All Book Reviews

A dual-timeline novel connecting a modern woman to her ancestor who survived the devastating Johnstown Flood of 1889.

A successful news anchor faces unexpected challenges when a daughter she never knew existed appears in her perfectly ordered life.

A collection of three thrilling novellas about the dangerous secrets that can hide behind the most ordinary suburban facades. Your neighbors might not be who they seem.

Detective Lindsay Boxer and the Women's Murder Club investigate a serial killer targeting the homeless in San Francisco while Lindsay's personal life takes an unexpected turn.

CIA agent Emily Hudson and journalist Joel Lashley must work together to stop a criminal mastermind who has been holding Emily captive and plans to unleash chaos on an international scale.

In a seemingly perfect society without pain, suffering, or conflict, twelve-year-old Jonas is selected to inherit the position of Receiver of Memory and discovers the dark truth behind his community's utopia.

A modern retelling of Anna Karenina set among the elite teenagers of New York and Greenwich. Anna K has the perfect life until she meets Alexia Vronsky and everything changes.

A lyrical masterpiece following Macon "Milkman" Dead III as he journeys from Michigan to the South to uncover his family history, discovering the power of heritage and the meaning of flight.

A romantic comedy where two competitors on a wedding-themed reality show go from rivals to something more. Luna and Alec clash on every decision, but sparks fly both on and off camera.

The explosive finale of The Hunger Games trilogy. Katniss Everdeen becomes the symbol of rebellion as she leads the fight against the Capitol, facing impossible choices and devastating losses.

Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense featuring retired homicide detective Bree Taggert investigating her sister's murder while protecting her orphaned niece and nephew. Small-town setting, family stakes, and budding romance create engaging thriller. First in Bree Taggert series.

Tatiana de Rosnay's haunting dual-timeline novel about Sarah, a Jewish girl hiding her brother during the 1942 Vel d'Hiv roundup in Paris, and Julia, an American journalist in 2002 uncovering her family's connection to Sarah's story. A powerful exploration of complicity, memory, and the lasting echoes of historical atrocity.

Iris Johansen's Kendra Michaels thriller about reopening a cold case when new evidence suggests the convicted killer was innocent. Kendra must use her unique observational skills to find the real murderer before he strikes again. Solid series entry with cold-case twist.

Gregg Olsen's devastating true crime account of the Knotek sisters and their mother's horrifying abuse and murders. Difficult but important reading about survival, sisterhood, and finally breaking silence. Expertly researched and sensitively handled despite disturbing content.

Iris Johansen's Kendra Michaels thriller about a killer targeting people connected to Kendra's past. Personal stakes elevate the formula as Kendra must protect those she cares about while using her unique skills to stop the murderer before someone she loves dies.

Iris Johansen's Kendra Michaels thriller about a serial killer targeting performers. Kendra must use her unique skills—heightened from years of blindness—to protect potential victims and stop the murderer. Solid series entry with entertainment value and musical setting.

Mollie Player's memoir-meets-guide about her family's experiment living with minimal possessions for a year. Personal narrative about discovering what's truly essential through radical decluttering. Engaging storytelling but limited practical application.

Chloe White's minimalism guide about simplifying life to achieve more with fewer possessions and commitments. Practical advice on decluttering, time management, and intentional living. Familiar minimalism territory without much innovation.

Iris Johansen's Kendra Michaels thriller about hunting a serial killer targeting the blind. Kendra must use her unique perspective—having been blind herself—to understand the killer's mind and stop the murders. Personal stakes elevate familiar thriller formula.

Dean Koontz's mind-bending Nameless novella about a killer who seems to know the future. Nameless must stop this impossible threat while questioning the nature of time and fate. Cerebral, dark, and philosophically ambitious thriller.

Dean Koontz's chilling Nameless novella about a killer using venomous snakes to murder victims. Nameless must stop this serpentine threat while exploring questions about cold-blooded evil. Dark, creepy, and philosophically engaging thriller.

Dean Koontz's intense Nameless novella about a killer who drowns victims in blood. Nameless must stop this horrific murderer while confronting questions about vengeance and justice. Dark, visceral, and philosophically rich thriller.

