6 Books To Pick Up This Week
As we close off January, the books released this week (and next week) are leaning more toward some mysteries. There is a couple of more personal books that should be highlighted and added to your TBR pile. Here at Maude’s Book Club we really love supporting female authors and stories. And there are some good ones on this list!
Here are the 6 books you need to pick up this week!
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
Synopsis: Naomi Shaw used to believe in magic. Twenty-two years ago, she and her two best friends, Cassidy and Olivia, spent the summer roaming the woods. There they imagine a world of ceremony and wonder. They called it the Goddess Game. The summer ended suddenly when Naomi was attacked. Miraculously, she survived her seventeen stab wounds and lived to identify the man who had hurt her. The girls’ testimony put away a serial killer, wanted for murdering six women. They were heroes. And they were liars.
The ending of this synopsis is intriguing because of the hook. What are these girls lying about? Even so, it explores gender dynamics and what appears believable in cases of assault. This is a thriller most definitely worth the read.
Locust Lane by Stephen Amidon
Synopsis: On the surface, Emerson, Massachusetts, is just like any other affluent New England suburb. But when a young woman is found dead in the nicest part of town, the powerful neighbour’s close ranks to keep their families safe. In this searing novel, Eden Perry’s death kicks off an investigation. And there were three teenagers who were partying with her that night, each a suspect. Their parents, each with motivations of their own, only complicate the picture: they will do anything to protect their children.
When it comes to parents protecting their children, there’s a whole different beast that comes out. These parents go into full bear mode after their children are seen as suspects. It’s another mystery that would be fun to explore because of the extent the parents go to.
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Synopsis: India, 1947. In a rural village in Bengal live three sisters, daughters of a well-respected doctor. Theirs is a home of love and safety, a refuge from the violent events taking shape in the nation. Then their father is killed during a riot. And even their neighbours turn against them, bringing the events of their country closer to home. As Priya pursues her career goal, Deepa falls deeply in love with a Muslim, causing her to break up with her family. And Jamini attempts to hold her family together.
It’s always important to dive into new stories, especially when a woman is exploring her culture and identity. There is at least one character that anyone can relate to. And that is because of how distinct the three sisters are.
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Synopsis: Every childhood home is haunted, and each of us is possessed by our parents. When their parents die at the tail end of the coronavirus pandemic, Louise and Mark Joyner are devastated but nothing can prepare them for how bad things are about to get. The two siblings are almost totally estranged, and couldn’t be more different. Now, however, they don’t have a choice but to get along. The virus has passed, and both of them are facing bank accounts ravaged by the economic meltdown. Their one asset? Their childhood home.
The one thing that may turn people away from this book is the fact that Hendrix incorporates the pandemic into the story. However, the theme of being haunted by your parents and slowly becoming them without even realizing it should be the main draw for this thriller.
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
Synopsis: Between the World Wars, the six Midford sisters dominate the English political, literary, and social scenes. Though they’ve weathered scandals before, the family falls into disarray when Diana divorces her husband to marry a fascist leader and Unity follows her sister’s lead, inciting rumours that she’s become Hitler’s own mistress.
If you’re a fan of scandals, then this is definitely one book you need to pick up. Not only does it follow a group of very close sisters, but it also dives into a rumoured affair that remains questionable to many. It takes courage to highlight World War 2 and make the rumour about Hitler’s mistress.
The Reunion by Kayla Olson
Synopsis: As the star of the popular teen drama Girl on the Verge, Liv spent her adolescence on the screen trying to be as picture-perfect as her character in real life. But after the death of her father and the betrayal of her on-screen love interest and off-screen best friend Ransom Joel, Liv wanted nothing more than to retreat, living a mostly normal life aside from a few indie film roles.
Liv sounds like a character who has had many ups and downs and she realizes that there’s more to life than her on-screen persona. If you’re someone who does look up to celebrities, this is an insightful novel that will change your perspective on the glamour of it all.
Since there are only two books releasing next Tuesday, I figured it would be great to include them here. These two novels are heartfelt and explore family dynamics that many can resonate with.
Last Two Of The Month (Tuesday, January 31st)
Exiles by Jane Harper
Synopsis: At a busy festival site on a warm spring night, a baby lies alone in her pram, her mother vanishing into the crowds. A year on, Kim Gillespie’s absence casts a long shadow as her friends and loved ones gather deep in the heart of South Australian wine country to welcome a new addition to the family. Joining the celebrations is federal investigator Aaron Falk. But as he soaks up life in the lush valley, he begins to suspect this tight-knit group may be more fractured than it seems.
A mystery novel that has a federal investigator observe a tight-knit group is bound to be interesting. Observing people and finding out who they truly are based on their tells makes for a compelling story because of the mix of characters.
Maame by Jessica George
Synopsis: It’s fair to say that Maddie’s life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced-stage Parkinson’s. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting. When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living.
Maddie takes on a lot of responsibilities and she finds it hard to even get through her daily life because of everything she has to do. Once she has the opportunity to get out on her own a bit, she begins to appreciate life once again. It seems like a wonderful story about rediscovering yourself and living life.
