Not often does one run across a book by a first time author that exceeds the genre’s canon of previous works; this one does so convincingly. Well written, fast paced, and filled with well crafted characters and plot, Daniel Suarez quickly establishes himself as a master of the techno-thriller novel. Game designer Matthew Sobol dies of cancer, but has left a dormant computer program (daemon) that activates whenever an event occurs. The program begins to take over the world destroying everyone, including institutions that get in the way. “Daemon” does not get bogged down in the details and readers will find themselves turning the page to see what happens next. This is the book to recommend to both the casual and die hard reader. Bruce D.
At age 50 Dorrit Weger is dispensable. She has no dependents (her beloved dog Jock doesn’t count) and she doesn’t perform a productive role in society. But now she will become indispensable. On her birthday she obediently checks into the Second Reserve Bank Unit where, in exchange for a luxurious life—a plush apartment, free food, gym, sauna, and friends her own age, Dorrit will become useful. With the other residents, she is required to participate in medical tests while slowly donating her organs and body tissues to deserving and productive members of society. In this utopian but bleak environment Dorrit finds love and friendship she has never known before. But the clock is ticking. Must she accept her fate? Or can she escape? Does she even want to? The Unit is a stunning page-turning debut novel by Swedish author Ninni Holmqvist that raises profound questions about the relationship between the individual and society even in a democracy. Susan L.
Tessa Gray’s life spins out of control after her four year old daughter Abby is killed by a hit and run driver while in the care of her school. There are rumors that the detective investigating Abby’s murder is on the take and knows who the killer is. Tessa attempts to discover the identity of her daughter’s killer while maintaining her sanity and starts seeing a counselor, Celia. Celia has recently remarried after divorcing her alcoholic husband Harry. Celia and Harry’s son, Ian, is having difficulty with the new man of the house. Eventually Ian decides to live with his father and his schoolwork begins to suffer greatly. Life Without Summer weaves the lives of these two women together in surprising ways. This story is packed with emotion whether you’ve had children or not and its path is filled with interesting turns, keeping the pages turning in your hand until the very end. Sky K.
Journalist Barbara Demick follows the daily lives of six North Koreans who defected from their country. These individuals and countless others like them suffered under years of famine and hardship as their totalitarian regime continued to claim they were the envy of the world. Lina C.
