Let's be honest, reading used to be a lot funner when we used to be offered incentives to read all the books on our summer reading list. As we get older, it can be hard to find time to read and knowing what to read.
I personally like young adult books, mystery, and humor. If you aren't interested in any of the books below or they don't really seem appealing then you can take a quiz and it'll tell you what genre is best for you. I'll leave the quiz linked here just in case you want to know.
1. "Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (A Hannah Swensen Mystery)" by Joanne Fluke
Currently reading this book and I AM IN LOVE. I sound crazy, I know, OK? But this book involves baking and a murder investigation. Not only that, but this is the first book of many where Hannah Swensen is investigating murders. I think I love it a much as I loved Nancy Drew series when I was growing up.
2. "The Last Apprentice Series" by Joseph Delaney
This series is just extraordinary and honestly worth the investment (if you decide to buy the books.) This series follows a seventh son of a seventh son as he trains to become a spook. Spooks help farmers deal with supernatural problems such as bogarts, shapeshifters, and other interesting supernatural entities.
3. "The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender" by Leslye Walton
This fantasy fiction book is a little too dramatic for my taste, but it is so well written and intricate. This book involves love and desire and the slight darkness behind it all. If this sounds interesting then this is your book!
4. "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech
This is a children's chapter book, but it was my favorite as a child. It has so much imagery and voice of the characters; this magical realism genre book is definitely worth the read, or in my case, a re-read.
5. "Carry On" by Rainbow Rowell
Monsters, ghost, magic, mystery, and love. This is basically the perfect recipe for a great book, and it is so well written that giving you a summary would leave so many things out. This would not be doing justice to the book that changed my views on YA fiction.
6. "How To Be A Bawse" by Lily Singh
This amazing self-help book covers all aspects of how young adults can grow not only into mature adults but also successful human beings.
7. "Turtles All The Way Down" by John Green
Should I even summarize this book? I think a large majority of people have already read this book, but if you haven't, get on it! Mystery meets teen angst and makes for a great book.
8. "The House On Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros
Originally published in 1984, the main theme is the definition and struggles with rising above stereotypes on Hispanics. This book should definitely be brought back, especially now where stereotypes are once again being put on Hispanics. Let's rise above the stereotypes, mi gente!
9. "Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A classic made by a brilliant doctor that everyone should have definitely read by now, and if you haven't then now is the time, 'cause you've been missing out!
10. "Twenty Two: Letters to a Young Woman Searching for Meaning" by Allison Trowbridge
As someone who is turning 22 in a couple of days, I look forward to reading this book myself. Sometimes young women suffer from identity, purpose, and meaning. We need help from other women who have been where we are and can help us process these difficult feelings.
11. "No Longer A Slumdog" by K.P. Yohannan
An amalgamation of stories of children born in poverty in India and how Gospel For Asia is changing their lives.
12. "Disarmed" by Izzy Ezagui
This book centers around Izzy, who was a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces, and how he lost an arm in the process. This book is a tremendous inspiration and brutally honest truth blended with comedy. It will take you on the journey on how Izzy lives day to day with obstacles and how he overcomes them.
