Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller was recommended and loaned to me by a friend (thanks, Julia!). I fell into the story immediately. Alexandra was born in England, but grew up with her family in Africa. The memoir traces Alexandra’s life in Africa with her family before she moved to America with her husband. This was a quick read and while I liked it, it felt a little flat to me and I didn’t love it as much as some memoirs.

I received The Wrong Man as a freebie and wanted something quick and easy to follow A Man Called Ove, because there was no way anything would compare. The basic storyline: Kit travels to Florida on business and falls for a man who turns out to be someone different from what he seemed. She becomes entangled in a dangerous crazy web. This was not a particularly well-written book and I am a little embarrassed that I read it (not my usual cup of tea), but it only took about 3 hours to blow through and it had a creative premise, which made it somewhat enjoyable.

STOP EVERYTHING AND READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY!! A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman was a true delight from start to finish. I kept reading and hearing good things about it and I even purchased a copy (which most people know I rarely do, preferring to pick books up at the library). It was absolutely worth it and I am glad to have it in my now limited collection (thanks, Marie Kondo).

I looked through a list of the top 100 books everyone should read and found some that I thought I should add to my own “to be read” list. Outlander, by Diane Gabaldon was one of them. Little did I know that the book was 850 pages. When it came quickly from the library since it’s so old, I jumped at the chance to read it on my Kindle. And, I have been slogging through it ever since. Now, it’s an enjoyable read and a good story, for sure, but it’s way too long. I don’t think I’ll read any of the sequels just because I won’t be able to read anything else. However, I do recommend this one. It got me through being stuck in the snow, and that’s good for something. The characters are both interesting and believable, and it’s an excellent period drama, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I’m going to give the mini-series a try too since I have heard good things about that.

As I have said before, I love memoirs. Let the Tornado Come by Rita Zoey Chin was written up frequently last year and I thought I would give it a try. While it was painful in parts, it was a fascinating read and a rollercoaster of a ride between past and present in alternating chapters. I recommend you pick this one up, particularly if you enjoy a good memoir.

All the Houses by Karen Olsson was an appealing choice because it takes place in DC. Olsson herself grew up in DC and peppers the story with details that only a native would know. Helen’s father was peripherally involved in the Iran-Contra hearings, and much of the book is a recollection of that time. I enjoyed the premise and the old DC trivia, but this book was too long and I wanted to give up multiple times. The only thing that drove me forward was the hope that Helen would get out of her slump and do something interesting. Overall, though, I wouldn’t recommend this story. Come on, 2016, I’m looking for some great reads this year!!

I picked up Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb on the recommendation of Gayle Weiswasser, who writes Everyday I Write the Book. This was after having read 50% of My Brilliant Friend and not taking to it at all (even though I have only read really good reviews). I enjoyed Best Boy, but I didn’t love it. It was a quick and relatively simple read that reminded me of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. It wasn’t too deep, but was a good story nonetheless.

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter was brutal and disturbing. Unless you have a tough stomach, you will want to pass on this one. The crux of the story is that Claire and her family are estranged because of the disappearance of her sister Julia 20 years prior. When Claire’s husband is murdered, she learns a great deal about him and reconnects with her sister, Lydia, to figure everything out. While it was a gripping story, it was quite difficult to read.

I was worried that After You by Jojo Moyes would not hold up to Me Before You (one of my favorites). And, while it wasn’t quite as amazing, it was a good read, and I very much enjoyed it. Having distance from Me Before You certainly helped. The story continues that of Louise and follows her as she copes with her grief. You’ll like it if you liked Me Before You, though probably not quite as much.