Dean Koontz's darkly compelling Nameless novella about a woman who murders her husbands. Nameless must stop her before she kills again, while grappling with questions about predatory human nature. Tense, psychological, and disturbingly effective thriller.

Dean Koontz's chilling Nameless novella about a photographer who stages elaborate death scenes. When Nameless investigates, he uncovers disturbing artistic obsession and confronts questions about evil's nature. Dark, atmospheric, and philosophically engaging thriller.

Dean Koontz's Nameless novella about the enigmatic vigilante confronting a murderous arsonist with supernatural abilities. Dark, tense, and philosophically rich—Koontz at his pulp-literary best in compact form. Part of the addictive Nameless series.

Iris Johansen's Kendra Michaels novella featuring the blind-turned-sighted detective tracking a serial killer targeting hikers. Fast-paced thriller showcasing Kendra's heightened observational skills in compact format. Quick, entertaining series addition.

Iris Johansen's Eve Duncan thriller featuring forensic sculptor investigating a killer using hypnosis to control victims. When Eve herself becomes a target, she must trust a mysterious man with psychic abilities. Fast-paced suspense with paranormal elements and series character development.

The stunning conclusion to Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy. Lisbeth Salander fights for her freedom in court while Mikael Blomkvist exposes the government conspiracy that destroyed her childhood. Legal thriller meets investigative journalism as the series builds to a satisfying, cathartic conclusion.

The explosive second Millennium novel finds Lisbeth Salander framed for triple murder and on the run, while Mikael Blomkvist races to prove her innocence. As he investigates, he uncovers sex trafficking conspiracy and Lisbeth's devastating past. Dark, propulsive, and impossible to put down.

Stieg Larsson's international phenomenon about journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander investigating a forty-year-old disappearance from a wealthy Swedish family. Dark, compelling, and unforgettable—a mystery that explores violence against women, corruption, and justice with fierce intelligence and addictive plotting.

Cara Reinard's gripping psychological thriller about Sarah Ellsworth, whose privileged life in an elite Pennsylvania town unravels when her son is involved in a tragic accident. Family secrets, wealth, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child collide in this tense domestic suspense.

The first book in Nora Roberts' Chesapeake Bay Saga about Cameron Quinn, a race car driver who returns home to care for his dying father and the troubled boy he's taken in. Small-town romance, family bonds, and redemption on the Maryland coast. Solid comfort reading with deeper themes than typical romance.

Jodi Picoult's powerful novel about Sage Singer, a baker who befriends a 90-year-old man who confesses to being an SS officer at Auschwitz and asks her to help him die. A profound exploration of forgiveness, justice, and whether some crimes are unforgivable, told through multiple perspectives and timelines.

Sharon Shinn's fantasy romance about Zoe Ardelay, who possesses powerful water magic and becomes the king's fifth wife to escape her abusive cousin. Set in a world where elemental affinities shape society, politics, and personal destiny. Interesting magic system hampered by pacing issues.

Joel C. Rosenberg's political thriller featuring journalist J.B. Collins, who lands an exclusive interview with ISIS leader Abu Kahlif only to witness ISIS kidnap the President of the United States. Fast-paced, ripped-from-headlines suspense with Middle East expertise and faith elements.

Liane Moriarty's addictive mystery about three women in an affluent Australian beach community whose seemingly perfect lives unravel over a school year, culminating in murder at the kindergarten trivia night. Smart, funny, and surprisingly dark exploration of marriage, motherhood, and secrets.

Julian Barnes' Man Booker Prize-winning novel about Tony Webster, who revisits his past when an unexpected bequest forces him to reconsider memories of his youth, first love, and a friend's suicide. A profound meditation on memory, time, and how we construct narratives about our lives.

Willa Cather's American masterpiece about Ántonia Shimerda, a Bohemian immigrant girl on the Nebraska prairie, told through the nostalgic memories of childhood friend Jim Burden. Luminous prose, elegiac tone, and one of literature's most enduring portraits of pioneer life and immigrant experience.

Iris Johansen's thriller featuring blind music therapist Kendra Michaels, who gained sight as an adult and uses her heightened observational skills to help the FBI track a serial killer. Fast-paced suspense with music world setting, though strained by formula and romance subplot.

