The Martian by Andy Weir

As part of a summer reading challenge, I was required to read a science fiction novel. Science fiction is not a genre I read. Period. So I went to my well-versed sci fi reading coworkers for a suggestion, and their suggestion was The Martian by Andy Weir. I could not be more thankful for their suggestion! It was funny, dark, complicated, and thoroughly engaging. It was so much better than I ever expected. 375 pages.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

This memoir of Michelle McNamara’s obsession with the Golden State Killer was interesting, but hard to follow at times. I think this mainly had to do with the author’s sudden death before the book was finished resulting in it being pieced together from her notes and files. There is a clear difference between the parts Michelle wrote and the posthumous section. Michelle’s engrossing retelling of the details of this serial killer, rapist, and burglar is well written. The disjointed timeline adds an additional challenge to keeping track of the many people and places. I found myself revisiting the map at the beginning of the book often. If you are interested in an in-depth analysis of a psychopath, read Michelle’s book. If you just want to know how the GSK was caught, this is not the book for you. Reader be forewarned: The boldness with which the GSK attacked will have you double and triple checking your windows and doors every night before bed. 352 pages.