1
Becoming, Michelle Obama
It comes as no surprise that this was the #1 most recommended book on the list. As soon as we heard that both the former First Lady and the former President acquired book deals 30 seconds after leaving the White House, it’s safe to say we glued our faces to bookshop windows in anticipation. It’s on the top of your list, it’s on the top of my list, it has a perfect Amazon rating. Obviously.
2
Educated, Tara Westover
Almost as highly recommended to me as Becoming, this book has so much critical acclaim that I could list it all out, but we’d be here ’til March. The author recounts her experience in college after a survivalist upbringing in rural Idaho. Literally she had never been inside a classroom until college. I’m dying to read this.
3
Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
Yes, it was a book first! A really popular one! I won’t judge if you saw the movie first, it’s fine. But seriously consider picking this up because it’s the first in a series of three and I can tell you with confidence that they’re all phenomenal.
4
The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah
I read this book years ago, but since it’s being made into a movie soon, I think it’s time to read it again. If you haven’t read this one, please pick it up before you’re tempted by the smell of theater popcorn to just skip the book. This historical wartime drama is a #1 New York Times best seller and tells the story of two sisters during WWII-era Europe, a unique female perspective on the time. Absolute must-read.
5
Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng
The first line of the Amazon page reads, “soon to be a Hulu limited series, starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington,” so I’ll just be over here refreshing my hulu app until it’s available to stream, k? This novel is packed with drama when a family moves to an otherwise-orderly suburban town and, as expected, things get real. Loved every second of it.
7
All The Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr
Another WWII-era novel that I read years ago but is still clearly making big impressions since TONS of you submitted it as your favorite read of the year, All The Light We Cannot See is all about a romance between a blind French girl and a German boy who meet in occupied France. I’ve read this one as well and can’t say enough good things. Also, it won the Pulitzer Prize, so… maybe just stop what you’re doing and read it?
8
The Alice Network, Kate Quinn
So Reese Witherspoon has a book club, and this book’s one of her faves. It’s also another one of my favorites. This book is about an American socialite who becomes pregnant while unmarried, and her parents send her to Europe. Once there, she meets a spy, a real one, and maybe just read it to find out what happens, k? SO GOOD.
9
The Great Alone, Kristin Hannah
Another one from the author of The Nightingale (above), this one is listed as being “an instant #1 New York Times bestseller” and maybe that’s just the publisher’s marketing team talking, but the roughly 5,500 amazon reviews which currently clock in at 4.7 stars don’t lie. This one’s set in 1974, and is the story of a Vietnam War veteran who relocates his family to Alaska to live off-grid. Definitely on my list.
10
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman
A New York Times bestseller and another Reese pick, I’ve actually heard from so many people that this is a must-read and am embarrassed that I still haven’t read it yet. Drama revisited from Eleanor’s childhood mixed with a whimsical love story is the vibe I’m getting, and I’m into it. This will be one of the first books I check off the list this year.
11
An American Marriage, Tayari Jones
I read what Oprah tells me to, period. Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are blissfully happy until they’re ripped apart by circumstances beyond their control. The story is heartbreaking, beautiful, and incredibly raw—you won’t put this one down.
12
Circe, Madeline Miller
You guys, this is like… some Greek goddess stuff and I am here for it! This particular goddess likes to hang out with humans and is also a witch. Not typically the description of a book that would grab my attention, but since everyone and their sister is raving about it, I’m going in.
Leave a Reply