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You think you know what is going on. You think "finally, a book where I can predict the next twist, possibly even the ending." Sorry. Not this time. The Woman in the Window is a marriage of film noir and Hitchcock and a breath of fresh air. A must-read.

To be upfront, I thought there would be a lot more action in this story. I never read it in school, so coming at it as an adult was intriguing. That being said, I was not let down. Verne is very versed in sea life (this book is chock full of jargon) and as a science nerd, it was fascinating. And somehow, through all the science and tech, he was able to create a story that is often exhilarating.

When working your way through classic horror, you will always come to Peter Straub and Ghost Story. This being my first foray into his writing, I was surprised by his eeriness, character building, and the haunting disconnect of what's real and what isn't. I am looking forward to reading more by him.

Gaiman is a terrific, and exciting writer. In his novels, he is a pro at world building and full immersion. Through his short stories, he is able to use new voices, different techniques. They are much, much different than his books and refreshing because of it. Standouts: The Truth Is A Cave In The Black Mountains... and Orange.

CONCLUSION: WE KNOW BASICALLY NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING. Peter Wohlleben has been working close to trees for most of his life, and is an excellent source for how trees speak. The Hidden Life is a treasure trove of anthropomorphic leanings, ones that make us look deeper at our world, and how we respond and live in it. bookreview beardedreviews beardedreading reviews book novel reading readersoftumblr

Alone on the Beach was a shockingly good read. The SS Palo Alto, shipwrecked now at Seacliff Beach, is the perfect spot for a ghost story, and Grant weaves a story with intriguing prose and spooky visuals. Looking forward to reading the other two books of the series.

George Saunders' short stories are some of the most engaging and enjoyable that I have ever read. Pastoralia includes Sea Oak, which is possibly my favorite short of all time: macabre and with humor that only Saunders can produce.

Paula Saunders' debut novel The Distance Home shows a hell of a lot of promise: beautiful prose, fleshed out characters. But the story felt rehashed somehow and I found it hard to connect with it. That being said, there were enough enjoyable moments in this family drama to recommend.

As Parks delivered with his excellent Say Nothing, Closer Than You Know is another thriller that keeps you up at night reading at least one more chapter. Compelling characters within a wild story of drugs and mishaps, the reader will leave satisfied and exhilarated.

The Themis Files trilogy is an outlier, as it seems to get better from book to book (I’m looking at you, Hunger Games). Only Human is the best of the bunch. It has extreme heart, and it unlocks a wider world for the reader to explore. Engrossing, funny, and warm, the Themis Files trilogy is one that even the novice sci-fi fan can enjoy.