Apparently, it’s Book Lovers Day? Not sure who made that up but I’m all for it so no complaints here!
To be honest, I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump for a while. Last year I devoured book after book, but I just haven’t been feeling the pull like usual. Has this ever happened to you? Where you go through a phase in which you just aren’t ravenous for what your reading or to find another book to pick up? I’m not sure if it’s the books I’ve been reading or my general mood but my relationship with reading has been lacking.
So, it seems entirely fitting to dedicate this Book Lovers Day post to falling back in love with reading and getting out of my reading funk. It also seems perfectly serendipitous that Susanna Kearsley’s new book, Bellewether, is out this week! I have been counting down the days for this book release in the U.S. and am finally feeling excited about reading again. Her writing always draws me in and makes me happy, so it’ll be the perfect book to break my weird reading mood.
In anticipation for the release of Bellewether I began thinking about the books that always make me want to read more so I’ve gone back and made a shortlist of books guaranteed to improve your reading mood! If you need to fall back in love with reading or are just looking for your next great book love, this list is for you! All 5 books got 5 stars in my book-book so they’re one’s I love. I also tried to include some different genres so hopefully there’s something for everyone.
1. Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards
Until a few years ago, I had no idea Julie Andrews was a published writer! If you couldn’t tell from my two travel posts about my trip to Salzburg (here and here) I love her, so obviously I love this book. But really, Mandy is the perfect book to pick up when you need a quick read with an enchanting story.
It’s about a 10-year-old orphan wishing to escape the walls of her orphanage and explore the land beyond. Technically it’s a children’s chapter book but don’t let that stand in your way of reading it; the sophisticated and heartwarming story will draw you in just like an adult book. My mom was the one who first showed the book to me a few years ago and I’ve been in love with the story ever since.
2. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
Truly any Kearsley will do but I figured for the purposes of this list, I should just pick one. In all of her books, Susanna Kearlsey weaves stories of romance, history, and mystery, usually with a little bit of the supernatural, that will have you staying up way past your bedtime to finish the book in one sitting. The Winter Seatells the story of two women in Scotland: one a writer in present time and one living in 1708 as Jacobites plot the return of James Stewart. There’s love, history, mystery, and just incredible writing – what more could you ask for?
(My all-time favorite Kearlsey book is The Firebird but you have to read The Winter Seaand The Shadowy Horsesfirst, so pick those up next!)
3. Written in Red by Anne Bishop
If you’re open to starting a series, like a little mystery, and like stories about vampires and shapeshifters, this is the book for you. Written in Red is the first in Anne Bishop’s thrilling urban fantasy series in the world of the Others – a world where “unearthly entities” rule the earth and humans are constantly pushing the boundaries, often risking their own extinction. Even if you’re not super into supernatural stories, you should give this book a chance. Bishop has a great talent for character development and is fantastic at combining fast-paced action with intrigue, suspense, and hints of romance. More than anything, reading about the Others and humans trying to interact with each other is hilarious and is sure to bring a smile to your face. I’ve read each book in the series at least 3 times…so you know it has to be good!
(If you really don’t want to start a series, Bishop came out with a new book in the Others world called Lake Silence that takes place after the end of the last book in the series and can be read without reading the series first).
4. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin
This is another first in a series but they’re all pretty short and great mystery novels. The book takes place in medieval England and tells the story of Adelia, a female forensics expert, who is summoned to England to investigate grisly murders by King Henry II. Since women were not allowed in the medical field in England at this time and forensic study of the dead was not embraced, Adelia has to find sneaky ways to conduct her investigation and solve the mystery of the murders.
I found this book by accident in high school when we were helping my grandfather clean out his overflowing book collection and just happened to take it home with me, not knowing how much I would love it or how many times I would go back and re-read it. If you like TV shows like Bones and CSI, you’ll love this book.
5. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
When I picked this book up I wasn’t expecting to be so swept up by the story and so affected by the characters. Touching on real-life scandals that surrounded orphanages and adoption all over the country during the first half of the twentieth century, this book tells the story of a family ripped apart and the discovery of what really happened. While the actual story written is fiction, certain aspects are true to history, making the story that much more powerful. Before We Were Yoursis not necessarily a lighthearted novel, but it is beautifully written and does justice to great storytelling. It’s a gripping tale of family lost and found and will definitely make you cry but was one of the best books I read last year.
Bonus #6: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
…Because I couldn’t not include it on this list. Going back to Harry Potter always brightens my days and reminds me why I love to read. If you’ve never read the series, I recommend picking this up before any other book. I will personally send you a copy if that’s what it takes. This series will always be my number one recommendation. Trust me. And if you’ve already read them and aren’t keen on re-reading them, you should try listening to the audiobook version! Jim Dale narrates them and is brilliant.
Hopefully something on this list has caught your eye and given you the urge to stop by a bookstore soon! And if none of these suggestions sound quite right, don’t give up on reading or finding your next great read — check out my all-time list of favorites for some more book-spiration.
I’m dying to start Bellewetherand plan to sit in my reading chair with a hot cup of tea and will emerge back into the real world only once I’ve finished it. Fingers crossed it’s the cure to my reading blues.
What are some books that always help get you excited about reading again? Let me know in the comments! And be sure to let me know if you do pick up one of these books and tell me what you think of it/them – I could talk books for days.
Happy Book Lover’s Day!
Aimee Lerman says
To go along with your JK Rowling bonus, I also recommend her Cormoran Strike Series, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. These are written for an adult audience and focus on a private investigator and his plucky assistant. The first is The Cuckoo’s Calling and the fourth, Lethal White, was just released.
My book club read the Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver last year and it’s the one book that just always sits in the back of my mind. The narrator’s voice is unusual and funny and captivating and the plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep you going. It’s “straight” fiction – not a mystery or other sub-genre – but the writing is gorgeous and although a few ladies in my book club found the middle section a little draggy, I did not and I promise the ending is absolutely worth it.
For a non-fiction selection, I also highly recommend The Devil’s Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea. It’s a fascinating and fairly quick read and was a finalist for the Pulitzer when it was first published. Don’t be put off by the immigration policy chapters and other “dry” topics – this is not boring at all and brings policy-level information into the realm of the personal .
Clara says
Oooh, I’ll have to add those to my list! I’ve had The Cuckoo’s Calling on my shelf for at least a year now and really need to put it at the top of my “to read” pile.