Must-Read Books to Devour This Year

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So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

How many of this year’s BEST BOOKS have you read? Every year I veer off from posts about organizing to round up my favorite, most buzz-worthy books that I’ve read or are on my ‘must-read’ list. Most of the books were published within the year with a few outliers to mix it up a bit. I’ve broken the list down by genre and kept my description short so I don’t accidentally give away any plot twists unlike EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO POSTED MEMES ON FACEBOOK AFTER THE LATEST ‘THIS IS US’ EPISODE BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH IT. 😉

I suggest you scroll through the entire list and consider reading outside your comfort zone. Personally, I tried to add more memoirs and non-fiction into the mix this year and I’m so glad I did– there’s some outstanding candidates for both! For your convenience, we’ve linked the books to Amazon where you can get more information and read reviews.

Are you ready? Let’s get reading!

Page-Turners, Mysteries and Thrillers

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Fans of Girl on the Train will enjoy this psychological thriller– is it all in her head or not?

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksBehind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

An unsettling thriller that will have you turning pages well past midnight!

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksGlass Houses by Louise Penny

It took awhile for me to get into the Inspector Gamache series, but it’s depth of characters and intelligent plotlines make it a winner for mystery fans.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Dry by Jane Harper

I can’t wait to get my hands on this highly rated thriller that teases ‘a secret on every page.’

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksY is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton

I’ve read the Kinsey Millhone series since high school (lovingly referred to as the ABC mysteries, since they follow an alphabetical pattern.) I was heartbroken to hear of Sue Grafton’s passing over the holidays. As an avid fan, I was eagerly awaiting the conclusion to the series (a ‘Z’ titled book) but it sounds like it ends with Y is for Yesterday. Cheers to you, Kinsey, I will miss your adventures!

41LG0hcWrzL._SX304_BO1,204,203,200_

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

This is the debut novel by the author of Gone Girl, published before her now viral book, and appears to have a psychological thrilling plotline that Gillian weaves so masterfully.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Child Finder by Rene Denfeld

This novel a lyrically written mystery that examines the line between reality and fantasy and alternates between characters to keep the plot intriguing.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksA Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

Just when you thought there were enough versions of Sherlock and Watson, their great-grandchildren appear on the scene in this complicated and dark mystery that doesn’t shy away from Sherlock’s more controversial aspects of his personality, despite the age of the characters.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksInto the Water by Paula Hawkins

I blame this book for that one night where I didn’t fall asleep until 2AM thanks to it’s teasers and secrets on every page. Read this if you like novels such as Gone Girl and Girl on the Train.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

The Likeness by Tana French

A deeply sophisticated mystery that’s highly rated and promises compelling drama and suspense.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksNo One Knows by J.T. Ellison

Interesting characters and complex plot, I’ve yet to read it but it seems like the type to contain a twist at the end similar to the frequently compared Gone Girl.

61hQ7ZUn6dL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza

I’m looking for a new female detective to follow, and this promises to be a good match.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

Origin by Dan Brown

Dan Brown’s books are often formulaic page-turners, but not since The DaVinci Code have I enjoyed one as much as Origin. Possibly because it contains a glimpse into our future (our actual future, as I believe the technology he mentions is coming sooner rather than later) and this one will have you thinking deeply about those implications well after you put the book down.

‘UnPutdown-able’ Fiction and Beach Reads

 What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

If you liked Little Big Lies, you’ll enjoy unraveling what Alice actually forgot.

The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes

The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes

I’m a fan of Jojo Moyes (author of Me Before You), and this book is one of the few of hers I have yet to read.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Take me back to Peachtree Bluff, please! Fellow blogger and southern author Kristy Woodson Harvey follows up her previous book, Slightly South of Simple, with this delightful novel about an interior decorator in the charming town of Peachtree Bluff– and the inevitable drama that ensues when you mix in family, a small community, and those complex issues life seems to through our way.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksHeft by Liz Moore

Loneliness is a commonality many of us face, and Heft gives a glimpse into one person’s sad yet ultimately hopeful story.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

Not quite A Man Called Ove, but this story begins when widower and homebody Arthur Pepper discovers a charm bracelet he’s never seen before as he is cleaning out his beloved wife’s possessions. The subsequent adventure as he discovers the meaning behind each charm is delightful.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Wonder by Emma Donoghue

By the author of Room (which is truly an unforgettable book,) The Wonder is a tale about a young English nurse who is called to care for a young girl who has been dubbed a ‘miracle’ as she hasn’t eaten in a long time yet remains alive. Is this a true miracle, a hoax, or something in between? The plot will have you guessing until the end!

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

A prequel to Practical Magic, this novel is a perfect storm of a fairy tale, real-life drama and historical fiction. It’s interesting to note that Practical Magic is one movie I liked better than the book, so I was skeptical of enjoying this prequel but this book is delightful and eventually ties into the Practical Magic storyline.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksTurtles All the Way Down by John Green

I always like to squeeze a young adult novel in when I can, and John Green is usually a sure bet. Turtles All the Way Down gives an inside perspective to a teen suffering from anxiety and OCD, and written in a way where you feel right along with the character. The description of the spiraling is so effective, I found myself with a much deeper understanding of both myself and those who endure serious mental illness.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksSing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn War

A heartbreaking novel that “is rendered with such stinging beauty and restrained emotion that despite the anguish taking place on the page, you won’t want it to end.” – From Amazon.com

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksSpoonbenders by Daryl Gregory

A laugh-out-loud novel full of eccentric characters that move this book along quickly, making it a fun read from beginning to end.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksBeartown by Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman has a talent for writing about heavy topics in a lighter way. This, however, is not one of those books. In an age of institutional scandal revolving around protecting sports empires at any cost– even at the college and high school level– as evidenced by recent news, this book rings true even when you think these things can’t really happen. A profound, gut-wrenching tale of courage.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksLittle Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Reese says it best: “To say I love this book is an understatement. It’s a deep psychological mystery about the power of motherhood, the intensity of teenage love, and the danger of perfection. It moved me to tears.” – Reese Witherspoon

Read The Book Before Seeing the Movie

The Black Hand: The Epic War Between a Brilliant Detective and the Deadliest Secret Society in American History by Stephan Talty

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this is a true story about the origins of the Mafia in America (and the heroic efforts to stop it.)

