Everyone loves a good book, especially when you’re looking for an escape from the daily grind. So, what are the latest and greatest Books to Read? Well, with so many amazing authors and genres out there, it can be tough to narrow it down. From page-turning thrillers to heartwarming romances, the options are endless. But fear not, because whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting out, there’s something for everyone. So, grab a cup of tea, curl up on the couch, and let yourself get lost in one of these must-read books. Happy reading!

Best Books to Read in 2020

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There are definitely a lot of amazing books out there – here are some of the best books to read. Let dive in and get inspired to read!

1. Never Look Back / by Mary Burton

After a string of disappearances, Agent Melina Shepard from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation takes a risky move and goes undercover as a prostitute. While on the streets, she narrowly escapes becoming another victim of a serial killer. Realizing she needs help, she reluctantly seeks backup.

Enter lone wolf FBI agent Jerrod Ramsey. With no leads to follow, they investigate an abandoned vehicle where a little girl has been found. Upon opening the trunk, they come face to face with a nightmare and realize they’re dealing with two killers, each with their own unique MO. The case hits too close to home for Melina, reminding her of her painful past.

With time running out, Melina must capture not one but two serial killers who are ready to claim their next victim – and are both targeting her.

2. 28 Summers / by Elin Hilderbrand

When Mallory Blessing’s son, Link, receives a slip of paper with a phone number from his dying mother, he is uncertain about what to do with it. He never expected the call to be answered by Jake McCloud. The year is 2020, and Jake’s wife, Ursula DeGournsey, is running for President.

Link is confused. How do Mallory and Jake know each other?

Taking us back to the glorious summer of 1993, Mallory has just inherited a beachfront cottage in Nantucket from her aunt and agrees to host her brother’s bachelor party. Among the guests is Cooper’s college friend, Jake McCloud, who sparks a relationship with Mallory that will endure through marriage, children, and Ursula’s meteoric political rise – until Mallory’s life is tragically cut short.

Based on the classic film “Same Time Next Year” that Mallory and Jake watch every summer, “28 Summers” delves into the pain and passion of a once-a-year affair and the ways in which this relationship both complicates and enriches their lives, as well as those of the people they love.

3. Big Summer / by Jennifer Weiner

Daphne Berg is stunned when Drue Cavanaugh, her former friend, reaches out to her after six long years. Drue looks just as gorgeous and successful as ever, and she has a monumental request. Despite not having spoken to Drue since their falling out, Daphne is left speechless when Drue asks her to be the maid of honor at her summer society wedding.

Drue always had everything going for her, except for the ability to keep friends close. Meanwhile, Daphne has grown into a confident, successful plus-size influencer on Instagram. Inviting Drue back into her life is risky, but the promise of spending a weekend in a luxurious Cape Cod mansion with cute single guys is too tempting to resist.

“Big Summer” is a dazzling novel about the intricacies of female relationships, the dangers of living life online, and the resilience of the human heart. Filled with wit, emotion, and heart, it’s a tale that explores the importance of family, friendships, and discovering what truly matters in life.

4. The Lies That Bind / by Emily Giffin

In the spring of 2001, Cecily Gardner finds herself alone in a dive bar in New York’s East Village, questioning her life. Despite being a reporter in the big city, she feels homesick for the Midwest and wonders if she made a mistake by ending things with her long-time boyfriend Matthew.

As Cecily considers reaching out to Matthew, a stranger on the barstool next to her advises against it. Drawn to his words, they strike up an unlikely connection over drinks and conversation. However, Cecily knows it’s best to end things there, wary of getting into a rebound relationship. To make matters worse, Grant is planning to leave his job and move overseas. But despite their circumstances, saying goodbye proves difficult, and Cecily decides to follow her heart instead of her head.

But when Grant disappears during the chaos of 9/11, Cecily fears the worst. As she searches for him, she realizes she’s not the only one looking. With her investigative reporting skills on high alert, she’s determined to uncover the truth about Grant and their relationship. However, the closer she gets, the more questions arise. Did she truly know Grant? Did he love her? Can she still love someone who wasn’t who he claimed to be?

“The Lies That Bind” is a captivating exploration of the unending quest for love and truth – in our careers, relationships, and within ourselves. It’s a moving story that will resonate deeply with readers.

5. This Tender Land / by William Kent Krueger

Set in the summer of 1932 on the banks of Minnesota’s Gilead River, Odie O’Banion is an orphan confined to the harsh Lincoln Indian Training School. Despite his lively nature, Odie’s behavior earns him the superintendent’s wrath. After committing a terrible crime, he’s forced to flee with his brother Albert, their best friend Mose, and a heartbroken little girl named Emmy. Together, they set off in a canoe, hoping to find a place to call home along the mighty Mississippi.

