Best Books to Read — From One Bookworm to Another

Books That Stay With You: Stories You’ll Read at 3 A.M.

All right, let’s talk about books. Not the ones you have to read, like the ones they made us pretend to like in school. The ones you really want to read until 3 a.m. with one eye open and the other crying. Yes, those.

By the way, I didn’t always read. I went through a lot of “I’ll just wait for the movie” times. But at some point between being heartbroken and bored, I started picking up random books. Wow. Game-changer all the way. You get books. They don’t judge you, they don’t talk over you, and they take you places without you getting out of bed.

Here’s my list of books that will stick with you, you know, the ones that feel like something. I don’t care about awards, and this isn’t “the best literature of all time.” I read these books and thought, “Ugh, why did it end?”

10 Books That Will Stay With You

The Night Circus — Erin Morgenstern

Okay, listen to me: this one feels like a dream come true. There are only black-and-white tents, secret magic, and things that can’t happen. But not in a loud, flashy fantasy way. It moves slowly. Not hard. It feels like reading poetry, but not too hard. This is the book for you if you want one that wraps around you like a warm blanket.
Read more about The Night Circus

It Ends With Us — Colleen Hoover

This one did me in. It broke me like ugly-crying and throwing the book. It talks about love and pain and the times in between that we don’t talk about enough. If you’ve ever loved someone but knew it wasn’t good for you, get ready.
Find It Ends With Us

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo — Taylor Jenkins Reid

There is so much drama. So much glitz. But also, a lot of heart. Evelyn Hugo is one of those characters that you can’t stop thinking about even after the book is over. She is strong, brave, and flawed, but she is also soft in some places. I couldn’t stop marking lines.
About The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Atomic Habits — James Clear

I didn’t think I’d like a “self-help” book, but this one? Wow. It doesn’t talk down to you. It’s very clear, with no extra words, and the strategies really work. This book might help you get your act together (gently) if you’re sick of setting goals and then forgetting them two days later.
Visit James Clear’s Official Site

Where the Crawdads Sing — Delia Owens

This one came out of nowhere. I picked it up because everyone was talking about it, and I’m glad they did. There are some beautiful words, a little mystery, and a lot of nature in it. It feels like you’re right there in the marsh, watching everything happen.
Learn about Where the Crawdads Sing

Daisy Jones & The Six — Taylor Jenkins Reid

I know it sounds strange, but this book is written like an interview transcript, and it works. It sounds like a juicy music documentary, like the ones VH1 shows behind the scenes. I really Googled the band to see if they were real (they’re not). I am still angry.
About Daisy Jones & The Six

Circe — Madeline Miller

Greek myths, but told from the point of view of the witch goddess who is often misunderstood. Yes, please. Circe is strong, soft, angry, and smart all at the same time. The writing is so good that you should underline every other sentence.
Explore Circe

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine — Gail Honeyman

Eleanor is not your average hero. She is awkward, direct, and quietly broken. But it’s kind of magical to see her slowly open up to the world. I didn’t realize how much I cared about this book until I started crying in chapter 20-something.
Read about Eleanor Oliphant

The Alchemist — Paulo Coelho

Yes, it’s on every list of books that everyone should read. But there is a good reason for it. It’s short and easy to read, and it feels like talking to a wise old friend. It’s one of those books that comes to you when you need it most. I always go back to this one when I feel lost.
Visit Paulo Coelho’s Official Website

Normal People — Sally Rooney

This one is a mess. Not in a dramatic way, but in a way that is more like real life. Timing, miscommunication, and heartbreak…ugh. Connell and Marianne drove me crazy, but I couldn’t put the book down. It’s quiet, but it hurts.
Learn more about Normal People

Extra Picks (Because 10 Is Never Enough)

• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is a book for people who are creative and scared. More on Big Magic
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a book about crying over made-up kids during World War II. The Book Thief info
• Verity by Colleen Hoover is a thriller with a creepy romance and a lot of plot twists. About Verity
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a sweet, simple, and heartbreaking time-travel book set in a small café. Learn about Before the Coffee Gets Cold

A Short Note to End

So, yes, those are the books I would tell anyone who asks me, “What should I read next?” They are all different. Some will break your heart, some will fix it, and a few will make you wonder what the hell you’re doing with your life (in a good way).

Read them while you’re curled up in a blanket. Or in a bus. Or when you’re tired of scrolling through Instagram after lunch. Doesn’t matter. Just choose one. Take it out. Let it draw you in.

And hey, what if you finish one and love it? Tell me. If you don’t like one? Also, tell me. I love that. That’s how books are, in a way.

In any case, happy reading!

Questions and Answers About These Books

Which book should I start with if I’m new to reading?

If you want something magical but easy, start with The Night Circus. If you want something emotional and raw, go for It Ends With Us.

Are these books good for beginners?

Yes. Most of them are accessible, modern reads. Only a couple, like Circe or The Night Circus, are a little denser, but still very approachable.

Do these books have adaptations?

Yes! Where the Crawdads Sing has a movie, Daisy Jones & The Six was made into an Amazon Prime series, and Normal People became a Hulu/BBC show.

Are there nonfiction picks here too?

Yes — Atomic Habits and Big Magic are nonfiction, perfect if you want inspiration or better habits.

Can I find these books online?

Absolutely. You can get them on Amazon, Goodreads, or official publisher websites. I’ve linked official sources above.