So it looks like this year I was hooked on dark (and admittedly a little twisted) contemporary romance. I gravitated towards more than a few love stories featuring vulnerable young women who didn’t realize Mr. Right was actually wielding a bouquet of red flags until it was too late… Could this be a metaphor for 2020? Haha! Too soon?
I also found myself utterly smitten with a healthy dose of heart-pounding mysteries. While my ability to focus was at an all-time low this year, I found myself pleasantly swept up in the spine-tingling, creepiness of the thrillers on this list. If you want something that will tantalize your imagination and keep you up late into the night, look no further.
Overall this was a great and memorable year in books! Out of the 90 books I read (you can peek at the whole list on Goodreads), these lucky 13 are my highly recommended home-runs.
P.S. While I absolutely adored all of these, it’s worth noting that they are listed in order (#1 My Dark Vanessa, is my ultimate favorite)
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
My Dark Vanessa is a gripping and evocative masterpiece. Captivating from the start, this beguiling novel will quickly have you under its spell. It’s a richly drawn psychological portrait of a complex and mystifying woman whose relationship is laced with yearning, melancholy and perversion. For those who delight in character-driven dramas such as myself, look no further for the gold at the end of the rainbow. Russell paints a Lolita-esque story that examines trauma from a unique and modern-day lens. Dark, twisty and unsettling, you will soon find yourself unable to look away.
The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler
If you have yet to feast on this nordic noir delight, you’re in for a real treat! The Hypnotist is what it must feel like to actually inhabit Crazytown. I found myself gasping out loud too many times to count and frequently thinking… did I really just read that? This shocking thriller features a delinquent child gang, hypnotism gone (incredibly) wrong, a puzzling triple homicide and a psychopath brandishing rusty scissors. This book chilled me to my very core and not just because it took place in the icy wonderland of Sweden! It was so disturbingly creeptastic that I had to track down my night light. You’re welcome 😉 P.S. This book seems to be extremely polarizing, people either love it or hate it.
He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly
I first fell in love with Erin Kelly’s writing when I first read her brilliant novel Poison Tree, but He Said/She Said has managed to raise the bar even higher. The story follows the intriguing lives of eclipse chasers Kit and Laura who travel to various festivals around the world. On one of these fateful occasions, Laura is convinced that she witnessed a young woman fall prey to sexual harassment. Little does she know that her chance encounter will escalate into a whirlwind he said/she said case that will radically transform their lives forever. I wish I could divulge more, but revealing too much would undermine the bewitching enigma of this scandalous labyrinth of a book! I was absolutely blown away by this one and I still think about it daily. Let’s just say that it has more than a few suckerpunch twists that you’ll never see coming.
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
50 Shades, step aside. Your mother’s favorite erotica has nothing on this. Birthday Girl just might be the steamiest book I’ve ever read and by some miracle it still manages to maintain the semblance of a plot. Now, fair warning, this is definitely a taboo relationship that won’t be for everyone. There’s no doubt in my mind that Freud would have a field day if he read it. But I thought it was incredibly hot and the writing was fantastic! If your brand of romance is forbidden and slow burn, featuring lovable characters, potential heartache and a splash of angst, Birthday Girl is a must-read.
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
On the island of Fennbirn, three dark-haired sister queens are born, each with their own unique magical gifts. But on the year of their sixteenth birthday, only one will be chosen to rule (and survive!). The twisted plot of Three Dark Crowns resembles someone’s morbid Darwinian daydream and I loved every minute of it! While it’s marketed as Young Adult fantasy, it’s deliciously disturbing and I think adults will find it equally compelling. I devoured this one in only two days and I am absolutely ecstatic that there are three more in the series to look forward to! And because I’m kind of a book nerd, I casually created this Spotify playlist that captures the mood of the plot. Enjoy! P.S. You can read my full review here.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
There has never been a more compelling will-they-or-won’t-they romance quite like Normal People. It’s utterly one of a kind, intellectually superior and very adult. Rooney’s style has a certain je ne sais quoi that cements it as an instant classic. Her psychologically astute observations are always on point. Crawling around in the heads of her aggravatingly angsty characters is equal parts fascinating and unsettling. Marianne and Connell’s relationship dynamic was complex, painful and poignant. I was sorely tempted to throw my book against the wall in exasperation on several occasions. If I had to choose a single word to describe Normal People, it would be: bittersweet. It was beautiful, unforgettable and it will put you through the emotional wringer, but it’s worth every minute.
The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
Holy Batman! The Butterfly Garden is a seriously sinister mindf*ck. Like a terrible car accident, you can’t seem to stop yourself from drinking in all the gory details. I recommend going into it blind so that you can really soak up the ominous ambience of the story and allow it to unfold naturally. The Butterfly Garden is a morbid and terrifying thriller that doesn’t shy away from the seamy underbelly of human nature. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart (or faint of stomach for that matter). And yet, there is an undercurrent of hope that is woven throughout that celebrates the perseverance of the human spirit in the face of monstrous machinations. The characters are fascinating, relatable and deftly written. Their horrifying plight will tug at your heartstrings. Hutchison’s powerful bestseller is disturbing, depraved and undeniably jaw-dropping.