During their journey, the four orphans encounter other lost souls traveling through the unknown. From struggling farmers and displaced families to wandering faith healers, they cross paths with people from all walks of life. With the sweeping feel of a modern classic, “This Tender Land” is an epic tale that captures the spirit of America’s magnificent landscape, connecting us all and haunting our dreams. It’s a heartwarming story about the bonds that tie us together and make us whole.

6. City of Girls / by Elizabeth Gilbert

Beloved author Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction with a unique love story set in the New York City theater world during the 1940s. Told from the perspective of an older woman as she looks back on her youth with both pleasure and regret (but mostly pleasure), City of Girls explores themes of female sexuality and promiscuity, as well as the idiosyncrasies of true love.

In 1940, nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris has just been kicked out of Vassar College, owing to her lackluster freshman-year performance. Her affluent parents send her to Manhattan to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. There Vivian is introduced to an entire cosmos of unconventional and charismatic characters, from the fun-chasing showgirls to a sexy male actor, a grand-dame actress, a lady-killer writer, and no-nonsense stage manager. But when Vivian makes a personal mistake that results in professional scandal, it turns her new world upside down in ways that it will take her years to fully understand. Ultimately, though, it leads her to a new understanding of the kind of life she craves – and the kind of freedom it takes to pursue it. It will also lead to the love of her life, a love that stands out from all the rest.

Now eighty-nine years old and telling her story at last, Vivian recalls how the events of those years altered the course of her life – and the gusto and autonomy with which she approached it. “At some point in a woman’s life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time,” she muses. “After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is.” Written with a powerful wisdom about human desire and connection, City of Girls is a love story like no other.

7. The Family Upstairs / by Lisa Jewell

Upon arriving home from work on her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones finally receives the letter she has been longing for her entire life. With excitement and anticipation, she tears open the envelope, eager to uncover her true identity. Not only does she discover the identity of her birth parents, but she also learns that she is now the sole owner of a lavish, abandoned mansion in London’s affluent Chelsea neighborhood, which is valued at millions of pounds.

However, unbeknownst to her, there are others who have been awaiting this moment as well and their paths are about to cross. Twenty-five years prior, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk to investigate the sound of a baby crying. Upon their arrival, they found a content ten-month-old in her crib in one of the bedrooms. Downstairs in the kitchen, they discovered three lifeless bodies dressed in black next to a hastily written note. Additionally, the four other children residing at Cheyne Walk were nowhere to be found.

Lydia Quixano Pérez is a resident of Acapulco, Mexico, and runs a bookstore along with being a devoted wife to her journalist husband and a loving mother to her son Luca. Despite the spread of drug cartels leading to cracks in the city’s safety, Lydia’s life remains comfortable. Although she knows that some of her favorite books will never be sold, she stocks them in her store anyway. One day, a man named Javier enters the shop, displaying an interest in purchasing a few books, including two of Lydia’s favorites.

Lydia finds Javier charming and erudite, unaware that he is the leader of the city’s latest drug cartel, which has taken over in a gruesome fashion. When Lydia’s husband publishes a profile on Javier, their lives are changed forever, causing them to flee their middle-class lifestyle and embark on a journey northward.

To escape Javier’s reach, Lydia and Luca travel on dangerous trains called “la bestia,” joining countless others who are seeking refuge in the United States. As they make their way to “el norte,” Lydia discovers that everyone is running from something, but what awaits them in their destination is unknown.

9. The Vanishing Half / by Brit Bennett
The Vignes twins are forever identical, having grown up in a small southern black community and running away at sixteen. As adults, their lives couldn’t be more different, encompassing disparate families, communities, and racial identities. Years later, one sister resides with her black daughter in the same southern town she once sought to leave behind, while the other leads a double life as a white woman married to a white man who is unaware of her past.

Despite being separated by miles and lies, the destiny of the twins remains linked. What will occur when the stories of their daughters intersect in the next generation?

10. Someone Else’s Secret / by Julia Spiro

In 2009, Lindsey and Georgie have high expectations for their summer on Martha’s Vineyard. As the recession lingers, ambitious college graduate Lindsey is hired as a nanny by an influential family, hoping it will open doors to Boston’s exclusive art world. Georgie, the family’s eldest child, is eager to discover herself at almost fifteen years old, longing for independence and her first love.

Throughout that transformative summer, the two women develop a close friendship. However, a shocking incident transpires one night near the lighthouse, entangling them both in a dark secret. Their bond is destroyed, and neither of them can bring themselves to speak about what occurred that night for a decade.

