New York Times Bestselling novelist Joshilyn Jackson lives in Georgia with her husband, their two children, and way too many feckless animals. Her debut, gods in Alabama, won SIBA's 2005 Novel of the year Award and was a #1 BookSense pick. Jackson won Georgia Author of the Year for her second novel, Between, Georgia, which also a #1 BookSense pick, making Jackson the first author in BookSense history to receive #1 status in back to back years. Her third novel, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, was a Break Out book at Target and has been shortlisted for the Townsend Prize for Fiction. All three books were chosen for the Books-A-Million Book Club.
The New Couple in 5B (2024) Lisa Unger "The tension just keeps building in Unger's latest dark and twisty delight. Come for the gonzo plot, but stay to be haunted by a history-soaked old New York apartment building that feels more like a sinister character than a setting, and for bright, ambitious, clear-eyed Rosie, whose voice stuck with me long after I turned the final page. I loved it, and you will, too."
Where You End (2024) Abbott Kahler "A genuinely startling tale of love and revenge, Where You End's ingenious structure and breakneck pace had me feverishly turning pages. But it's Abbott Kahler's sharp-witted and intrepid heroines, portrayed with such depth and compassion, who elevate this haunting inquiry into the indelible power of memory. Heads up, Indies: this fiction debut is a handselling book lover's dream."
The Fun Widow's Book Tour (2023) Zoe Fishman "Though it speaks to one of the most difficult issues facing our nation with wisdom and deep grace, this is not an 'issue' book. This is a book about people, flawed but striving, broken but hopeful. Once I started, I couldn't put it down."
Dirty Laundry (2023) Disha Bose "A tale of murder and love gone wrong, rife with bone-chilling revelations . . . a riveting debut."
Killers of a Certain Age (2022) (Killers of a Certain Age, book 1) Deanna Raybourn "National treasure Deanna Raybourn never fails to enchant with her signature dry wit, sophisticated storylines, slick twists, and smart eccentric women who anchor her books. Her latest is a romping, wild delight from start to finish. Killers of a Certain Age is the 60-something lady assassin book we didn't know we needed, but, oh, we needed it. I love this book."
My Darling Husband (2021) Kimberly Belle "In the kind of twisty page-turner that readers know they can rely on Belle to deliver, a mother fights for the lives of her children while trying to unravel her husband's secret life. Riveting suspense, truly surprising revelations, and silky smooth writing make this one unmissable!"
Everything We Didn't Say (2021) Nicole Baart "With finely crafted characters, smooth-as-butter writing, and a breathless plot, Nicole Baart’s latest kept me up long into the night, turning pages. The past is alive in this book, and I found myself wholly caught up in Juniper’s intricate, surprising story as she returns home to find lost loves, lost causes, and some terrifying truths lying in wait. I’m a long-time fan of Baart, but this may be my favorite yet!"
The Wonder Test (2021) Michelle Richmond "A fast-paced, moving exploration of motherhood and money, danger and deception, privilege and pretense...the perfect thinking person's page-turner."
Local Woman Missing (2021) Mary Kubica "I’m shamelessly addicted to Mary Kubica’s juicy, unpredictable reads, as much for her well-rounded, fully human, flawed characters as her sizzling plots—and she just keeps getting better. LOCAL WOMAN MISSING is a propulsive journey through a winding maze of secrets, leading to a jaw-dropping twist that I never saw coming. Loved every minute."
A Million Reasons Why (2021) Jessica Strawser "A MILLION REASONS WHY is the emotionally gripping story of two half-sisters, each with her own secrets, who find each other as adults. It's deftly paced and surprising, and Strawser's characters are so layered and flawed and human that I came to care about them deeply. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, this astute exploration of the bonds and limitations of family is a perfect book club pick."
Reviving the Hawthorn Sisters (2020) Emily Carpenter "Prepare to be up late with this one; Reviving the Hawthorn Sisters is simply riveting. This is the kind of book where the past has a pulse—and teeth. It’s a page-turner for sure, with well-drawn, complicated characters whose choices linger long after the last page is turned."
Never Turn Back (2020) (Faulkner Family Thriller, book 1) Christopher Swann "The past comes back—with a vengeance—to bite a good-hearted teacher and his brash, broken sister in Swann’s excellent latest. I loved this twisty, sexy, fast-paced thriller."
Millicent Glenn's Last Wish (2020) Tori Whitaker "Get ready to meet your new favorite author as Tori Whitaker moves deftly forward and back in time in a lyrical exploration of motherhood and longing, secrets and regrets, mistakes and, ultimately, absolution. This is an author with great insight into both history and the female heart, and I highly recommend this heartfelt, beautifully written debut."
