K: As Christmas break comes to a close and I’m gearing up for second semester, I thought it’d be the perfect time to share my latest books. I always end up reading a ton during my time off (no surprise, coming from an English teacher); but it’s refreshing to dive into books that deviate from the classics that I usually teach my 12th graders. Therefore, the majority of these books are some sort of thriller/mystery with a psychological edge. You can see my last book review here, in case you missed it. Outfit details are all the way down at the bottom and I highly recommend this periwinkle blue sweater. It is the softest thing I’ve ever owned!
2018 Thriller Book List
Baby Doll
This book starts out with a young woman and her child escaping her kidnapper’s basement, finally free from the hell that they’ve been living in for the past several years. The novel goes through her introduction into the world that she lost, seeing her twin sister and mother again, assisting in the arrest of the man who took her, and how she copes with the trauma. Things intensify when the kidnapper hatches a plan to escape from prison and vows his revenge.
And When She Was Good
This was such an interesting read! The book tells the story of Heloise, a suburban madam who runs a high quality escort business. When a different madam is killed in the next county over, Heloise begins to fear for herself and her son. The story is told through a flashback/current shifting perspective when Heloise was a prostitute and how her past led her to where she is today. She wants to break out of the business but isn’t sure how, especially when she has so many lies to explain and so many people who seemingly want her gone.
Lie to Me
Oh my goodness this was a page turner! This truly is for all Gone Girl fans. The novel tells the story of Ethan and Sutton, both writers who have an idyllic life together. When Sutton vanishes, Ethan quickly becomes one of the suspects and all clues begin to lead to a not-so-idyllic marriage that the couple has seemingly covered up. Where is Sutton? Is she alive? You’ll be turning pages to figure out the tangled web of lies that each person has told to the other in this marriage.
The Widow
This book had me questioning everything as it told the story of a newly widowed woman whose husband was the alleged kidnapper of a two-year-old little girl. With his death, reporters and police want answers from Mrs. Taylor about the terrible crime her husband supposedly committed. The truth begins to unfold and slowly but surely, the police begin to discover what really happened to that little girl.
Dark Matter
This book is extremely difficult to describe and I can only compare it to being a Matrix-like sci fi story that was surprisingly compelling and an insanely good read. Jason Dessen is kidnapped and when he wakes up, the world is not the same world he was in. His family is no longer his family and he is now a famous scientist who has achieved something unimaginable. He has trouble discerning which world is real: the life he knew before the kidnapping or this current world that he seems to have been thrown in?
The Breakdown
This is the same author as Behind Closed Doors (which I absolutely loved and discussed in my last book review here). This story follows Cass after she is witness to a car stranded on the road, and soon discovers that the woman inside the car was murdered. The event really messes with her mind. She finds herself forgetting little things and she’s victim to silent phone calls that somehow feel threatening. Is she having a mental breakdown? Or is she being watched?
The Secrets You Keep
Bryn Harper is an author who is recovering from a bad car accident. Her new husband Guy has been nothing but helpful and sweet, despite the trauma that Bryn is going through. After a woman in town is brutally murdered, Bryn becomes paranoid and starts looking into the murder. Meanwhile, certain events occur between Bryn and Guy, making them distant, and Bryn a little distrusting of her husband. Is Guy somehow connected to the murder? You’ll be questioning everyone in this thriller until you get to the very last page for a suspenseful ending!
Pizzazerie
Okay so these last two aren’t thrillers but I had to include them because they’re so good! I was able to hear Courtney Whitmore, of the blog Pizzazerie, speak at a Chi Omega charity luncheon. Her blog is all about entertaining in style and contains inspirational tablescape, recipes, and ideas on hosting parties. Her book is a beautiful representation of the blog and I’ve so enjoyed reading it and looking at the gorgeous photos. Filled with pizzaz, this is a perfect addition to your coffee table book collection and will make you want to host a get together ASAP.
Newlywed Kitchen
I received this book for Christmas from my brother-in-law and it is a fantastic cookbook! The concept is simple: easy meals that you can cook for two, yet it also has information on basic cookware that every couple needs in the kitchen and staple recipes that can carry you through life. I know many of you are married or in a serious relationship and I think this book works well for every couple, regardless of whether or not you’re a newlywed.
Location: Bakery Lorraine, San Antonio
On Katherine: Lou & Grey sweater, Guess Coat (almost identical & under $100 here), AG jeans, Steve Madden boots, Michele watch
SaveSave