But now, Lindsey and Georgie must finally confront their past. Seeking justice will come at a high cost, but it may also provide the closure they require to move forward. All they know for certain is that once the truth is unveiled, their lives will be irrevocably altered once more.

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11. The Woman in the Window / AJ Finn

Anna Fox is a recluse residing in her New York City home, unable to step outside. She fills her days with wine (perhaps too much), watching old films, reminiscing about happier times, and spying on her neighbors.

However, everything changes when the Russells move into the house across from hers: a father, a mother, and their teenage son, a seemingly perfect family. But, when Anna glimpses something she shouldn’t while peering out of her window one night, her world begins to fall apart, and its shocking secrets are brought to light.

What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this remarkably gripping thriller, nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted.

 
12. Where the Crawdads Sing / by Delia Owens

For years, whispers of the “Marsh Girl” have roamed around Barkley Cove, a peaceful town on the coast of North Carolina. Thus, when the attractive Chase Andrews is discovered dead in late 1969, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, who they believe to be the Marsh Girl. However, Kya is far from what they claim. She is sensitive and intelligent, having survived alone in the marsh that she calls home, befriending seagulls, and learning from the sand. As time passes, Kya yearns to be loved and touched. When two young men from the town grow intrigued by her untamed beauty, Kya welcomes a novel existence- until something unimaginable takes place.

Where the Crawdads Sing is an exquisite hymn to the natural world, a heartrending coming-of-age tale, and a surprising account of potential murder. Perfect for followers of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Owens reminds us that our childhoods forever shape us and that we are all subject to the stunning and vicious secrets concealed by nature.

 
13. Virgil Wander / by Leif Enger

Midwestern cinema owner Virgil Wander is coasting along at a steady altitude when his vehicle careens off the road and plunges into the frigid waters of Lake Superior. Though Virgil manages to survive, his speech and memory are altered, and he awakens in a world that no longer feels familiar. As he adjusts to this new life, Virgil begins to piece together his personal history and the folklore of his broken-down town, with assistance from a captivating and curious group of locals. Among them are Rune, a twinkling pipe-smoking stranger searching for his missing son; Nadine, the reticent but mesmerizing wife of the vanished man; Tom, a journalist and Virgil’s closest companion; and several members of the Pea family who must deal with their own tragedies.

As this community awaits the return of a prodigal son, whose arrival could hold the key to revitalizing their town, Leif Enger uses intelligent humor and delightful whimsy to create a stunning portrait of a region and its inhabitants. These individuals, whether by choice or circumstance, never made it out of their obsolete industrial region. However, they find solace in everyday pleasures such as movies, fishing, necking in parked cars, playing baseball, and falling in love. Virgil Wander is a rapid, complete journey into the heart and grief of an often neglected American Upper Midwest, crafted by a “formidably gifted” (Chicago Tribune) master storyteller.

 
14. The Great Alone / by Kristin Hannah

Ernt Allbright, a former Prisoner of War, returns from the Vietnam War as a transformed and unstable man. After losing another job, he impulsively decides to move his family north to Alaska, seeking refuge in America’s last pristine frontier.

Thirteen-year-old Leni is coming of age during tumultuous times and is caught up in the tempestuous relationship of her parents. She hopes that this new land will bring a brighter future for her family and give her a place to belong. Cora, her mother, will stop at nothing and go anywhere for the sake of the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown.

Initially, Alaska appears to be the answer to their prayers. In a remote and wild region of the state, they discover an independent community of tough men and even tougher women. The extended daylight hours and the kindness of the locals compensate for the Allbrights’ lack of preparedness and limited resources.

As winter approaches and darkness envelops Alaska, Ernt’s delicate mental state starts to crumble, tearing apart the family. Before long, dangers from within overpower those from outside. In their snow-covered, small cabin, cloaked in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn a devastating truth: they are alone, and there is no one but themselves to save them in the wilderness.

In this unforgettable portrayal of human frailty and perseverance, Kristin Hannah reveals the invincible character of modern-day American pioneers and the spirit of a retreating Alaska – an unmatched place of beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, emotive story about love and loss, the battle for survival, and the ferocity that exists in both humankind and nature.

 
15. The Immortalists / by Chloe Benjamin

In 1969, the Lower East Side of New York City is abuzz with news of a mystical woman, a traveling psychic who claims to know the precise day each person will die. The Gold siblings, four youths on the verge of self-discovery, sneak out to learn their fates.

These predictions shape their next five decades. Simon, the golden boy, flees to the West Coast in search of love during San Francisco’s ’80s; dreamy Klara becomes a magician in Las Vegas, obsessed with blending reality and fantasy; eldest son Daniel seeks refuge as an army doctor post-9/11; and bookish Varya dedicates herself to longevity research, blurring the boundary between science and immortality.

