9. My Sister the Serial Killer

By Oyinkan Braithwaite (240pp, ebook)

This is a really fun page turner that is exactly as the title says. It's set in Nigeria and the narrator, the older sister, has her hands full with her own problems while cleaning up after her sister. I don't want to spoil anything.

8. Wayward

By Dana Spiotta (289 pp ebook)

This was recommended by a friend and I really enjoyed it. It's set in Syracuse NY and about a woman, roughly my age, dealing with being this age - her aging mother, her grown up daughter, a marriage that has changed. There's a lot going on: family, motherhood, menopause, social changes, community. So much to think about. Recommend.

7. Children of Time

By Adrian Tchaikovsky (609 pp ebook) This book came very highly recommended and has lots of great reviews and it did not work for me at all. I don't know if I've ever thought about quitting a book in the last 50 pages before. It has lots of sci fi elements I like: generation ships, people waking from stasis into a big mystery, unpredictable scientists. The book is divided into what's going on with the green planet and what's going on with the ship. While initially interesting, the green planet stuff began to bore me. The characterization of the humans was thin and they were mostly unlikeable. Not for me.

6. Firelight

By Kristen Callihan (373 pp ebook) I am a big fan of Kristen Callihan romances. My favorite are the rock star ones that start with Idol. This is a paranormal set in historical London. Lots of different speculative elements, some not quite like I've seen before. Nice slow-burn romance. Enjoyed.