The Power by Naomi Alderman is simply amazing. With brilliant characterization she creates a new world order where power shifts from women to men as a a new electrical power begins to awaken in women, first teens, then all women. It‘s easy to see why The Power won the 2017 Baileys Women‘s Prize for Fiction. Read it! Full review: https://novelvisits.com/power-naomi-alderman-review/

Three Days and a Life by French author Pierre Lemaitre examines the high price of getting away with murder after 12-year old Antoine accidentally kills his young neighbor. Fearing jail, he tells no one and by acts of nature his crime goes unsolved, but Antoine can never truly be free. Full review: https://novelvisits.com/three-days-life-pierre-lemaitre-review/

Nomadland by Jessica Bruder was both fascinating and a little scary. A little known world of mostly older Americans living life on the road. For many reasons most weren‘t fully prepared for retirement and now face a “houseless” existence or RV, trailer, and van living. They travel from campsite to campsite picking up jobs along the way. A truly eye-opening read. Full review: https://novelvisits.com/nomadland-surviving-america-jessica-bruder/

Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge proved to be the perfect pick me up from my fall slump. Light and fun and just a little sappy, I enjoyed this debut about an unlikely pair stranded on a Polynesian atoll. Full review at: https://novelvisits.com/castle-of-water-by-dane-huckelbridge-review/

With so much critical acclaim I‘d expected to love Manhattan Beach, but I just didn‘t. Egan‘s WWII era historical fiction just fell flat. The pace was slow and the primary characters under-developed. Honestly it was a book I wish I hadn‘t finished, but since I did, here‘s my full review: https://novelvisits.com/manhattan-beach-jennifer-egan-review/

Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda proved to be a really fun, fast domestic thriller. I finished it in a single day living the voice of one of the creepiest narrators ever! My full review here: https://novelvisits.com/best-day-ever-kaira-rouda-review/

Beautiful. Painful. Powerful. SING, UNBURIED, SING is all that and so much more. Jesmyn Ward's story of a family facing ghosts of their past while trying to survive in the harsh reality of their lives in rural Mississippi will haunt you long after you've put it down. This is s book I can highly recommend. My full review on Novel Visits: http://www.novelvisits.com/sing-unburied-sing-jesmyn-ward-review/

I absolutely LOVED The Heart's Invisible Furies! John Boyne's writing was phenomenal. This stunning seventy year journey following Irish born Cyril Avery as he spends a lifetime coming to understand himself, his friendships, his family and his country will leave you in awe. My full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/hearts-invisible-furies-john-boyne-review/

Young Jane Young is a book just begging to be discussed, so today on Novel Visits that's just what's happening! What did you think of El Mete? Ruby's pen pal? Choose your own adventure? How Jane fled her life? We. Need. To talk! http://www.novelvisits.com/young-jane-young-need-talk-musings/

Stay With Me is a beautifully written story of a couple very much in love. Yet, their marriage is marred by infertility, cultural expectations and the secrets Akin and Yejide hide from each other. Their struggle to stay together is the heart of Adebayo's lovely debut. Full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/stay-ayobami-adebayo-review/

Wendy Walker's Emma in the Night is sure to be another hit for her. This twisty story centers on Cass, who has returned home after being missing for 3 years. Vanishing on the same night as her older sister, Cass is frantic to save Emma. Like most psychological thrillers, there is much more to her story. The book was a little heavy handed with psychology, but still a fun read. My review: http://www.novelvisits.com/emma-night-wendy-walker-review/

I thought Hum If You Don't Know the Words by Bianca Marais was a very good debut. Not perfect, but very good. Focused on a white South African girl and her black caretaker during Apartheid, the story was both entertaining and educational. I definitely liked Beauty's side of the story more than 10-year old Robin's, but overall it was a very satisfying book. Full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/hum-dont-know-words-bianca-marais-review/

I absolutely loved Jennie Melamed's dystopian debut, Gather the Daughters. This is the story of a small community living by the rules of the "ancestors" and the daughters who begin to question the group's long held beliefs, beliefs that are harshest on women. But can these young women stand up and make their voices heard? My full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/gather-daughters-jennie-melamed-review/

American Fire by Monica Hesse was a riveting account of a entire community going out of their minds as fire consumes building after building. Eighty fires and four months - an incredible feat. And the arsonist? Two of their own! The audio version was wonderful! Full review at: http://www.novelvisits.com/american-fire-monica-hesse-review/

While I liked many aspects of Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong, one big one I didn't. I loved the humorous focus on Alzheimer's and a daughter desperately trying to accept the changes the disease has on her father. Khong's insight was amazing, but I grew weary of the diary format in the second half of her debt. For me, it chopped up the story. Full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/goodbye-vitamin-rachel-khong-review/

Loved this wonderful debut! Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor is a beautifully told story of a girl gone missing and the people of the community left behind. Part coming-of-age, part suspense, Sycamore is a fascinating jigsaw puzzle of a story. Full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/sycamore-bryn-chancellor-review/

