Twist after twist, with each page, I turned. “The Naturals” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a book that was highly spoken about on “#BookTok” during the pandemic and because it was so highly spoken of, I did not consider picking it up. Until I did, and it made me realize I wish I had read it sooner. This book follows a character named Cassie who has a unique talent to read people extremely well, and because of this talent, the FBI recruits her to join a program dedicated to solving cold cases  —  along with four other kids with similar abilities. However, when they look at their adversary in their eyes, they decide to help, even when their very own lives are at risk. The high tensions, the love triangle between the main character and her roommates, and the odd point of view into a twisted mind kept me up at night and thinking throughout the day. To this day, I will never forget the ending of this book.

#TheSilentPatient by Alex Michaelides

I got an eerie feeling while reading this book. The concept of someone shooting another person in the face makes me so uncomfortable. What makes this story even more odd is that the character, the patient, who committed this crime, has not spoken a word since that incident. Not everything is as plain as it seems, and certain characters in this book do their best to keep their secrets beneath the shadows of the dark.

#HeavenIsForReal by Lynn Vincent and Todd Burpo

While reading this book, I felt the Lord embrace me and remind me that even though I haven’t seen heaven, it is as real as holding an apple in my hand. Told through the lens of a father named Todd, we are given a glimpse into his child’s, Colton’s, trip to heaven while going through a life-changing procedure. I will never look at the sky as just a blue or grey or dark purple, but instead with the reminder that there is a world right above me, and that brings me much hope.