Welcome to issue 32 of my monthly Picks and Pans newsletter. This time I dive into an array of genres to bring you some of the best reads out there! Whether you’re into gripping mysteries, spy thrillers, epic historical sagas, or middle grade novels, you’ll find a diverse collection of books to spark your interest. I craft each review to help you discover your next great read, providing thoughtful insights and personal opinions on both books that are getting loads of press and hidden gems. Grab your favorite reading spot, settle in, and let’s explore the wonderful books I read this month!
Simon (Sort of) Says
By Erin Bow
Middle school can be a tough gig, especially when you’re as different as Simon. Erin Bow’s Simon (Sort of) Saysdives headfirst into Simon’s world—a place where surviving a school shooting is just the tip of the iceberg. As Simon resettles into Grin and Bear It, Nebraska, where electronic devices are banned to keep the radio telescopes clear for aliens, he faces a whole new set of challenges with his selective mutism.
Simon’s silent world is beautifully portrayed through his gestures, expressions, and a trusty notebook. But it’s his unexpected friendship with Agate and Kevin that slowly coaxes him out of his shell. Together, they navigate the treacherous waters of middle school life—school projects, bullies, and all.
What makes Bow’s novel shine is her knack for capturing Simon’s internal struggles with such authenticity. Through his eyes, we feel the weight of his battles and cheer for every minor victory. Each character, from Simon’s supportive family to his quirky friends, adds depth to his journey of self-discovery.
This Newbery honoree isn’t just about serious topics—it’s a quirky, laugh-out-loud page-turner that tackles big issues with heart and humor. Simon’s narrative is as hilarious as it is heartfelt, leaving readers of all ages with a powerful message of hope and courage.
Whether you’re in middle school or way past those years, pick up a copy of this uproarious page-turner. I couldn’t put it down—5 stars all the way!
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a comp of this title. The opinions are my own.
The Frozen River
By Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River plunges readers into the harsh winters of 1789 Hallowell, Maine, with a historical mystery that’s as chilling as the Kennebec River. At the heart of this riveting tale is Martha Ballard, a 54-year-old midwife and healer with connections that stretch from Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, to Mary Hobart, one of America’s pioneering female physicians.
When Martha is called to examine a man found frozen in the river, she uncovers signs of foul play. The deceased, Joshua Burgess, appears to have been beaten and hanged prior to his icy entombment. Adding layers to the mystery, Martha recalls her earlier documentation of a brutal rape of a young pastor’s wife, allegedly by two prominent townsmen, connecting the dots between the rape and the murder.
Martha’s investigation spans a gripping winter, during which her meticulous diary entries become crucial to unraveling the town’s darkest secrets. Her journey isn’t just about seeking justice; it’s a deep dive into community ties entangled with deceit.
She is an unforgettable character, exuding the strength and resilience reminiscent of Claire Fraser from Outlander. Lawhon masterfully portrays her as a formidable force, navigating through intense courtroom dramas, poignant family dynamics, and vivid scenes of midwifery.
Lawhon’s narrative skillfully weaves together the past and present, delivering a story that’s both tense and tender. For anyone who loves a well-crafted historical mystery with a strong female lead, The Frozen River is a must-read. This book earns a glowing 5 stars for its thrilling plot and profound character exploration.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
By Lisa See
“Friendship is a contract between two hearts. With hearts united, women can laugh and cry, live and die together.” ― Lisa See, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women.
I have yet to read a Lisa See novel I haven’t loved, and Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is no exception. This immersive historical novel tells the story of Tan Yunxian, a remarkable woman physician in 15th-century China. Yunxian, born into an elite family, experiences the early loss of her mother and learns traditional Chinese medicine from her grandmother, one of the few female doctors of the time. Over time, Yunxian forms a deep bond with Meiling, a midwife-in-training.
Yunxian’s life changes drastically when she enters an arranged marriage. Her new mother-in-law forbids her from practicing medicine or seeing Meiling, expecting her to conform to traditional roles—embroidering, reciting poetry, and bearing sons—within the confines of the family compound.
The novel is a richly detailed exploration of the limited freedoms and harsh realities faced by women in this era, who only had value if they produced sons. The depiction of foot binding is both fascinating and horrifying. Learning that one in ten girls died in agony during the two-year binding process adds a tragic depth to the story.
See’s research-rich narrative is spectacular and earns a well-deserved 5-star rating.
Command and Control
By Marc Cameron and Tom Clancy
I just finished Command and Control, a thrilling addition to the Jack Ryan series that kept me turning pages well into the night. The legacy of Tom Clancy lives on, and this book is proof that the spirit of Jack Ryan continues to captivate readers with its intense political and military scenarios.
This time, the drama unfolds around the Panama Canal, an essential artery of global trade. The plot kicks off when President Jack Ryan is caught in the middle of a coup while visiting Panama to support his friend, President Rafael Botero, against socialist threats. What was supposed to be a routine display of democratic solidarity spirals into chaos, with Ryan and his team isolated and the Vice President scrambling to mount a response from Washington. The threat intensifies when the Camarilla, a vicious criminal group, seizes the opportunity to assassinate the leader of the free world.
