The One I Left Behind
by Jennifer McMahon
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Review: I was looking forward to reading another dark and delicious thriller by Jennifer McMahon. Her novels tend to involve murder, someone missing, and deep, dark woods in Vermont. Honestly, much of the novel was a bit formulaic and predictable. I wanted to keep reading, but I wasn't completely compelled and felt a bit bored during the last 20 pages. Maybe the villain should be better developed with a clearer motive throughout the novel.
My favorite part of the novel was the main character, Reggie, and her reflections on her career as an architect, and symbolism developed with how she used nature and her past as inspiration for her designs.
The Interestings
by Meg Wolitzer
Genre: Literary Fiction
Review: A group of friends meet at an art camp called Spirit-in-the-Woods in the 1970s. Jules finds her role as a comedic actress and becomes best friends with Ash Wolf and Ethan Figman, a genius animator who, down the road, becomes the most successful of the group. Jonah, a talented musician, and Goodman, Ash's brother, join the group. Soon Jules is spending all of her weekends in NYC with the Wolf family, and moves there after college.
The novel follows "The Interestings" for the next 30 years, while musing about the nature of talent and the role it plays in living everyday life and fulfilling dreams. The novel is full of memorable characters and a portrait of NYC life in the 80s and 90s. The insight and nuance in the character development will make this novel a classic.
Song to Read by: "Night Sky" cover by Andrew Bird, covered by Katie Hare
Author website: http://www.megwolitzer.com/
Reconstructing Amelia
by Kimberly McCreight
Genre: Mystery/Popular Fiction
Review: A powerful corporate lawyer, single mother, Kate, receives a phone call from her daughter's school. Her daughter's dead, supposedly suicide. Months later, she begins to receive texts . A thread of the novel follows Amelia's life leading up to the suicide/accident/murder; her story is told through texts, facebook updates, and more. Secret clubs, a friend/admirer, best friend/boyfriend drama, and first love are woven throughout Amelia's story, set in a private school in the Brooklyn neighborhood,
Follow Kate in this suspenseful thriller as she searches for the truth about her daughter's death. The plot might sound familiar, but the way its written is unique.