The fifth installment of Alexander McCall Smith's beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series finds Mma Ramotswe investigating suitors, solving mysteries, and contemplating life's complexities with wisdom, humor, and her traditional build. Gentle, charming, and surprisingly profound.

Rainbow Rowell's beloved YA novel about two misfit teenagers who fall in love on the school bus in 1986 Omaha. A tender, painful story about first love, abuse, racism, and finding someone who sees you—praised for representation but not without controversy.

One of China's Four Great Classical Novels, this epic historical saga chronicles the fall of the Han Dynasty and the three-way power struggle that followed. A monument of Chinese literature filled with battles, strategies, and legendary heroes—but extremely challenging for modern Western readers.

Herman Wouk's hilarious novel about a New York press agent who buys a Caribbean hotel, only to discover that paradise comes with endless disasters, bureaucratic nightmares, and cultural clashes. A comic masterpiece about the gap between tropical dreams and island reality.

A YA romance told in alternating perspectives about two strangers who meet at a New York City club and spend one transformative night together, bonding over music, ex-drama, and the magic of the city. A love letter to indie music and the possibilities of one perfect night.

Mark Twain's beloved classic about a mischievous boy growing up in a Mississippi River town. Tom Sawyer's adventures—from whitewashing fences to witnessing murder to getting lost in caves—capture the essence of American boyhood and remain timelessly entertaining.

An Amazon Original Story from the author of The Martian. A casino security expert must figure out how a gambler is beating the house with seemingly impossible consistency, leading to a clever exploration of randomness, probability, and technology.

An Amazon Original Story from horror writer Paul Tremblay. A woman dying of cancer undergoes an experimental procedure to upload her consciousness, but the process raises disturbing questions about identity, death, and what it means to be human.

An Amazon Original Story from the author of A Gentleman in Moscow. A couple considering designer babies must choose their unborn child's traits from possible futures, raising profound questions about parenting, determinism, and the nature of choice.

A profound memoir by neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi, written as he faced terminal lung cancer at age 36. An extraordinary meditation on life, death, meaning, and what makes life worth living when facing mortality. A modern classic of the genre.

An Amazon Original Story from the award-winning author of The Broken Earth trilogy. A pilot is sent from a human colony in space back to a supposedly dead Earth to retrieve genetic material, but what he finds challenges everything he's been taught about humanity's past and future.

An Amazon Original Story from the author of Dark Matter and Recursion. A video game designer discovers that her game's AI character may have achieved true consciousness, raising profound questions about artificial intelligence, personhood, and what we owe sentient beings we create.

An Amazon Original Story from the author of Divergent. A thought-provoking short story about a generation ship carrying humanity's last survivors, exploring themes of sacrifice, duty, and what it means to preserve humanity's future.

The second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Katniss and Peeta's victory tour sparks rebellion across Panem, and President Snow forces them back into the arena for the Quarter Quell—a special Games featuring previous victors. The stakes have never been higher.

In a dystopian future, sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in the Hunger Games—a televised fight to the death where only one of twenty-four tributes can survive. A cultural phenomenon that revitalized YA dystopian fiction.

A contemporary women's fiction novel about a mother and daughter whose lives are upended when a long-buried secret about the daughter's adoption comes to light, forcing both to reckon with identity, belonging, and what makes a family.

A personal finance guide from a self-proclaimed spender who paid off $23,605.10 of debt in 15 months through her "Spending Fast" method. Practical advice for people who struggle with spending habits.

Often considered the world's first novel, this ancient Greek romance tells the story of star-crossed lovers Chaereas and Callirhoe as they face separation, pirates, slavery, and the machinations of powerful men across the Mediterranean world.

The ninth book in the Joanna Brady mystery series. Sheriff Brady must solve a murder case that hits close to home when a body is discovered in the desert, leading to revelations about secrets hidden in her small Arizona community.

S.E. Hinton's groundbreaking YA classic about teenage gang rivalry, social class divisions, and the universal struggles of adolescence. Written when Hinton was just 16, this remains one of the most influential young adult novels ever published.

A powerful and haunting YA novel about a high school student who receives cassette tapes from a classmate who committed suicide, explaining the thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life.

