Amy Kay
Hooked on Books
As the summer comes to a close, it’s a good time to look back at the past couple of months and see what L&A has been clamouring to read this summer. For each of the titles mentioned, I’ve also offered some read-alikes to try out if you find yourself on the waitlist.
In The Whispers, by Canadian author Ashley Audrain, a picture-perfect hostess explodes in fury because her son disobeys her and then he falls from his bedside window in the middle of the night. Following that terrible night, three women grapple with what led to shocking event as his life hangs in the balance. Similar titles include Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy and Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose. Secrets and lies abound in all three of these intricately plotted novels that examine motherhood and the suspenseful details that led to the shocking events.
The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt is a moving and reflective story popular amongst bibliophiles. It tells the story of retired librarian, Bob Comet. He lives alone, has no friends, and dwells on the time long ago when he was jilted by his bride. One day at the local market, an encounter with an older woman in the frozen food aisle changes his melancholy existence. This quiet, compelling character-focused novel appeals to book lovers who may also enjoy My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout, The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley and The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell is an edgy thriller perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins. Alix Summer is a podcaster looking for a new subject. One night at her local pub, she meets Josie. Improbably, they are both celebrating their 45th birthdays. Immediately obsessed with her more successful counterpart, Josie engineers several “chance” meetings with Alix—including one outside her children’s school—in order to forge a friendship. Alix becomes the subject of her own when Josie disappears, leaving behind a terrible and terrifying legacy that puts her life and her family’s lives in mortal danger. For more twisted characters and intricately plotted psychological suspense novels, try Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner, Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda and A Stranger on the Beach by Michelle Campbell.
Emily Henry’s latest rom-com Happy Place checks all the boxes for contemporary romance readers: engaging characters, banter-filled dialog and a heartwarming story. Wyn and Harriet were the perfect couple in college, and then the perfect fiancés, but they broke up six months ago and have yet to tell their friends. They planned that only one of them would attend future events hosted by their tight-knit circle of friends. When she arrives at the cottage in Maine for the friend’s annual vacation, she’s more than bit surprised to find Wyn there. With the cottage up for sale, Harriet is determined not to ruin the gang’s last summer holiday, meaning she and Wyn must pretend to be happily in love. If you’re looking for other rom-coms that explore second chances at romance try The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams or If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis.
All of these popular titles and their read-alikes can be reserved at your local branch of the County of Lennox and Addington Libraries or online at www.CountyLibrary.ca.