Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark is not the type of book I usually choose. However, I heard about it because of a podcast I have dipped my toes into (and will try again since I enjoyed the book), “My Favorite Murder.” The authors give advice and tell the stories of their lives in this book. They grew up in the same era I did, which made it a little like enjoying Stranger Things. It’s a good and quick read – kinda like Jenny Lawson, though not as funny – grab it!

Lisa See’s The Island of Sea Women taught me about something I knew nothing about: Korean all-female diving collectives. The story, while interesting, was too slow for me. I enjoyed the characters and thought the plot and the history were interesting, but it got bogged down and took me too long to get through. She could have cut 50-100 pages and been both more efficient and, to me, more engaging. Overall, while I did like this one, I didn’t love it enough to recommend. Hoping my next choice is better…

I have read more posts and seen more people reading Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips this summer than any other book. It’s supposed to be about two girls who disappear in Russia. Each chapter is a different perspective from characters who are supposed to finally weave together. I, however, really disliked this one. Not only was the story not really about the two girls, but the rest of the characters weren’t particularly interesting and I really had to push myself to finish. I kept thinking the mystery would be solved at the end, which is why I persevered. Ug. Don’t bother with this one (or tell me what I missed…).

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister is my favorite book of the summer so far. I was about to cast it aside as magical realism (which I dislike greatly), but stuck with it and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a bit like Where the Crawdads Sing at fist, and a smidge shallow at points, but overall, it’s a really interesting and creative story. Emmeline lives an ideal life with her dad on a deserted island. He teaches her all about the world by channeling her senses. He, in fact, can capture smell in bottles, which he does with the help of a special machine. But, as you can imagine, their idyllic existence doesn’t last forever and the ensuing story is a neat one. It was a perfect beach choice!

From Scratch by Tembi Locke is another hard-to-read memoir (not because it isn’t well-written, but because the subject is difficult). It’s the story of Locke’s recovery from her husband’s death. Back and forth, we learn the story of their relationship, love, and family. It’s both touching and interesting – the descriptions of Sicilian food are mouth-watering – and an enjoyable, if sad, choice. Well done, Reese!

I seem to be following in Gayle Weiswasser’s reading footsteps this summer, as she just reviewed this one as well here. Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok was a wonderful read – the story of two sisters, one of whom goes missing, and the mystery of their lives. Chapters are told in alternating voices of family members and slowly the mystery is revealed. The pace is excellent and the story compelling. It’s a great read and I highly recommend it.

Ayesha at Last has been on a lot of lists this year and, while I am not usually one for Pride and Prejudice remakes, this was an entertaining one. Ayesha dreams of being a poet, but works as a substitute teacher so she can pay off her school debts. She lives with her family and spends a lot of time dealing with her cousin who is constantly getting marriage proposals. Then Ayesha meets Khalid, and while she doesn’t want to like him, she is intrigued. You probably know the story of Pride and Prejudice, so I won’t get any deeper into the story, but this was a good read.

Love You Hard is a wonderful memoir that’s hard to read. Abby’s husband TC was assaulted and left for dead on Capitol Hill in 2009. Her story is from that night forward, both the ups and downs. While I still had questions after I finished, it was well-done and a compelling read. I would add it to your “to-read” pile.

Despite a so-so review from one of my favorite book reviewers, Gayle Weiswasser of Everyday I Write the Book, I forged ahead with The Mother-in-Law, as, unlike Gayle, I do like psychological thrillers. This was was OK, but not the best. A family hears a knock on the door one day – the police have come to tell them that the matriarch of the family has died. Turns out, of course, that everything was not as it seemed. This was an OK read, though not the best.