For Readers: Emily

Set in Iceland in 1829, Burial Rites tells the story of Agnes, a young woman who has been sentenced to death after being accused of murdering her former employer and lover. While awaiting her execution, she goes to stay with a local farmer and his family. Initially horrified that an accused murderer would be staying with them, the family slowly warms to Agnes and she begins to share her story with them.

When Su Lan, a brilliant physicist who immigrated to the U.S. with her daughter Liya, unexpectedly dies, Liya is at a loss. She and her mother had a complicated relationship, and in an effort to better understand her mother, she journeys to China with Su Lan’s ashes. Encountering strangers from Su Lan’s past, Liya begins to learn about the woman her mother was. A fascinating look at the idea of self, both internally and externally, and the impact of memory.

I love when a book can inspire real-life feelings and emotions while I’m reading it. Gyre Price is a cave diver who signs on to a suspicious dive in order to make some extra cash. Even though dives usually have a whole team to assist, as far as Gyre can tell, there’s only one woman topside who is there for her. And she’s been lying. When Gyre discovers there’s something down in the cave with her, the tale twists into a spooky, claustrophobic thriller. One that had me feeling just as panicked as Gyre!

In 14th-century England, May is sentenced to being a Sin Eater for the crime of stealing bread. Now she lives on the outskirts of society, forced to listen to the final confessions of the dying and eat symbolic food to absolve them of their sins. When an unexpected food is placed on the coffin of a member of the royal household, May finds herself hurdling into a mystery that has deadly consequences.

After receiving a letter from Lady Catherine St. Day asking for help finding someone to translate an important French astronomy text, astronomer Lucy decides she will do it. She heads to London, where she uses the French text as an opportunity to prove herself to the scientific community. She is surprised by the waves she makes in the world of science and by a second chance for love. Full of fascinating science, interesting characters, and a beautiful romance, this is a great, quick read.

Seven years ago, the crew of a ship filming a mockumentary on mermaids went missing in the Mariana Trench. Determined to learn if it was a hoax or a terrible tragedy, the production company assembles a new crew full of dedicated, expert scientists. But what they discover beneath the waves is a thing of nightmares. For anyone looking for a book that reads like a heart-pounding monster movie, Into the Drowning Deep is a must-read.