Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
My favorite book recs
53
items A collection of my favorite books across romance, fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, memoirs, and more! 📚 These are the books I’ve genuinely enjoyed and would recommend to friends—from laugh-out-loud rom-coms and addictive fantasy series to books that made m...
Sections
7
Romance & Rom-Coms
Fantasy & Romantasy
Mystery & Suspense
Sci-fi & Magical Realism
Childhood Favorites That Still Hold Up
Memoirs & True Stories
Romance & Rom-Coms
This was my first Emily Henry book, and I was immediately hooked on her writing! It’s still one of my favorites. A witty, bookish romance with great banter, family dynamics, and a small-town setting without feeling like your typical small-town romanc...
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Another bookish romance. Two writers, completely different genres, and a challenge to swap writing styles. Funny and romantic but with enough emotional depth to make it more than just a cute rom-com.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
I was honestly surprised by how much I liked this story! A breakup leads to two unlikely roommates—and a very complicated fake-dating situation. Funny, sweet, and one of those romances where you really root for the characters.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Despite being a YA rom-com, this book is SO CUTE and such a fun read! Childhood neighbors, fake dating, a little enemies-to-lovers, tons of rom-com references, and an adorable slow-burn romance. Perfect when you want something light, fun, and happy.
Better Than the Movies (#1 in Better Than The Movies) by Lynn Painter
The sequel to Better Than the Movies, following Wes and Liz into college. Definitely read the first book before this one!
Nothing Like the Movies (#2 in Better Than The Movies) by Lynn Painter
When Harry Met Sally-inspired, this is a fun YA friends-to-lovers romance with lots of teasing, banter, and chemistry. Another easy, feel-good Lynn Painter read that’s perfect when you want something cute and light!
Betting on You by Lynn Painter
A famous pop star escapes to a tiny town and ends up stranded outside a grumpy pie-shop owner’s house. Cozy, sweet, and perfect if you love small-town romance! This is the first in a 4-book series, and while the second book is my favorite, if you lik...
When in Rome (#1 When in Rome) by Sarah Adams
This is the second book in the When in Rome series and my favorite of the series so far! A shy flower-shop owner gets dating lessons from a tattooed bodyguard. Sweet, funny, and a great opposites-attract romance!
Practice Makes Perfect (#2 When in Rome) by Sarah Adams
Fantasy & Romantasy
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! It has You’ve Got Mail vibes, but somehow even cuter. Rival journalists unknowingly connect through magical letters during a war between gods. Beautiful writing, romance, fantasy, and such a unique premise. One of my absol...
Divine Rivals (#1 in Letters of Enchantment) by Rebecca Ross
The conclusion to Divine Rivals. More war, magic, and Roman and Iris—definitely read these two in order!
Ruthless Vows (#2 in Letters of Enchantment) by Rebecca Ross
Dragons, a deadly war college, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a story that is VERY hard to put down. It gives Divergent vibes, but better—with dragons! Such an addictive read and a great introduction to romantasy.
Fourth Wing (#1 in The Empyrean) by Rebecca Yarros
Book two of The Empyrean series. Bigger world, higher stakes, more dragons, and plenty of moments that will stress you out in the best way.
Iron Flame (#2 in The Empyrean) by Rebecca Yarros
Book three of The Empyrean. If you're already invested in Violet, Xaden, and the dragons, you obviously need to keep going.
Onyx Storm (#3 in The Empyrean) by Rebecca Yarros
’ve loved this book since I first read it in 8th grade, and I still pick it up to reread almost every year! Such an underrated fantasy romance. It’s the kind of fantasy you curl up with and completely disappear into—princesses, kingdoms, adventure, p...
Dragonfly (#1 in Dragonfly Trilogy) by Julia Golding
A fantasy romance built around a deadly competition, forbidden attraction, lots of tension, and great banter. You can definitely see inspiration from books like The Hunger Games and Red Queen, so if you loved those kinds of YA dystopian/fantasy stori...
Powerless (#1 in the Powerless Trilogy) by Lauren Roberts
Book two of the Powerless trilogy. The romance and tension continue while the stakes get even higher.
Reckless (#2 in the Powerless Trilogy) by Lauren Roberts
The conclusion to the Powerless trilogy. Read this one when you're ready to find out how Paedyn and Kai's story ends.
Fearless (#3 in the Powerless Trilogy) by Lauren Roberts
Dark, gothic fantasy with a really unique magic system and a mysterious presence living inside the main character's head. Atmospheric and different from most romantasy.
One Dark Window (#1 in The Shepard Kind) by Rachel Gillig
The conclusion to One Dark Window. The duology is perfect if you want dark fantasy and romance without committing to a huge series.
Two Twisted Crowns (#2 in The Shepard King) by Rachel Gillig
Mystery & Suspense
LOVE Vera Wong! She is such a fun, lovable character. A lonely, nosy tea-shop owner finds a dead man in her shop and decides she can probably solve the murder better than the police. Cozy, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming—a murder mystery that so...
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) (Vera Wong Series #2)
More Vera Wong, more snooping, and another mystery to solve! This one is a little darker than the first book, but it still handles the heavier topics with care while keeping the charm and heart that makes Vera so lovable. Definitely read the first Ve...
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (Vera Wong Series #1)
A great younger-reader mystery/legal series about a kid obsessed with the law who keeps finding himself involved in real cases. Fast, fun, and easy to binge.
