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Top-Shelf Reading
23
items Books that I still can't stop thinking about- everything from historical fiction, literary fiction, romance, thriller, and more.
Sections
7
Historical Fiction
For Sally Rooney Lovers
2025 Books That Changed My Life
Dark Academia
Memoirs
Thrillers
Historical Fiction
my favorite time-traveling reading experiences
revived my reading slump- years ago, I was in a bit of a reading slump and this book absolutely brought me not only of that, but reignited my love for the historical fiction genre. I have not seen the TV show, but from the reviews I have seen- I HIGH...
All the Light We Cannot See a book by Anthony Doerr
a fascinating story to escape into- plot overview: two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmer...
The Alice Network a book by Kate Quinn
For Sally Rooney Lovers
if you love literary fiction that is deeply character driven- often involving messiness, love/relationships, self-discovery, family dynamics, basically all things prime mid twenties-thirties experiences.
food, pretentious customers, NYC, 20's nightlife messiness, a love triangle- what else could you need? Plot overview via Goodreads: Newly arrived in New York City, twenty-two-year-old Tess lands a job as a "backwaiter" at a celebrated downtown Manhat...
Sweetbitter a book by Stephanie Danler
an intoxicating novel- Leah Kempler, aspiring writer and student in the MFA program at the University of Wisconsin, meets Charlie Nelson in line at the grocery store. Charlie captivates Leah completely but there are aspects of his life that puzzle he...
I Could Live Here Forever a book by Hanna Halperin
this book goes back and forth in between two timelines, and does so in a way that is easily digestible while still tacking an incredibly sensitive subject. It spans from 2000-2017 and uncovers Vanessa, at age 15 getting into a relationship with her m...
My Dark Vanessa a book by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Rollercoaster of emotions- I was so addicited to this book, mainly because of how engaged was with each character as well as the plot itself, I went from being cheerful for them, to angry, disappointed in them, forgiving, empathetic, frustrated, etc. it showed the good and the ugly to each, and touched on subjects like assault, power dyna...
Bitter Sweet: A Novel
2025 Books That Changed My Life
Books released and read this year that I cannot stop thinking about
One of the most moving books I've read all year- One family. Three perspectives—mother, father, and daughter. Broken hearts, grief, abuse, resentment, secrets, forgiveness, addiction, second-chance love, pain, sadness, invisible scars, child abandonm...
The Bright Years a book by Sarah Damoff
do not wait to start reading the river is waiting- plot overview: In The River is Waiting, Lamb introduces us to Corby Ledbetter, a man whose life spirals out of control after a single catastrophic mistake. Once a devoted husband and father, he finds...
The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club) a book by Wally Lamb
tone, plot, storytelling, character development- 5 STARS. Broken country BROKE ME. short chapters each filled with such beautiful, impactful writing from the jump. I did not expect to be so immediately taken with this book, I finished it in two days.
Broken Country (Reese's Book Club)
the most original love story I've read in awhile! I can't even really put into words why I just loved this book SO much. If you are a music lover, the feeling you get when you think you've found your match through discussions on your favorite bands i...
Deep Cuts a book by Holly Brickley - A Novel
Dark Academia
everything involving the obsession with ive-league culture and generational wealth, pretentiousness, the downfall of the elite, scandal, and more
if you love the Silent Patient- this will not disappoint. Plot overview: Mariana is called to Cambridge when her niece Zoe's closest friend is brutally murdered. Mariana soon realizes that this idyllic campus of higher learning conceals something sin...
The Maidens a book by Alex Michaelides - A Novel
perfect for adult and YA- To Have and Have More gives you everything you love in dark academia- pretentious boarding school behavior, messy parents, relationship drama, etc. What I loved about this book was the POV of a young Korean student and her u...
To Have and Have More a book by Sanibel
Memoirs
my all time favorite celebrity memoirs that are worth the read
became an even bigger fan of Elton John- this is the PERFECT gift (for yourself) or anyone in your life who is a major Elton John fan. I loved the experience of reading this so much, I felt such a deeper connection to him as a fan of his music after ...
Me a book by Elton John
this memoir IS EVERYTHING! This left me breathless… I was always a fan of Friday Night Lights and have thought she is insanely beautiful, I had no idea the hell this woman has gone through. It is so heartbreaking, and at times very hard to grapple wi...
Tell Me Everything a book by Minka Kelly
the best time I've ever had reading a memoir- I LOVED this one so much. If you or anyone in your life is a huge Beatles fan, or just enthralled in the culture of the 60s/70s- you will LOVE this. I cannot believe the information and stories she shared...
Wonderful Tonight by Pattie Boyd: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me
Thrillers
white-knuckle, sweat-palm reads that will have you on the edge of your seat to the end
standing ovation for The Turnout- this was actually my first Meg Abbott book, and it will not be my last. This is full of dark twists and turns, and the perfect amount of strange to be the right amount of disturbing but entriguing. I was literally in...
The Turnout: A Read with Jenna Pick a book by Megan Abbott
clever, dark, and could not put down- this book had me from start to finish, it was eerie, dark, deep, and incredibly clever, and really encapsulates the desperation of wanting to belong. plot overview: One year ago, the person Olivia adores most in ...
The Lightness a book by Emily Temple
Best Books to Get You in the Holiday Spirit!🎄
The best books that have made me feel like I am wrapped in a Christmas blanket hug. Pour a cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or wine, and settle in and get ready to have your heart melted while getting in the holiday spirit!
one of my favorite love stories I've ever read! This is one of my favorite books I've ever read, but it's even better to read around Christmas time. The story unfolds over a ten-year period, and I love about it because it's never a perfect love story...
One Day in December: Reese's Book Club: A Novel
Kate Turner is in her mid-thirties, happily single—well, mostly—and tucked away in a charming little cottage in the storybook village of Blexford, Kent. While Kate has grown quite comfortable with cozy nights in and talking to her houseplants, her be...
The Twelve Dates of Christmas - by Jenny Bayliss (Paperback)
The Christmas Express follows six estranged friends who unexpectedly reunite for a winter wedding. Bryn—the bride—invites them all to Canada to celebrate, but instead of plane tickets, she gifts them something far more questionable: non-refundable tr...
The Christmas Express: A Novel
Absolutely loved this one! I always appreciate love stories that are post-divorce, and detail very real problems a lot of couples have, but show that doesn't mean they won't experience magic moments again- brief synopsis: Annie Sharpe and her husband...
A Season for Second Chances
There's no better author to feel like you're getting a warm hug from than Lily King- this book of short stories is the perfect way to kick off your cozy reading season. The stories are filled with so many emotions - loss, grief, love. There are famil...
Five Tuesdays in Winter - by Lily King (Hardcover)
Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking- this book will transport you to the season and it will require tissues, but I think many will find this very cathartic, comforting, and relatable- and go through emotions so many of us experience during thi...
Always, in December: A Novel