Jack London's classic adventure novel about Buck, a domesticated dog thrust into the harsh realities of the Yukon during the Gold Rush. A powerful story of survival, transformation, and the wild nature lurking beneath civilization.

George Orwell's brilliant allegorical novella about a farm animal rebellion that descends into tyranny. A devastating critique of totalitarianism wrapped in a deceptively simple fable that remains urgently relevant.

Aldous Huxley's chilling vision of a future where humanity has traded freedom for stability, individuality for conformity, and truth for comfortable lies. A dystopian masterpiece that feels more relevant with each passing year.

A heartwarming summer romance about second chances, family ties, and finding love when you least expect it. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful lake community, this is comfort reading at its finest.

A summer novel set on Martha's Vineyard that explores class divides, privilege, and the secrets that shape young lives. Two women from different worlds cross paths one fateful summer with lasting consequences.

The first book in the Kendra Michaels series. A blind music therapist with extraordinary perceptive abilities is drawn into a dangerous investigation when her ex-lover, an FBI agent, asks for her help tracking a serial killer.

A heartwarming women's fiction novel about returning home, facing the past, and discovering that some roots run deeper than you think. Perfect for fans of emotional, character-driven romance.

An Amazon Original Story. A brilliantly witty short story from the award-winning author, following the irrepressible Pamela through a life lived with determination, humor, and unexpected resilience.

An Amazon Original Story. A challenging and provocative short story from a master of contemporary fiction, exploring themes of observation, complicity, and the stories we tell ourselves about what we witness.

An Amazon Original Story. A poignant short story about a young Irish person caught between worlds, exploring themes of freedom, identity, and the journey toward becoming who you are meant to be.

An Amazon Original Story. A compelling short story about immigrant contractors working in wealthy homes, exploring themes of class, labor, and the invisible lives of those who build and maintain our spaces.

An Amazon Original Story. A darkly compelling short story from the author of YOU, exploring obsession, desire, and the dangerous spaces where fantasy and reality collide.

An Amazon Original Story. A poignant short story about a woman navigating the complex relationship with her mother while grappling with her own identity and the weight of expectations.

An Amazon Original Story. A powerful short story about a mother who must decide what truths to share with her daughter about their family history and the secrets that have shaped their lives.

A boy survives a terrorist bombing at an art museum that kills his mother, and in the chaos, steals a priceless painting that becomes both his solace and his burden. Donna Tartt's Pulitzer Prize-winning epic about loss, art, and the search for meaning.

Legendary climber Anatoli Boukreev's firsthand account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, offering a different perspective on the tragedy that claimed eight lives and sparked intense debate about high-altitude mountaineering ethics and decision-making.

Psychologist Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis investigate a cold case involving a young woman found dead years ago, uncovering layers of deception, guilt, and long-buried secrets. The 28th book in the acclaimed Alex Delaware series.

A renowned Stanford psychologist examines how racial bias works in the brain and society, drawing on decades of research to reveal how unconscious bias shapes our perceptions and actions in profound ways.

A practical and compassionate guide to simplifying your life by letting go of physical and emotional clutter. Lisa Shultz offers concrete strategies for creating space, reducing overwhelm, and living with greater intention and peace.

The explosive conclusion to Greg Iles' Natchez Burning trilogy finds Penn Cage defending his father in a murder trial that exposes decades of racial violence, family secrets, and the dark history of the Deep South. A powerful legal thriller about justice, loyalty, and truth.

A dual-timeline story connecting two women—one in 1924 Louisiana fighting to keep her land, and one in modern times struggling to save her family home—explores themes of race, land ownership, and generational trauma. An ambitious literary novel about heritage and resistance.

Television producer Laurie Moran investigates the fifteen-year-old murder case of a beautiful doctor killed by her fiancé—or was she? The sixth book in the Under Suspicion series combines cold case mystery with television production intrigue.

When a father who has lived with wolves lies in a coma, his estranged son and devoted daughter must decide whether to keep him on life support or let him go. A heartrending exploration of family, loss, and the impossible decisions we face when life hangs in the balance.

A family facing the challenges of raising a child with severe osteogenesis imperfecta must decide whether to sue for wrongful birth to secure their daughter's future. Jodi Picoult explores the devastating impact of an impossible choice on a family that's already struggling.

