ve never read a Mitch Albom book that I didn’t like, and I liked this one. Still, I don’t know if it’s just me being moody or not, but, although I enjoyed The Timekeeper, it was not my favorite. Following the stories of a teenage girl and an elderly man with Father Time as the third perspective, the plot moved along quickly, and it was engaging. Yet, I still found myself wanting to rush through the Father Time sections to get back to the other two stories. I definitely appreciated the reminder that time is always fleeting and every moment should be cherished, but I found myself rolling my eyes at moments. Reading this over, it sounds like I did not enjoy the book, and I did; I just didn’t love it. I’d recommend The Timekeeper to Mitch Albom fans and to those who don’t mind a little bit of cheesiness.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Count All Her Bones and Little Fires Everywhere (Holiday 2017)

Count All Her Bones by April Henry

A sequel to the popular Girl Stolen, Count All Her Bones is a fast-paced, young adult novel that centers around Cheyenne, a blind teenager coping with the aftermath of her accidental abduction and attempted execution. Days before she is scheduled to testify against her captor, she is contacted by Griffin, the boy who inadvertently kidnapped her while stealing her stepmother’s Escalade. Griffin and Cheyenne formed a connection in the previous novel; and, although Cheyenne had feelings for him, she shut him out.  They reconnect in Count All Her Bones and the reader embarks on a wild, suspenseful adventure. Sure, the book was predictable, but I still kept turning the pages. One of the most impressive factors to me was the amount of research that went into the novel, especially relating to technological advances for the blind and self-defense strategies. I’d recommend this book to anybody who enjoys young adult fiction and/or is looking for a quick, vacation-esque read.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I’ve read a lot of awesome YA fiction lately, but it felt great to get back to an adult read. I was intrigued by Little Fires Everywhere because it was endorsed by some of my favorite authors. Little Fires Everywhere is told from an omniscient perspective, giving insight into the thoughts and feelings of all the characters. Teenage Pearl and her artist mother Mia have lived a fairly nomadic lifestyle prior to settling down in a rental apartment in Shaker Heights, a small town that boasts a progressive attitude whilst still asserting that anything is possible with a solid plan. Upon arriving in town, Peal befriends Moody, a lifelong resident of Shaker and son of her landlord, and his three siblings. The characterization is so rich, you can’t help but become intrigued by these people because of/despite their idiosyncrasies. The novel starts with the burning down of Moody’s home, leaving lots of questions. It then jumps back in time to explore the events leading up to this tragedy. What unfolds is emotional and surprising, yet lyrical in its style. I didn’t want to put this one down. I would highly recommend Little Fires Everywhere to anybody who enjoys a solid fiction read.