The Immortalists is a sweeping novel of extraordinary ambition and profundity, exploring the demarcation between fate and choice, perception and reality, and this world and the next. It is a profoundly moving testament to the potency of narratives, the essence of belief, and the unwavering strength of family ties.

 
16. Educated: A Memoir / by Tara Westover

Tara Westover was born to survivalists in the Idaho mountains, and at the age of seventeen, she stepped into a classroom for the first time. Her family lived in such seclusion from mainstream society that no one made sure the children received an education, and no one intervened when one of Tara’s older brothers became abusive. When another brother secured admission to college, Tara resolved to pursue a different life. Her aspiration for learning launched her on a journey across continents and oceans, ultimately arriving at Harvard and Cambridge University. But only then did she begin to question whether she had gone too far and if there was still a path back home.

This is an extraordinary story of transformation, how the quest for knowledge altered Tara’s life and led her down a path that took her beyond what she ever imagined possible. As she journeyed across the world, her views and understanding of the world expanded, but it also led her to contemplate whether perhaps she had strayed too far and whether it was still feasible to return home.

 
17. The Wife Between Us / by Greer Hendricks

As you delve into the pages of this book, your mind will conjure up numerous assumptions. You may assume that the tale revolves around a bitter ex-wife, consumed with jealousy towards her younger and more attractive replacement, who is on the brink of tying the knot with the man they both love. You may assume that you have figured out the intricacies of this convoluted love triangle. However, the truth is far from what you might anticipate.

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s The Wife Between Us is a riveting and spine-tingling story that unearths the hidden complexities of an apparently perfect marriage, and the perilous realities that we choose to disregard in the name of love.

Look beyond the surface. Read between the lines and uncover the dark truths hidden in the shadows.

 
18. Then She Was Gone / by Lisa Jewell

Ellie Mack was the epitome of an exemplary daughter. At fifteen, she was the adored youngest child among her siblings, cherished by her parents, friends, and teachers alike. Along with her boyfriend, they were the quintessential teenage couple. The sun was shining down on her life, with a post-exam summer holiday and a bright future ahead.

And then one day, she vanished.

Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to piece together her shattered existence. A decade has passed since Ellie’s disappearance, seven years since her marriage disintegrated, and only recently did the case take a sudden turn with the discovery of a fresh lead. So when Laurel meets an unexpectedly charming man in a cafe, she is taken aback by how rapidly their flirtation blossoms into something more profound. Soon enough, she gets to know Floyd’s daughters, and one of them, Poppy, takes her breath away.

Gazing at Poppy is akin to gazing at Ellie. And this resurrects the unanswered questions that Laurel has tried to bury, as the haunting mystery of her daughter’s disappearance resurfaces. Where did Ellie go? Was it a simple case of running away from home, as the authorities presumed, or was there a more sinister motive for her vanishing? Who exactly is Floyd, and why does his daughter resemble Ellie so vividly?

 
19. The Flight Attendant / by Chris Bohjalian

Cassandra Bowden is well-acquainted with the aftermath of a heavy night of drinking. She’s a frequent binge drinker, using her job as a flight attendant to satisfy her thirst for adventure, and the occasional blackout is just par for the course. She lives with the consequences and self-reproach that accompany them. When she wakes up in a Dubai hotel room, she strives to piece together the events from the night before, watching the clock tick down until she must catch her crew shuttle to the airport. She slips out of bed quietly, being careful not to exacerbate her already pounding headache, and studies the man lying next to her. She takes note of his dark hair, his unmoving form. And the blood, a slick, still-wet pool on the pristine white sheets. Terrified to call the police – a single woman stranded in an unfamiliar hotel room – Cassie starts to tell lies. She lies to her fellow flight attendants and pilots aboard the van. She lies to the FBI agents who meet her at the gate in New York. As time passes, it becomes too late to reveal the truth, or confront the reality of what happened in Dubai. Did she kill him? If not, then who did?

Set against the mesmerizing backdrop of life at forty thousand feet, The Flight Attendant is an enthralling tale of memory, the thrill of alcohol, the devastating effects of addiction, and murder far from home.

20. Lilac Girls / by Martha Hall Kelly

Caroline Ferriday, a prominent New York socialite, juggles her duties at the French consulate and a budding romance on the horizon. However, Caroline’s world is irrevocably altered when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939, and then turns its sights toward France.

Meanwhile, an ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a carefree Polish teenager, feels her life slipping away as she becomes increasingly embroiled in her role as a courier for the underground resistance movement. In a climate of suspicion and scrutiny, one wrong move could have catastrophic implications.

For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an advertisement for a government medical position seems to be the ticket out of her desolate life. However, once hired, she finds herself ensnared in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and supremacy.