Theodore Boone 6-Book Box Set by John Grisham
Part coming-of-age story, part romance, and part murder mystery. Atmospheric, emotional, and a good choice if you like slower mysteries with strong character development.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
A family story centered around tragedy, history, and long-held secrets. More literary and character-driven than a traditional mystery.
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
A vacation at an Italian villa turns into an investigation of a decades-old murder. Great if you like mysteries with past-and-present timelines.
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
Sci-fi & Magical Realism
An astronaut gets stranded alone on Mars and has to science his way into staying alive. Funny, smart, suspenseful, and way more entertaining than the premise might make it sound.
The Martian by Andy Weir
Andy Weir makes science cool. I was really impressed with how he took technical, science-heavy concepts and made them easy to understand while still keeping the story engaging. It never felt overwhelming or too complicated to follow. I was also impre...
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
What if you could see all the different lives you might have lived if you'd made different choices? An imaginative story about regret, possibility, and what makes a life worth living.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Weird, funny, clever, and such a unique concept about relationships and choice.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
Childhood Favorites That Still Hold Up
Two former best friends are forced to relive their 11th birthday over and over again. Such a fun, clever story—and the start of a series I think adults can enjoy too.
11 Birthdays (Willow Falls Series #1) by Wendy Mass
This is the second book in the Willow Falls series, and while it doesn’t follow Amanda and Leo this time, they still have an important role in the story! Rory has a huge list of things she’ll finally be allowed to do when she turns 12. Such a cute, f...
Finally (12) (Willow Falls Series #2) by Wendy Mass
The third book in the Willow Falls series brings in new characters while still keeping the ones you already know and love! It’s so fun getting to see how Amanda, Leo, Rory, and even some of the side characters have grown since the earlier books. And ...
13 Gifts (Willow Falls Series #3) by Wendy Mass
The fourth book in the Willow Falls series and such a great continuation of the previous book! Unlike the others, this one picks up right where 13 Gifts left off instead of jumping ahead a year. Amanda and Leo are back as the main characters, but by ...
The Last Present (Willow Falls Series #4) by Wendy Mass
The fifth and final book in the Willow Falls series, and such a perfect way to end it! This one gives us different POVs from the characters we’ve grown to love throughout the previous books, letting us see each of them in a new way. It brings the cha...
Graceful (Willow Falls Series #5) by Wendy Mass
Greek mythology + modern-day adventures + one of the most lovable groups of characters. Written for younger readers, but genuinely fun at any age.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Set by Rick Riordan
SUCH a cute story! The dual POV is what makes this one so special—the same moments are shown from both Juli and Bryce’s perspectives, and you get to see just how differently two people can experience the exact same situation. Sweet, funny, and such a...
Flipped
A beautiful story about a girl with synesthesia who sees colors connected to letters, numbers, and sounds. Unique, emotional, and memorable.
A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
Memoirs & True Stories
This book did not disappoint and it is now one of my favorites! Funny, fascinating, and surprisingly educational. Trevor Noah tells stories about growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid in a way that's incredibly entertaining.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Michelle Obama's story from childhood through the White House. Personal, thoughtful, and especially interesting if you like learning about the person behind the public figure.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Personal stories about living with more intention, faith, generosity, and adventure. Inspiring without feeling like a traditional self-help book.
Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff
Such an inspiring and educational true story! Peg Kehret shares her experience of getting polio as a child and the long journey of treatment and learning to walk again. It’s written for younger readers, but absolutely worth reading at any age. Heartb...
Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret
A raw memoir about childhood fame, an extremely complicated mother-daughter relationship, and learning how to build a life for yourself as an adult. Heavy but very hard to put down.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
A firsthand account of growing up inside the family behind the 8 Passengers YouTube channel. Disturbing at times, but incredibly compelling.
The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke
A neurosurgeon facing a terminal cancer diagnosis writes about life, death, medicine, and what makes life meaningful. Short, beautiful, and heartbreaking.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
A sweet and personal memoir about Sutton Foster’s life, career, and her love of crafting. She shares stories from Broadway and her personal life while connecting different moments to the crafts that helped her through them. A fun, easy read—especiall...
Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life by Sutton Foster
Self-Help & Personal Growth
An approachable guide to money, saving, investing, debt, and building financial confidence. Great if traditional personal-finance books feel intimidating or boring.
Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy's Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love by Tori Dunlap
One of the most practical books I've read about creating good habits and breaking bad ones. Lots of small, realistic strategies you can actually apply to everyday life.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
An in-depth look at trauma and how it can affect both the brain and body. More educational and research-heavy than a typical self-help book.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Explores how being the oldest, middle, youngest, or only child may influence personality and relationships. Interesting even if you don't agree with every conclusion.
The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are by Kevin Leman
A faith-based book about letting go of the labels, insecurities, and expectations that can shape how you see yourself and instead learning to see yourself the way God created you. Encouraging, uplifting, and a great read if you’re struggling with con...
Tailor Made: Discover the Secret to Who God Created You to Be by Alex Seeley
A faith-based look at setting healthy boundaries, saying no, and taking responsibility for what actually belongs to you.
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
An approachable introduction to the Enneagram that focuses on understanding yourself, your motivations, and your relationships with others.
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Cron & Suzanne Stable
A different approach to personal development that focuses on identifying and building your natural strengths instead of constantly trying to fix your weaknesses.
Now, Discover Your Strengths: The revolutionary Gallup program that shows you how to develop your unique talents and strengths