Hello fellow readers! As you might have heard, Amazon is holding their annual prime day event from July 16-17. I don’t know about you, but I’m often overwhelmed by the site’s many sale options and don’t even know where to begin. But I usually start with the books.

Though I prefer to shop at small town bookstores, I will admit that I do purchase some books from Amazon and while we could get into a whole discussion about Amazon’s impact on the publishing industry, I’ll just say that there are some great book deals available on Prime Day that are worth checking out. Below are my recommendations for what books you should pick up.

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney – Set in a remote cabin in Scotland, married couple Adam and Amelia Wright need this long weekend away to sort out their own personal crises and determine if their marriage is worth saving. What they did not expect was someone to be watching them, and they have a plan of revenge they fully intend on carrying out. I read this during a particularly wintery week and it had all the right vibes for a thrilling mystery.

The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup – Copenhagen is being terrorized by a psychopath, who is targeting married mothers and leaving small chestnut men on their bodies. Detective Naia Thulin is tasked with solving the case, aided by a temporary partner, Hess, who has his own agenda. A old school detective thriller that combines mystery with horror elements, you won’t forget this book anytime soon.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys – This young adult historical fiction follows teenager Cristian who is forced by the country’s communist regime to spy on an American diplomat’s son. But Cristian is disgusted by the assignment and is determined to undermine the government. But when everyone around you is a potential informer, who can you trust?

The Last Word by Taylor Adams – Emma Carpenter is house sitting a small beachfront home, with only her Golden Retriever providing her company. Bored and with nothing else to do, Emma reads and is dismayed to find her latest read a horrific slasher that deserves nothing more than one star. She provides her honest review on line and believes it to be the end of it, unaware it is only the beginning. A quick read you’ll be able to finish in no time, this fast paced thriller is very much worth the read.

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides – A recent addition to the dark academia thriller, we follow therapist Mariana Andros as she travels to Cambridge to be at her niece’s side after her friend was found murdered. But as more murders begin to happen and Mariana learns of a mysterious Greek tragedy professor, she begins to suspect that the murderer might be a lot closer than anyone expected.

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly – While working for the French Resistance during World War Two, Josie Anderson and Arlette LaRue became known as the Golden Doves. Caught by the Gestapo, both women were sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp, which they narrowly survived. Now a decade later, both women have the chance to settle the score but getting justice might be harder than either anticipated.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi – A graphic novel focusing on the author’s childhood in Iran during and after the Iranian Revolution, this is an unputdownable work that everyone should read. Richly illustrated and told from a child’s perspective as their mature into young adulthood, Ms. Satrapi’s work can not be missed.

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren – Anna and Liam entered into a marriage of convenience while in college to receive affordable housing. Several years later, they are now divorced and living separate lives. At least, that’s what Anna thought until Liam appears outside her apartment with a proposition; pretend to still be his wife and he’ll give her a large part of his rich inheritance. Packing her bags, Anna joins Liam on an unforgettable island adventure. If you are looking for the perfect poolside right, look no further than his fun rom-com.