10 Books to Get You Reading

One of my greatest delights is when a friend tells me how grateful they are that I helped them foster a new love of reading. Women are natural sales-people. We love to share the things we enjoy with our friends; it might be a killer recipe, a new skincare elixir, a sale on luxury towels, or a novel we couldn’t put down. Over the years my unbridled enthusiasm for books has had the delightful affect of encouraging women who “aren't readers” (their words) to reach for a recommended title (or audiobook) and subsequently discover a personal passion for reading.

Much like starting a new sport, it’s important to have a Starting Plan when kindling a love for reading. Picking up a novel by Dickens or Tolstoy is an impressive aspiration, but it would be akin to trying to run a marathon your first week of training. In my experience, starting your reading journey with the right book(s) is paramount to success. Which is why I’ve created a list of 10 novels that I believe are fail-safe starter books.

Read the shot description of each, and then pick the one that calls out to you. There is no wrong choice here. Choosing the RomCom book doesn’t make you less of a reader than choosing the Literary Fiction selection. A book, is a book, is a book.

So let’s get reading!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

"The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France--a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.” - description from BookShop

This is one of those novels that you will never forget. I have read nearly all of Kristin Hannah’s novels and this one remains my favorite. Best for those that like historical fiction, women-centered stories, and can handle sadness in books.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming... - BookShop

Where are my Romantic Comedy lovers?! Emily Henry is one of the best for witty, fun, well-written romantic books. I loved all of her most recent novels. This one is a personal favorite, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. I think these types of books are great for starting your reading journey. The are engaging from the first few pages, easy to read, and leave you feeling excited for more.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years' experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she's been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?” - BookShop

If you want to read, learn, and think deeply, then I highly recommend choosing a book by Jodi Picoult. There’s a reason she’s been a best-selling author for decades; Jodi is a master storyteller while tackling deep-steated social issues. Again, you can’t go wrong with any of her books, but this one is a favorite of mine.

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Everyone knows DAISY JONES & THE SIX, but nobody knows the reason behind their split at the absolute height of their popularity . . . until now. - BookShop

This book is just plain fun! It reads like a documentary - I had to actually google the band I was so convinced they were real. The characters are fantastic. Reid takes you on the road with the band in a way that you feel like a member. I love the unusual style of this book. It catapulted Reid to the top of my author list. Her other books are equally fantastic. (As is the TV mini-series.)

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

A murder...A tragic accident...Or just parents behaving badly? What's indisputable is that someone is dead. - BookShop

Drama. Mystery. Plot twists and more .This book hooks you from the start and its an exciting ride from beginning to end. Afterwards, watch the TV series. You won’t be disappointed by either.

Again, Liane Moriarty is an author that churns out exceptional books. After finishing this one I recommend picking up her other.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

“The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it's been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them.” - BookShop

This is a beautiful book that will pierce your heart. I read it so long ago I admittedly don’t remember many of the details, but I do know I can’t get rid of the copy in my bookshelf because it was such an impactful read.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

“A charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus” - BookShop

This was my favorite read in 2022. However, I ignorantly ignored it for months despite all its rave reviews. I thought the octopus thing was just too weird. Finally, last December I gave it a try, and read the entire novel in 3 days. And I loved the octopus! It’s been adored by everyone I have recommended it too. A sweet story filled with relatable, lovable characters and deep emotions.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon--the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him "the bitter neighbor from hell." But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time? Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.” - BookShop

I debated included this book in the line-up. Not because it isn’t one of my all-time favorites, but because it does start out fairly slow. This one takes awhile to get into. But if you preserver you’ll find yourself entrenched in a heartwarming. hilarious tale of unexpected friendships. Ove will make you want to call your grandparents, befriend your neighbors, and hold your loved ones close.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

"To say I love this book is an understatement. It's a deep psychological mystery about the power of motherhood, the intensity of teenage love, and the danger of perfection. It moved me to tears." --Reese Witherspoon from BookShop

Another intense novel (turned excellent mini-series) that will take you on a wild ride. It’s full of complex characters, social commentary, and emotional depth. Celeste Ng is a brilliant writer who does not hold back.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

“Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of the night her family was forever altered.” - BookShop

Admittedly, “Verity”, is not one of my personal favorites. However, I did feel strongly that Colleen Hoover needed to be included in this line-up. Many readers have credited Hoover with helping them return to reading. Her books aren’t going to win any literary awards, but they are very engaging. And while this one was a little heavy on the “bedroom stuff” for me, I must admit that it was a major page-turner. It’s the type of book you stay up late reading because you just can’t put it down.

I have so many more books to share with you in the coming weeks! Meanwhile, I would love to know what titles you would add to this this list. Please share in the comments. Happy Reading!