10 Must-Reads from My Goodreads List

"If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book." – J.K. Rowling

Growing up, I loved being read to. Listening to timeless tales like Good Night Moon, Time for Bed, The Giving Tree, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie made me feel happy and secure. Eventually, I became interested in book series, like The American Girls, Cul-de-Sac Kids, Christian Heroes, and Reel Kids Adventures. I spent much of my childhood free time behind the pages of these exciting stories. As an adult, I now dabble in different genres, spending sporadic parts of my free time relaxing with a good book (and sometimes a not-so-good book--I struggle DNFing!). Regardless of what I'm reading or how long it's taking me to finish a book, when I sit down to read, I absolutely love it. Reading is a nostalgic pastime that makes me feel content. I love escaping into different time periods, learning about other people's lives and perspectives, solving murderous crimes, and meeting incredible characters. Reading is a lifestyle that I'm grateful to prioritize!

Want to learn more about the benefits of reading or how to sustain regular reading habits?

Check out my previous posts linked below!

A Reader's Life for Me

Happy Reader, Healthy Life

10 Must-Reads from My Goodreads List

In no particular order, here are 10 of my all-time favorite reads from the last three years (titles I've never before shared on my blog!):

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Genre: Romance
Recommendation: Anyone who wants an emotional, sentimental read or likes romance novels.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review: Honestly, I'm not much of a romance reader, but In Five Years was a special gem! Rebecca Serle brought such light to the fragility of life and the importance of friendship. The story took twists and turns I didn't expect, but all along the way, it left me more connected and invested in the characters and their lives. Personally, it was a hard read at times as one character is diagnosed with cancer. However, that did not deter me from valuing the storyline. It is an astonishing and heartbreakingly wonderful story that leaves readers with the notion to appreciate life and let it unfold as it must.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommendation: Historical fiction readers, especially WW2 lovers!
Rating: 4/5 stars
Review: All the Light We Cannot See is such a beautifully complex story and overall an enthralling and heart-wrenching tale of history, survival, family, and humanity. Anthony Doerr has a way with words, evoking deep emotions through the simplicity and intentionality of his dialogue— I was hooked throughout the entire story! It is a unique story because it gives an account of the war from a child's POV. Though this book isn't a light-hearted story, it is one that will shape your beliefs and teach you the power of empathy, kindness, and devastation. *Side note: All the Light We Cannot See was adapted into a Netflix mini-series, which I enjoyed. I recommend reading the book first before you watch it!
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Genre: Thriller
Recommendation: A must-read for mystery or thriller readers.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Review: I could not put this book down! From the beginning, it was intriguing, eventful, and so unexpected! I was frustrated for weeks about the ending, but I cannot deny the brilliance of the storyline. There wasn't one boring moment in the entire novel! It was entertaining, emotional, and simply irresistible. An epic mystery of twisted truths, masked lies, and dramatic family dynamics that left me in utter shock by the end!
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Genre: Biography
Recommendation: Anyone who loves true stories, the WW2 era, or wants to grow in their faith.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review: What inspired me most (and still astounds me) is the faith of every member of the Ten Boom family. Their selfless acts, genuine care, and dedicated faith are what sustained them to persevere amidst oppression. Reading this story was unbelievable, and I think every person should read it at least once in their life. The Hiding Place is a pure example of what a secure faith in Christ looks like. It is a story that I've treasured for years, and plan to read again someday. I was left encouraged, filled, and utterly inspired.
The Maid by Nita Prose
Genre: Mystery
Recommendation: A must-read for mystery lovers!
Rating: 4/5 stars
Review: I really loved the comfort of this story. Nita Prose created a special character in Molly, someone who isn't "normal," yet experiences normal human emotions and heartbreak. She wrote beautiful friendships in this story, and I especially connected to Molly's relationship with her grandmother. The mysterious murder was intriguing and suspenseful. A cozy, heart-warming mystery you won't regret reading!
The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman
Genre: Self-help
Recommendation: Anyone who struggles making decisions.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review: The Next Right Thing might seem like a simple read, but it's full of practical advice and relatable stories that will help boost your confidence and encourage you to make the next right choice. I'm a chronic worrier, obsessive planner, and recovering perfectionist, so making decisions can be really hard for me. Sometimes, I'm left in a state of fret and panic, but this book assured me that it's okay to breathe and choose the not-so-perfect solution. Emily Freeman is excellent at explaining why you may struggle with a choice and provides solutions to alleviate the weight of everyday decisions. A must-read for anyone who needs clarity or a little encouragement to know what's the next right thing!
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommendation: Historical fiction readers.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review: The Nightingale is a beautiful story about two sisters and their experiences surviving in German-occupied France during WW2. In essence, it is a tale of love, perseverance, and survival. The trials each sister faces are life-threatening and life-changing, influencing them to grieve and grow with every turn of the page. Kristin Hannah's way with words is captivating. She conveys emotion, detail, and human connection with simplicity and elegance. It took a while for the story to pick up pace, but once it did, I was invested until the very last moment! The storyline and relationship dynamics make this book worth the hype.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Genre: Autobiography
Recommendation: Anyone who loves memoirs, is interested in the journey of a cancer diagnosis, or wants to learn about the complexities of mortality.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review: This story follows the life of neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi and his journey battling stage IV lung cancer. It is definitely a hard read for anyone who has experienced the devastation of a cancer diagnosis or a life-altering, health-related circumstance. What I loved most about this book was its authenticity and candor. It was full of facts and personal details, but also thoughts, dreams, challenges, and feelings. There was an element of hope, even though his story doesn't end in healing. I felt like Kalanithi was sitting with me, sipping a cup of coffee as he shared his story. It was personal, and because of my own experiences, I felt his words even more deeply. I hands-down recommend reading this book, but I would flag it for possible triggers if you've experienced a tragic loss or the emotional turmoil of cancer has affected your life.
How (Not) to Save the World by Hosanna Wong
Genre: Christian Living
Recommendation: Anyone who wants to learn how to be a loving example of Christ.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review: I cannot say enough about how much I LOVED this book! Its content was simple, but so validating and true! The main message I gleaned was the importance of loving people like Jesus did. It isn't our job to save people; we are called to love others. And it is by creating positive relationships, building community, and sharing our stories that we exemplify the true love of Christ. I found Wong's wisdom and insight invaluable, practical, and reassuring. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about being a true follower of Christ. One of the reasons I read this book was because of the people I love who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I wanted to learn more about being a true example of Christ, especially when I'm around others who don't believe in His salvation. I never want to shove religion down someone's throat. I want people to see and know who Jesus really is, and I'm learning that's through my actions of love, relationship, and sharing my story.
The Housemaid by Freda McFadden
Genre: Thriller
Recommendation: Mystery or thriller readers.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Review: This story was better than I ever imagined! It started off interesting, but the suspense by the end was exhilarating. The characters weren't who you expected, their relationships were complex, and the final outcome was the perfect conclusion to their storylines. McFadden writes with simplicity and intrigue, giving readers just enough to keep them invested and coming back for more. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of this series!

"Let’s be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading." – Lena Dunham