I have read a total of 53 books to date. Of all of them, I have curated a list of my absolute favorites below. Which books would you add to this list?
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Alice’s life is decent on her 40th birthday- she has a good job, nice apartment, happy relationship, and loving friends. However, her father is sick and she feels like something is missing. She wakes up in 1996 on her 16th birthday and sees her dad looking vibrant and young. With this fresh perspective, she wonders if there are things she would change if given the chance.
I came into this book at the perfect time in my life. I am on the cusp of 40, am learning the value of small moments with loved ones, and how quickly they can slip away. “Maybe there were endless opportunities for parties, and for love, if you built a life that made room for them.” This story had a profound effect on me. Straub really draws on deep emotions to allow the reader to reflect on their own life and the choices they’ve made.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Patrick is an almost-has-been actor who is escaping reality in the Palm Springs desert. When his best friend and sister-in-law dies, he finds himself caring for her two young children for the summer. Despite his reluctance, Patrick learns how much they need each other. The children unintentionally educate him to see life in a cheerful and curious light, whilst Patrick teaches them that it is okay to grieve. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The emotional bond formed between the characters moved me, and the sardonic humor had me laughing out loud several times. “Final Guncle Rule. There are two tragedies in life: one is not getting what you want, the other is getting it.”
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
Genre: Thriller
The Good Sister is a fascinating read about twin sisters Rose and Fern. In this unique and startling tale, Fern’s purpose will disrupt the stability of her well-crafted life and reveal long-buried secrets, challenging the norms of family dynamics.
Rose and Fern are opposites in every way, but their strongest connection is their support for another. The author allows you to determine who the “good sister” is through a series of current and past events. I enjoyed Hepworth’s writing style and the surprise twists throughout.
Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood by Danny Trejo with Donal Logue
Genre: Biography
Danny Trejo is usually depicted as a bad guy in movies, where he often dies in gruesome ways. However, in real life, he is actually a hero to many people in recovery. The true Danny Trejo is more complex than his on-screen persona. He endured a difficult upbringing, battled heroin addiction, and was in well-known prisons.
I appreciated his openness in expressing his emotions and how they influenced his choices. While he is far from perfect, he takes responsibility for his mistakes with humility. Regardless of the journey he took, Trejo discovered a way to see the good in challenging circumstances. Drawing from his own tough experiences, he developed a plan to break the cycle for his own family. The book is filled with genuine emotions and deep reflections.
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku
Genre: Memoir
Eddie Jaku always saw himself as a German before being Jewish. However, everything changed in November 1938 when he was attacked, detained, and sent to a concentration camp. For seven years, Eddie experienced unimaginable horrors in Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and on a Nazi death march. He lost family, friends, and his country.
The tribulation Jaku endured during the Holocaust sets his story apart from others I have come across. He articulately portrayed the impact of education and family on his experiences during this dark time. His ability to find positivity and hope amidst the despair is truly motivating. This book will stay with me indefinitely, just as Eddie had envisioned for his readers. I highly recommend this as essential reading, especially for students.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Evie Porter possesses all the desirable qualities of a typical Southern girl, including a loving boyfriend, a picturesque home with a garden and picket fence, and a sophisticated circle of friends. However, the truth is that Evie Porter is merely a fictional character.
Evie Porter, a scammer recruited by the mysterious Mr. Smith, must integrate herself into the world of an attractive entrepreneur. Evie becomes increasingly entangled in her fabricated existence, and the task increasingly slips from her grasp. While struggling to fulfill her assignment without blowing her cover, Evie becomes drawn into a chain of circumstances that jeopardize revealing her actual persona and unveiling the organization in which she is employed.
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
Genre: Chick Lit
Nina Browning has a good life in Nashville’s elite circle. Sometimes the middle-class small-town girl wonders if she has changed. Tom Volpe is a single dad with multiple jobs raising his headstrong daughter, Lyla. Lyla gets a scholarship to Windsor Academy, a prestigious private school in Nashville. Everything changed when one photo taken at a party caused a stir in the Windsor community, sparking debate and pointing fingers. In the center of deception and controversy, Tom, Nina, and Lyla are brought together, questioning their relationships and seeking their true identities.
Giffin sheds light on social discrepancies related to class, race, and sexual consent. She challenges readers to question the functioning of society and demonstrates the varying consequences of actions within different social contexts. I devoured the second half of the book in a single day.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Victoria McQueen has a talent for finding lost items using a magical covered bridge that transports her to different locations. Charles Manx enjoys taking children for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate, which transports them to a terrifying playground called “Christmasland.” Years after she escaped his clutches as a child, Vic encounters Manx again, who has now taken an interest in her son.
Initially, I worried about losing interest because of the book’s length, but I was pleasantly absorbed by the narrative. Hill demonstrated great skill in painting a vivid picture in each chapter, making it feel like I was watching a movie in my mind. I was pleased to discover the writing style was both compelling and smooth. The storyline was incredibly imaginative and the theme of selfless love shining through the narrative resonated with me. The ending took me by surprise in a delightful way.
