If you are like me, it is easy to get stuck after finishing a good book. No matter what you do, you just can’t force yourself to pick up a new book when you are still in the mindset of the book or series you just ended. Well, to at least make the decision if not the actual reading easier for you, Reading Whale has some recommendations. Find your favorite genre, choose a book, and try it out.
Historical Fiction
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This novel is great for fans of historical fiction. It tells the story of a blind French girl and a Hitler Youth German boy who grow up in the midst of WWII. It’s heart-breaking, it’s beautiful, and it is a must read. Try out this Pulitzer Prize winning novel if you are a fan of historical fiction focusing on WWII, or even if you are a general fiction lover. You can check out my spoiler-free review of this novel under the blog section of Reading Whale if you want to know more!
Children/Middle Grade Fiction
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Wonder has been getting a lot of attention lately because of the movie that will be coming out soon. It has been getting a lot of hype for a good reason. Wonder tells the story of a boy with a facial deformity who has to navigate through life with bullies, people who don’t understand him, and the pressures 5th grade brings on. While perfect for kids, it also can teach adults a lot of lessons about acceptance, community, and strength.
Fantasy/Sci-Fi
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
V.E. Schwab’s series may not be fantasy fans traditional go-to, but it is a great choice for a fresh story. In this book, there are different parallel Londons–red, white, gray, and black. It features magic, a smuggler, a cut-purse, and a deadly enemy they need to stop. This book is a great choice for fantasy fans because it isn’t traditional, and it takes a step outside of what is expected.
Young Adult
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
This book is a great choice for all fans of YA, and I entirely recommend it. All the Bright Places tells the story of a boy and a girl whose lives become entwined by chance. They grow together, helping each other overcome difficult things in their lives, but that all changes when the boy starts to shrink while the girl continues to grow. If you want to find out more, you can check out my review under the blog section of Reading Whale.
Mystery/Thriller
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Already known by pretty much every reader, let alone by mystery fans, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is one of the best mystery books and series ever written (in my opinion). 40 years after an heiress goes missing, a journalist and a punk are hired to finally uncover what happened. It is a little unlikely that you haven’t read it if you love this genre, but if it has somehow escaped you, now is the perfect time to try it out.
Nonfiction
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Now being made into a movie, this popular memoir by Jeannette Walls has been made even more popular. It is a crazy, interesting, weird, heart-breaking, warming memoir of a girl who grew up in a dysfunctional family, but made the best of her experience as she learned to prosper. Walls’ experience is one of a kind and it isn’t a story you would want to miss. This book is a great choice for nonfiction fans.
Romance
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I am a huge fan of this book. It fits under pretty much any genre you want to assign it to, whether, sci-fi (the protagonist travels back in time), historical fiction (she returns to the Scottish highlands), and even mystery (she has to figure out how she got there, how to go home, what to do in the midst of a foreign environment and many, many plot twists). But I classified it as romance because while thrown back in time, she does meet a great guy. Basically: Read this book.
Poetry
The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace
First off, these poems are geared towards a younger, more female audience, so true (maybe male) aficionados of poetry might not enjoy it. It does contain quality, sometimes fun poems about growing as a female, and it is a worthwhile read. It comes in four parts: the princess, the damsel, the queen, and you. The poems in each section are fitting and personal. Try this bestseller out for fun, or for finding personal strength.
