Hello, fellow book lovers! 📖❤️ If you’re anything like me, you know there’s nothing worse than investing your time in a crap of a book. That’s why I’m here with some life-saving literary advice.
Read this instead of this – trust me, your bookshelf will thank you. I’m no fake; I’ve read all these books, and while some are pretty good, others just do it a bit better! And let’s just say I am prepared to off piss some people. So, without further ado, let’s dive into my top recommendations for your next great read.👇
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✨ If you liked The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, then you NEED to read All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr! ✨
Both of these World War II-era novels are absolutely top-notch, but if I had to pick a favorite, I’d go with ATLYCS. While “The Nightingale” is a moving and gripping tale of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France, “All The Light We Cannot See” weaves together the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France. The depth and lyrical prose of Doerr’s writing just edges out Hannah’s for me. But don’t take my word for it – read them both and let me know what you think!
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Order it on Kindle Here) 👇
purchase the Kindle, paperback, or hardcover on Amazon
I am here to tell you – do not waste your time reading a bad book! DNF that crap and read THIS instead! You have a limited amount of time to dedicate to reading, so let’s make sure every book is worth it. From one book lover to another, let’s keep our TBR (to-be-read) piles stacked with only the best.
🚫 Thinking about reading The House Across The Lake by Riley Sager? DON’T. Just throw that book across the lake and read Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister instead! 🚫
I’m not usually one to tell people what they shouldn’t read (except for this post calls for it!), but trust me on this one. “The House Across The Lake” might reel you in with its promise of suspense, but it gets so unrealistically cheesy you’ll be rolling your eyes instead of turning pages. On the other hand, “Wrong Place Wrong Time” is a masterclass in suspense that will keep you guessing until the very last page. It’s like Sager’s book took a wrong turn at cliché junction and McAllister’s stayed the course. You deserve the best twists and turns, not the ones that make you sad because the book is so bad.
✨ A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline vs. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger ✨
Next up, if you’ve read A Piece of the World by Christma Baker Kline and thought, “eh,” then you NEED to try Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Both books have that cozy, small remote farm lifestyle vibe with wheat fields and moonscapes, but while “A Piece of the World” left me feeling like the protagonist was more “woe is me” and a bit anti-feminist, “Peace Like a River” is a storytelling masterpiece that weaves right into your heart effortlessly. Plus, there’s a touch of magic that makes it phenomenal. Trust me, you won’t regret this book recommendation!
Do you like suspense? Are you itching for a modern-day version of Moby Dick where you dive deep into a whale, or do you want to crash-land a plane into the ocean? Spoiler alert: It’s the whale. Pick the whale one.
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus vs. Drowning by T.J. Kline
These are both worth reading if you’re a suspense junky, but I thought Whalefall was just a bit more… something. A bit more… just a bit more! Now, don’t get me wrong, Drowning is hugely popular, and I know I’m about to make some lifelong enemies here, but it was a bit predictable while also being too far-fetched for me. You’re probably asking yourself right now, “This lady thinks a plane crash in the ocean is far-fetched, but a scuba diver being swallowed whole by a whale is not?” The answer is yes. And I don’t know why… but yes. 🐋💦✈️🌊
If you loved The Fault in Our Stars, run away from All The Bright Places!
So, if you loved The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and are considering All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, I’m here to save you some tears. Ugly crying for good reasons = yes. Ugly crying because the ending sucked = no thanks. Here’s the deal: Read this instead of that, and you can thank me later.👇
They say All The Bright Places is a combination of The Fault in Our Stars and Eleanor & Park. I could not disagree more. When I read The Fault in Our Stars, that beautiful book made me ugly cry in a good way. It’s a beautiful and tragic anti-coming-of-age story that hits you right in the feels. But All The Bright Places? It just made me cry from the crappy ending. It felt very YA in the most immature way possible, and did I mention the bad ending? Because it’s bad. Like, “throw the book across the room” bad. 🚫
Next, we’ve got two enchanting reads about bobble collections, little treasures, and the magical interconnections of life. With this next book duo, there are no losers – but one does shine a bit brighter than the other. Read this instead of that (or read both!)
✨ The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan vs. The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister ✨
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan is a 5-star read. 🌟 This treasure of a book weaves together mini-stories of missing items that ultimately wind into a timeless classic. It’s a story that stays with you, not easily forgotten. Hogan’s writing is a delight, and the interconnections between characters and objects are beautifully crafted. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a story about simple human magic. 🗝️✨
The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister, on the other hand, is a solid 4-star read. 🌟 It starts out hot, drawing you in with its unique premise and captivating writing. But as the story progresses, it tends to lose some of its initial magic. While it’s still an enchanting tale about scents and memories, it doesn’t quite maintain the same level of charm throughout. Still, it’s a worthy read if you’re into stories about the power of our senses and the treasures we hold dear. 🌸
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan (Order it on Kindle Here) 👇
purchase the Kindle, paperback, or hardcover on Amazon
Are you in the mood for a timeless love story that will give you all the feels? I’ve got the perfect recommendation for you. Trust me, if you want a love story that will sweep you off your feet and leave you with all the warm fuzzies, read this instead of that. Let’s get into it!👇
✨ What The Wind Knows by Amy Harmon vs. The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe ✨
If you want a true, timeless love story, we have you covered so hard! What The Wind Knows by Amy Harmon is the book you need in your life. I don’t know if I was menstruating, but this book awed me and gave me fluffies in my tummy. Set in Ireland, it’s a love story that literally traverses time, breaking all the rules.
On the other hand, The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe is often compared to a romance similar to the Titanic. Trust me… it’s not. While it is about the Titanic a little, it has zero Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet vibes…ZERO. It’s exactly like the Titanic movie but not nearly as good. The romance feels flat and it doesn’t deliver the epic love story you might be craving. 🛳️💔
What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon (Order it on Kindle Here) 👇
purchase the Kindle, paperback, or hardcover on Amazon
Now, what are your thoughts? Have you read any of these books? Do you agree or disagree with my picks? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s get this book club discussion going! I welcome all feedback even mean comments.
I Chug My Wine 