May was a pretty average month for my reading, in terms of quantity. I finished up four books. It probably would have been higher if I hadn’t returned to work in the middle of the month, but it was a good month filled with highly rated books! Here’s what I read.
Sidenote: I have NEVER had a month of all eBooks like this! In fact, I rarely ever read eBooks, but since my library was closed, I had been placing holds for eBooks instead of physical books.
📊 Reading Stats
Books Read: 4
Genres:
Fiction (2): Thriller (1) ◦ YA (1)
Nonfiction (2): True Crime(1) ◦ Memoir (1)
Formats: eBooks (4)
Sources: Library (3) ◦ Netgalley (1)
Average Rating: [ ]
📖 Book Reviews
📘 The Killer Across the Table
Author: John Douglas, Mark Olshaker
Genre: Nonfiction ◦ True Crime
Publication: 2019
Format & Source: eBook ◦ Netgalley
Dates Read: April 17 – May 3, 2020
Rating: ★★★★☆
This is a fascinating crime account from John E. Douglas (aka Mindhunter) about criminal profiling and some of his work with the FBI. He takes us through his interview process with 4 major criminals, and explains the methods he used to interview them and gather information. He details each of their crimes, and also mentions several other criminals along the way.
This book is a bit different than your typical true crime narrative. While he does delve into the details of the killings, his focus is more on the methods he uses to engage the killers. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this and all of the insight he had to offer on the minds of criminals. I enjoyed it enough that I immediately went and placed most of his other books on hold, as well.
I’d recommend this one for true crime fans who have an interest in criminal psychology.
📘 Pretty Girls
Author: Karin Slaughter
Genre: Fiction ◦ Thriller
Publication: 2015
Format & Source: eBook ◦ Library (Hoopla)
Dates Read: May 3 – 10, 2020
Rating: ★★★★★
This was my second Karin Slaughter book, and it’s safe to say she’s now in my “favorite author” list. I previously read The Good Daughter, and consider it one of my favorite books. While Pretty Girls didn’t quite earn THAT title, I absolutely loved it!
This story is pretty complex. We meet two adult sisters who are no longer on speaking terms. When they were teens, their older sister disappeared and was never found. It tore the family apart. 20 years later, one of their husbands is murdered, and it brings the sisters back together as they try to solve both the murder and their sister’s disappearance.
This story was absolutely wild. There were so many twists, turns, and shocking revelations. Secrets and surprises were constantly being uncovered, and I saw almost NONE of it coming. Though the book is long, I couldn’t help but race through it. More than just suspense though, her characters are always really well developed, and she dives into families and relationships, which I think enriches the story.
I will warn that the story is quite graphic and disturbing, so please keep that in mind if you struggle with those kinds of books.
All in all, I really enjoyed the suspense and surprises in this one. If you love suspense like I do, check out Karin Slaughter. I plan on reading the rest of her books as soon as possible!
Note: this was the monthly pick for my virtual mystery book club through work.
📘 A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Author: Holly Jackson
Genre: Fiction ◦ YA
Publication: 2019
Format & Source: eBook ◦ Library (Libby)
Dates Read: May 10 – 16, 2020
Rating: ★★★★☆
This book landed on my radar after one of our library’s TAB members suggested it, and I’m so glad she did!
The story follows Pippa, a high school senior, as she decides to investigate a murder suicide that happened in her town five years ago. Popular girl Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend Ravi, and the case was quickly closed. Pippa has doubts though, and investigates all aspects of the murder as she tries to uncover the real killer.
This book was really thrilling and exciting. I felt like I was along for the entire ride as Pippa conducts interviews, breaks into houses, and generally sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong, all in the name of justice. There were a lot of surprise elements and it was fun to see it all unravel. The mystery was a solid one, and remained so all the way through to the end.
Romance, friendship, and family life all played a role in the story too, which was a nice touch. Pippa was a character I loved and was rooting for the whole way.
Highly recommended for fans of YA and suspense.
📘 High Achiever
Author: Tiffany Jenkins
Genre: Nonfiction ◦ Memoir
Publication: 2017
Format & Source: eBook ◦ Library (Libby)
Dates Read: May 17 – 25, 2020
Rating: ★★★★ ★
I recently discovered Tiffany Jenkins on Tik Tok. I had no idea who she was, but I followed her because her videos were funny. Then I discovered she was an author and a recovering drug addict, and I HAD to read her book. What a wild ride it was!
Tiffany was an opioid addict living a secret double life. Her boyfriend, a cop, had no idea what she was doing until the day she was arrested by his friends, fellow cops, for staging a burglary of their home for drug money. Her memoir chronicles her time in jail, and the activities leading up to and after her arrest.
Tiffany is hilarious and endearing, despite her numerous mistakes and bad turns. Her story is absolutely riveting, and I felt like I was watching a movie or some crazy episode of Intervention. Taking a look inside her double life, at the things she did to get drugs and then to keep them a secret, was absolutely fascinating. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for her to finally slip up and get caught. Getting a glimpse at her time in prison and what it’s really like inside was also completely fascinating and nutty. I was pretty much captivated by her story from start to finish, and so happy to see her eventually succeed and change her life.
If you’re a fan of exciting memoirs, don’t hesitate to pick this one up. I’m already looking for other similar memoirs, and really hope Jenkins continues to write. She’s smart and funny, and I wish we were friends!
🎖️ Favorite Book of the Month
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
That’s a wrap on this month’s reads — here’s to another great chapter! 📚
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