The trajectories of these three women intersect when Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the infamous Nazi concentration camp for women. Their tales span continents – from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland – as Caroline and Kasia endeavor to bring justice to those whom history has disregarded.

 
21. All the Light We Cannot See / by Anthony Doerr
Marie-Laure resides in Paris with her father, who works as the master of locks at the Museum of Natural History, situated within walking distance of their home. At the age of six, Marie-Laure loses her vision, compelling her father to construct a scale model of their neighborhood, complete with every dwelling and manhole, to enable her to memorize it through touch and navigate the actual streets using her feet and cane. When the Germans seize control of Paris, Marie-Laure and her father depart for Saint-Malo on the Brittany coast, where they find refuge with Marie-Laure’s agoraphobic great-uncle, residing in a tall, slender residence by the sea wall.

 
23. We Were Liars / by E. Lockhart

A family with remarkable beauty and distinction. An island secluded from the rest of the world. A damaged but brilliant girl and a politically passionate boy. A group of four friends, known as the Liars, whose bond takes a turn for the worse. A revolution, an accident, and a concealed secret. Layers upon layers of falsehoods. Genuine love. The truth.

E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars is a contemporary and polished thriller novel, featuring a finalist of the National Book Award and an honoree of the Printz Award.

Pick it up and read it. And should anyone inquire about the conclusion, simply DECEIVE them.

 
24. The Ocean at the End of the Lane / by Neil Gaiman
The setting is Sussex, England. An individual in their middle age returns to their childhood abode to attend a funeral. Although the house of their youth no longer stands, they feel drawn to the farm at the road’s end, where, at the age of seven, they encountered an extraordinary girl named Lettie Hempstock, along with her mother and grandmother.

The protagonist has not thought of Lettie in years, but as they sit by the pond behind the dilapidated farmhouse (which Lettie had referred to as an ocean), memories from the forgotten past come flooding back. The recollections are too bizarre, too terrifying, and far too perilous for anyone to have experienced, especially a young child.

 
25. A Court of Thorns and Roses / by Sarah J. Maas

New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas presents an enthralling and alluring new series that merges Beauty and the Beast with the enchanting world of faerie lore.

Nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre slaughters a wolf in the woods, only to have a creature bearing beastly features appear, seeking retribution for its death. Transported to a treacherous magical realm that she has only heard of through myths and legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin – one of the deadly, undying faeries who once governed their world.

As she resides on his estate, Feyre’s frigid animosity toward Tamlin evolves into a scorching passion that burns through every falsehood and caution she has been instructed about the alluring yet hazardous realm of the Fae. But an ancient and malevolent shadow looms over the faerie lands, compelling Feyre to find a way to halt it… or condemn Tamlin – and his world – to eternal darkness.

 
26. First Frost / by Sarah Addison Allen

The author who brought you the New York Times bestselling novel, Garden Spells, delivers an enchanting tale of the Waverley family. The novel, akin to the glistening frost that settles on freshly fallen leaves, is as sparkling as it is captivating.

In Bascom, North Carolina, October heralds the advent of autumn, with no intention of leaving quietly. As temperatures plummet and foliage transitions, the Waverley women become restless due to the unpredictable behavior of their impish apple tree… and all the sorcery that surrounds it. However, this year’s first frost has a lot more in store for them than anticipated.

 
27. Red Queen (Red Queen Trilogy #1) / by Victoria Aveyard

The Reds, impoverished and destitute, are considered plebeians who live under the dominion of the Silvers, aristocratic warriors with abilities akin to those of gods.

To Mare Barrow, a teenage Red dwelling in The Stilts, it appears that nothing will ever change.

Mare unexpectedly finds herself laboring in the Silver Palace, surrounded by those whom she despises the most. She quickly learns that, despite her crimson blood, she harbors a lethal power that could jeopardize the dominance of the Silvers.

However, engaging in a game of power can be perilous. In a world divided by blood, who will triumph?

 
28. I Was Here / by Gayle Forman
In their small town in Washington, Cody and Meg were two peas in a pod, inseparable until they weren’t anymore. After Meg’s sudden death by drinking industrial-strength cleaner, Cody is left to pick up the pieces and pack up Meg’s belongings from her college town. As she goes through Meg’s things, Cody uncovers secrets about her best friend’s life that she never knew, including old roommates and a boy who broke Meg’s heart.

The discovery of an encrypted computer file further complicates things, throwing everything Cody thought she knew about Meg’s death into question. In I Was Here, Gayle Forman delivers a powerful story about loss, family, and finding a way to move forward.

