When it comes to my reading list, I’m a simple girl. I like books that help make me a better person…or I want to read what everyone else is reading. I’d love to say I march to the beat of my own drum, but I’m also on TikTok. If I see someone holding up a hardback and exclaiming, “This is the book of the year!,” I’m probably going to add it to my cart.
Here are 8 books that I’ve heard quite a buzz about from my more well-read friends…and yes, TikTok. Though I stay in my romance and popular fiction lane, I added in a few mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy selections for those who like a little scandal or magic in their pages. I know I’ll definitely be grabbing The Terraformers for my future-obsessed husband.
Look, no one should be surprised here. I’m a big fan of the last three books that Emily Henry put out so her latest one was an instant buy. She’s written about enemies to lovers and friends to lovers, but this one is about lovers to…faking it? Harriet and Wyn broke up months ago but they are pretending to still be together for their annual friend trip to Maine. Sounds intense. Can’t wait to read this one at the beach.
Kuang went viral last year for Babel – a 500+ page tome on the magic of words. The topic seemed a little too much for me, but luckily her name came around again this year on TikTok for Yellowface. This novel is about an author who stole someone else’s work and, more importantly, is pretending to be Asian-American. This seems to be a timely piece about plagiarism and cultural appropriation in a world where racism is still prevalent.
Last year, I read Sussman’s Funny You Should Ask and really enjoyed it. The chapters were interspersed with news clippings and email threads. In this book, a former pop star is asked by her former boy band fling to star in a Broadway show. The book has chapter-by-chapter Broadway playlist curated by the author. Perfect for a 90s music and Broadway musical loving heart.
If you spend any time on BookTok, you’ve probably heard about this thriller which follows a plane crash into the Pacific Ocean and 200 feet below the surface. An engineer is trapped inside while his soon-to-be ex-wife is the professional diver trying to save the 12 passengers stuck inside. Just reading the description gives me goosebumps. I’m not sure I’m strong enough to read this one but wanted to pass it on to my thriller-loving friends.
I can already see this book on every towel on the beach this Summer. Cline is already pretty well-known for her debut novel, The Girls. A 22-year-old escort has fled the danger of New York City to hide out in the Hamptons. Chaos ensues. Get ready to see this green cover everywhere.
I’m always intrigued by books that encompass multiple genres. This one totes thriller, murder mystery, romance, AND fantasy when estranged sisters are reunited when their family’s library of magic books is threatened. As a fan of sisters and the arcane (hello Practical Magic), this seems like a fun one to add to my reading list.
Set 60,000 years in the future, a scientist discovers a city full of people that shouldn’t exist, hidden inside a massive volcano. (This science fiction epic sounds like a book that my husband will absolutely eat up.) I may have to pick it up just to find out what the future looks like.
You already know I consumed the latest season of Bridgerton as soon as it came out. I was so excited to hear that the original book author and the Netflix producer teamed up to novelize Queen Charlotte and King George III’s great love story. It’s an instant buy for me.
There are so many great books that came out this year and I’m sure I overlooked them. What are you reading? Should we start a book club? Let me know in the comments!
