The A.B.C. Murders - I have been wanting to read Eight Perfect Murders but heard it may have spoiler alerts to classic mysteries referenced in that book; this being one. I listened to it on Audio and it was a nice production with a full cast and sound effects. Maybe since I listened to it, or maybe due to the fact it is an older mystery, this one didn't really pull me in. It was fine, but not my favorite Agatha Christie.

Bellevule by David Oshinsky.

Beach Read: I might have been a little generous with my star rating this go around but this one did surprise me. It is somewhat misleading but although it has some deeper parts that can cause you pause, the book keeps moving fast. In that way it reminded me of The Mother-in-Law. January writes romance novels with happy endings. Gus writes gritty literary fiction. When January's father unexpectedly dies and reveals he had an affair, how can January continue to write her happy endings? With a book deadline looming, writer's block on the mind and her dad's beach house to clean out and sell so she can get her checking account balance back in the black, January moves to the beach house for the summer. Low and behold her next door neighbor is her college writing arch nemesis. Gus is having some writer's block of his own and a chance meeting brings them together and they strike up a bet. Does this book turn out like Gus' or January's writing style? You will have to find out.

Caterpillar Summer (Gillian McDunn) is a heartwarming coming-of-age novel about an 11 year old girl, "Cat," her younger brother "Chicken" who has special needs, and the summer vacation they spend with their grandparents on an island off the coast of North Carolina. I really enjoyed the story, learning, along with Cat, about the secrets that her family has kept through the years, and coming along on the kids' adventures on the island. Both my 13 year old daughter and 10 year old son enjoyed this one as well!

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell - I waited for a road trip to tackle this audiobook. The format is more podcast style which made it more immersive, fast paced, and perfect for the long drive across Texas. I do like Gladwell's books and his podcast, Revisionist History. However, I wasn't prepared for how relevant this book is to the precise point in time in which we find ourselves in America. Transparency, truth default (or the loss of it), police training, fundamental inability to read "strangers"... The topics tackled in each chapter are often difficult to hear about (Sandra Bland, Sandusky, Nasser) so buckle up and be prepared to think. Looking forward to revisiting some chapters in the book as this settles with me over the next few days.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - Right book, right time. Imaginative setting perfectly depicted, beautifully warm tale hit the spot for me during these tumultuous times in which we live. This was a dream to devour. Truly did not want it to end. I enjoyed it far more than The Starless Sea, which I felt had similarly glorious storytelling and richly imaginative storyline, but went on for too long.

Little Fires Everywhere

Behind Closed Doors: Quick summer thriller that does the job it should. Keeps the pages turning. Keeps things interesting but doesn’t take too much brain power. A marriage looks to perfect because it is. A women in control but really being controlled. A sick husband who has a disturbing plan. But sisters who are smarter and stronger than each realizes.

The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo

A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan