The best part of keeping a monthly/yearly reading log is that I can look back to see what books I’ve already read and when. I did this as an English teacher, as a model for my students, years ago. There is a large gap in between those years and when I began again in 2015.

This is annoying when I rediscover an author I used to love, like Harlan Coben, and I can’t remember which books I’ve read and which I haven’t. So the book I read this month by Coben was new to me and more of his books will appear on future lists too!

1. Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben-Fun mystery read about Maya, ex-military, now grieving widower, with a number of twists (some surprising and some not-so-much). I wasn’t a fan of the ending, but I appreciate how the author wrapped up key story lines.
2. Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde by Jennie Garth- Another in my series of audio books read by their celebrity authors. I enjoyed getting to know the background and personal stories from Jennie, as I really only ever think of her as Kelly Taylor from 90210.
3. Find Me by Lisa Gardner – This was a great, scary, psychological thriller! It’s horrifying to read about the effects a long-term kidnapping can have on the victim. After finishing the book, I realized there is at least one other book by this author with the detective character, D.D. Now I want to go back and read it!
4. Alone by Lisa Gardner – As mentioned above, I decided to go back to the beginning of the Gardner series with D.D., the detective. This was ANOTHER book about kidnapping, which is such a disturbing topic. The characters in this story were also disturbing. They were so flawed it was hard to trust anything they said or did as being authentic or truthful, which added to the mystery of the story. I like the series and will continue reading it!
5. Home by Harlan Coben – After reconnecting with Coben’s mysteries, I was happy to see his newest book had just come out recently. I think I’ve read everything in the Myron Bolitar series, starting many years ago. I love the dynamic between Myron and his best friend Win, as well as the secondary characters. This was yet another story about kidnapping, though I’m not sure how I managed to read so many books around the same topic in the same month.
6. Sting: It Takes a Crook to Catch a Crook by Jude Watson – This is a YA mystery by a new-to-me author. I enjoyed it, though it definitely does not have the same thrill as an adult mystery. The main characters in this are all orphaned teens who are children of thieves; the children pick up their late parents’ skill set to pull of various thefts.

What did you read this month? Any good recommendations?