Happy Monday!
I don’t know if it’s because there is still snow on the ground right now in Edmonton, or if I just stay up too late reading but I have been quite the little bookworm these last few months! I have always been a big reader and I often have more than one book on the go, but recently I have read a string of really great books. Which is both good and bad because I love reading amazing literature but I’m worried my good book streak will run out and the next book I read will be a dud… picking out a new book has been more and more nerve-wracking every time I browse my “to read” bookshelf!
Since I have read so many fantastic books recently, I thought I’d share a list of what I’ve read and my top 3 picks I think you need to read ASAP!
Remember Me? – Sophie Kinsella
The Life Boat Clique – Kathy Parks
*My (Not So) Perfect Life – Sophie Kinsella
Unrivaled – Alyson Noel
The Last Time We Were Us – Leah Konen
Sugar – Kimberley Stuart
*Behind Her Eyes – Sarah Pinborugh
*The Thousandth Floor – Katherine McGee
I’ve linked each book title to Chapters so you can read the plot or buy it. You could pick any book from the list above to read next and have a winner, but these 3* are my suggestions and top faves… you need to read them right now!!
My (Not So) Perfect Life – Sophie Kinsella
If you love the Shopaholic series like I do, and Becky Bloomwood is your spirit animal, this book is a must for you! In my opinion Sophie can do no wrong and she is one of my all-time favorite writers. I loved this book so much because the plot is heavily focused on how everyone puts out this picture perfect life on social media, but in reality off Instagram and behind-the-scenes life isn’t so glam… who can’t relate to that?! The main character Katie is so cute, the plot has fun but maybe just a touch predictable plot twists, and it has that British charm I love in Sophie’s books. I also like that Katie struggles, at first it made me a bit upset since I like to read books to escape, not to remind me of some of my personal issues haha! But after the first few chapters, I really began to connect with this character and see myself in her, and it reminded me that everyone has something they’re struggling with even if they don’t broadcast it to the world. Overall I think this book has really good social commentary on today’s social media-driven world, it’s witty and charming and is a must read for any millennial girl boss!
The Thousandth Floor by Katherine McGee
Any book about New York already has my interest, but set it 100 years in the future (2118) in a 1000 story skyscraper and have 5 teenage characters all with amazing story lines?! I am IN! I don’t know what I was expecting from this book, but whatever I was hoping for, this book delivered. It’s like a mix of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars… everyone has a secret, and it is only a matter of time before things start to fall apart… it’s a tall but small tower! I fell in love with each character for a different reason, and I loved how their lives all intertwined in expected and unexpected ways. It was written so well, every character has a unique voice and you get to know each one so intimately. The book is almost 500 pages but it was such a fast read, I honestly couldn’t put it down. I didn’t realize this book was going to be part of a trilogy (or series, who knows anymore these days?!) but the next book The Dazzling Heights comes out in late August so we don’t have to wait long to see what happens next! And thank goodness for that because none of the characters plots were wrapped up, and the book ends on many cliff hangers…
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
If you’re a fan of Girl On The Train, Gone Girl or Dream A Little Dream then this book is right up your ally! My mom actually read this book first and said I had to read it, and I’m so glad I did. It’s definitely more of an “adult” book, one main character is a mother, a few other characters are married, there is an affair, and some of the mature themes discussed are drug use, sex, mental health issues, rehab and murder… you’re really getting it all in this one! That being said, none of these topics are too in-depth or explicit, I don’t like books that are really raunchy or crude, and this book had that happy medium. It is a fast-paced thriller, with each character dealing with a personal struggle. This book also explores the idea of lucid dreaming, dream doors, out of body experiences, and obsession which are all fascinating topics to me. Because I read the book Dream A Little Dream (another book I highly suggest!) I was already familiar with the idea of lucid dreaming and dream doors, but the plot twist in Behind Her Eyes and how it ended was not at ALL what I expected! Each chapter was from a different characters perspective but was easy to follow… I always knew what point of the time line we were in (past or present), and which character was talking. If you’re a thriller lover this is one you can’t miss!
Have you read any great books recently? Have you read any of these books? Did you love them or hate them? Let me know in a comment or tweet so I can check out your recommendation or so we can chat about one of these novels!