Readers unite: Beneath the Book Club starts Friday. Let’s vote on our first book.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

Readers of Beneath the Surface News were clear about one thing in December: They want to read more in 2024.

So when I posed the question about forming an online book club, the response was overwhelming; more than 100 people said they wanted to take part.

Reader Jordon Boyd can be credited with the name. Beneath the Book Club was a clever take on the obvious, and of course, it had to be adopted. Thank you, Jordan!

Forming an online book club is new to me, so we are going to wing it the first couple of months until we find our groove. If you have suggestions, don’t be shy.

When it comes to choosing books, I do know one thing: I’m not looking for a lesson in self-help. I want to be entertained.

I love delving into a good mystery, happy romance or interesting drama. I do enough adulting in the real-world; reading fiction is for fun.

If you feel the same, Beneath the Book Club is for you!

I scoured Barnes and Noble, the New York Times best-seller list, and TikTok to find the club’s first official read and I’ve narrowed it down to three.

I tried for diversity, but these all fit into the crime-thriller/mystery genre.

Go figure.

Keep scrolling to find a short synopsis of each book, then vote on the one you want to read first by commenting on the Facebook post or emailing sara@beneaththesurfacenews.com.

The book that receives the most votes will become Beneath the Book’s January read.

By the way, you can find all of these books on Amazon and I’ve included Kindle and hardcover prices.

Let’s go!

Book 1: Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah

A legal crime thriller that begins with an ordinary day that turns into a complete nightmare.

WHAT AMAZON SAYS: “Leila Syed receives a call that cleaves her life in two. Her brother-in-law’s voice is filled with panic. His son’s nursery has called to ask where little Max is.

“Leila was supposed to drop Max off that morning. But she forgot.

“Racing to the carpark, she grasps the horror of what she has done.

“What follows is an explosive, high-profile trial that will tear the family apart. But as the case progresses it becomes clear there’s more to this incident than meets the eye.”

Kindle: $1.99

Paperback $13.59

Hardcover $37.89

Book 2: Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

This New York Time’s best-seller is described as poignant, action-packed and profound.

WHAT AMAZON SAYS: “Ike and Buddy Lee, two ex-cons with little else in common other than a criminal past and a love for their dead sons, band together in their desperate desire for revenge.

“In their quest to do better for their sons in death than they did in life, hardened men Ike and Buddy Lee will confront their own prejudices about their sons and each other, as they rain down vengeance upon those who hurt their boys.”

Kindle $9.99

Hardcover $15.66

Book 3: Confessions by Kanae Minato

Described as a masterful tale of revenge, Confessions was voted best of #BookTok.

WHAT AMAZON SAYS: “Yuko Moriguchi had nothing to live for except her only child, four-year-old Manami.

“Now, following an accident on the grounds of the middle school where she teaches, Yuko has given up and tendered her resignation.

“But first she has one last lecture to deliver. She tells a story that upends everything her students ever thought they knew about two of their peers, and sets in motion a diabolical plot for revenge.

“With twists you'll never see coming, Confessions probes the limits of punishment, despair and tragic love, culminating in a harrowing confrontation between teacher and student that will place the occupants of an entire school in danger.”

Kindle $11.99

Paperback $13.39

So which one do we start with?

I’ll tally the votes and get back to you on Friday!