I actually liked The Confusion of Languages more than so-so, just not all the way pick. I enjoyed so much the cultural aspects and the play between the books two central characters, Cassie and Margaret. The one big flaw for me was Margaret's over the top disregard for the cultural norms of the country she was living in, Jordan. My full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/confusion-languages-siobhan-fallon-review/

I absolutely loved Darling to Drive. Manal al-Sharif's memoir is a powerful story of her evolution from radical Islam to a brave advocate for the women of Saudi Arabia. I listened to this one and the audio was wonderful. This is a book you'll definitely need to read! Full review on Novel Visits: http://www.novelvisits.com/daring-drive-manal-al-sharif-review/

Like almost everyone else, I loved Beartown. It's so much more than a story about hockey. Really it's the story of the entire community, their love of hockey, and the fine line between good and evil, right and wrong. My full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/beartown-fredrik-backman-review/

I loved Gail Honeyman's wonderful debut, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Eleanor is a a little odd and a lot lonely, though she thinks she's completely fine. Eleanor suffered some serious childhood trauma and has never completely recovered. People are a mystery to her. Eleanor has never had a real friend, but a chance encounter starts to change that. Full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/eleanor-oliphant-gail-honeyman-review/

Perennials just wasn't the book for me. It read like a series of connected short stories. Several felt almost like filler and were not very relevant to the novel's true plot. ☹️http://www.novelvisits.com/perennials-mandy-berman-review/

I wish there was an option between pick and so-so. That's where I'd put Small Hours by Jennifer Kitses. I liked the hour by hour telling of this story of secrets between a husband and wife. Over the course of a single day their secrets threaten to topple their marriage. Good, a little short of great. http://www.novelvisits.com/small-hours-jennifer-kitses-review/

The Alice Network is a dual storyline book. The first, about a woman and her time as a spy in WWI's real life Alice Network was great. The second, about a young pregnant American searching for her vanished cousin in 1947 was a big disappointment. Too many coincidences, too neat and tidy, too implausible. ☹️ My full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/alice-network-kate-quinn-review/

There was a lot to like about Fly Me, Daniel Riley's fun debut. Set in So Cal in 1972, the book tells the story of Suzy, a new college grad turned stewardess. She falls into every possible cliche of the era, including drug smuggling. The start was slow and the ending crazy, but the middle made up for it. Full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/fly-me-daniel-riley-review/

Jardine Libaire has written a love story like no other, raw, gritty, unexpected. Jamey and Elise are NOT your classic rich boy/poor girl couple. She's confident. He's lost. Together they're dynamic, but that's only half the story with White Fur. Libaire's incredibly gorgeous writing is the real star of this book. It will leave you hungover and wanting more. My full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/white-fur-jardine-libaire-review/

Once, in Lourdes a tale of teenage angst set against a backdrop 1968 turmoil. Four friends agree to a suicide pact but give themselves two weeks to experience more of life. The start was rough but eventually you came to understand them. The second half was much better than the first. (If you can hang on.) Full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/once-lourdes-sharon-solwitz-review/

The Stranger in the Woods was a great book and even better on audio. The real life account of Christopher Knight's 27 years alone in the woods was truly extraordinary. Micheal Finkel told his story with honesty and respect. Full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/audio-reviews-born-crime-stranger-woods/

Loved listening to Born a Crime! Trevor Noah narrates his memoir of growing up in the waning days of apartheid in South Africa. His stories were always funny, surprising and sometimes a little sad. Noah's love and respect for his amazing mother was heartwarming. Full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/audio-reviews-born-crime-stranger-woods/

For me Woman No. 17 was really two very different storylines that Lepucki tried hard to unite. Unfortunately it just didn't work all that well. I liked the mother-son story a lot, but the nanny and everything about her was a wreck. The intersection of their stories felt forced I finished Woman No. 17, but can't really recommend it. ☹️Full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/woman-no-17-edan-lepucki-review/

Loved BASED ON A TRUE STORY by Delphine de Vigan. She is a wonder, masterfully blurring the lines between fiction and reality. This is a book you'll NEED to talk about! See my full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/based-true-story-delphine-de-vigan/

This was a complicated story of three neighbors in the weeks around the 2008 London bombings. A great premise, but for my taste the author just tried too hard. There were far too many disparate parts for a smooth engaging story. It felt like Singer threw every idea she had into her first book. She should have saved some for another story. My full review: http://www.novelvisits.com/underground-fugue-margot-singer-review/

Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett is a heartwarming, funny story of a quirky family coping with grief. Twelve year old Elvis narrates their journey over the two years following her mothers death. You'll laugh and cry and want to bake! See my full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/rabbit-cake-by-annie-hartnett-review/

