Go get this book right now. It might be my new favorite book ever. I don't typically like short stories, but this book is almost a series of short stories with overlapping characters. Each chapter is a sort of self-sufficient vignette, but together they form a cohesive novel. The book is set in the near future, but doesn't fixate too much on creating a new world. Instead, the story revolves around a machine that can read your DNA to tell you the three things that will make you happy. Just go read it. I don't know what else to say.

A murder mystery unfolds around the captivating story of the "Marsh Girl" near an old North Carolina coastal town. It seems like everyone is talking about this book, and it will soon be made into a movie. I was absolutely captivated by the beautiful descriptions of scenery; Delia Owens really knows and loves the marsh. While the converging timelines were interesting, I felt that the actual murder mystery component was not Owens' strength, and fell somewhat flat at the end. Still an enjoyable read: I highly recommend.

A young woman falls in love with an even younger man, calling into question the roles of authority and gender when it comes to romantic relationships. I could not put this book down. Having recently finished my student teaching, I was captivated by the dynamics between the characters, as they represented the fears of many young teachers, both male and female. Spoiler: If you're looking for a happy love story, don't read this one.

When a young woman discovers she tested positive for the breast cancer gene, she has to make the difficult decision about whether or not to get a double mastectomy. But first, she's going to do everything on her breast bucket list. I thoroughly enjoyed the main character's voice and authenticity dealing with the struggles at hand, including relatable themes such as friendship and vulnerability. Please note: This novel is pretty raunchy.

Gabrielle Zevin explores the repercussions of a fictional congressman's affair on the women impacted: the intern, her mother, her daughter, and the congressman's wife. The tone is not accusatory, but rather honest. I was blown away by this book, even though I'm a post-Lewinsky 90's baby. The story was compelling, the voices were engaging, and the exposure of misogynist systems in our country was astounding.

An enjoyable read with a terribly unsatisfying ending. I loved every minute of this book, from the pursuit of the detective's childhood murder mystery to the romantic tension between him and his partner... until I got to the last page. I'm sorry; I'm a sucker for a happy ending and all loose ends tied up. If an ambiguous ending doesn't bother you, then you will 100% love this book.