Hench (2020) Natalie Zina Walschots "This Anti(super)hero tale is jam-packed with action and fueled by Anna's breathless, dizzying, exhilarating rage. Anna faces off with the supernatural, but she feels so very real as she rockets along on her furious and furiously-paced trajectory. Hench is a ride--I loved it."
The Big Door Prize (2020) M O Walsh "The lives of a couple facing their mid-life crisis and a young man coming of age intersect in this humorous and hopeful novel. M.O. Walsh has never been afraid to go down into the darkest places of the human heart, but his truthfulness is balanced by a beautiful optimism, just as his sharp humor is leavened by his genuine affection for the layered, vital characters he creates. A wise, wry, twisty, and entertaining tale. I loved it."
The Monsters We Make (2020) Kali White "[Kali White] brings the chilling silence of the 80's to vivid life in a smart, relentless domestic noir. The writing is taut, the plot is fresh, and the small, broken family at the center of the action completely captured my heart. Prepare to be up late; once I started, I could not stop turning pages."
Shiner (2020) Amy Jo Burns "A compelling fever-dream of a novel crafted out of moonshine and jagged miracles, Shiner is simply perfect. I loved every moment spent in the world Amy Jo Burns so thoroughly evokes; I already know I will return to it again and again. Do not miss this exceptional debut."
Recipe for Persuasion (2020) (Rajes, book 2) Sonali Dev "A delight from start to finish, both for Jane Austen fans looking for a fresh take and readers seeking deeply felt relationships and complicated family dynamics. In Dev's world, the past is alive in the present; I was wholly engrossed and had plenty to think about. At the same time, the reality TV storyline added a thread of pure fun escapism--something all of us need right now."
Last Day (2020) (Detective Conor Reid, book 1) Luanne Rice "I’ve long loved Luanne Rice for her trademark elegant style and her deep understanding of familial relationships, and she brings these superpowers with her as she delves into suspense. Last Day is a true page-turner, peopled by characters I care deeply about, with an ending I never saw coming."
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (2019) (Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, book 1) Kim Michele Richardson "Emotionally resonant and unforgettable, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a lush love letter to the redemptive power of books. It is by far my favorite KMR book-and I am her huge fan. Cussy Mary is an indomitable and valiant heroine, and through her true-blue eyes, 1930s Kentucky comes to vivid and often harrowing life. Richardson's dialogue is note-perfect; Cussy Mary's voice is still ringing in my head, and the sometimes dark story she tells highlights such gorgeous, glowing grace notes that I was often moved to hopeful tears."
The Liar's Child (2019) Carla Buckley "A mystery wrapped in an achingly good family drama, The Liar’s Child hooked me from page one. An unconventional love story that broke my heart in all the best ways, Carla Buckley’s emotionally complex, beautifully written tale is also a page-turner that will keep you up long past your bedtime."
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls (2019) Anissa Gray "A trio of sisters navigate the tricky waters of forgiveness in Gray’s heartfelt, beautifully written debut...Get an extra copy for your best friend or your own sister; this is one you’re going to want to talk about."
Unmarriageable (2019) Soniah Kamal "The perfect book for the armchair traveler, offering an insider's view into a fascinating country and culture--including a peek at what the wedding of the year looks like in Pakistan. This one is going directly on my keeper shelf; I loved it."
When We Were Worthy (2017) Marybeth Mayhew Whalen "Fans of Liane Moriarty and Jodi Picoult - this is an author for your favorites shelf. Marybeth Mayhew Whalen’s taut, smart novel is a natural-born page-turner that doesn’t sacrifice depth of feeling or character. Whalen knows this town, these people, and she lays them open for us with razor-sharp insight, wit, and empathy. Don’t miss this one."
The Hidden Light of Northern Fires (2017) Daren Wang "I will carry this story of love and vengeance, ruin and restoration with me for a long, long time. Read it--you will want to pass it on."
The Sisters Chase (2017) Sarah Healy "A beautifully written family drama with a mystery at its core, The Sisters Chase is a layered and lovely book about the bonds of love crashing up against the rocky shore of the world."
Small Blessings (2014) Martha Woodroof "Optimistic, wise, and beautifully written, this book about love in all its colors, hope, and the glory of third chances will stay with you long after you close the cover."
The Wait (2008) Frank Turner Hollon "Frank Turner Hollon writes the thinking man's page-turner. He should be at the top of every reader's list."
Days of the Endless Corvette (2007) Man Martin "Man Martin's tall tale stretches truth until it squeaks and gives up moments of such perfect beauty that more than once I found myself grinning through my tears. It's smart and funny and quirky and deeply imagined, and at its heart is a gorgeous faith in the potency of human connections. Martin crafts a rich feast from love's leftovers and smallest pieces, delivering a wonderful book, wonderful in every sense of the word."
