Five picks for January

Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.

Everyone But Myself by Julie Chavez (memoir) – Everyone But Myself opens with the author chronicling her first panic attack and goes into her subsequent mental health crisis, followed by her personal journey to understand, manage, and ease her debilitating anxiety. Like many moms, self-care took a back seat to everything else in her life eventually leading to her struggle with the aftereffects of her panic attacks and her questioning what would happen next. On this journey, she finds her way back to a healthy and happy life with the help of family, friends (old and new), and some additional tools and resources. For those mothers who are feeling overwhelmed by today’s family responsibilities and all that they entail, Julie’s story will provide comfort and encouragement as well as some much-needed laughter.

Family Family by Laurie Frankel (fiction) – Laurie Frankel’s latest family drama, Family Family, centers around adoption in its many forms. India Allwood is a larger-than-life TV star seeking to transition to movies, but finds herself embroiled in all sorts of drama when she speaks out against her latest project. The movie is based on the standard adoption stereotypes, and India knows from her own experiences that adoption is not one size fits all – people choose to give up children for adoption and people choose to adopt for many reasons. As an adoptive mom, India wants everyone to understand that family doesn’t have to mean that you are blood related and that no matter what . . . family is complicated. After speaking out, India finds herself in the middle of a massive crisis, fielding criticism from all sides and fighting those calling for her to be “canceled.” When her twin 10-year-olds decide to call in reinforcements, India’s past decisions come to light, adding fuel to the already blazing fire. Frankel’s short chapters and hilarious dialogue create such a propulsive and engaging tale, and her message that family takes many forms is an important and timely one.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (thriller) – This addictive, unique, and twisty thriller is a standout in the genre. Evie Porter is a con woman (Evie is an alias) who works for Mr. Smith, her mysterious boss who communicates with her via postal boxes. He sends her the latest target with little initial knowledge about the ultimate goal, and she insinuates herself into the target’s life and then waits for her next instructions. The story is flawlessly plotted, and the twists and turns come at just the right points in the story. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the plot went in a different direction. I recommend going in blind to not have anything spoiled. First Lie Wins will be a huge hit for those who enjoy well-executed thrillers that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Northwoods by Amy Pease (mystery) – Northwoods is a stellar start to a new mystery series set in a small lakeside resort town in Wisconsin. The main character, Eli North, is saddled with PTSD after returning home from Afghanistan and self-medicates to make it through his days. His wife has filed for divorce, and the only reason he has a job at the local sheriff’s office is because his mom is the sheriff. When a teenager’s body is found and another teenager is missing, Eli and his mother begin working the case with the help of an FBI agent who clearly knows more than she is willing to share with the local sheriff’s office. Pease’s depiction of Eli’s addiction is visceral and insightful and allows the reader to sympathize with Eli’s personal struggles and the way in which his mother tries to help him. The mystery is strong and relevant to today’s world, and I am already eagerly awaiting book two.

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young (magical realism) – In this mind-bender of a book, June Farrow descends from a long line of women saddled with a mysterious curse that makes them see and hear things that are not there. Following her grandmother’s death, she’s left some clues that appear to be related to this familial curse, but the clues raise more questions than they answer. As she sets out to unravel the mysteries from her past, her journey sends her decades back in time where everyone recognizes her, but no one seems happy to see her. Racing against time and factors outside her control, June is intent on ending the family curse no matter the cost to her. While the book starts slow, the pacing picks up as the book progresses, and it becomes an exceptional blend of mystery, magical realism, and romance. The Unmaking of June Farrow is a memorable read that will stay with me for a long while.

Editor’s note: Southside Place resident Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column. She hosts the Thoughts from a Page Podcast, is co-creator of the Houston literary event series Conversations from the Page, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfromapage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.