I have to preface this by saying: MY THREE FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR SO FAR ARE MISSING FROM THIS STACK. Because I’ve loaned them to other people. But, they were so so so sososoossooooo good that I need you not to just look at the picture and please read this copy first!
Not pictured, but my favorites: Daisy Jones & The Six // Verity // The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Nightengale // Where The Crawdads Sing // Then She Was Gone // It Ends With Us // The Vanishing Half
Such A Fun Age // The Last Mrs. Parrish // Firefly Lane
Ok, so the first thing you should know is that before 2021, I did not read a fiction book for at least ten years. The last real book I read was The Circle Maker, which I loved and learned so much from, but I did not read for fun, and definitely did not read fiction. It’s the creative/workaholic in me, I feel like there’s always something I can be making, doing or getting inspired to do later. I don’t watch tv, aside from a movie or two on the weekend, I mostly just love them for background noise, so the thought of spending every day reading fiction books was just so bizarre to me.
Until I read one.
It was Christmas break, those lazy days in between Christmas and New Years, where it snowed outside and we just lounged around all day with not a whole lot to do. My friend Jami gave me her copy of Daisy Jones & The Six and I finally got bored enough to open it. You guys, I was hooked in half an hour. I could not put it down and was already dreaming up all the books I could read next. Enneagram 7s get really obsessed with new hobbies really fast. I absolutely loved the book, it was a total 10/10 for me and I was so sad when it was over!!
After that, I polled you guys on Instagram and got tons of amazing suggestions. I grabbed a few of the most popular recommendations and got right to work!!!
Verity // The second book I read and I looooooved. I didn’t think I would love thrillers but it was so good!! It is a little dark and twisted, and I’m a wimp with stuff like this, but I loved it anyway! The ending is SOOOO good!! 9.9/10! (only because some parts disturbed me).
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo // I finished this book right before we had friends over for dinner, and I was seriously sad all night because it was over and I missed the characters. Anyone else ever do this? I also LOVED this book, ugh, it is just so sweet and tragic all at the same time. But might be my favorite of all so far! 10/10!!!
The Nightengale // Sob fest. Like actual ugly crying with a bed full of tissues. It’s an incredible book and I’m so glad that I read it, even though I swore I wasn’t going to read anything sad. But truly soooo good. I do feel like the first half is super slow (and it is a long ass book) I had a hard time staying into it, but the ending is worth it, it is so bittersweet and heartbreaking but gives you so much closure. It gets a solid 9/10!
Then She Was Gone // Ok, it’s a freaking page turner and a total thriller, but I hated it. And I think I threw it when I read the last page. I wanted it to end differently, I guess. Boo. It gets a 5.5/10 because it really is entertaining & well written, but it’s a no for me, dawg.
Where the Crawdads Sing // Funny story about this one, over the summer my mom read it and I convinced her to tell me the entire story & ending, because “I don’t read fiction books so it’s not like I’ll ever read it…” Until I left my other book at the lake house and decided I’d just read it anyway. AND I’M SO GLAD I DID!!!!!!! The entire world was right, this is one of the best books ever and I loved it with my whole heart. If you don’t read any other book, at least read this one. It will change you and your outlook on life and other people. 10/10!!!
Currently reading Firefly Lane, which I also looove so far and cannot wait to see where it goes! And I can’t wait to read all the rest (pictured and linked above) because you guys have all RAVED about them!!!!
I also want to emphasize that I told myself for years “I am just not a reader…” which honestly just meant I wasn’t making time for it and it was not a priority. So to fit it in, instead of working until the second I shut my eyes, or scrolling on my phone before bed, I plug in all of my technology and strictly go to bed with a book. Brandon and I both read for an hour before bed now, and we cannot stress enough how much better we sleep by not looking at a screen before you close your eyes!! So if this is you, I encourage you to give reading a try, even if you’re “not a reader.”
Ok tell me in the comments, what is your favorite book of all time!! And if you’ve read any of these, did you love them?! I’ll share another BOOK CLUB post in a few weeks with reviews of the rest & share what’s up next! XO
Daisy Jones & The Six // Verity // The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo // The Nightengale // Where The Crawdads Sing // Then She Was Gone // It Ends With Us // The Vanishing Half // Such A Fun Age // The Last Mrs. Parrish // Firefly Lane
I loved “Evvie Drake Starts Over” and my favorite book (probably of all time!) is “American Dirt.” It’s so good & very eye opening!
I have read several of these you mentioned above! I have lots more favorites you should try!! One of my absolute favorites is “What Alice Forgot” by Liane Moriarty!!! So so good ❤️ I also love thrillers- The Woman in the Window is ???????? “Me Before You” is beyond amazing and was later made into a move with Emilia Clarke. It’s an oldie but SO GREAT!!
