Along with finishing my own novel, I’ve also had the pleasure of reading some wonderful books already this year.

I was lucky enough to be invited to join a book club, and so far with them I have read STATION ELEVEN (amazing) and re-read THE HANDMAID’S TALE (just as phenomenal as it was the first time). On my own, I’ve read the 2015 One Book South Dakota selection, ORDINARY GRACE (beautifully written) and the e-book DEAD END BOSS (a fun mystery).

And I’m just getting started. There are so many books on my list, but here are five that I hope to get to this year:

A GOD IN RUINS: I loved Kate Atkinson’s LIFE AFTER LIFE, and I am so excited for this sequel to come out!

GO SET A WATCHMAN: A newly discovered book by Harper Lee? How could I not want to read it?

WHAT ALICE FORGOT: I adored Liane Moriarty’s THE HUSBAND’S SECRET, so when one of my besties recommended this, it moved up my list!

WITHOUT YOU THERE IS NO US: This book by Suki Kim sounds like a compelling read, and it’s the 2015 Common Read selection for Northern State University (where I work, and where I now serve on the Common Read committee).

YES PLEASE: Do I want to read a memoir by one of the funniest ladies ever? The answer is in the title.

What’s on your reading list for the year?