The 10 Most Popular Reviews on Off the Shelf in 2017

“I love character-driven thrillers, and this book was geared perfectly for me. But—more than the type of book—there’s something more, something that lingers, that keeps me coming back to it. Ultimately, DESCENT is more than a mystery or an exploration of a family in the aftermath of a tragedy: it’s a story about resilience, and the many facets of the endurance of the human spirit—to survive, to hope, to go on.”

Read the full review of DESCENT.

“A quirky and utterly charming story about a community wrought with secrets and two girls learning what it means to belong, THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP has it all—endearing characters, an enticing plot, pitch-perfect prose, and expertly executed touches of humor and humanity.”

Read the full review of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP.

“Back in March, I went to DC to visit my college roommate and I was a terribly rude houseguest. I blame Laura McBride. It’s not my fault that I started her new novel, ’ROUND MIDNIGHT, on the bus ride and was so spellbound by the beautiful and compelling story that I couldn’t put it down all weekend. Spanning 60 years in Las Vegas, ’ROUND MIDNIGHT follows the lives of four women whose stories are connected through a small nightclub.”

Read the full review of ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT.

“It’s suspenseful, a mystery, a thriller, and a character study with nods to classic literature and theater. And at the risk of being labeled the hackiest writer of all time, EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE is everything you want a novel to be.”

Read the full review of EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE.

“Like other perennial top picks on bookstore displays, such as THE ROSIE PROJECT, WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE, and A MAN CALLED OVE, this little novel with the whimsical jacket packs an emotional punch for which you might not be prepared. These books tick all the boxes for an unforgettable and recommendable read: fresh narrative voices, moments of hilarity in ordinary absurdity, and the kinds of relationships that make you want to reread discussions and heartfelt declarations between the characters again and again.”

Read the full review of LILY AND THE OCTOPUS.

“If you’ve ever felt like an outsider, if you’ve ever felt nervous about becoming close with someone, you may find something sympathetic and reassuring in this novel’s thoughtful, solitary protagonist. I certainly did.”

Read the full review of AFTER THE PARADE.

“OUR SOULS AT NIGHT is a deceptively benign story that is, in fact, a searing indictment of the cruelty humans are capable of inflicting upon those they are supposed to love. Haruf makes a quiet plea for compassion, for us to allow one another the freedom to love and be loved on our own terms.”

Read the full review of OUR SOULS AT NIGHT.

“Many might read the novel and take away its meditations on wartime morality, meticulously researched history, or simply the gorgeously written characters, but its most telling feature for me is its dedication to celebrating human connection. Just as love blooms in the correspondence of EVERYONE BRAVE IS FORGIVEN, so, too, does this everyday celebration of resilience and human emotion make a lasting impression.”

Read the full review of EVERYONE BRAVE IS FORGIVEN.

“I was feeling adrift. It had been forever since a book had gripped me viscerally and not let me go until the final page. THE NORTH WATER by Ian McGuire was the cure for my every literary ennui. Beyond being a book I couldn’t put down, it was one I didn’t want to finish, realizing on the very first page how rare a reading experience this would be.”

Read the full review of THE NORTH WATER.