The Best Books to Escape Into Right Now
Alright, how we all doing out there? Staying home and protecting our communities right?! Good. I’m putting together a list of some books that I think are perfect to pick up right now if you’re looking to take a break from the news and fall into another universe or time.
Romance
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren—Two college friends, lots of blind dates, and LOTS of sexual tension.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren—When the Maid of Honor and Best Man are the only ones to avoid food poisoning at the wedding, they must fake a relationship to cover for the bride and groom on their honeymoon, but nothing can stay secret for too long.
The Simple Wild by KA Tucker and it’s sequel, Wild at Heart—Escape into the Alaskan wilderness with city girl Calla as she repairs her relationship with her father in the great outdoors, while proving herself to those around her but most importantly, to herself.
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams—When MLB superstar Gavin’s wife kicks him and out and asks for a separation, he turns to his professional athlete friends for help to save his marriage—they just happen to read Romance Novels to understand women better.
Historical Fiction
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne—I haven’t read this one yet, but I can’t wait to read it!
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah—Explore the Alaskan wilderness during homesteading with the Albright family as they navigate after effects of Vietnam, relationships, and family.
If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais—Three women’s lives intersect in the early 90’s in South Africa while the AIDS epidemic is destroying the country.
Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand—The moon landing, Ted Kennedy, and Nantucket: one east coast family’s wild experience during the Summer of Love.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid—The story of a band’s rise to success told through interview format that will have you convinced The Six exist.
Literary Fiction
Ask Again, Yes by Marybeth Keane—A multigenerational story of two families and their relationship through addiction, mental health, and unintended violence. (TW alcoholism, gun violence)
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid—A quiet reflection on racial stereotypes, white saviorism, and what we present to the world.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman—In this town, hockey is life…but at what cost? (TW rape)
Women’s Fiction/Beach Reads
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand—Escape to St. John with Irene as she tries to piece together the information surrounding her husband’s mysterious death.
The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand—When an author’s best friend’s life is the perfect cure for her writer’s block, what could go wrong?
The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore—Head to Block Island with a struggling baker and her daughter as they plan for a once in a century storm.
Admission by Meg Mitchell Moore—How much pressure are we putting on our children to succeed but more importantly, how much pressure have we put on ourselves?
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld—A modern day retelling of Pride & Prejudice mixed with The Bachelor.
Thriller—These come highly recommended from my thriller loving friends because I don’t read thrillers*
The Silent Patient by Alex Michealides
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
Science Fiction
Recursion by Blake Crouch—The only way to describe this book is a WILD futuristic ride that puts a lot into persepctive.
YA Fantasy
A Court of Thorns and Roses—I haven’t read this one yet but Ashley from Read it Or List it LOVED it. Can’t wait to dive in!
YA
To All the Boys I Loved Before Series by Jenny Han—Need I say more? Books and movies people!
The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot—Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Ghost Whisperer plus high school drama. I flew through this series in 2018!
Avalon High by Meg Cabot—Quite possibly one of my favorite books, right up there with Ella Enchanted! It’s a modern retelling of the King Arthur narrative.
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett—Hunger Games meets Lord of the Flies meets The Handmaid’s Tale
YA Historical Fiction
Lovely War by Julie Berry—Another on my list to read (and thankfully Penguin Teen gifted me the new paperback copy—Thank you!). It’s World War II meets modern Greek gods. I can’t wait to read it!
Fantasy
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo—The history of Yale’s secret magic houses—lots of ghosts, Latin, and portals to other realms.
And if you REALLY want to torture yourself with current events (a pandemic)
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel—After a pandemic wipes out 90% of the world’s population, a Shakespeare troupe does it’s best to save the written word by traveling to settlements and performing the Bard’s Complete Words.
Seriously, only read Station Eleven if you can keep a level head. It was in my top 10 books of 2019 and it’s feeling a *little* too real right now. Don’t let that intrigue you unless you’re in the mental state to handle it because honestly, it’s all I’ve been able to think about.
If I’m being honest, I’ve struggled to fall into my books in the last few days. It’s been so distracting and my anxiety has been high. But last night, I gave my phone to Nick and told him I didn’t want it for one hour. I let myself get lost in my current read (Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams and it’s as fantastic as it sounds) and it made a huge difference. I’m already a worrier, so I’m taking the necessary steps to take care of my mental and physical health.
Let me know if you’re looking for any specific recommendations or feel free to go through the archives. Obviously…there are LOTS of books here!