The subplot involving the CIA’s Ground Branch and the Venezuelan Russian assassin adds layers of intrigue and personal vendetta, enriching the story with complex character motivations and fierce confrontations. Sabine, the assassin’s unhinged sister, is a formidable antagonist whose ruthless pursuit of the Director of National Intelligence adds a personal stake to the global crisis.
What really impressed me was the meticulous detail in describing the operations around the Panama Canal and the intricacies of police procedures and international espionage. It’s clear the author did his homework, but it never felt like a history lesson—instead, it added authenticity and tension to the narrative.
Although the novel spans a hefty 462 pages, my only gripe is that with so many characters and backstories, it sometimes felt overwhelming to keep track of everyone’s role. The depth of character development is impressive, providing insights into both heroes and villains that are as intricate as they are fascinating.
The standout line, “The place smelled like piss and dead dreams,” perfectly captures the gritty reality of the settings and the despair of conflict. It’s lines like these that elevate the narrative, providing not just a plot to follow but an atmosphere in which to be immersed.
Overall, Command and Control ticked all my boxes. It was a thrilling ride that reaffirmed why I love thrillers. It had all the elements—suspense, action, and intellect—that make the Jack Ryan series so enduring. Rating this book was easy: a solid 5 stars for keeping me engaged and eagerly turning pages. If you’re a fan of Clancy or high-stakes political thrillers, this is a must-read. And now, maybe it’s time for me to start from the beginning of the series to see how it all began for Jack Ryan!
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
By Matthew Walker
You know the feeling when you find a book that just clicks? That’s how I felt about Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep. It’s like a light bulb went on—finally, someone gets the battle I’ve been fighting since high school, the one against insomnia.
Now, Dr. Walker isn’t your run-of-the-mill sleep doc. He’s got a PhD in neurophysiology and leads the Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab at UC Berkeley. The guy’s basically a sleep scientist superhero, so you can bet he knows his stuff.
His book isn’t just about why sleep matters. It’s a gold mine on how it can sharpen your mind, brighten your mood, and even help keeping cancer and Alzheimer’s at bay. Plus, there’s hope for aging folks like me. And get this, he’s not just some dry academic; he calls himself an “awkward British nerd,” which makes his writing feel you’re chums chatting over a cuppa’—assuming your friend has fascinating things to say about neurophysiology.
“Downstairs in the body, sleep restocks the armory of our immune system, preventing infection and warding off all manner of sickness. Sleep reforms the body’s metabolic state by fine- tuning the balance of insulin and circulating glucose. Sleep further regulates our appetite, helping control body weight through healthy food selection rather than rash impulsivity. Plentiful sleep maintains a flourishing microbiome within your gut from which we know so much of our nutritional health begins. Adequate sleep is intimately tied to the fitness of our cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure while helping keep our hearts in fine condition.”—Matthew Walker, Why We Sleep.
I jumped around a bit while reading, but every part I read was a treasure trove of “aha” moments and practical tips for chasing that elusive good night’s sleep. If you’re even a little curious about the physiology of sleeping and dreaming or you’re just plain tired of being tired, you need to check out this book. Trust me, your brain (and your body) will thank you. This book’s a solid 5-star read.
The Burning Chambers
By Kate Mosse
The Burning Chambers is a sweeping historical novel set in 16th-century France during the brutal Wars of Religion between Catholics and Huguenots. The story follows Minou Joubert, a young Catholic woman who receives a cryptic letter stating, “She knows that you live.” This mysterious message sets off a chain of events that entangles her with Piet Reydon, a Huguenot soldier on a dangerous mission.
Mosse explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and forbidden love, all against the backdrop of the era’s violent religious upheaval. Her vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to historical detail bring this tumultuous period to life.
One of the standout aspects is how much I learned about the Huguenots—French Protestants who followed the teachings of John Calvin and faced intense persecution by the Catholic government. The harrowing depiction of the torture chambers used on the Huguenots is disturbing.
The plot is intense and gripping, packed with adventure, mystery, conflict, and romance. Mosse’s characters are well drawn and complex, adding depth to the already captivating story. Although the novel is over 600 pages, the detail and historical richness make it a time investment well worth making. This first installment in Mosse’s new series lays the foundation for what promises to be an epic generational saga spanning centuries and continents.
For those who love learning about history through the lens of fiction, The Burning Chambers is a splendid choice. 4.5 stars.
The Dark Edge of Night
By Mark Pryor
Mark Pryor returns with the second installment of the Henri Lefort series, The Dark Edge of Night, an interesting blend of mystery and historical drama set in 1940 Paris.
Police Inspector Henri Lefort tackles two challenging cases amidst the chaos. The first involves the suspicious death of a Frenchman during a botched robbery. The second, imposed on him by the Gestapo, revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a neurologist involved in secretive work at a Paris hospital. As Lefort digs deeper, he discovers a chilling connection to several missing children’s cases.