 
30. The Boston Girl / by Anita Diamant

In this coming-of-age novel, The Boston Girl, bestselling author of The Red Tent and Day After Night, Anita Diamant, tells the story of Addie Baum, a young Jewish woman growing up in Boston during the early twentieth century. Addie’s parents are immigrants who struggle to adjust to their new life in America, and they’re wary of its influence on their three daughters.

But Addie is determined to explore the world beyond her family’s expectations. She’s fascinated by the short skirts, movies, and celebrity culture of the multicultural North End neighborhood where she grows up. Her intelligence and curiosity lead her to new opportunities and a desire to pursue an education, a career, and true love.

As Addie navigates a changing world and the challenges of being a young woman in a patriarchal society, she learns the importance of family ties and values, friendship, and feminism. The Boston Girl is a captivating and unforgettable tale of one woman’s journey toward self-discovery and independence.

 
31. No Place to Fall / by Jaye Robin Brown
Amber Vaughn is the epitome of a good girl. Singing solos at church, babysitting her nephew after school, and spending Friday nights with her best friend Devon are all part of her routine. But when Amber ventures out into the woods near her home and belts out camp songs with hikers on the Appalachian Trail, she finally feels free. In those moments, the bigger world seems just a little bit more within reach.

 
32. Saving Grace / by Jane Green

Grace and Ted Chapman are known as the ultimate literary power couple. Ted is a successful novelist, and Grace, his wife of two decades, is a stunningly beautiful and stylish homemaker. But beneath their perfect exterior lies a dark secret: Ted’s uncontrollable rages and mood swings. Their seemingly stable lifestyle is built on a precarious house of cards that’s on the brink of collapse when Ted’s long-time assistant and support system abruptly leaves.

The situation becomes dire for Grace, who is burdened by secrets from her past. She’s left with no one to turn to until Beth arrives out of nowhere. Beth is a competent young woman who can handle Ted’s erratic behavior and has the efficiency to weather the storms threatening to engulf the Chapman household.

But as Grace gets to know Beth, she realizes that things may not be as they seem. The new assistant might prove to be the biggest threat of all, endangering Grace’s marriage, reputation, and even her sanity.

In Saving Grace, Jane Green delivers a powerful and gripping story that follows Grace on her tumultuous journey to rock bottom and back. Readers will be captivated as they watch Grace fight to save herself before it’s too late.

 
33. A Most Inconvenient Marriage / by Regina Jennings

In this charming historical novel, a marriage of convenience turns out to be anything but convenient. Abigail Stuart, a Civil War nurse, is left with few friends in the world, except for her patient Jeremiah Calhoun, who is gravely wounded. When Jeremiah asks Abigail to care for his sister after his death, he proposes that she marry him, inherit his horse farm in Missouri, and take on the care of his family.

With no other options, Abigail accepts Jeremiah’s proposal and moves to Missouri after his passing. As she begins to settle in and win over the family, the real Jeremiah Calhoun returns home, surprised to find a woman posing as his wife. Despite his doubts about Abigail’s true intentions, Jeremiah relies on her help with his own wounds and challenges.

As their relationship develops, Jeremiah realizes that Abigail may hold the key to healing not only his physical wounds but also his family’s emotional scars. In this heartwarming tale, the two protagonists must navigate the aftermath of the Civil War and their own personal struggles to find love and acceptance in unexpected ways.

 
34. The Amber Keeper / by Freda Lightfoot

Set against the backdrop of revolutionary Russia, The Amber Keeper is a sweeping tale of jealousy and revenge, reconciliation and forgiveness.
English Lake District, 1960s: A young Abbie Myers returns home after learning of her mother’s death. Estranged from her turbulent family for many years, Abbie is heartbroken to hear that they blame her for the tragedy.

Determined to uncover her mother’s past, Abbie approaches her beloved grandmother, Millie, in search of answers. As the old woman recounts her own past, Abbie is transported back to the grandeur of the Russian Empire in 1911 with tales of her grandmother’s life as a governess and the revolution that exploded around her.
As Abbie struggles to reconcile with her family, and to support herself and her child, she realizes that those long-ago events created aftershocks that threaten to upset the fragile peace she longs to create.

 
35. Vanishing Girls / by Lauren Oliver

Lauren Oliver – the New York Times bestselling author – weaves a gripping story of two sisters forever changed by a tragic accident.

Once inseparable, Dara and Nick’s relationship is shattered after Dara suffers a severe facial injury. The sisters become estranged, and when Dara goes missing on her birthday, Nick initially thinks she’s just playing a game. But when nine-year-old Madeline Snow also vanishes, Nick becomes convinced that the two disappearances are connected.

In this riveting novel, Lauren Oliver explores themes of loss, suspicion, and self-discovery. As the search for Dara intensifies, Nick must confront the truth about their relationship and her own role in the tragedy that drove them apart. With an edgy and compelling narrative, Oliver keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the sisters navigate their way to each other in a world of intrigue and uncertainty.