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
The Martian Chronicles is Bradbury at his finest. His intriguing collection of short stories might not be as outwardly sensational and accessible as say, Fahrenheit 451 or Something Wicked This Way Comes. But they more than make up for this with a quiet, ferocious intensity that builds and builds into something truly magnificent. It is rare these days to stumble upon a book that makes me go deep within and really think. The Martian Chronicles is one such philosophical gem that prompted me to reconsider my entire worldview… it even had me contemplating the meaning of life! Make no mistake, this is not an easy, breezy read, but I promise it’s well worth the effort. If you are drawn to haunting, cerebral tales that will irrevocably impact your beliefs and emotional landscape, this is one you won’t want to miss.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Lord honey was this a wild ride! The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is a colorful tongue-in-cheek horror novel that turns the genre on its head. It follows Patricia Campbell, the quintessential homemaker, who grapples with feelings of boredom and malaise. Her only solace is book club, where her group of gal pals read sordid stories like Helter Skelter and In Cold Blood because, “sometimes, she craved a little danger.” That is, until a handsome and mysterious stranger arrives on the scene and turns Patricia’s predictable life upside down. Suddenly, the determined band of southern belles must defend their idyllic community from a whole host of blood-curdling threats, even when no one else believes them. Ahhh! This book was SO good! You will definitely find yourself rooting for these badass women who are up against the ultimate evil despite the fact that their #1 talent is getting stains out of the carpet. It was campy, gross, frightening and hilarious in the best way possible. Highly recommend!
Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Leavitt
Cruel Beautiful World takes place in the 1970’s against the backdrop of the Manson murders. It’s the story of 16 year old Lucy who feels like no one truly understands her… until she meets her charming English teacher, William. When William decides to move to the backwoods of rural Pennsylvania, lovestruck Lucy is devastated and runs away with him to play house. It isn’t long until Lucy’s rose-colored glasses begin to fade and she realizes that William is not the Prince Charming she thought she fell for. Caroline Leavitt’s lush, lyrical prose and masterful characterization had me captivated the entire time. Cruel Beautiful World is a moody, soulful and anxiety-provoking coming of age story. It’s the kind of book that you slowly savor, all the while ignoring the churning pit of unease in your stomach that tells you that something is very wrong!
Kulti by Mariana Zapata
Talk about an unconventional love story! 27 year old Sal has been a rabid fan girl of German soccer star Kulti ever since she can remember. So when she discovers that he’s going to be the newest coach for her team, she is ecstatic. Too bad he’s a cantankerous asshat… and much to her surprise, he hates her on sight. And just like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, it takes a Herculean effort to thaw Kulti’s icy exterior. The sizzling sexual tension, witty banter and slow-burn chemistry gave me butterflies. You definitely don’t need to be a sports fan to swoon over this enemies to lovers romance. P.S. Most readers agree that the first 10% of the is a little difficult to get into, but don’t let that deter you from this incredibly amazing book!
The Likeness by Tana French
The Likeness has everything I want in a book- brooding dark academia vibes, a tight-knit elitist clique and a cryptic whodunnit mystery. With echoes of The Secret History and exquisitely crafted suspense, this story had me hook line and sinker from page one. French entranced me with her scintillating dialogue and psychological prowess. She painted an alluring portrait of the dark and broken heroine, Cassie. I especially enjoyed her prosaic descriptions and the way her highbrow characters would wax poetic about intellectual subjects such as society’s values, politics and challenging the status quo. Is The Likeness perfect? No. The plot (while compelling) is admittedly difficult to believe and it feels overly long. That being said, it oozes depth, sparkles with sardonic humor and it’s guaranteed to make you feel something. Also, it’s #2 in the Dublin Murder Squad series, but it can be read as a standalone.
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
Fleeing from her traumatic past, Joss moves to Scotland where she’s lucky enough to score the apartment of her dreams that she’ll share with her new roommate, Ellie. Her life finally seems like it’s moving in the right direction, until she meets Ellie’s brother, Braden. Their attraction is undeniable, but Joss is emotionally guarded and reluctant to letting anyone in. Braden proposes a no strings attached relationship and Joss gives in, unable to deny their explosive chemistry. If you’re looking for something light, fluffy and witty, On Dublin Street is the perfect comfort read. You’ll laugh, cry and suppress the urge to vigorously shake some of the characters for their infuriating antics. This is a fun, distracting escape with a relationship that rings with truth and impressive secondary character development. I couldn’t put it down!
Avalon! You always have the best recommendations! I’ve added some of these to my must read list!
Thank you, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them! What was your favorite book you read last year?