One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper (#11, Fiction)

I went to the library after This Is Where I Leave You was highly recommended to me. Unfortunately, the hold list was weeks long, so instead I went for another Jonathan Tropper novel.  I'm guessing that Jonathan Tropper has a very distinct voice.  Sort of a more casual, poor man's Jonathan Franzen. The characters are extremely flawed and the story is depressing overall, with humor weaved in for relief.

3.5 out of 5.

Broken Harbor by Tana French (#10, Fiction)

I'm still waiting for the mystery from Tana French's first book, In the Woods, to be solved.  But, in the meantime, I'll enjoy her other mysteries. Not the best, nor the worst of her murder squad series. It was a very dark read touching on the pressures of family life and how things unraveled for a previously happy family when the recession hit Ireland.

4 out of 5.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (#9, Fiction)

A book club pick. I tore through this book (my first post Teddy read... I didn't think I would ever read again!).  It was a very easy read and I was happy to ease back in, but it left me unsatisfied.  Upon reflection it felt like I had read a lesser version of a John Hughes movie. Meh.

2 out of 5.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (#8, Fiction)

Two years ago I left you with my scathing review of Gone Girl. It took another Gone Girl hater to suggest this book was as much a page-turner and far less infuriating.  I liked this one.  The characters certainly aren't loveable, but it's a messed up story that weaves and winds to an unexpected, but palatable conclusion.

3.5 out of 5.

The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace (#7, Nonfiction)

I like wine. I like France. I like Thomas Jefferson. I like the idea of a secret stash of centuries old wine being found.  This book, I did not like.  It read like nonfiction for the majority of the time and the list of players and stories became too convoluted and long-winded.  It took me a LONG time to finish this one. Unless you are an extreme wine expert, especially old wine, I wouldn't recommend it.

2 out of 5.

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos (#6, Fiction)

This was a page-turning, hard to believe, it all ends peachy peachy book.

2 out of 5

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A novel of war and survival by Louise Murphy (#5, Fiction)

Another World War II, Nazi book.  Obviously sad, but worth the read.

3.5 out of 5