 
36. All the Bright Places / by Jennifer Niven

In this poignant and exhilarating novel, Jennifer Niven delivers a story that’s a cross between The Fault in Our Stars and Eleanor and Park. It’s a beautiful tale of a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Theodore Finch has an obsession with death, and his mind is constantly filled with thoughts of ending his life. But every time he tries, something good happens, no matter how small it is, which stops him.

On the other hand, Violet Markey is focused on her future, counting down the days until graduation when she can escape her Indiana town and the grief she feels after her sister’s death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of their school’s bell tower, it’s unclear who saves whom. They embark on a project to discover the natural wonders of their state, and through it, they both make important personal discoveries. With Violet, Finch can be himself and embrace his quirks and personality. For Violet, Finch helps her forget about her grief and start living in the moment. However, as Violet’s world expands, Finch’s begins to shrink.

Jennifer Niven’s gripping and intense novel is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell, Jay Asher, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham. In this compelling story, readers will witness the transformative power of love and friendship as they navigate through life’s hardships.

For more books to read, check out our main page!

36 Good Books to Read in 2019

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The Best Beach Books to Read on Summer Vacation

Doesn’t summer just make you want to relax and read, whether it’s on the beach, by the pool, or just on the deck with a cool drink in your hand? Books and summer go hand in hand. Here’s a nice list of best beach books to read for this summer!

Laura and Emma

Laura hails from the Upper East Side of Manhattan, born into old money, drifting aimlessly into her early thirties. One weekend in 1981 she meets Jefferson. The two sleep together. He vanishes. And Laura realizes she’s pregnant.

Enter: Emma.

Despite her progressive values, Laura raises Emma by herself in the same blue-blood world of private schools and summer homes she grew up in, buoyed by a host of indelible characters, including her eccentric mother, who informs her society friends and Emma herself that she was fathered by a Swedish sperm donor; her brother, whose childhood stutter reappears in the presence of their forbidding father; an exceptionally kind male pediatrician; and her overbearing best friend, whose life has followed the Park Avenue script in every way except for childbearing. Meanwhile, the apple falls far from the tree with Emma, who begins to question her environment in a way her mother never could.

How to Stop Time

How to Stop Time tells a love story across the ages – and for the ages – about a man lost in time, the woman who could save him, and the lifetimes it can take to learn how to live. It is a bighearted, wildly original novel about losing and finding yourself, the inevitability of change, and how with enough time to learn, we just might find happiness.

Little Fires Everywhere

A New York Times bestseller and “Best book of the year,” Little Fires Everywhere takes readers to a
progressive midwestern town where the lives a perfect family are upended by a charismatic neighbor.
Soon to be an original Hulu series, this must-read novel explores the connections between a mother and
her children and the danger of uncovering long-hidden secrets.

In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned – from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.

Enter Mia Warren – an enigmatic artist and single mother – who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.

The Woman in the Window

Reminiscent of Gone Girl, with a Hitchcockian flair, this instant New York Times Bestseller tells the story of a nosy neighbor who witnesses something strange while in an alcohol-induced haze. She must then piece together what is real and what is imagined resulting in a mystery great for summer reading.

Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times…and spying on her neighbors.

Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble—and its shocking secrets are laid bare.

The Wedding Date

After agreeing to attend a wedding with a man she met in an elevator, Alexa has the time of her life. But when the weekend is over and she’s forced to return home, she can’t stop thinking about the possibility of long-distance love.

Tangerine

A tale of a friendship gone astray and lost love, Tangerine weaves a mystery full of charm amid the exotic backdrop of Morocco. The acclaimed book was recently optioned for film by George Clooney’s studio with Scarlett Johansson set to star in the lead role.

The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. After the accident at Bennington, the two friends—once inseparable roommates—haven’t spoken in over a year. But there Lucy was, trying to make things right and return to their old rhythms. Perhaps Alice should be happy. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. Lucy—always fearless and independent—helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country.

But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice—she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice’s husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind.

The Last Thing She Ever Did

The community along Oregon’s Deschutes River is one of successful careers and perfect families. For years, up-and-comers Liz and Owen have admired their good friends and neighbors, Carole and David. They appear to have it all—security, happiness, and a beautiful young son, Charlie.

Then Charlie vanishes without a trace, and all that seemed safe is shattered by a tragedy that is incomprehensible—except to Liz.

