I’ve become a big book worm over the last last 2 years. Before that, I could probably count on one hand the amount of books I’ve read in my lifetime, that weren’t for school. Now there are some months where I read a book a week. But if you’re a new reader or wanting to get into reading, finding a good book that keeps you coming back is tough. Thankfully, my friends have also picked up reading as a hobby. And we like to trade our favorites, steer each other away from the boring ones, and stay on the lookout for new ones.

And I want to share my personal favorites I’ve found in the process, so you can join in on the fun too!

PS—I’m always open to hearing about new books, so please share your favorites as well.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - (Historical Fiction / Murder Mystery)

I have a deep love for this book. For more than just it’s story but that it was the first book I read “for fun” and was the book that got me back into reading. I walked into a book store, asked the lady her recommendation, and she immediately said, “you need to read this one.” Her confidence got me excited and her only description was that it was a murder mystery based in the deep south in the mid 1900’s. The story was nothing what I expected. And by jumping in blind, it made the story that much better. So that’s all I’ll say to you. I hope you’ll jump in blind and let the story unfold.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - (Historical Fiction)

I don’t know if I can say I have a very top of the list, absolute favorite book. But if I had to choose, this one would definitely be in the running. It’s a fictional story that’s based on a compilation of real accounts of women in World War II. The author takes the incredible heroic true stories and writes them into the characters of two sisters facing the realities in France during the war. If you enjoy historical fiction, this one is a must read. It left me sobbing. And in books, I find that very hard to do.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn - (Suspenseful Fiction)

If you like suspense and plot twists around every corner, you need to read this one asap. I’m not even sure I should try to describe the book because I’m afraid it will give too much away. Being left in the dark gives the opportunity to experience the excitement of the twists and turns within this book. But I will say, you need to stick with it. The first part of the book can seem confusing or even a little boring. You may even be tempted to give it up. But. Just. Keep. Reading. It will all makes sense in the end.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren - (Romantic Comedy)

Don’t let the cheese of the title drive you away. We all need a good, easy read once in a while—one you can pick up and trust it’ll entertain you. And this book will leave you wanting more. I was literally laughing out loud all the way through this book. A classic Rom Com, but one that’s actually good. The basis of the story is: at her best friend’s wedding, everyone, including the bride and groom, gets food poisoning—except herself (the maid of honor) and the man she hates most (the best man). And the bride and groom is too sick to go on their non-refundable honeymoon, so they give their tickets away to the maid of honor and best man. It’s a hilarious story, watching the relationship between the two enemies on a very romantic trip. Trust me. Just read it.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Finn - (Murder Mystery)

I just recently read this book. It had been recommended to me several times and I finally picked it up. I read it in 2 days. It’s a great murder mystery that will keep you guessing and leave you shocked. I’ve read several murder mysteries, but I love the way this author writes, gradually unfolding the character’s story and keeping you engaged. Plus, this book was obviously great because there’s now a TV series based on this book. And it’s always fun to say you’ve read the book before you watched the show. I find that it’s harder to read after you’ve seen it. So do yourself a favor, and read this book now. She has written a few other books that I am very excited to read.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty - (Contemporary Fiction)

I have absolutely loved every one of Liane’s books. But this one is my favorite. In this story, a woman finds a letter her husband wrote to her for when he’s dead. And that note contains a dark secret that could destroy her life. Except he’s not dead yet. The entanglement of each character’s situation within the plot is full of thought-provoking stories that leaves you wondering about the power each moment and choice in our lives actually has. Deep. I know. But it’s very entertaining and a great book to use for book club. Because you’ll definitely want to discuss it with a friend afterwards.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - (Christian Fiction)

Yes, the classic novel almost every christian woman has read (or at least been recommended to read). If you haven’t heard of it, now you’re in the loop. Even if you’re not a christian, I encourage you to read it. The story is a fictional representation of the unconditional love and redemption that is described and shown in the book of Hosea. Maybe you think it sounds boring, but I believe that every person should read this book. Disclaimer, you WILL fall in love with the main male character “Michael Hosea.”

We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter - (Historical)

Another World War II book that will pull at your heart strings. But this one is a true story. And I did not know that until the end of the book and I believe that you need to know that. Because the stories within these pages become more powerful if you know that little fact. These are true accounts of a real family that walks through the horrors of the war. What I love is that it tells the stories and perspectives of each of the family members throughout the entire course of the war, from doubts of the early moments when they couldn’t even fathom how bad it would get to the hope and healing even in the after math and where it leads them.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - (A Classic, Historical Fiction)

You may have already read this one in school. But if it felt like “homework” then I’d encourage you to give it another read. It’s a classic. But it’s a classic for a reason. It is a little harder of a read because the author makes you think deep and it digs into the “roots of human behavior.” I found myself falling in love with the innocence and passions of each the characters.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng - (Contemporary Fiction)

This one is a popular read these days. You may know it from the TV series featuring Reese Witherspoon. And like my earlier statement, I believe that the book should be read before watching the show. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t an immediate raving fan of this book. But as I’ve unpacked the story, I’ve come to appreciate it. It’s an intertwined story of a wealthy seemingly perfect family and an enigmatic mother and daughter who never live in one place for very long. As everything unfolds, you learn the deep secrets of both mothers and what drives them to make controversial decisions.

If you’ve read any of these, I want to know your thoughts! I absolutely love these books, but everyone has their own opinions. And I love a good book discussion. If you’re in need of more suggestions, follow me on Good Reads. If you’re a book reader, it’s a must have app. You can set goals, research new books, see or leave reviews, and look at others top books.

Happy reading!