Jane Austen's beloved classic follows the spirited Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates questions of morality, marriage, and social status in Regency England. A witty, sharp social comedy that remains as relevant and delightful today as when it was written.

Nobel Prize winner José Saramago reimagines the biblical story of Cain, using his journey through time to question religious doctrine and explore themes of justice, morality, and the nature of God. A provocative philosophical novel that challenges traditional narratives.

Sheriff Joanna Brady faces a personal crisis when her mother-in-law seeks custody of her daughter while investigating a brutal murder case. The eighth book in the series combines family drama with a compelling mystery.

Sheriff Joanna Brady investigates a complex case involving a missing woman and a dangerous criminal network in the Arizona mountains. The seventh book in the acclaimed Joanna Brady series delivers high-stakes suspense and personal drama.

A powerful memoir of growing up in rural Appalachian Kentucky, surviving abuse and poverty, and ultimately finding a path to healing and education. A raw and unflinching look at the cycles of poverty and violence in forgotten America.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that weaves together interconnected stories about a group of characters connected to the music industry, exploring themes of time, memory, and aging through an innovative narrative structure.

Sheriff Joanna Brady investigates a suspicious death in the Arizona desert while dealing with personal challenges. The sixth book in the Joanna Brady series delivers another gripping mystery with the desert landscape as a vivid backdrop.

LAPD Detective Renée Ballard works the graveyard shift, catching cases no one else wants. When two cases intersect dangerously, she must go rogue to find justice.

Follow the lives of a television ensemble cast over nine years as they navigate fame, relationships, and personal challenges while creating a groundbreaking show.

Kendra Michaels, blind for the first twenty years of her life, uses her extraordinary observational skills to hunt a brilliant serial killer in this pulse-pounding thriller.

When two wounded souls cross paths in a small Washington town, they discover that sometimes the hardest battles are fought in the heart. A heartwarming story about finding hope and love after loss.

When a mysterious diary falls into his hands on New Year's Day, a rigid businessman embarks on a life-changing journey of tasks and self-discovery that connects him with a free-spirited woman and changes both their lives forever.

Ten years after college, the Sisterhood reunites in Greece for what should be a joyful reunion. Then tragedy strikes, changing everything forever.

The summer after freshman year of college - the friends are scattered, changed, and struggling. The pants bring them together as they navigate who they're becoming.

The summer before college - the last summer of innocence, of being together, of the magic pants. Carmen, Tibby, Bridget, and Lena face their biggest transition yet.

The pants are back for a second summer as Carmen, Tibby, Bridget, and Lena face new challenges, deeper heartbreak, and the continued magic of their unbreakable friendship.

Four best friends, one pair of magical jeans, and a summer apart that brings them closer together. A heartwarming story about friendship, growth, and the bonds that hold us together.

A stunning portrait of a geisha's life in pre-war and wartime Japan. Through the eyes of Sayuri, we witness the beauty, artistry, and complex world of geisha culture.

A heartwarming and humorous story about a single mother trying to balance work, family, and unexpected romance when a mysterious package arrives at her door.

Based on research in positive psychology, this book reveals how happiness fuels success, not the other way around. Shawn Achor provides seven principles to rewire your brain for greater happiness, resilience, and productivity.

A revolutionary mindset and practical action plan for when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or lost. Marie Forleo shares her philosophy that any problem, challenge, or dream is figureoutable.

A coming-of-age story set in the Midwest after 9/11. Tassie Keltjin takes a job as a nanny and finds herself drawn into a complex family dynamic that challenges her understanding of race, identity, and belonging.

The true story of the secret World War II operations between Shetland and Norway. A gripping account of courage, danger, and resistance during the Nazi occupation.

A practical guide for women looking to step into their power and pursue their ambitions. Tara Mohr offers tools to quiet your inner critic, recognize your unique calling, and take bold action.

A compelling philosophy for technology use in the modern age, arguing for a minimalist approach to digital tools. Cal Newport makes the case for being highly intentional about which technologies you allow into your life and how you use them.

