Books I’ve read recently

Like most of my hobbies and passions, my waves of motivation and gumption to pursue them come in ebbs and flows. (Honestly, it’s more like tsunami waves or desert dry spells, thanks to what I now know is ADHD.)

Reading, though one of my very favorite things, is also victim to this pattern of consumption and abstinence. Lately, likely thanks to the power of the new year, I’ve been lucky enough to jump into a book-forward routine.

Here are a few of the titles I’ve loved lately and cruised through easily—my recent book list.

My recent book list

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

I’ve come to love Ali Hazelwood books for the fun they are: centering women in STEM, fun romance tropes, and quirky humor. In this one, a Ph.D. candidate at Stanford, fakes a relationship with a professor to convince her best friend she’s dating and over her ex.

The Love Hypothesis is so fun, easy to read, and employs lovable characters. I highly recommend checking it out!

More info: www.goodreads.com

Buy The Love Hypothesis | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

This novel follows a decades-long relationship between two friends who become successful video game designers together.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow was beautiful and complex. The reader is rewarded by each (very intentional) detail, brought to life by (seamless) perspective switches and flawed (but endearing) characters.

It’s good, smart, layered stuff.

More info: www.goodreads.com

Buy Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

After many years on my “to be read” list, I finally tapped into The Alchemist. It’s an allegorical novel about a shepherd boy who travels from Spain to the Egyptian pyramids and back, in search of treasure.

It was a quick read, with simple yet profound themes of self-discovery, destiny, and the power of journey over destination.

More info: www.goodreads.com

Buy The Alchemist | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

A novel about second chances and righting wrongs, for One More Day is a classic Mitch Albom story—there’s elements of death, the afterlife, and life lessons learned from rock bottom.

It was a quick but potent read, and it worked well for me to test out audiobook waters.

More info: www.goodreads.com

Buy For One More Day | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

My first Abby Jimenez read (she’s been on my list for a while!), Just for the Summer was an immediate favorite. It’s a contemporary romance novel, following a fake dating relationship, designed to break their alleged curse where heir exes find their soulmates after they break up.

Can you imagine how that goes?

The story is delightful and fun, with humor, romance, and toxic family dynamics.

Note: I listened to this on Audible while I walked on the treadmill. I’m not really an audio book person, so it took me forevvvver to finish.

More info: www.goodreads.com

Buy Just for the Summer | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown

Red Rising was the sci-fi dystopian revolution series I didn’t know I needed, but I burned through nonetheless. Chad and I read these in tandem, which was a treat! There’s warfare, infiltration, heartbreak, politics, and uprising.

I’ve read the first three books in the series (Red Rising, Golden Sun, and Morning Star), quickly and enthusiastically. The series follows a class and color-based caste system with high stakes, set in space. The writing improves with each book, evolving from YA to adult storytelling.

More info: www.goodreads.com

Buy Red Rising | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

It was about time I learned what all the hubbub was about. Enter: It Ends with Us, a novel by Colleen Hoover that also released as a major motion picture in 2024.

I can’t speak for the movie, but the book was alright! I read it very quickly, as it was entertaining and I definitely wanted to know what came next. It’s worth noting that it covers domestic violence and complex relationships, and it’s not for everyone.

More info: goodreads.com

Buy It Ends with Us | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

This has definitely been a season of “fake dating” rom-com plots for me! The Paradise Problem follows the same trope, involving a marriage-of-convenience that never ended, an inheritance, and a family vacation to keep up appearances.

It was a fun read that I gobbled up in a day, of course.

More info: goodreads.com

Buy The Paradise Problem | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

If you’re looking for some cheeky fun, The Thursday Murder Club is just the novel for you. The story follows a group of detective enthusiasts who live in a luxury retirement village and meet up on Thursdays to try to solve cold case murders. They get caught up in a current case, and make themselves essential as police investigate around them.

Overall, the book is delightful, clever, charming, and follows some loveable characters. I ate it up, and can’t wait to read the next in the series. And, luckily for me, they also made this book into a movie, available to watch on Netflix.

More info: goodreads.com

Buy The Thursday Murder Club | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Lucy Foley strikes again! I love her books. This one joins the list of thrillers that are so easy and quick to read, because I simply can’t put it down.

The Midnight Feast is a murder-mystery, centered on the secrets and lies circling the opening night of a luxurious coastal resort. It jumps between character perspectives and gives White Lotus meets Nine Perfect Strangers, in the best way.

More info: goodreads.com

Buy The Midnight Feast | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

I picked up The House in the Cerulean Sea was picked up on vacation in a little free library, and I’m so glad I did. This book was heartwarming and poignant, and I enjoyed every moment.

It’s like a modern fairytale, following a man who slowly opens his heart as he’s sent to asses a house full of “dangerous” magical children, discovering his own biases along the way.

More info: goodreads.com

Buy The House in the Cerulean Sea | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

As the first Ali Hazelwood novel I ever read, Love, Theoretically was the perfect introduction to her catalogue of STEM storylines. I absolutely loved this one, and tore through it in a single day.

It has everything I could ever want: a fake dating trope, plot twists, a funny and smart leading woman, an enemies to lovers trope, a slow burn love story, and a peek into the world of a theoretical physicist. To summarize, Love, Theoretically is a fun and endearing and wonderful read from start to finish.

More info: goodreads.com

Buy Love, Theoretically | Amazon | IndieBound | ThriftBooks

What’s next?

What’s been on your recent book list?

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