The Sympathizer By: Viet Thanh Nguyen

This one deserves 10 stars.  A searing look at the Vietnam War from a completely fresh and original standpoint (please read that with sarcasm).  It's sad to say that this is the first of it's kind now that we are fast approaching the 50th Anniversary of when America "pulled out" of Vietnam.  This book will cause you to think, rethink and think again about everything you thought you knew about Vietnam.  There are so many layers to peel back from this brilliant, funny, horrifying, uncomfortable and oddly hopeful book.  I can't recommend it enough!!!

 

The Midnight Library By: Matt Haig

 

A dark novel that takes on depression and life through the lens of the themes of The Wizard of Oz and It's a Wonderful Life in a unique and wholly original way.  Quite stunning in it's beauty and simplicity.

Lionhearts By: Nathan Makaryk

This is the second book in the Nottingham series, and there had better be a third book!! This continuation of the re-imagining of the Robin Hood myth is better than the first book, which by the way, was amazing!  The writing is sharper, the human and humane aspects of the characters are more focused and the action is stunning.  The sociological points interwoven into the narrative are wonderfully and subtly done.  Pay particular attention to the writing in Chapter 61-it is the most brilliant, haunting and harrowingly beautiful depiction of what it's like to be in the midst of a war from the viewpoints of the people in the field.  AMAZING!!! 

The Last Alibi By: David Ellis

 

This one is a sucker-punch to the solar plexus! The plot in this one is so tightly written that no air can get through. I can't discuss anything from the book without giving away major (and I do mean major), plot points. Suffice it to say, fans of Jason Kolarich will be on the edge of their seats, and breathless until the last few pages.

Black River By: Will Dean

WOW-Will Dean can write!!!  Tuva Moodyson is one of my favorite characters in literature-so original and completely engaging.  Black River is the third book in this series and it is a dark, twisted and heart-pounding thriller.  The really amazing thing about this book, is that every single clue is there-if you're paying attention!!  So good!

Death of a Hollow Man By: Caroline Graham

 

As a theatre person, I do love drama, and that's what the reader gets in abundance with the second Inspector Barnaby mystery.  Set in the local theatre, this mystery has drama, twists, sarcasm, gossip and even love!  This is a wonderful series and a must for any mystery fan!

A-Maze-Ing America: 50 Mazes of the 50 States By: Joe Wos

Joe Wos' mazes are not for the faint of heart!  Truly wicked in their construction, devilshly complicated, but oh so fun!  

 

Sidney Chambers and the Problem of Evil By: James Runcie

 Another wonderful installment in the Grantchester series.  Four new stories that exam the nature of good and evil in all it's extremes with vastly different mysteries to solve.  Reading Runcie's series is like visiting with old friends, with the added bonus of a delightful English village.