A touching story about a small Colorado town, a young woman seeking redemption, and the mysterious healing powers of special stones that connect strangers and transform lives. A gentle tale about community, forgiveness, and finding your place.

The first book in the epic A Song of Ice and Fire series, introducing the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros through the eyes of the Stark family as they navigate political intrigue, ancient threats, and the deadly game of thrones where you win or you die.

A collection of eight brilliant science fiction short stories that explore the nature of consciousness, free will, language, and what it means to be human. Includes "Story of Your Life," the basis for the film Arrival.

A gripping thriller about a woman living in witness protection who must confront her past when her carefully constructed new life begins to unravel. Rachel Marin's secrets threaten to destroy everything she's built to protect her children.

The riveting story of Alex Honnold's historic free solo climb of El Capitan's 3,000-foot Dawn Wall, and the obsessive pursuit of perfection in one of the most dangerous athletic achievements ever attempted.

The extraordinary true story of Jan Baalsrud, a Norwegian commando who survived alone in the Arctic wilderness for months after a failed sabotage mission during World War II.

When Ally discovers her husband has been leading a double life with another family, she must navigate the complex emotions of betrayal while determining what family really means.

Dean Graziosi argues that being an underdog is actually an advantage in achieving success, providing strategies for leveraging disadvantages and turning obstacles into opportunities.

After her sister Zoe is murdered, Echo struggles with grief and family secrets while trying to understand who her sister really was and what led to her death.

Brené Brown explores the process of getting back up after failure, heartbreak, and disappointment, providing a research-based approach to resilience and emotional recovery.

Brené Brown explores true belonging and the courage to stand alone, examining how we can maintain our authenticity and values even when it means standing apart from groups or popular opinion.

A masterful collection of mythological tales exploring themes of transformation, love, and power through the lens of Roman poetry. Ovid weaves together over 250 stories from Greek and Roman mythology into an epic narrative.

Amy Schumer delivers brutally honest essays about relationships, body image, and growing up, combining her signature humor with surprising vulnerability and insight into modern womanhood.

An exploration of the science behind habit formation and change, examining how habits work in individual lives, organizations, and societies. Duhigg combines neuroscience research with compelling case studies.

A psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of a small English town where women have been drowning for centuries. When Nel Abbott dies in the same river, her sister Jules returns to uncover the truth.

A profound exploration of consciousness and spiritual awakening that guides readers toward inner freedom through understanding the nature of self, thoughts, and awareness itself.

A timeless collection of brief stories featuring animals and mythical creatures that convey moral lessons about human nature, virtue, and wisdom through simple but profound narratives.

A deeply personal memoir about one woman's year-long shopping ban and her journey toward mindful consumption and intentional living.

A modern approach to job searching that emphasizes relationship-building and personal storytelling over traditional resume-focused strategies.

The epic conclusion to the Legend trilogy, where Day and June must put aside their differences to save both the Republic and the Colonies from a deadly plague.

The second book in the Legend trilogy, where Day and June join the rebellion against the Republic, only to discover that the Patriots may be just as dangerous as their enemies.

The first book in Marie Lu's dystopian trilogy about Day, the Republic's most wanted criminal, and June, the prodigy tasked with hunting him down.

A haunting post-apocalyptic horror novel about a world where seeing the wrong thing means certain death, and one mother's desperate journey to safety.

A psychological thriller about a woman whose perfect life is systematically stolen by someone claiming to be her, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about her identity.

Detective Billy Harney's life is turned upside down when he's framed for a murder he didn't commit, forcing him to navigate a web of corruption within his own police department.

A high-stakes thriller involving a NASA discovery in the Arctic that could change everything, if the political conspiracy surrounding it doesn't destroy it first.

A psychological thriller about a woman who returns to her hometown to face dark secrets from her past that threaten to destroy everything she's built.

A practical guide to personal and professional development from leadership expert John C. Maxwell, exploring the habits and mindset that drive continuous growth.

A thoughtful exploration of the emotional and psychological aspects of clutter. Richardson goes beyond simple organizing tips to examine what our possessions reveal about our inner lives and relationships.

A motivational self-help book that encourages women to stop believing lies about themselves and start living authentically. Rachel Hollis shares personal stories and practical advice for overcoming self-doubt.