Top Ten Tapas Picks

Written by Jessica Sanchez

As the Tapas launch approaches, we want to spotlight ten page-turners that will be at your instant disposal with the mere click of a button. We want every reader to discover delectable story snacks worthy of a late-night binge. The upcoming Tapas lineup features comedy, drama and fantasy that will appeal to your imagination.

Check out some of the top picks coming to Tapas!

Lei Crime Series by Toby Neal

There are 11 books in the series all equally captivating. Each follow Lei Texiera, a detective hounded by personal demons of her own, who nevertheless devotes herself to cracking difficult murder cases that come her way. Working to heal from the scars of her past, Lei struggles to build her future one day, one case, at a time…

The Girl’s Guide by Melissa Kirsch

The Girl’s Guide is the cheat sheet for every modern woman needs in her life. Topics range from mastering money to placating overly anxious parents, from social media etiquette to the pleasure and pain of dating (and why it’s not a cliché to love yourself first).

Originally posted by remainblessed

Melissa Kirsch’s perfect combination of tried-and-true advice and been-there tips, include how to clean up your digital reputation, info on finding an apartment you can afford and actually want to live in, and why you should exercise the delicate art of defriending. Kirsch’s personal and funny voice make this a pleasurable non-fiction read with her fresh take on the fundamentals, from mental and physical health to spirituality to ethics to fashion.

Learning Curves by Taylor Cox and Jacquie Walters

This pilot teleplay introduces straight A, “role model” Virginia, who falls off the pedestal in one fell swoop when she gets pregnant and is sent to a special school for expecting teens. As you can imagine, things get pretty hectic in a place full of hormonal women. Cravings are hard to manage, “I need marinated anchovies. I need them in my mouth RIGHT NOW!,” let alone life.

The plot is a hilarious and at times, raucous comedy that reveals the naked truth about our society’s incongruous sexual politics.

Did we mention there are hilarious sketches?

Did I sell My Eggs For This? by Cat Rhinehart

How many people move to a big city to chase an even bigger dream? Millions. How many of them fail? Millions. How many of them sold their eggs twice, participated in three medical trials, got mugged once, dated two subway musicians, lived off trash for a month and lived to tell the tale? Just one, Cat.

Originally posted by scottthompsonc107

Did I Sell My Eggs for This? is a collection of comical, dry, and self-deprecating essays detailing one woman’s struggles to find success in the greatest city in the world. The collection includes stories of the author selling her eggs twice, participating in a medical experiment, getting fired at a job orientation, having twelve different roommates, going $30,000 in debt while making a film about eating trash, getting mugged and not being able to pay the hospital bills, and other true stories that left the author often asking: did I sell my eggs for this? This book is for the millions of teen and adult underdogs with big dreams and bad credit.

The Alchemists by Craig Di Louie

This story takes place back in 1529. Spain wars with France over Italy, Turkish armies march against Christendom, and two alchemists resume an ancient duel to prove which is superior, science or magic.

Originally posted by immortal-warlord

Myrddin is a powerful wizard served by a beautiful young woman who is the greatest fighter of the age. Prospero is a brilliant scientist apprenticed by a painfully shy young man who can build anything, from hot air balloons to steam-powered battle tanks.

At Vienna, they will have to put aside their differences to survive the greatest threat of all: the unbeatable Ottoman Army and all the magic and monsters of Asia, unleashed to conquer Europe.

Bullet Train by John Lloyd Clayton

This thriller follows a contract killer who hides out in a Japanese mountain town after a botched job. He poses as a cram-school teacher, attempting to stay off the radar. The protagonist has to deal with the demons left behind from his former occupation. One coping mechanism involves drinking enough every night to quiet all the voices in his head.

Originally posted by tynns125

At school, he befriends a local boy, whose family pulls him back from the brink and gives him a reason to keep going. When the boy suddenly disappears, he knows the past has finally caught up with him. Risking everything, he comes out of retirement and settles all his old scores.

Originally posted by aesthetickira

The Dating Detox by Gemma Burgess

For those boycotting this year’s Valentine’s Day, author Gemma Burgess rallies the troops with the phrase, If you can’t date anyone nice, don’t date anyone at all…Dating is a dangerous sport. The romantically-challenged Sass has decided after her sixth successive failed relationship, she’s had enough.

Originally posted by realitytvgifs

The Dating Detox manifesto: . No men, no break-ups, no problem. The result? Her life — usually joyfully/traumatically occupied with dates, clothes and vodka — is finally easy. During a self-imposed dating sabbatical, Sass discovers how fun chastity can be… and that it’s irresistible to men. For the post-Carrie Bradshaw, post-Bridget Jones, post-credit crunch generation of singles, life isn’t beautiful, a bitch, or a beach. It’s a party.

Coyote by Colin Winnette

This tragic story revolves around a daughter who disappears in the middle of the night, leaving her mother in a dishevelled state. The true aftermath of this tragedy takes place after the search is abandoned, after the TV crews move on to cover the latest horrific incident. People are murdered and things are hidden. Coyotes skulk in the woods, a man stands by the fence, and a tale emerges within this familiar landscape of the violent unknown. The truth unravels as bits and pieces of information are fed to the reader, but doesn’t make the ending any easier to swallow. Don’t miss one of Washington Independent Review of Books’ 13 Best Novels of the Year!

Originally posted by frolicingintheforest

Animal Collection by Colin Winnette

Winnette’s stories are so hauntingly beautiful,we had to include him twice. This collection includes stories of unrequited love, surprising loyalties and other tales of humanity. Ironically, being human is not a requirement of humanity.

The Silent End by Samuel Sattin

This last one takes you back to high school, a time of self-discovery. This fantasy follows an outcast, Eberstark, who is tired of pretending everything is fine. His mother disappeared almost a year ago after a long battle with depression. His father is conducting experiments and running around town in the middle of night with a mysterious man known only as The Hat, ranting to Eberstark about beasts no one else can see. Then, on Halloween night, Eberstark, along withhis only friends, Lexi and Gus, discovers something in the woods that cast doubt on the well-established “truth” of his father’s insanity: a wounded monster.

Originally posted by dont-fear-the-keeper

Rather than stir the town into a frenzy, the three friends hide the creature and are pulled into a web of conspiracy, dream-logic, and death. Faced down by living trucks, mirror-dwelling psychopaths, and hellish entities who lurk behind friendly faces, Eberstark, Lexi, and Gus find themselves battling to save not just themselves, but the soul of their quiet, little town.