Friday Reads 7.11.25

When The Date Is Also A Convenience Store...

Happy Friday, friends. It's giggled a little when I saw the date for today’s post. The words 7-Eleven bring to mind Slurpees, illicit beer runs, and Benson & Hedges Deluxe Ultra Light 100s. Lingering in parking lots, bandanas tucked into back pockets, white Reebok high tops, jeans tucked into slouchy socks, and of course, some of the best music known to mankind. This was high school, and for some reason, I’ve been thinking about it a lot this week. So, rather apropos that the date and the memories collided.

We were freer then. More mature—or desperately trying to pretend we were. My summer job was possibly my favorite, next to being a writer—I was a lifeguard. We were at the pool last weekend, and I’m telling you, it never leaves you. I barked at two different kids to stop running, instructed a girl to get off the ropes, and Randy just laughed and laughed at me.

Here’s the thing. I was a good lifeguard. I took my job seriously. I was well-trained. This earnest desire to keep people safe hasn’t left me, either. I think it makes sense that I ended up writing crime fiction, where I *can* keep people safe from monsters.

I picked Taylor Jenkins Reid for my pool read. ATMOSPHERE is absolutely excellent. Five stars. No notes. I grew up in an aerospace family that worked on, among other notable projects, the booster rockets for the space shuttle. I remember that first shuttle launch. I was in 6th grade. They gathered us all together and rolled in a television. Like probably every school in the country, it was a huge deal. The whole week was space-themed. I’d been practicing for it all my life, really, having conversations at dinner about all things astronomy.

So I’m enjoying the book tremendously. TJR has done a lot of research, and it’s impeccable. It’s always hard when you’ve become an expert on something esoteric to know how much to bring to the page—she’s brought exactly enough. Very impressive book.

The other fun part of the read was the astronomy lessons. In LAST SEEN, my main character’s father is an astronomy and physics professor at the Goode School. My main character is named Halley Leia - Halley for Halley’s comet, Leia for Princess Leia. I’ll say this, without spoilers, it’s a good thing her father taught her how to navigate by the night sky… 🌌

Lots of good books are out this week.

Gregg Olsen’s OUT OF THE WOODS is part of the First Reads July extravaganza. Gregg and I are old buddies from back in the Killer Year days. He’s an astounding true crime writer, and if you haven’t read him but dig true crime, he’s your fella. It’s been a lot of fun to sit alongside him on the list of bestselling books this week!

I started Megan Miranda’s YOU BELONG HERE, and it’s stellar! I love her books. Megan and I will be in conversation together at Poisoned Pen on August 7.

And lucky me got my hands on Stacy Willingham’s FORGET ME NOT. Can’t wait to dive in. I’ll be in conversation with Stacy at Parnassus on September 3.

The fabulous Janelle Brown has a new suspense WHAT KIND OF PARADISE, that seems like a perfect complement to LAST SEEN, looking at isolation and family. She’s a brilliant author, and I can’t wait to read it.

Ruth Ware’s newest is out, a sequel to her huge hit THE WOMAN IN CABIN TEN. It’s called THE WOMAN IN SUITE 11, and picks up with the same character, Lo Blacklock. As I consider writing a sequel to one of my standalone novels, I am very interested to see how it works! Have you read it yet?

Last but not least, Kerry Lonsdale’s FALLING FOR YOU AGAIN is making waves! Get a copy!

Oh, an interview I did with

Katrina Couch

from The Aspiring Life should be live today… it was a fun chat.

And with that, I wish you a safe and fun weekend ahead, with some excellent books to read. I’d love to hear what you’re reading, and any recommendations you might have for us!

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