Five Books I Can’t Stop Recommending
There are a handful of books I’ve read and loved so much that I’ll recommend them forever. They’re the ones I remember less for the plot details and more for how they made me feel, books I couldn’t stop thinking or talking about, and immediately wanted friends to read so we could share the experience. While I always love adding brand new books to my TBR list, here are some of my older favorites:
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Disclaimer: I first read this in my early twenties, which felt like the perfect time. Set in the 1950s, the novel follows Esther Greenwood, a talented young woman navigating the pressures of ambition, identity, and mental health after landing a coveted summer internship in New York City. Plath’s writing is sharp, haunting, and unforgettable, an intimate portrait of a young woman trying to find herself in a world that keeps telling her who to be. (Find it on Bookshop.org and Amazon)
The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali - When I tell you this book wrecked me! Set in Tehran in 1953, against the backdrop of political upheaval, this is a breathtaking love story between Roya and Bahman, two young dreamers whose lives are forever changed by one tragic day. The story unfolds over decades, weaving themes of fate, memory, and lost love into something both heart-wrenching and deeply hopeful. If you love historical fiction, you must read this book. Everyone I’ve recommended it to has loved it. (Find it on Bookshop.org and Amazon)
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn - As you can probably tell, I love historical fiction, and Kate Quinn’s approach to World War II storytelling is unmatched. Of her many brilliant novels (The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Diamond Eye), The Rose Code stands out. It follows three remarkable women recruited to work at Bletchley Park, Britain’s top-secret codebreaking center. Quinn captures friendship, betrayal, and resilience with such authenticity that I found myself completely immersed. I learned, I cried … and I recommend. (Find it on Bookshop.org and Amazon)
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang - A book full of wonder and heart, steeped in magical realism, Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance follows Weylyn Grey, an orphan raised by wolves who discovers he can control the weather. Told through the eyes of those whose lives he touches, it’s a story about belonging, love, and embracing what makes us different. It’s the kind of quiet, enchanting read that sneaks up on you and stays long after you’ve finished. (Find it on Bookshop.org and Amazon)
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne - Spanning seven decades, this sweeping novel follows Cyril Avery’s search for identity, belonging, and love as Ireland itself transforms around him. It’s raw, funny, heartbreaking, and wildly human, often all in the same page, and also takes you to Amsterdam and New York City. Boyne crafts a story that feels both epic and deeply personal. It’s no surprise this was the 2017 Book of the Year for Book of the Month. (Find it on Bookshop.org and Amazon)
I’ll keep adding to this list over time, because there are so many books that have shaped how I think and feel. I’d also love to know what books you can’t stop recommending. Send me a note or find me on Instagram so we can trade recs!
(A quick note: I include affiliate links for both Bookshop.org and Amazon so you can choose where and how you like to read, whether that’s a stack of hardcovers or on your Kindle. If you buy through those links, I may earn a small commission, and Bookshop.org orders also support indie bookstores.)
