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All time favorite books <3
32
items I read a LOT of books and these are my absolute favorites. Spanning all genres, there is something for everyone on this list. Fiction, non fiction, children’s lit, biographies, I will read
Sections
3
fic
children’s lit
non fic
fic
literary fiction
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin is a warm, witty, and deeply human portrait of found family and self-discovery. Set in San Francisco, it captures the beauty of connection among people searching for belonging in a changing world. Maupin’s storyt...
Tales of the City: A Novel|Paperback
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides tells the story of the five Lisbon sisters in 1970s suburban Michigan, exploring themes of adolescence, isolation, and tragedy through the eyes of neighborhood boys obsessed with them. It’s a haunting meditati...
The Virgin Suicides: A Novel (Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition)|Paperback
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote is a dazzling and bittersweet glimpse into glamour, longing, and the complexities of human desire. Through Holly Golightly, the novel explores freedom, identity, and the masks we wear to navigate the world. It ...
Breakfast at Tiffany's and Three Stories|Paperback
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire is a reimagining of the classic Wizard of Oz story from the perspective of Elphaba, the so-called Wicked Witch. The book explores themes of morality, power, and prejudice, ...
Wicked: Volume One in the Wicked Years|Paperback
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is a luminous journey of self-discovery, love, and freedom.
Their Eyes Were Watching God|Paperback
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton is a haunting and beautifully crafted tale of secrets, desire, and the hidden complexities of human nature. Through the delicate artistry of a miniature world, Burton explores the tensions between appearances and trut...
The Miniaturist|Paperback
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith is a charming and heartwarming tale of wisdom, kindness, and everyday courage. Through Precious Ramotswe’s eyes, we see a world where empathy and intelligence solve more than just mysteries...
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series #1)|Paperback
Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose is a gripping exploration of justice, prejudice, and the power of reasoned dialogue. Through the tense deliberations of twelve jurors, the play reveals how courage, integrity, and empathy can confront bias and reshap...
Twelve Angry Men|Paperback
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger is a deeply introspective and tender exploration of faith, family, and the search for authenticity. Through the voices of the Glass siblings, the novel examines the struggles of finding meaning in a confusing world. ...
Franny and Zooey|Paperback
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is a masterful and suspenseful tale of mystery, guilt, and survival. As ten strangers are drawn into a deadly game, the novel explores human fear, justice, and the consequences of hidden sins. Christie’s st...
And Then There Were None|Paperback
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier is a luminous and intimate exploration of art, desire, and the quiet tensions of life in 17th-century Delft. Through Griet’s eyes, the novel captures the delicate balance between duty, ambition, and the ye...
Girl with a Pearl Earring|Paperback
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a dazzling and tragic portrait of love, ambition, and the illusions of the American Dream. Through Gatsby’s longing and Jay-Zeal pursuit of an unattainable ideal, the novel explores desire, wealth, and the f...
The Great Gatsby|Paperback
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is a heartfelt story narrated by Enzo, a wise and loyal dog, who reflects on life, love, and the human experience. Through his observations of his owner, a racecar driver, the novel explores themes of pers...
The Art of Racing in the Rain|Paperback
children’s lit
Such a beautiful and tender story of childhood that transports you to the train stations of Paris and makes you feel like you’re really there with its visual storytelling.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Caldecott Medal Winner)|Hardcover
The Animal Family by Randall Jarrell is a tender and quietly magical story about love, belonging, and the families we choose. Through its gentle, whimsical narrative, it celebrates connection across differences and the simple joys of togetherness. Th...
The Animal Family|Hardcover
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapes of the Somerset Sisters by Leslye Walton is a whimsical and daring tale of adventure, family, and the courage to embrace the unknown. Cornelia’s journey is filled with clever schemes, unexpected friendships, and the...
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters|eBook
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is a tender and moving story about friendship, hope, and the longing for freedom. Through Ivan’s gentle perspective, the novel explores courage, compassion, and the power of finding one’s voice. It leaves ...
The One and Only Ivan (Newbery Medal Winner)|Paperback
Dash & Lilly’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is a playful and heartwarming story of connection, adventure, and young love. Through their whimsical challenges, Dash and Lilly discover courage, vulnerability, and the excitement of...
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares|Paperback
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt is a thought-provoking story about immortality and the natural cycle of life. It follows Winnie Foster, a young girl who meets the Tuck family, who have drunk from a magical spring and cannot age. The book explores...
Tuck Everlasting|Paperback
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is a story about a unique and free-spirited girl named Stargirl Caraway who challenges the norms of her high school. Through her kindness, individuality, and unconventional behavior, she teaches others about acceptance, cou...
Stargirl|Paperback
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart follows four gifted children who are recruited by the enigmatic Mr. Benedict to stop a dangerous villain from controlling the world. The story is full of clever puzzles, teamwork, and unexpected ...
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society Series #1)|Paperback
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo tells the story of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with big dreams and an even bigger heart. Unlike other mice, he loves music, reading, and a princess named Pea, leading him on a brave quest despite the dan...
The Tale of Despereaux (Newbery Medal Winner)|Paperback
non fic
Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart is a charming and heartfelt memoir of youth, ambition, and the thrill of new experiences. Hart’s time working at Tiffany & Co. captures both the glamour of New York City and the personal growth that comes from s...
Summer at Tiffany|Paperback
I LOVE CARLO ROVELLI! A poetic journey through the mysteries of the universe, from time and space to the nature of reality itself. Rovelli transforms complex science into something intimate and awe-inspiring. The book leaves you humbled by the vastne...
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics|Hardcover
Under the Lights and in the Dark by Gwendolyn Oxenham is a moving celebration of women’s soccer and the fierce spirit that drives those who play. Through stories of struggle and triumph across the world, Oxenham captures the beauty of chasing a dream...
Under the Lights and In the Dark: Untold Stories of Women's Soccer|Paperback
When We Rise by Cleve Jones is a powerful and deeply personal story of love, loss, and the fight for justice. Through Jones’s eyes, we witness the birth of a movement and the strength of a community determined to be seen. It is both a memoir and a ca...
When We Rise: My Life in the Movement|Paperback
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is a gentle, heartbreaking, and hopeful conversation about what it means to live well. Through Morrie’s wisdom and grace, the book reminds us that love, kindness, and connection are the true measures of a life. It ...
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson, 25th Anniversary Edition|Paperback
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara is a haunting and deeply human exploration of obsession, fear, and justice. Through her relentless pursuit of the Golden State Killer, McNamara shines a light on the darkness that lingers in both crime an...
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer|Paperback
I love anything that loves New York <3
Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York|Paperback
If You Feel Too Much by Jamie Tworkowski is a raw and compassionate exploration of emotional intensity and mental health. It gives voice to the struggles of those who experience the world deeply and shows the courage in embracing vulnerability. The b...
If You Feel Too Much, Expanded Edition: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For|Hardcover
The Good Neighbor by Maxwell King is a heartfelt portrait of Fred Rogers, the quiet and steadfast force who taught generations the power of kindness. King captures Rogers’ unwavering belief in gentleness and empathy as acts of courage. The book remin...
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers|Paperback
She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh is a tender and powerful tribute to women who endure, create, and rise despite the odds. Through Dolly Parton’s story, Smarsh reveals the quiet strength and grace of working-class women whose voices too often go...
She Come By It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs|Paperback