Ohio by Stephen Markley

 Holy Shit! This book is incredible, memorable and full of well developed characters who's stories are interconnected. This book will have a permanent spot in my collection, one I will reread and recommend to others. 

Four former high school friends via a variety of reasons all find themselves back home in New Canaan, Ohio. What transpires all takes place in one night with flashbacks  to the past.  Markley, tells the story of small town Ohio in four different parts in which each character's life unfolds.  

The story is at times bleak, depressing and gritty but it's what makes it good because life is messy and chaotic. Markley's debut novel of this fictional small town deals with the themes of war, drugs, poverty, suicide, unemployment and rape. 

Ohio is a through provoking novel that shows the plight of current day America with an ending you won't see coming. 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

 A girl with seven freckles. a boy, and a deal with the devil.  

Addie LaRue has lived for over 300 years. She has lived on several continents, experienced many adventures but is lonely. She has no companion, no friends, everyone she meets forgets who she is but she continues to live and leave her mark in art and history. 

Addie is a strong, interesting character and her life on repeat keeps the reader interested and yearning for more.  Addie meets a boy named, Henry who changes her life. 

While this book is intriguing and has well constructed characters it takes a while for the story to build up. It is a bit a slow but once you get into it it's worth the struggle. 

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 Daisy Jones & The Six isn't my cup of tea.  It's essentially a transcript of a band in which band members, friends and managers are interviewed.  There is only so much you can get out of dialogue, people need descriptions or at least I do.  This was all tell and no show and I need to experience the story and not be told about it.  I couldn't even really tell you what this book is about. 

I suggest skipping this book and reading Taylor Jenkins Reid novel, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. My review on it can be found HERE.

People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd

 

                                                        PEOPLE LIKE HER                              

                            EXPECTED PUBLICATION DATE: JANUARY 12 2021

 Emmeline Jackson is an Instagram social influencer with over a million followers. She is known as 'mamabare'. She is part of a group of mama influncers, who tag, follow one another and get together for Instagram worthy events.

Emmy's life is out there for anyone to see. Her children are her brand. Her husband, Dan is not a fan of their children's (Coco and Bear) photos being online but he has no choice. Emmy's social media pays the bills, while Dan struggles to finish another book. 

Being a social media influencer comes with a cost and while Emmy tries to protect her family by not revealing locations one minor slip, one she isn't even aware of gives an obsessive follower all they need to find out details she's worked so hard to hide. 

This follower is out to get 'mamabare" and her narrative is weaved into Emmy's. It's chilling and builds up the tension making this read addictive.