If you're looking for a suspenseful read that keeps you glued to the page (or finding excuses to stay in the car a little longer), This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum delivers exactly that.
This Story Might Save Your Life
by Tiffany Crum
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
I listened to the audiobook and found myself circling the block more than once just to hear what happened next. The narration is excellent. The debut author, Tiffany Crum, did a great job writing dialogue and creating characters you want to know better. What starts as a missing-person mystery quickly unfolds into a story about friendship, secrets, survival and love.
One of the book's strongest elements is its character development. Joy and Benny felt like real people that I'd probably want to be friends with IRL. Their friendship reminded me of some of my longest friendships, and I'm inspired to come up with a podcast that we can do together just so I get to hang out with them more.
For those that read This Story Might Save Your Life, and like me truly wish their podcast was a real thing, I found this podcast (Against the Odds) that is about as close as you can get.
I especially loved the storyline centered on Joy, a narcoleptic survival podcaster who suddenly goes missing. As readers, we hope that what she taught others about survival will help her survive, wherever she is. The result is a clever mystery novel with a sprinkling of romance.
My food and wine pairings for This Story Might Save Your Life
This novel is our book club pick for the month, and I can't wait to discuss it with my group of ladies in a couple of weeks. In anticipation, I've started thinking about what my menu for the evening will be. These are my book club food and drink pairings.
Food Pairing - Scallop Peanut Satay
The rich, slightly unexpected flavors of scallop peanut satay mirror the novel itself. On the surface, it feels like a mystery, but underneath are layers of warmth and heart. I picked this scallop recipe that I'm sure Joy's husband, Xander, would have loved to cook for her.
Scallop Peanut Satay Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb scallops
- 2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, divided
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon aji mirin or white wine
- 1/2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1⁄4 cup peanut oil
- Bamboo skewers
- Sea salt
Directions:
Season the scallops with salt and let them rest for 20 minutes. Whisk together the peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of the rice vinegar, soy sauce, mirin, ginger and garlic.
Thread 3–4 scallops onto each bamboo skewer. Heat the oil in a large cast iron pan, griddle or outdoor grill over high heat. Add the scallop skewers and cook, without moving, until the scallops develop a dark caramelized crust. Turn off the heat, flip the skewers, and leave in the pan until cooked through. Drizzle the peanut sauce over the scallops. Serve on the skewer.
See a full video of the recipe by Merroir. Recipe is courtesy of Barton Seaver of Seafood That Matters.
The Blue Food Cookbook: Delicious Seafood Recipes for a Sustainable Future
by Andrew Zimmern & Barton Seaver
Wine Pairing - Viña Robles Huerhuero Viognier
It felt only right to find a California wine to pair with the dish and story since Benny and Joy are in Los Angeles. This bright, aromatic Viognier is the perfect companion to both the satay and the novel. With notes of stone fruit, citrus and floral aromas, it brings a refreshing balance to the richness of the peanut sauce.
Buy it at Vivino or your favorite wine seller.
Why It Works for a Book Club Read
This Story Might Save Your Life combines seemingly different genres like thriller and romance into something surprisingly satisfying. Each of the characters have something to discuss. I especially want to know what they all thought about Luna. IYKYK.
This book club book recommendation came from one of our members who wanted a beach read for the month. This Story Might Save Your Life definitely did not disappoint. It's the kind of unputdownable book that makes you lose track of time and want to finish “just one more chapter.”
Who should read the This Story Might Save Your Life book?
Fans of podcast-centered mysteries, slow-burn love stories, audiobook lovers and anyone who enjoys a story that's equal parts suspenseful and romance will enjoy this read.
What to Read Next
If you enjoy books with a suspenseful, adventurous edge, check out these top-rated recommendations.
1. Backstabbers by Eliza Jabore
2. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
3. The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner
4. I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
5. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
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