Pryor excels in character development, presenting Lefort as a likable yet complex protagonist whose sharp instincts shine in the murky atmosphere of espionage and moral ambiguity. The secondary characters enrich the narrative, offering diverse perspectives that enhance the unfolding events and deepen the plot.
The pacing of the book is well-managed, maintaining suspense and momentum, though some scenes feel rushed. Despite this minor flaw, the tension escalates, culminating in a well-crafted climax that resolves the intricate plot threads.
Pryor’s meticulous attention to historical detail is a standout feature of the book. He skillfully integrates real historical figures like Virginia Hall, Jean Pierre Moulin, and Eric Sevareid into the narrative, enriching the story with authenticity and depth. Including lesser-known historical facts, such as the Nazis’ Aktion T4 euthanasia program, adds a profound layer of realism and horror, reflecting the grim realities of the era.
While the depiction of police methods might not sit well with all readers, the novel’s humor and engaging mystery make it an enjoyable read. 4 stars.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this book. The opinions are my own.
The Helsinki Affair
By Anna Pitoniak
I always get excited for a new spy thriller, but The Helsinki Affair didn’t quite hit the target. The setup was intriguing—Amanda Cole, a CIA agent in Rome, gets a tip about a planned assassination of a US Senator. The premise promises high stakes and international intrigue. However, the execution was lackluster.
Amanda’s quest to unravel an international conspiracy after the assassination takes us on a whirlwind tour from Rome to Helsinki, yet the storytelling felt bogged down by too many details and awkward sentence structures. The narrative’s frequent point of view switches, especially noticeable in the audiobook, added to the confusion rather than the suspense.
Halfway through, the novel took on a nonfiction tone that seemed out of place in a supposed thriller. The characters lacked depth, and I struggled to stay engaged. Although the ending had a decent twist and left room for a sequel, the overall experience was underwhelming. I finished the book more out of a sense of duty, as it was an ARC, than enjoyment.
The novel’s bright spot was the potential of its premise and a few well-done scenes that reminded me of what could have been. I’m giving The Helsinki Affair 3 stars because it had its moments, but I was hoping for a lot more. Now, I’m planning to revisit the author’s earlier work, Our American Friend, which I’ve heard is much better. Here’s hoping it delivers the thrill that was missing here.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for a review copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
Her Hidden Genius
By Marie Benedict
3.5, rounded down to 3.
Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict tells the story of Rosalind Franklin, an unsung hero of science who braved the storm of gender bias to map the structure of DNA, despite constant harassment and undermining in the late 1940s and 1950s. As an X-ray crystallographer, Franklin battled not only the complexities of scientific discovery but also the demeaning attitudes of her male colleagues in academia. Despite her pivotal contributions, the theft of her work shadowed her achievements by other scientists who later won a Nobel Prize.
Benedict, who has a knack for bringing the stories of overlooked women in history to light, paints Franklin as a tenacious and intelligent trailblazer. However, despite the interesting subject, I found the novel somewhat lacking.
The narrative focuses too much on scientific details, which, while enlightening, often felt like a slog through dense academic articles rather than a novel. I skipped sections that delved too deeply into the minutiae of experiments and theories, longing instead for more exploration of Franklin’s personal life and relationships outside her lab work.
Another aspect that struck a discordant note with me was the repeated emphasis on Franklin’s secular views. The repeated emphasis on Franklin’s secular views struck a discordant note with me, as I believed there were many other facets of her character and achievements that could have been highlighted instead.
The presence of several grammatical errors in the eBook version was distracting and gave the text an unpolished feel. This wasn’t an advance reader copy where I could overlook such issues, and they certainly detracted from my reading experience.
While Her Hidden Genius shines a light on an important but neglected figure in science, the execution was not as successful as I had hoped.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this book. The opinions are my own.
The Last Masterpiece
By Laura Morelli
3.5 stars rounded down to 3.
In 1943, two women find themselves on a mission to save the art treasures of Florence from theft and destruction. Eva Brunner, a German photographer, is documenting art hidden in an Austrian salt mine. Across the ocean, American stenographer Josephine Evans joins the Women’s Army Corps and is assigned to work with the Monuments Men, a group tasked with protecting Europe’s cultural heritage.
Initially, Eva believes the Nazi claims that they are safeguarding Florentine artworks from the approaching Allied forces and will return them to their original owners, but she soon realizes their true intentions. Disillusioned with her work, Eva defects and helps Lucia, an Italian partisan. Together, they embark on a perilous journey through war-torn Italy, facing both external threats and internal conflicts.
This captivating blend of history and imagination takes readers on two remarkable journeys through war-ravaged Italy. The women’s parallel stories are fast-paced, dramatic, and populated with colorful, complex characters. Art enthusiasts and fans of historical fiction will appreciate Morelli’s narrative.
I loved learning about the Monuments Women, the Fifth Army WACs, and the looted Florentine art collections during World War II—details I knew little about. While I enjoy fine art, this book had too much detail on artwork. It was also heavy with metaphors and similes. Despite the impressive collaboration between Italians and Americans to save precious artwork; I found it difficult to stay engaged throughout the book. It was good, just not great.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a comp on this title. The opinions are my own.