51sn0hyI7pL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

When an eccentric and brilliant matriarch goes missing, her daughter Bee sets out on a quest to find her in this witty novel. PSSST: This story is about to hit the big screen starring Cate Blanchett.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Soon to be a on the big screen, the plot revolves around a moral dilemma when an African American nurse is charged with a crime after attempting to save the life of a newborn. This story examines the role of race in today’s society, and doesn’t offer easy answers but does offer a gripping page-turner you will be unable to put down.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Martian by Andy Weir

If you liked the movie, you will LOVE the book. It’s not new this year obviously, but put this on your list for an entertaining, laugh-out-loud book set among the backdrop of scientific possibility.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This is one of the few books you will want to read slowly, not because it’s difficult to read but simply to savor the characters; you won’t want to say goodbye when the book ends. With over 36,300 reviews (mostly 5 stars) on Amazon, this is a story of love and strength during WWII that should not be missed. Read it before the movie comes out!

Historical Fiction

51+eJFxRr4L._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

The lives of three women become interwoven in heartbreaking ways in this epic novel about WWII that centers around Ravensbrück, the Nazi concentration camp for women. While the events make it uncomfortable to read, it is so, so necessary to remember this was an actual camp, with actual people, in recent enough history that it stuns.

5187NSfJWSL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_The Two Marias by Jonathan Kis-Lev

Based on a true story, this is a story of two unlikely friends who were inseparable… until war broke out, and they were forced into opposite sides of the conflict.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

What if the underground railroad were an actual railroad? The author fearlessly delves into the subject of race and slavery in a story set in the antebellum south with a touch of magical realism that will have you guessing at every turn.

Non-Fiction, Autobiographies, and Poetry

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksBraving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown

I’ve heard again and again of the magic of Brene Brown, and apparently this is a must-read about truly being who you are and finding community and belonging in this world.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksKillers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and he Birth of the FBI by David Grann

The author revisits the history of the Osage Indian Nation, who at one time were the richest people per capita in the world… until they started mysteriously dying at an alarming rate. The fledgling FBI gets involved and an alarming conspiracy is unearthed.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksAstrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

In a hurry but relish a deeper understanding of… everything? This one’s for you.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksBorn a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

From enduring apartheid in South Africa to becoming host of The Daily Show,  Trevor Noah was literally born a crime: the liason between his mother and father was punishable by 5 years in prison.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksLove Warrior: A Memoir by Glennon Doyle

A somewhat (actually very much) voyeuristic memoir about the marriage of Glennon Doyle, who is the well-known author of the blog Momastery. At times uncomfortable to read, there’s some truth bombs in here not only about love, but forgiveness and faith as well.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Rain in Portugal Poems by Billy Collins

 The first time I read Billy Collins’ poem The Lanyard I was hooked, it was short and to the point but perfectly embraced a son’s love for his mother over the unlikely subject of a handmade plastic lanyard. The rest of this poetry collection reminds me the importance of truly observing every detail.

41DUR-cgb4L._SX327_BO1,204,203,200_

Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver

Another poet who defined the times for me is Mary Oliver, of ‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’ fame. If you could only have one book of her poems, this one should be it.

 

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Whole30 Fast & Easy Cookbook: 150 Simply Delicious Everyday Recipes for Your Whole30 by Melissa Hartwig

Even if you’re not embracing the Whole30 lifestyle, these delicious and FAST recipes are so delicious you won’t believe that they are grain, dairy, soy, sugar, corn and legume free. If you’re looking to cut carbs or processed food, this is a tasty collection of recipes that fit the bill. Even my kids enjoy them!

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThug Kitchen: Eat Like You Give a F*ck by Thug Kitchen

Not for the faint of heart, these recipes are… yummy. Not much else I can say without dropping an f-bomb on my blog which I have yet to do. 😉

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

A Yale graduate’s unlikely and insightful memoir of being raised in the Rust Belt.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksMedical Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal by Anthony William

Anthony William is an actual medical medium… he is able to diagnose even the most complex illness by listening to a divine voice. While that’s part of the story, “Medical Medium reveals the root causes of diseases and conditions that medical communities either misunderstand or struggle to understand at all” and may help provide answers for those suffering from common yet tricky illnesses such as autoimmune disorders.

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books  A Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider

“As Tsh Oxenreider, author of Notes From a Blue Bike, chronicles her family’s adventure around the world—seeing, smelling, and tasting the widely varying cultures along the way—she discovers what it truly means to be at home.”

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read booksThe Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston

Dude, I love a great South American exploration story. This one fits the bill.

And, if you can indulge me for a moment longer– might I suggest this humble little powerhouse of organization hacks by yours truly? (wink!)

Organization-Hacks-book-cover-1Organization Hacks by Carrie Higgins

Which of these books have you read? Which hit the mark and which ones fell short? Anything else you’ve read this year we need to check out? Comment below and let’s stir up a conversation!

So excited to dig into this list of the best books for the year! From beach reads to mysteries to thrillers and page turners, these are this year's must-read books

 

 

 

 

 

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