In a reading slump?
I’ve been in one for the last few weeks. The type where I’m picking up a book I’ve read several times before because the books in this particular library stack just aren’t cutting it for me. Since I’m not sure mine will end before May (when the top three books in my to be read (TBR) pile release), I thought I’d share some of my favorite fun reads and book recommendations, along with all the ridiculous reasons to read them, in hopes that I can end someone else’s slump, even if I can’t fix my own.
Children’s/Middle Grade Books
I have a four year old, and I have high hopes of turning her into a marathon reader. But even if you don’t have kids/know kids/like kids, these children’s favorites are well worth the read/re-read:
- Henry Huggins & Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary
I loved Ramona as a child. I think I love her more as an adult. And sometimes while I read these to my kid, I think about how much I’d love to get into Ramona-esque naughtiness. Because it would be fun to squeeze out an entire tube of toothpaste or re-deliver all the neighbors’ newspapers to the wrong houses. - The American Girls books
Because even though I’m too old to play with my Samantha doll, I still enjoy re-reading her adventures with my daughter. - Keeper of the Lost Cities (and sequels) by Shannon Messenger
Because this book is a little bit like Harry Potter, with all the cuteness of a girl’s first crush thrown in. - Anne of Green Gables (and sequels) by L.M. Montgomery
I re-read (via audiobook) these every few years. I never outgrow Anne Shirley breaking her slate over Gilbert Blythe’s head.
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YA Books You Probably Haven’t Heard About
I could probably include 50-100 books in this list. but I restrained myself. (Barely.)
- Of Poseidon (and sequels) by Anna Banks
Yes, these books are about mermaids, and in general, I’m over the paranormal romance genre. But these are hilarious. Banks answers the question of how mermaids have sex (and right there, that was enough to interest me). The fact that there are two love stories (but no love triangles!) didn’t hurt either. - Everything by Katie McGarry.
Seriously, you just should pick up her books. - The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Stiefvater’s Shiver series entertained me, and I enjoyed it, but to be honest, I didn’t fall in love with it. But this one? It includes mythical horses that kill people and a slow-building, swoon-worthy romance. Plus, it’s set in 1930(ish) Ireland. And if you like audiobooks, the narrators of this one have accents you want to listen to on repeat. - The Girl of Fire and Thorns (and sequels) by Rae Carson
Because who doesn’t want to read about a princess who is married off (almost against her will) in the first chapter and has to figure out who she wants to be amid political intrigue, kidnappings, and lots of deaths? - Pivot Point (and sequel) by Kasie West
This book is kind of like a Choose-Your-Own Adventure novel. The MC can see the future, and when her parents divorce, she looks ahead to see which future she parent she should choose to live with. If you can hang in there through the premise (which is handled well in the book but is hard to sell in a hundred words or less), this is such a cute romance and–even better–a great friendship story. - For Darkness Shows the Stars/Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund
The first is a Jane Austen re-telling (Persuasion, Beth, not P&P!) and the second a gender-swapped re-telling of The Scarlet Pimpernel, both set in the same dystopian world where genetic enhancements-gone-wrong have given most of the population mental handicaps, and the stories give you everything from romance to cross-dressing spies. - Let the Sky Fall (and sequels) by Shannon Messenger
The MC of this book finds out he’s a sylph and is the only one who can save the sylph world. Honestly, the reason to read this book isn’t the premise, which sounds a lot like other fantasy/paranormal novels. The reason to read it is that the main male character, Vane, has one of the best snarky personalities of any YA hero on the page. (And he makes jokes about haboobs–which are supposedly a real dust storm, but mostly just a fun excuse for the lines that name inspires.) - Transparent (and sequel) by Natalie Whipple
The MC of this novel is invisible and makes friends with a bunch of hot boys. Do you need any more info? I didn’t. - The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
When a general’s daughter buys a slave at the market, she knows almost immediately that she won the bid, but somehow lost as well. This book took so many plot turns, I can’t imagine what’s going to happen in the sequel. - If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
There’s nothing silly to say about this one. From the writing to how Murdoch handles the subject matter (the MC was kidnapped by her mother and forced to live off the grid), this is one of the best, most beautifully-written YA books I’ve ever read.
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Christian Fiction
Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to read The Baby-Sitter’s Club (they were dating in middle school, the horror!), but I devoured Christian romances. While I once read a handful of them a month, I now only read a handful a year. If you, like me, have ever liked inspirational romances, these satisfy the itch to read a good one:
- Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
The main character of this book is more comfortable hiding in books than in living real life. So when she’s offered a scholarship to grad school, with the requirement that she write to “Mr. Knightley” to update him on her progress, she finds herself very comfortable with her anonymous benefactor who has chosen an Austen hero for his persona. So comfortable that her updates become more like journal entries… - Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
It’s basically a Christian romance trope to have two characters forced into a marriage and then have to learn to love each other afterwards. Which is exactly what happens in this novel, but it works better in this one than in most. - Savannah from Savannah (and sequels) by Denise Hildreth
The premise of this book–a green reporter looking into rigged beauty pageants–isn’t the reason to read it. It’s the array of quirky, sometimes crazy characters Hildreth creates. All of whom win you over with Southern charm–even if, like me, you have lived up North (and liked it) all your life.
Other Books
- Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
People seem to either love this book or hate it. (Full disclosure: I loved it, but TN-teammate Beth hated it.) It’s a regency romance. If you’re looking for fluffy, fun reading where you know which characters will end up together from chapter 2 onward, check this one out. - Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (and sequel) by Laurie Viera Rigler
Ever wonder what it would be like to actually travel back to Austen’s time? This book answers the question. And made me realize that I’m very happy to live in modern-day America and read about Regency England.
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Have I convinced you to read any of these? Anything you think I should read? Anyone else dying for books to be released? Share your book recommendations in the comments!
