Books That Belong on Your Bookshelf
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
This is one of those books I couldn’t put down, and I devoured it in less than 24 hours. McConaughey’s storytelling ability is unexpectedly mesmerizing, and the story of how he became the man he is today will leave you questioning everything you assumed about Hollywood stars. A must-read for everyone, and if you’re a fan of audiobooks he reads it himself, so you can be taken away by his southern drawl while diving headfirst into the (surprising) story of his life.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Really anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid is worth picking up, but this one left me wanting more even days after I had finished the book. The story was captivating, and she writes Evelyn’s story in a way that finds you wondering if this really is fiction. The raw emotion and twists and turns of this story will break your heart in the most satisfying way.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
A lesser known book than Backman’s very popular Anxious People, this story about an old man named Ove is a book any adult will enjoy and learn from. You know those books that make you ugly cry, but in the best way? That’s what these pages hold in store for any reader lucky enough to find themselves immersed in this story that will challenge you to be kinder to everyone you meet.
TW: attempted suicide
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Can we start a petition to have this replace The Grapes of Wrath in every high school curriculum? In all of her books, Hannah creates strong female characters that will have you cheering them on in moments of success, and crying for them in moments of heartbreak. Her effort to represent history as accurately as possible means you get a fresh take on those subjects we were forced to study in school. Her latest novel about a family trying to survive the Dust Bowl will radically challenge what you thought you knew about recent American history.
The Puma Years by Laura Coleman
If you find yourself with a case of wanderlust, in need of a kick in the pants, or just a plain old reality check, this is the book for you. As an animal lover I was moved by the relationships the people have with the animals at the sanctuary in Bolivia where the majority of the book takes place, but it’s really a story that anyone, especially a young woman, can connect with. If you think you’re outdoorsy now, you’re about to realize how much you love the simple comforts of running water and a refrigerator.
