There are a lot of books out there—and I try my best to mix things up instead of sticking to the same genres over and over again. That’s actually how I end up finding some of my favorite reads… the ones I normally wouldn’t even pick up.
So in this list, I’m sharing 9 books you should absolutely read.
If you’re anything like me, you also love recommending books to friends after finishing something great. And this past year especially, I’ve been pushing myself to step outside my comfort zone. It helps that I’ve already read a lot of the “popular” picks, so now I’m digging a little deeper.
Most of these books are ones I’ve read in the past five years, and yeah—this list is definitely biased toward what I enjoy. But these are the stories that stuck with me long after I finished them… the ones I still think about and constantly recommend.!
9 Books That You Should Read Books
- The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
- A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
- The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
- The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
- Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
- Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Books You Should Definitely Check Out
The Great Alone — Kristin Hannah
One of my recent favorite authors. If you haven’t read anything by Kristin Hannah yet, you’re seriously missing out. Her writing is emotional in the best way—she makes you feel everything. While The Nightingale is still my favorite, The Great Alone is right there behind it.
Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir
Andy Weir is, in my opinion, one of the best sci-fi authors out there right now. The Martian is already a modern classic, and Project Hail Mary shows just how much he’s improved as a storyteller. It’s smart, fun, and surprisingly emotional.
A Confederacy of Dunces — John Kennedy Toole
This is one of those books I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. It’s weird, hilarious, and completely unique. Definitely not for everyone—but if it clicks for you, it really clicks.
Americanah — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Another book I ended up loving more than I expected. It’s thoughtful, honest, and tackles identity, culture, and relationships in a way that sticks with you. Sometimes the hype is actually deserved.
Final Thoughts
That’s my list of 9 books you should read at least once.
I’ve gone through a lot of books over the years, and these are the ones that stood out enough for me to keep recommending them again and again. If you’re looking for your next great read, you really can’t go wrong with any of these.
How many of these have you read? And which ones are you adding to your list next?