Essential Reads (aka My Favorite Books)
You know those books that burrow into your soul and never really leave? The ones you think about years later, that shaped you as a reader (and maybe even as a person)? This post is for them. These are my all-time favorite books. They made me feel deeply, think differently, or simply reminded me why I love reading so much. Some are quiet and lyrical, others are bold and unforgettable, but all of them are essential reads. Let’s me tell you about the stories that became a part of this reader.
This blog is reader-supported. At no cost to you, I earn a small commission from affiliate links used in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit my legal page.
Still Life
Sarah Winman
It's been several years since I finished this book, and since then I've never once hesitated answering the question: "what's your all-time favorite book?" Still Life is the answer EVERY SINGLE time. It's a masterpiece. A quietly stunning book, Still Life burrows under your skin, right into your heart, and stays then stays there. It’s a sweeping, soulful story about art, love, travel, chosen family, and finding beauty in unexpected moments. And the writing? It's absolutely gorgeous. These characters will be old friends for the rest of my life, and yours too when you finish. Everything I've ever read by Winman has healed something in me. But be forewarned: there are no quotation marks!
Betty
Tiffany McDaniel
Betty is one of those soul-shaking reads that breaks you in two, at least that was the case for me. It’s a raw, lyrical, and deeply moving story about an impoverished young girl living in a very flawed family. The bond between Betty and her father was extra special, so if you've got a strong bond with your dad, I highly recommend. Betty explores identity, trauma, and the stories we inherit, and it's full of HEAVY themes, so readers should definitely check trigger warnings before proceeding. But the poetic prose and visceral storytelling makes this book stand out among all others, making it worth the painful parts.
The Once & Future Witches
Alix Harrow
The Once and Future Witches is one of the most fiercely feminist stories I've ever read, the kind that lights a fire in you that won't burn out. Set in an alternate 1890s, it follows three estranged sisters rediscovering witchcraft while reconnecting with each other, and planting the seeds of the next women’s suffrage movement along the way. Harrow's lush storytelling is full of fairy tales and folk songs and stories, giving the book a nostalgic feel that reminded me of childhood nights with my storytelling mother at my bedside. It's an enchanting story with characters that roar and a world that shimmers with power and possibility. I fell in love completely.
Code Name Helene
Ariel Lawhon
Hands down my all-time favorite WWII novel, Code Name Hélène is one of those books that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. After all, readers meet main character, Nancy Wake, as she's applying her signature red lipstick before parachuting from a plane into enemy occupied territory. Based on the real-life Resistance legend, this book is bold and full of heart. From her behind-enemy-lines work in the French Resistance to her heartbreaking romance, Nancy's life is full of twists and turns, keeping you flipping pages to know what happens next.
Outlander
Diana Gabaldon
Highly recommended by my mother and for good reason, Outlander is time-travel, romance, and historical drama all rolled into one wildly addictive ride. Claire and Jamie are THE MOST ICONIC couple, with a deep connection that seems to transcend time and feel oh-so-real to readers. Claire is a WWII nurse who suddenly finds herself in 18th century Scotland where she meets rogue James Fraser. The rest, as they say, is history. It's a sweeping talen full of emotional, passion, and danger. I went in curious and came out completely obsessed, bingeing the entire series in a matter of months.
The Unmaking of June Farrow
Adrienne Young
Truly transportive, The Unmaking of June Farrow is moody, magical story that readers can easily lose themselves in. June is a cursed women, like all the women in her family line. In search of answers, she travels back in time where she finds another life altogether. Full of family secrets and a beautiful slow-burn love story, this book had me hooked. It’s got that quiet ache I love in a book, and the twist at the end is absolute perfection.
Take My Hand
Dolen Perkins Valdez
Looking for a book that will fire you up? Then look no further than Take My Hand, a powerful, gut-wrenching story that draws you into 1970s Alabama. Inspired by true events, it follows a young Black nurse as she uncovers a horrifying injustice. Determined to protect her patients, she sets out on a compelling crusade to right wrongs. It’s a beautifully written and deeply emotional story that is perfect for book clubs.
Trespasses
Louise Kennedy
The gut punch I never saw coming, Trespasses is the type of raw, intimate storytelling I look for in a literary fiction. Set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, it’s a love story tangled in politics, religion, and impossible choices. Louise Kennedy’s writing is sharp and tender in equal measure, full of compelling characters that you feel you can reach out and touch. It's the type of book that feels like a looking glass, transporting you back to a time and place that feels forgotten to all but those who lived it.
The Vaster Wilds
Lauren Groff
You know a book is good when you re-read the last chapter just to experience the gut punch one more time. The Vaster Wilds is a haunting and strangely beautiful story that I loved so much. It follows a young servant girl fleeing her 17th century colony in fear. She ventures into the frozen forest where she lives...or does she? Groff’s writing is so visceral it gave me chills. It’s raw, sparse, and deeply reflective on what it means to be human. Definitely one that lingers.
In Memoriam
Alice Winn
In Memoriam absolutely wrecked me in the most beautiful way. It’s a tender love story set during WWI that follows two schoolboys-turned-soldiers as they navigate war, identity, and a love they can’t speak aloud. Reminiscent of Evelyn Waugh but sharp edges, this was the type of book that made me momentarily set everything else aside. Winn's hauntingly beautiful storytelling makes this exploration of love a marvel to behold.
Angels of the Resistance
Noelle Salazar
Angels of the Resistance is a gripping WWII story about two teenage sisters fighting back in Nazi-occupied Netherlands. Based on a true story and full of tension and bravery, this sister story had me in my feelings the whole way through. It's the type of book that reminds you just how good a WWII story can be. The stakes feel high in this book, creating a tension that I crave in WWII storytelling.
What the Wind Knows
Amy Harmon
Looking for a book that will level you sobbing hysterically at 1am...well, look no further. What the Wind Knows is truly one of the most romantic books I've ever read. It's the type of wistful storytelling that I absolutely adore. A grieving young woman slips back in time to 1920s Ireland where she meets her fate. It blends Irish history and folklore to create a masterful story about connection that will stick with you long after the last pages. This lush story left me in a puddle.
Before You Go
Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter, where I share updates about the latest reading wrap-ups and blog posts, must-see book deals, and behind-the-scenes updates! And for even more fun, head to BookTube, Bookstagram, or Bindery for all things bookish!
Want More Book Recommendations?