It took one fleeting moment for her to change the lives of everyone she loves—a heartrending accident that can’t be undone. Neither can the second-worst mistake of her life: concealing it. As two marriages crack and buckle in grief and fear, Liz retreats into her own dark place of guilt, escalating paranoia—and betrayals even she can’t imagine. Because there’s another good neighbor who has his own secrets, his own pain, and his own reasons for watching Liz’s every move.

And only he knows that the mystery of the missing boy on the Deschutes River is far from over.

The Memory of Butterflies

To keep a devastating family secret from being revealed, a young mother’s desperate lies could end up destroying everything, and everyone, she loves. The Memory of Butterflies is a poignant story of family and forgiveness—of knowing when to let go and when to hold each other close.

The Whiskey Sea

Motherless and destitute, Frieda Hope is determined to make a better life for herself and her sister, Bea. The girls are taken in by a kindly fisherman named Silver, and Frieda begins to feel at home on the water. When Silver sells his fishing boat to WWI veteran Sam Hicks, thinking Sam would be a fine husband for Frieda, she’s outraged. But Frieda manages to talk Sam into teaching her to repair boat engines instead, so she has a trade of her own and won’t have to marry.

Frieda quickly discovers that a mechanic’s wages won’t support Bea and Silver, and is lured into a money-making team of rumrunners supplying alcohol to New York City speakeasies. Speeding into dangerous waters to transport illegal liquor, Frieda gets swept up in the lucrative, risky work—and swept off her feet by a handsome Ivy Leaguer who’s in it just for fun.

As danger mounts and her own feelings threaten to drown her, can Frieda find her way back to solid ground—and to a love that will sustain her?

The Beach House

Caretta Rutledge thought she’d left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother—coming just as her own life is spinning out of control—has Cara heading back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide “turtle lady” and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life’s most precious lessons—true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.

The Great Alone

Alaska, 1974. Untamed. Unpredictable. A story of a family in crisis struggling to survive at the edge of the world, it is also a story of young and enduring love. Cora Allbright and her husband Ernt, a recently-returned Vietnam veteran scarred by the war, uproot their thirteen year old daughter Leni to start a new life in Alaska. Utterly unprepared for the weather and the isolation, but welcomed by the close-knit community, they fight to build a home in this harsh, beautiful wilderness. At once an epic story of human survival and love, and an intimate portrait of a family tested beyond endurance, The Great Alone offers a glimpse into a vanishing way of life in America. With her trademark combination of elegant prose and deeply drawn characters, Kristin Hannah has delivered an enormously powerful story that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the remarkable and enduring strength of women. About the highest stakes a family can face and the bonds that can tear a community apart, this is a novel as spectacular and powerful as Alaska itself. It is the finest example of Kristin Hannah’s ability to weave together the deeply personal with the universal.

Before We Were Yours

Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge–until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents–but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.

Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.

Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals–in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country–Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.

Come Home to Me

Healing the wounds of the past doesn’t come easy in this novel of friendship and forgiveness from award-winning author Liz Talley.

Summer Valentine has returned to Moonlight, South Carolina, a very different woman from the naive wallflower who left years before. These days she’s straightforward and savvy, determined to do right by her son, David—even if that means cashing in her struggling music career in Nashville and returning to the town that drove her away. Sure, she took a fall. But at least she now knows where she stands…

Despite her anger over the past, Summer believes David deserves a relationship with his father, Hunter “Hunt” McCroy. Though Hunt’s illustrious career has faded, privilege still protects him from his worst mistakes.

Someone else is back in Moonlight too: Rhett Bryan, the golden boy of Hollywood, who’s taking stock of his own life after a tragic accident. As his rekindled friendship with Summer quickly deepens, she must reconcile the painful history that ties her to both men—one she’s finally forgiven, one she’s afraid to love—to claim healing and happiness.

A Nantucket Wedding

A few years after losing her beloved husband, Alison is doing something she never thought she would do again: getting married. While placing the finishing touches on her summer nuptials, Alison is anxious to introduce her fiancé, David, to her grown daughters: Felicity, a worried married mother of two, and Jane, also married but focused on her career. The sisters have a somewhat distant relationship and Alison hopes that the wedding and the weeks leading up to the ceremony will give the siblings a chance to reconnect, as well as meet and get to know David’s grown children.

As the summer progresses, it is anything but smooth sailing. Felicity stumbles upon a terrible secret that could shatter her carefully cultivated world. Jane finds herself under the spell of her soon-to-be stepbrother, Ethan, who is as charming as he is mysterious. And even Alison is surprised (and slightly alarmed) by her new blended family. Revelations, intrigue, resentments—as the Big Day approaches, will the promise of bliss be a bust?

Which of these amazing books do you want to read this year? I am so excited to dive into this list! The best beach books of the summer on this list will keep us busy!

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The post The Best Beach Books to Read this Year appeared first on Just Like Joanne.