BOOKISH

A Not-So-Ordinary Book Discussion

WEEKEND READS

WRITTEN BY TIFFANY KILLOREN

In the world of storytelling, sometimes you want to watch a series that will last you months, and other times you only have time for a quick movie. Books are much the same way; there are spans when you can look forward to cozying up with the same book for weeks and other times when you just want a quick escape on a quiet Saturday night. Following are a few weekend reads—books that are perfect when your calendar only allows for a movie instead of an entire series.

The Familiar Dark

Amy Engel, 2020

A quick and enticing read, this story begins with a double murder of two young girls with very different lives and ends with a mother’s commitment to justice at all costs. Based in the Ozarks, the tale takes readers into the back woods and dark corners of Missouri that we all know are there, but few have ever seen. Always willing to support Missouri authors, this impulse purchase was one I was glad I made and was just the right fit for a particularly crazy schedule that provided little time for recreational reading. Although a bit predictable, the story’s pace from page one makes it a great weekend read.

The Red Notebook

Antoine Laurain, 2014

Serendipity is a wonderful thing. It’s closure in a perfect red bow, a twist we didn’t see coming, but is perfect in its simplicity and view of the world. The Red Notebook is a simple story about a handbag found on a Parisian street and the journey back to its owner. Antoine Laurain is a quintessential French author, complete with a crushed velvet sport coat with a red handkerchief in its pocket (seriously, I’ve met him), and his writing is every bit as charming as he is. All of his books are of the same style and ease, the perfect little escape to Paris whenever you need one.

The Body

Stephen King, 1982

Sure, you’ve probably seen the movie Stand By Me a dozen times, but did you realize it’s based on a short novel by Stephen King titled The Body? Although the movie closely follows the book, there are enough differences that make the story well worth a quick read. For those of us who grew up with Stand by Me, the characters and storyline stayed with us long after the movie ended. The book tosses us deeper into the story, introducing us to each character on a level impossible in film. Be forewarned—The Body is written with the same grit and adult content found in many Stephen King books, so be careful before suggesting it to young readers.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886

Jekyll and Hyde—the phrase itself has taken on a colloquial meaning over the years to signify two drastically different personalities. So many use the phrase, but how many have read the actual tale? The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a novella that explores the dangerous moral precipice between good and evil and the steep price paid when giving in to the attractive, carefree whims of our darker sides. Despite being an incredibly short and quick read, Stevenson tells a timeless story of one man’s struggle to hold onto humanity after tempting fate.

Tiffany Killorenis a local author and lover of the written word. Her novel, GOOD WILL, was released in 2020 and she is always thinking

of new stories to tell. Follow her at @readandthreads on Instagram for book and life musings as she tries to balance career, family and her passion for writing one step - or word - at a time. PHOTO BY MOLLY KUPLEN