I second American Dirt…phenomenal!
Also LOVED What Alice Forgot, one of my favorites of all time.
I read Verity because of you and Katie raving about it, even though I planned out my books for the year. SO glad I did because I loved it and will be reading more of Colleen Hoover! Where the Crawdads Sing was the favorite book read in 2019 and for 2020 I think it was Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires…which I went into not knowing anything about it and holy wow was I wrong about that book-so good and also recommend!
I tried to read “Daisy Jones & The Six” based off rave reviews from you and Katie Snead but I just hated it 🙁 I hated the style the book was written in and I just could not get past that so I never finished. Maybe I will try again in a few months.
I have read most of the others on your list and in your photo and I love them all <3 Some other favorites recently; "Ask Again, Yes", "When we believed in Mermaids", "The Dilemma", "Bring me back",
oh my gosh, give it another try! i was so annoyed in the first few pages about that writing style but you will get used to it so fast! sooo worth it!
Try it as an audiobook! The narrators are amazing and it really gets you into the book. I don’t know if I would have liked it as much reading it.
Try Daisy Jones as an audiobook– I loved it!
For a thriller, I loved The Silent Patient. Where’d You Go Bernadette, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and The Flat Share are other greats. The Time Traveler’s Wife is one of my all time faves! I could book talk for days!
Finished Where the Crawdads Sing recently and absolutely LOVED it!!!
I just read Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan and oh man… it got me. Tears! Tears! But so good. I also highly recommend the Comfort Diaries if you want a solid food memoire that speaks to the soul.
American Dirt was AMAZING! I listened on audio. (Still counts, right?)
“As Bright As Heaven” is one of my all time favorites. I love a good historical fiction!
It makes me so incredibly happy when people discover the magic of reading books. I know it can seem like reading is time better spent doing all the other things, but I have found that the time I take to read is my self care, my me time, my time to step outside my own life and into someone else’s. It also FUELS my creativity. You should sign up on Goodreads. It’s a great way to get book recommendations based on books you’ve read and loved, and also great at keeping track of books you want to read.
A Fire Sparkling is one of my all time favorites! I did the audio of The Nightengale in October…I listen while I am doing laundry or the dishes or if I am ever in the car by myself (never ?) but I too felt the beginning was slower and so worth it in the middle and end. I have found that books that I just can’t quite get into while reading myself, I do better with the audio. I can also get through more books faster with an audio and one I am reading myself, which is so fun!
I started Where the Crawdads Sing last summer and just couldn’t get into it, then picked it up after Christmas and could not put it down. I think if there’s alot of “noise” around me it is difficult to get into reading. There was a shit ton of noise last summer so I’m thrilled its quieted down and I look forward to reading a few of your favorites! Thank you!
Two of my absolute favorites are Circe (so so SO well written!) and The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (page turning suspense!)
The Giver of Stars!
So great and it’s supposed to be a movie so read it now beforehand
The Nightingale is one of my all-time favorite books. It’s going to be a movie and it comes out this Christmas! For “fluffy” fiction books, I love any book by Taylor Jenkins Reid (the author of Daisy Jones).
I read ‘then she was gone’ as per your suggestion and loved it. Just started ‘where the crawdads sing’ , such a coincidence my mum gave it to me the other day. Not my usual pick but will stick with it. Excited for this club!
I have read most of the books you posted. Love Daisy Jones and the Six and Where the Crawdad sing. Good choices! One I recommend is Four Winds. It was amazing.. I cried and I never cry. If you tell is also good; kinda f-ed up because its based on a true story…. makes you really hug your babies.
ps you should join Book of the Month. you get the latest books for $10 and then can add on others.
I just finished Verity, from your recommendation. Oh my gosh! What a book! Can’t wait to gather some more from this list! Keep sharing your favorites!
-annie
Outlander! It is a LONG book series so I listened to it on audiobook while I drove, cleaned house, etc. The narrator Davina Porter is amazing and the book is so well written. Even if you watched the show 1st the book is better! I’ve been following your blog since Harper was born since she’s around my oldest daughters’ age. I went to the beginning of your blog back then and every day read some posts until I caught up to the present and was so sad when I did! Just like reading a good book!!
Hi Jessica. We met a Candys. The app I use for my visual impairment searches by author. Could you include that in your reviews? So glad we met and am sharing your website with all of my friends.
I loved meeting you!!!! Yes I will update!! Hope to see you soon!!
I have daughters around your girls ages and I am interested in what they’re reading especially Harper!
Can you please share 🙂