Bekah’s Must-read Books to get you through life
These books are not in ANY order (But if you want a suggestion to start somewhere- see the end!), and I have categorized them by type and/or author if the author fits into multiple categories. I will add to this list as I continue to find good reads, and I will probably not remove anything from this list. These are books that have stuck out and stuck with me over the years. They might not be classics (ask your librarian if you want to read those) but I promise you, they are worth your time!
Historical Romance
New Adult
Urban Fantasy
Rainbow Rowell
Young Adult
Sexy Adult reads
Outlander
Grown-Up Books (Adult)
Historical Romance (Regency Romance aka my crutch)
I have read far too many Regency Romance books. When I’m in a slump- feeling down or need something to quickly pull me in, I open up my Oyster Books app and find some book with the word “Scandal” in the title and I’m happy, happy girl. Some of my favorites:
- The Dressmaker Series by Loretta Chase (Book 1 Silk is for Seduction)
- The Rules of Scoundrels Series by Sarah MacLean. We cannot get enough of Sarah. Start with A Rouge by Any other Name.
- Love by the Numbers Series by Sarah MacLean (Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake, Book 1)
New Adult
Aka the worst type of book ever unless written by Robin York
Start with DEEPER and then read her follow up HARDER. (Yes, those are the names for real)
I love all Robin York’s books. She also writes Adult Contemporary under the name Ruthie Knox. Perfect beach reads/train commute reads.
Urban Fantasy
- Grave Witch: We read this for Bookclub. It’s (adult) Urban Fantasy, and it was pretty good. The series isn’t over yet, so I was bummed because I hate reading a series and getting into it and not being able to finish it, but… It was good. I think there are 3 books published so far. Book 1 is Grave Witch (Alex Craft)
- The Fever Series: HOWEVER, if you want/like Urban fantasy and haven’t read The Fever series yet, stop what you’re doing and read that. There are Five Books (in the “official” series) that I inhaled in two weeks. They’re frustrating, not perfect AT ALL, but very few people we’ve recommended them to haven’t loved them! Start with Book 1: Darkfever.
Rainbow Rowell Books
Sigh.. Rainbow Rowell is an AMAZING author and that is why she gets a category to herself.
- She has YA Books: Eleanor and Park and Fangirl. I didn’t love Eleanor and Park (but I’m in the minority), but I LOVED Fangirl. Rainbow is so perfect they both deserve to be on this list.
- Rainbow’s Adult Books: Landline was a perfect book. And her first novel, Attachments, is almost as perfect.
Young Adult
Oh where to start….. Well, obviously, start with:
- The Twilight Series: The Twilight Series changed my life (literally) and so I can’t mention a book list without telling you you must read it. I believe Twilight started the YA craze. The movies and the fandom started pop culture’s obsession with teenage stories. You’re a bit late to the party to get all the inside jokes, but we welcome new people into the Twi-family at any time. So read up!
- Anna and the French Kiss: For cute, feel good, YA-romance books that I LOVE LOVE: Read Stephanie Perkins’ Anna and the French Kiss series. Start with the first book: Anna and the French Kiss, then read Lola and the Boy Next Door, and call me after you bawl your eyes out after reading Isla and the Happily Ever After. These books will make you remember young love!
- Vampire Academy: Fun YA Series by Richelle Meade. Vampire Academy Book 1
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Divergent Series by Veronica Roth: I have a hard time recommending this because of the disaster of Book 3, but I still do recommend the series.
- Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta: Warning; tears ahead.
- The Fault in our Stars by John Greene
- All Gayle Forman books: Start with If I Stay and the follow up/best ever Where she Went
- The Selection Series by Kiera Cass: These books are NOT the most well-written, but they are somehow addicting. They’re like the “Bachelor for Dystopian world.” Book #1 The Selection
- Shatter Me series by Tahareh Mafi: Sigh.. Team Warren. Book #1 Shatter Me
- The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole: What do you get when an adult romance author writes YA? Hot YA Sex. Book #1 Poison Princess
Sexy Adult reads
- Immortals after Dark Series by Kresley Cole: This is such a fun, throw-away series you can read at ANY time! First of all I love Kresley Cole SO MUCH. This series is full of books that are funny. They’re sexy. They’re hot. They’re weird. There are wolves, vampires, fairies, and they all live in the same world…. I’m maybe halfway through.. I went on a bender for a few weeks and needed a break! Start with Book #1 The Warlord Wants Forever.
- Christina Lauren Books. If you want books as addicting as YA but with SEX, then read Christina Lauren immediately. Start with their Beautiful Bastard Series: Beautiful Bastard YES; Beautiful Bitch (okay, novella); Beautiful Stranger YES; Beautiful Bombshell (I forget this one. Novella); Beautiful Player (SIGH. my fav EVER). At MINIMUM read: Bastards, Stranger and Player. Their other series (Wild Season- technically NA) is good too! Start with Sweet Filthy Boy.
Outlander
This deserves another category in and of itself because it sort of defies categories. It’s romance (don’t tell the author Diana Gabaldon); It’s Time Travel; It’s Historical; It’s a little bit of everything. I’m only half way through the series, and I’ll probably eventually pick it up again, but I’m not rushing to do so. Start with Book #1 Outlander. You’ll hate it till half way through. Then you’ll thank me. Catch all our Outlander coverage once you’re addicted.
Grown Up Books
Confession: I haven’t loved a ton of “adult” contemporary books. Sure I’ve read the popular ones (I hated Gone Girl back before it was cool #hipster), but nothing has really connected with me. I’m added this category to the list after this list was started because I’ve recently fallen in LOVE with JoJo Moyes. Hopefully I add more authors here at some point, but read anything and everything by JoJo.
- Me Before You: You’re going to cry. It’s going to hurt. It’s worth it. Me Before You.
- One Plus One: I loved this book. I love the Britishness of it. I loved the characters. I loved their imperfections. Just read this book, guys. One Plus One.
Where do I start?
Haven’t read any of the books I’m recommending? Here is where I narrow it down:
- Start with Twilight if you want non-realistic YA.
- Start with Stephanie Perkins (Anna and the French Kiss) if you want an easy read, page turner. (This is ESPECIALLY good if you’re new to or haven’t loved YA before. These books will remind you why being a teenager is the best!)
- If you want adult/sexy/hot books: start with The Beautiful Bastard Series by Christina Lauren.
- If you want grown up adult books without the smut, start with Attachments by Rainbow Rowell or Me Before You by JoJo Moyes.. Grab Tissues.
Happy Reading!
PS: If you sign-up for Oyster Books (Netflix for Books!) You can read MANY of these books for FREE (at just $10/month) Also If you use this link, I get a month free and will love you for life.
