Let’s take a look at what I read last month . . .

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lastly, if you should ever doubt that a series of dry words in a government document can shatter spirits and demolish lives, let this book erase that doubt. Conversely, if you should be of the conviction that we are powerless to change those dry words, let this book give you heart.
When it comes to a book by Louise Erdrich, I feel like I don’t so much read the words, I absorb them. The characters, the setting, the story are all perfection . . . she creates beautiful and meaningful books that touch my soul and this one is no exception. Highly recommended.

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I always enjoy a Jennifer McMahon book for her creepy, supernatural, storylines. This one didn’t disappoint and, although I did figure out a few of the twists early on, it was still a compelling and entertaining read.

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Whitehead’s newest novel. Set in Harlem in the 1960s, it’s full of drama and crime, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps the whole thing moving forward in a brisk fashion. I’ve read some reviews that call this lighthearted, but I didn’t find that to be the case, as it covers a lot of heavy topics, including racism and riots, police brutality, poverty, and moral dilemmas. Highly recommended. I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this historical novel, set right at the end of the Civil War in Georgia. The characters are introspective and the story itself unfolds slowly and carefully. However, like many readers, I found the first half of this book to be better than the second half, when things become rather cliché, with predictable villains and outcomes. Still, despite how sad the book is overall, there is a feeling of hope and better days to come at the end.

No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I think this book did a good job of pointing out that, at the end of the day, it’s love and family that really matters, and not social media and being an influencer. However. It read like one long twitter feed and it felt very disjointed. I know that was the point, amplifying what social media snippets do to our lives, but (for me) it would have been more moving if it had been served up in a traditional way. Or maybe I’m just too old.

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The premise is intriguing – these are all women who have survived attacks based on slasher films – but it doesn’t play out all that well. Parts of it kept me on the edge of my seat and other parts felt dull and lacked depth. Recommended for fans of movies like Friday the 13th and Halloween!

Two five star books, two four star books, and two 3 star books . . . I’d call that an excellent month of reading.