37 Books Later: 7 Must-Reads for Your TBR List
From thrillers to spicy, spicy monster smut.
Dear Reader,
It’s been a minute but I swear I have a good excuse: IT’S SUMMER!
And in the summer, I find myself reading a lot more than I’m writing. I also do many more if an effort to be social and have already attended a handful of concerts, parties and a wedding!
But that’s not why we’re here my friends, we’re here to talk books.
I am a Big Reader, and can usually be found reading multiple books at once. I like to have a physical book on the go, and then an audiobook or two as well (one for walks/commute and one for pre-bed), and my Kindle. Now that I save for traveling, even if it’s just back to my parent’s house where I love reading in the hot tub and I’ve now dropped one too many books in…
Anyway, I read a lot and I love sharing recommendations! I narrowed down my list a bit, and hopefully there’s something on here that catches your eyes!
Let’s get to it - but in no particular order.
Tom Lake
This was one that I listened to and it was nothing short of entrancing - and not just because it was Meryl Streep reading to me.
In Tom Lake, Ann Patchett crafts a poignant tale of family, love, and the passage of time. During the early days of the pandemic, Lara Nelson shares stories of her youthful romance with a famous actor with her three grown daughters, who are sheltering with her on the family orchard. As Lara delves into her past, her daughters gain new insights into their mother and themselves. This beautifully written novel explores how our memories shape our identities and how the past can illuminate the present.
I’m still thinking about this family.
The Gargoyle’s Captive
Here is your warning: this is smut. Dirty, entertaining, smut. Perhaps the highest level that I’ve encountered yet, as Katee Robert is known for it. They are short books this series, and the focus is certainly not the plot.
The Gargoyle's Captive is a blend of romance and fantasy. It follows Grace, who finds herself thrust into a world of magic and danger when she encounters a powerful, enigmatic gargoyle named Bastien. As Grace navigates this new reality, she must confront her fears and desires, all while unraveling the mystery surrounding Bastien's dark past.
It’s a bit predictable, but it’s fun!
Five Survive
I LOVE Holly Jackson! This was my first time listening to one of her books, and it was so suspenseful I think that if I were reading I would have been done in one sitting.
Five Survive is a gripping thriller that follows six friends on a road trip that takes a dark turn. When their RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere, they quickly realize they are not alone. Trapped and hunted by an unseen sniper, the group must uncover the assailant's motives and survive the night. With secrets and tensions running high, every decision could mean life or death. This fast-paced story keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
It is YA, so it’s also a good read for those new to thrillers!
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality
Now this was a book I picked up because of the cover, as yes I do do that.
In The Age of Magical Overthinking, Amanda Montell explores the peculiarities of contemporary irrationality. With sharp wit and keen insight, she dissects how modern society, despite its advancements, remains deeply influenced by superstitions, conspiracy theories, and magical thinking. Through a blend of cultural critique and personal narrative, Montell examines why we hold onto these irrational beliefs and how they shape our daily lives. It's a thought-provoking and entertaining journey into the quirks of human psychology and the strange ways we navigate the world.
It is a non-fiction and sometimes read like a textbook but put me right onto this author and actually helped me with my overthinking tendencies.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
Now this one, I was hesitant. ONLY BECAUSE I had just read The Fury (don’t both) and the narrative style is similar…except this is the right way to do it.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is a unique mystery novel. It follows the narrator, Ernest Cunningham, as he navigates a dysfunctional family reunion. As bodies start piling up and secrets unravel, Ernest must piece together the truth behind the killings while contending with his own family’s sordid past.
It is a perfect combination of thrills and humour, kinda like the Knives Out movies!
The Drowning Woman
Now this is a thriller - one that you can finish in one sitting. Shoutout to Carly for the reco!
The Drowning Woman follows the intertwined lives of Lee Gulliver and Hazel Laval. Lee, a woman on the run and living out of her car, saves Hazel from a suicide attempt. Hazel, trapped in a toxic and abusive marriage, sees Lee as her only way out. As their friendship deepens, secrets unravel, and Lee finds herself pulled into a dangerous web of deception and betrayal.
The twists are so, so good! I’ve read quite a few of Harding’s, and I think this one is the best yet.
The Love Hypothesis
Ugh, this book. THIS AUTHOR! A few people had told me to pick her up, and now I’m hooked.
The Love Hypothesis is a charming romantic comedy featuring Olive Smith, a third-year Ph.D. candidate who doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships. To convince her best friend that she’s moved on, Olive impulsively kisses the first man she sees, which happens to be Dr. Adam Carlsen, a young, hotshot professor with a reputation for being a tyrant. To her surprise, Adam agrees to keep up the pretense of a relationship, leading to a series of hilarious and heartwarming situations.
This book will have you SWOONING! And I’m not usual a big romance reader, but now this is all I want to read. I’ve stuffed my Kindle with a few of hers to read on the beach!
Whew, that was a long one. Let me know what you’re reading!
Until next chapter,
PS - if you reply to this email (or any) I can email you back! Just in case you want to chat :)
Scrolled to the bottom? Relatable. Here’s some fun stuff for ya:
📚 What I’m reading: I have two very different books on the go right now, and just restocked my Kindle ahead of my vacation next week! I’m loving Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in History, it’s different from my usual reads! And then, much more my usual, Never Lie.
🎶 What I’m listening to: I have been obsessed with this album for the last month or so. Currently searching for it on vinyl at all my usual stops!
📆 What’s up next for me: It’s a bit of a ways off but the planning for The Bookworm’s Market in September has already begun!
Thanks for always plugging The Bookworm Market <3 Also, for having the best Good Reads out there so I can steal ideas when I'm stuck. Wow, you really are my muse.