A Huge List of My Favorite Books

Tuesday, October 25, 2016






In case you haven't noticed lately, I'm a reading machine.  On any given week I come home from the library with a stack of books so high I have to hold it steady with my chin as I walk into the house.  So yes, I love reading and I read A LOT of books.  




If you're looking for some books to read or buy, look no further than my recommendations.  Some of these books are old, and some are new releases.




Room by Emma Donoghue
I love this book and I loved the movie but the book has so much more in it.  All too often we hear about people being abducted and released years later, often with a child of their own now.  This fiction novel follows Jack and his Ma as they escape from their captor and are reintroduced in the world. I love that it's told in Jack's 5 year old voice.  I thought it would make it difficult to read but it was just the opposite.










Little Children by Tom Perrotta
This book is amazing! I had seen the movie before but the book is so great because it is a very realistic story of suburbia and all the types of people you may find in your neighborhood including the bitchy mother from the playground, the sexy stay at home dad, the neighborhood sex offender, and the gung-ho wannabe hero. 








The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
This was a really great novel with exciting twists.  As it unfolds, you almost feel as if you can figure everything out but then a kink is thrown in.  I love that there's a passionate love story twisted into the entire plot and the ending will leave you breathless!








Impossible Odds by Jessica Buchanan
An amazing story told by Jess herself, of the Seal Team Six rescue of Jess and her friend when they were kidnapped in Kenya and held for ransom. 




The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
This was a thriller of a novel about a couple whose baby gets abducted while they are at their neighobr's for dinner and drinks.  There's lots of relationship scandal in this and I seriously read the book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I love the twists and the suspense and how the author builds it up.   And I can totally see this happening in real life across this country. I LOVED this book!






If I am Missing or Dead by Janine Latus
Ugh this true story memoir is so relatable yet so heart wrenching.  It not only covers domestic violence and how hard it is to get away from it, especially when it's all you've known since childhood, but also covers the tragedy of loving someone who is a victim of it. I love love love this book and I wish I could hug the author. I wish every single person would read this book.






The Rising by Ryan D'Agostino
Okay, I remembered hearing before about Bill Petit and his family being tragically murdered in his own home but it's truly amazing to hear how the whole thing really played out and how amazing Bill is. Someone give this man a medal because despite the shitty things he's endured, he still does so much good in the world.  This is a great mix of a true crime story with a heroic tale of survival.









Shake the Devil Off by Ethan Brown
UGH, I can't get over this book.  I found myself googling the crime for weeks afterward and even watching some documentaries about it.  I really felt spiritually touched during part of it but then the other part I just felt sad.  It really shows you how the military, government, and surroundings of your world can contribute to things that eventually end in tragedy.  PLEASE READ THIS DAMN BOOK!







Baby Doll by Holly Overton
I loved this! It's a fictional story but nonetheless it's fabulous because it's something that does happen in real life.  The main character escapes a captor holding her hostage for many years.  She miraculously makes it home to her family but she has to try to adjust to the changes that have taken place and the events that have occured since she hsa been gone.





The Choices We Make by Karma Brown
Ugh this is a tragic but inspiring story about parenting and friendship and that twirls together with the possiblity of having to choose between the 2 when death is a possiblity.  Trust me, you will be reeling after this story and you will be so glad it's a work of fiction although I'm sure many things like this have happened.






Waiting to Be Heard by Amanda Knox
The story of Amanda Knox told by Amanda Knox. READ IT.   You will have so much respect for her when you're done.




Good As Gone by Amy Gentry
This book reminds me of the TV show Finding Carter.  A mother is reeling from the disappearance of her daughter many years ago and suddenly it appears she comes back.  But it's a struggle to find out if she really is who she says she is.





The Martian by Andy Weir
Just like the movie, this is an amazing science fiction story of an astronaut that gets tragically left behind on Mars and how he manages to create a source of food for himself and documents everything through a diary.  It's a great escape for a weekend afternoon!





Find Her by Lisa Gardner
This awesome book is about a girl that has survived a kidnapping and pretty much comes back as a kick ass vigilante but there are many suspicious events that occur.










Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Similar to Gone Girl and obviously by the same author, it's like a tale of a true crime years later when the surviving victim is left trying to figure out what really happened.  I loved this book and it's much much better than the movie!


The Air He Breathes by Brittainy Cherry
Such a passionate story about a bad boy and a regular girl, both having suffered terrible losses in their life and now finding them self widows.  It's dark, gritty, but has a twisted romantic element.  Such a great read with a glass of wine!


Those Secrets We Keep by Emily Liebert
This is a very light hearted read about girlfriends that keep secrets from each other and end up growing closer despite that.  It's nice to take a break from the heavy things I normally read so this was a nice, easy read.




Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller
I loved this memoir about an average girls family struggles growing up and how she somehow managed to survive a MAJOR hoarding situation in her own home.  I related to this a lot and I think most of you will too!






The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I'm sure you've heard all about this now because of the movie that's in theatres but trust me when I say to read the book first. It's a psychological thriller that really makes you think and enjoy the passion between some of the characters.









What books have YOU read lately that you would recommend? Or have you read any of these already and what did you think? I'm so curious to know!


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