Michael Barton

2025 Book #30

Learn the science of aging. This read provides an interesting perspective and offers insight and evidence that aging could one day be a thing of the past.

A book that makes you think.

2025 Book #29.

This is higher on my list of McFadden books. I love stories when parents struggle with facing truths about their kids. The twists made it even more fun.

I recommend the Perfect Son.

2025 Book #28.

My Freida McFadden quest continues. In this one Charlotte is shot in the head and suffers significant brain damage. You follow her story prior to the shooting and after. What unfolds provides an engaging mystery.

Not my favorite from the author but I did enjoy it.

2025 Book #27.

I am committed to reading every book written by this author. Don’t ask me why…. Why not?

This one is a cross between Single White Female and The Hand that Rocks the Cradle.

I enjoyed this one. Not a great read but enjoyable.

2025 Book #26.

This story follows several doctors who work in a maternity ward. The read felt like a very boring and very long episode of ER.

This is nothing like McFadden’s usual work. I would say this is my least favorite of her books I have read thus far.

I do not recommend.

2025 Book #25.

My 8th read by this author which includes all her work. This was not her best but I still very much enjoyed it.

I recommend. If you have not tried this author yet, you should.

2025 Book #24.

I am not a fan of this story by Ms. McFadden. The story never really developed. The telling of the plot from several perspectives just felt confusing. The twists are just not believable.

I do not recommend this one. It is probably my least favorite by this author.

2025 Book #23.

I loved the slow build for this mystery. The cabin in the woods theme only heightened the thrill. I recommend this one.

2025 Book #22.

A short story by McFadden. In this work, the author provides a perspective of the classic The Gift of the Magi.

Worth the read.

2025 Book #21.

If Desperate Housewives came back for another season, this book could provide the story line.

It was enjoyable enough but not one of the author’s best works.

2025 Book #20.

The character development in this story is strong. I especially love the father-daughter story line.

In addition, the author implicitly and explicitly peppered the novel with a myriad of pop culture allusions. It made the reading fun.

I recommend.

2025 Book #19.

A Pulitzer Prize winner that explores the world of finance and the stock market. The story is told over various narratives providing the reader a roller coaster of determining what can be trusted.

It is a brilliant non-fiction text.

I recommend.

2025 Book #18.

This story is 50 First Dates on steroids. I enjoyed the slow burn. It was hard to follow at times because of the repetition but it also made gathering clues more engaging.

I recommend.

2025 Book #17.

The story is Stephen King’s Misery on steroids but not as good.

I was very disappointed in the character development and final story line for several of the characters.

I do not recommend this one at all.

2025 Book 16.

Placing this high up on the books I have read by McFadden. This was an exemplary, slow burn thriller. I love that my mind was constantly guessing the killer.

I enjoyed this one. I recommend.

2025 Book 14.

This is my least favorite of the books I have read by the author; however, I still enjoyed it.

Marriage can be murder. Read to find out if it was the husband or the wife. Who is the villain?

2025 Book 15.

Counting Miracles is different from his other work. The love story is there, as always, but it does not serve as the central story. Instead, a story about the love of family takes center stage.

This is not in my top five by Sparks but I still very much enjoyed it.

2025 Book #13.

A collection of short stories by one of the greats. I, of course, recommend.

2025 Book #12.

A quick novella by McFadden. The read includes the usual cliff hangers at the end of each chapter making you want to read more. I did not love the twists in this particular story but it was still entertaining.

2025 Book #11.

I do recommend books by FM. All are easy to read. Chapters are short and the stories are filled with drops of wanting to know what happens next. Character development is adequate but where the author excels is plot. All stories include fun twists.

2025 Book #10.

This is my third book by Emily Henry. I have also read Happy Place and Book Lovers.

I tend to read 3 books by an author and then decide if I will continue…

I am having trouble with making that decision on Henry. Help!

My next read decides her fate, any recommendation?

2025 Book #9.

Freida’s books are just fun to read. Love the back and forth guessing of who the killer is with this read. Ending makes it even more fun.

2025 Book #8.

Backman delivers his usually witty writing style. Follow a poor man who just wants to live his life and be left alone. However, people keep getting in the way.

2025 Book #7.

I am not sure where McFadden gets ideas for her books. I am assuming it is not from experience but just to be safe I don’t ever want to meet her.

The usual fun twists make this read just as much a page turner as the other books I have read.

2025 Book #6.

A must read. Like many others, I read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a child in school. Everett takes us on a journey of living that adventure through the eyes of “Jim.” I am so glad I read it.

It is a powerful read about being human and defining humanity.

I highly recommend.

2025 Book #5.

My third read by this author. McFadden excels at making you want to read the next chapter to find out what happens next. She has mastered the cliff hanger.

This read makes you think you know the who done it….. but you didn’t know.

I recommend.

2025 Book #4.

My second read by Freida McFadden. This one is just as entertaining. I loved the dark nature of the characters in the end.

I recommend.

2025 Book #3.

Explore strategies for creating a sense of belonging within your organization. This is a quick read with great ideas.

I recommend.

2025 Book #2.

A thrilling, entertaining read with twists by Freida McFadden. I will likely read all her books now.

I love the twists in this read. Although most are predictable, the final twist I did not see coming. This rarely happens for me now. Good job Freida!

I recommend.

2025 Book #1.

This ended up being a tear jerker for me in the end. Enjoyed this sequel.