American War is a dystopian novel in the very best sense. In his fabulous debut Omar El Akkad presents a future America at war with itself over the right to use fossil fuels. Without any pontificating, he showcases this bleak future through the lives of one small family. I couldn't put it down! See my full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/american-war-omar-el-akkad-review/

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck is a fresh take on a WWII novel. This is the story of three German women trying to survive in the years after the war. Though each lost their husbands when the plot to oust Hitler failed, the three have very different feelings about life in post-war Germany. A story of growth and friendship. See my full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/women-castle-jessica-shattuck-review/

The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall is the story of Polly, a cantankerous Southern woman, who has a daughter at 58. It's the story of Willow who lives in fear of losing her mom. The first half was great, laugh-out-loud funny. The second half was still fun, but took a more serious turn. I listened to it on audio and the narrator, Jenna Lamia, was excellent. See full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/audio-reviews-all-grown-up-book-polly/

I loved listening to All Grown Up on audio. It felt like I was sitting on the sofa, having a glass of wine while Andrea told me her life story. Fun, snarky and fast. Bravo Jami Attenberg! See my full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/audio-reviews-all-grown-up-book-polly/

IF WE WERE VILLAINS by M. L. Rio is definitely one of the best books I've read all year. Seven friends, all actors at a prestigious art college, become suspects when one of their own is found dead in a lake. Much like The Secret History this is a cannot put down book! I highly recommend this amazing debut! Full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/if-we-were-villains-m-l-rio-review/

I thought Julie Buntin crafted a wonderful coming-of-age story in MARLENA. It was a powerful, gritty story of the lasting impact one teenage girl can have on another. I loved that it was told by one of the girls looking back after nearly 20 years. See my full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/marlena-julie-buntin-review/

The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti is already one of my favorite books this year. Hawley's body is riddled with scars from a dark past that he's trying desperately to keep away from his daughter, Loo. Teen Loo wants to know things her father doesn't want to talk about, like why does He build a shrine to her mother in the bathroom of every place they live? Excellent! http://www.novelvisits.com/twelve-lives-samuel-hawley-hannah-tanti/

I absolutely loved Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. It's a beautiful story of a young couple forced to flee their homeland at the same time millions of others are immigrating to different countries. It has an element of magical realism that really worked for this book. See my full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/exit-west-mohsin-hamid-review/

What a great debut for Caite Dolan-Leach! DEAD LETTERS was a fun, twisty mystery about the most dysfunctional family ever! Twins, Ava and Zelda, grew up on a vineyard with warring alcoholic parents. When Ava gets the call that Zelda is dead in a horrible fire, she immediately has doubts. The drama of a fire is SO Zelda! See my full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/dead-letters-caite-dolan-leach-review/

Daniel Magariel's debut, One of the Boys is a stunning novel you'll long remember. Narrated by a 12-year old boy, it's the story of how he and his brother survive when their father's drug abuse turns him physically and psychologically abusive. At time it was difficult to read, but always hard to put down. My full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/one-boys-daniel-magariel-review/

I really liked this story of the girl NOT taken. Perabo did a beautiful job of getting in the mind of an 8th grade girl, Meredith, and her mother. Both struggled mightily to navigate a new normal after Meredith witnessed the kidnapping of a classmate. This is not a suspense novel, but a character study rooted in family. Full review here: http://www.novelvisits.com/fall-lisa-bellow-susan-perabo-review/

I really liked The Lucky Ones by Julianne Pacheco, but am not sure it's for everyone. It is actually a series of connected short stories about Colombians during some of the country's worst years, 1993-2013. These were eye opening and well, well worth reading.

I loved THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS! Such a beautiful story of a loving, supportive, funny family trying to navigate life when the family's youngest son wants to wear dresses, play princess, and be a girl when he grows up. Amazing writing by Laurie Frankel. Full review on Novel Visits soon!

I had to give up on A Piece of the World at about 32%. The story just wasn't grabbing me. So sad! ☹️

I enjoyed reading The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel because it came at a time when I really need a quick lite read. Engel's debut adult novel totally fit that bill. That being said, there were flaws. It was easy to see the author's YA background in that the storyline was a little "Flowers in the Attic" if you know what I mean! Full review on http://www.novelvisits.com closer to the publication date of 3/7.

Yoojin Grace Wuertz's debut novel tells the story of three college friends in Seoul, South Korea in 1978. All students at the very best university in South Korea, their futures look bright. They have a lot of hard work ahead and families to please, but the path ahead seems clear. Until, it doesn't. Full review soon on http://www.novelvisits.com.

Loved this dark story of three teens "running" for a red-light district hotel in 1980's Athens. They soon take some turns that have them in deeper trouble than they're really prepared for. Unique! Original! Full review this week on http://www.novelvisits.com.

I listened to A Separation on Audible and the narrator was bad, but even if she'd been great it couldn't have salvaged this book for me. It's so far from the suspense story it's been billed as that I felt cheated! Full review coming soon on http://www.novelvisits.com.