The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

There are some problems that librarians generally don't have.  For example, which limo service to take.  However, there are problems that librarians do suffer.  In my case, I suffer from the librarian problem of "can't sleep because a book is too good."  

The Girl on the Train was a source of the most recent occurrence of this librarian problem for me.  The last time I had this problem was last year when reading Andy Weir's The Martian.

• There have been a number of comparisons between The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl.  In my opinion, The Girl on the Train is more engaging.  Hands down I prefer The Girl on the Train.
• Each of the main characters is surprisingly complex.  
• Even in the end, I'm not sure who I should trust.

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

My first impression of Red Queen was very Hunger Gamey.  In the end, Red Queen grew into its own story.

• Red Queen is a YA dystopian fantasy novel.
• There are a number of cliches found in many YA novels, dystopian or otherwise.
• In comparison to other YA dystopian novels, Red Queen's characters are complex and flawed.
• Two more books are expected in this series along with their movies.

A Reunion of Ghosts by Judith Claire Mitchell

While I see how other readers would enjoy this novel, it wasn't for me.

• A family history that covers four generations.
• Three main characters that are sisters.  In my experience they are incredibly similar and blend together.
• The novel jumps through the life experiences of all four generations.
• The novel focuses on the importance that one person can have on generations to come.

Funny Girl by Nick Hornby

I've tried to be a Nick Hornby fan in the past and failed.  Finally, I found a Hornby novel that spoke to me.

• Fast pacing kept the novel from becoming too muddled with character's emotions.
• The Mad Men-esque setting allows the reader to (re)visit a different era.
• The novel had a very limited number of characters.
• The first half of the novel was more gripping than the second half.

The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi

The Water Knife explores a world where water is scarce making those with access to it powerful.  I learned about this book at ALA Midwinter and was excited to read it. 

• The story is told from the vantage points of three characters.  Their stories interact in several ways.
• These three characters offer a view into the experiences of three tiers of this struggling and violent society.
• The characters are real and likable.  The character Angel could have easily been a tough guy with little depth.  Instead, Bacigalupi crafts a character who is strong, tough, and has weaknesses.
• This is a quick read that balances plot action with character development.

Overall, it was an engaging and enjoyable read for this reader, who isn't typically drawn to thrillers.

Love May Fail by Matthew Quick

I was curious to read Quick's newest novel after the success of Silver Linings Playbook.

• The novel is composed of deeply flawed, but likable characters.
• The novel is efficiently told from the viewpoint of multiple characters.
• In the end, I'm not sure if I liked the ending.  It wrapped things up a bit too cleanly.

American Meteor by Norman Lock

This novel revels in Lock's storytelling set in the era of Manifest Destiny.

• This is a fanciful history that retains the grit that is so often washed away in historical fiction.
• This novel is not for history buffs, but lends itself better to a broad swath of readers.
• The narrator is incredibly likable, if unreliable.