Offered Books:
American Fire by Monica Hesse
Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong
The Windfall by Diksha Basu
The Child by Fiona Barton
Final Girls by Riley Sager
Selected:
Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong
Others Purchased:
Final Girls by Riley Sager
This novel has the distinction of being my first ever selection from Book of the Month. Granted, I was leaning towards Final Girls until I learned my sister had purchased it, but whatever the circumstances of the selection, this novel still has pride of place. I also have not re-read it since the month I got it, so this is a review from memory. Apologies if some details are wrong.
The novel follows Ruth and her family over a year as her father starts to lose his mental facilities (it is hinted that it is Alzheimer's, but I don't recall it being outright stated). Ruth, fresh off a breakup, moves home to help take care of her father - who is resistant to the help.
The novel is very similar to Chemistry in its structure - it is not told linearly and skips around - which could be a bit of a wall for some readers. While more happens in this compared to that other book, it is still more of an emotional journey than anything else. There is also humor in this, but it doesn't feel natural to the story, more as an attempt to lighten the mood in between the heavier scenes.
Which is not to say the novel is bad - it's actually quite good for those that aren't thwarted by the narrative structure. But it wouldn't be a 'fun' read. Nevertheless, I'd still recommend it as a solid book.
3.5 out of 5
The second novel from this month follows Quincy, one of three 'Final Girls' - women who have survived a massacre - that saw all of her friends killed. While there was an attempt to get the three all together for a media event, Quincy cancels her attendance and attempts to move on from the tragedy. While she kept some contact with one of the other girls, she has spent the last ten years working to put the tragedy behind her.
The novel starts at that ten year mark, but does let us know what transpired on the night Quincy gained her infamy through flashbacks scattered throughout the book. But a major event from that night is blocked from Quincy, which threatens to come out as she finally meets and interacts with the third final girl - Sam - when she appears on Quincy's doorstep.
The novel takes many twists and turns as Quincy deals with Sam and her incomplete memory, and keeps the readers on their toes throughout. None of the twists feel forced, and the conclusion of the book works wonderfully with the hints dropped earlier in the book. The characters are great - in addition to Quincy and Sam, we meet the cop who saved Quincy and Quincy's fiance - and the novel never feels slow, even in the quieter moments. Despite being one of the first books I ever received from Book of the Month, I still consider it one of my favorites.
A definite recommend for anyone - even those who don't love thrillers.
4.5 out of 5
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