Stories I Love and Recommend
I’m excited to share some of my favourite books with you! As a writer and avid reader, these are stories that have captivated my imagination, inspired my writing, or simply provided a wonderful escape. Whether you’re looking for gripping historical fiction, heartwarming adventures, or a bit of both, I hope you’ll find something to enjoy.
To make it easy, I’ve included links where you can learn more and purchase these books from Bookshop.org. Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to buy a book—at no additional cost to you. This helps support my writing journey, and I’m grateful for your support!
The Dead Friend Project
Joanne Wallace
I’ve not read this yet but I’m very much looking forward to judging by how I ploughed through You’d Look Better As A Ghost.
You’d Look Better As a Ghost
Joanne Wallace
By far the absolute best book I’ve read all year!
Read my Goodreads review here.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Gail Honeyman
Follow the socially awkward and highly structured Eleanor as she navigates her lonely life, slowly learning the importance of friendship and emotional healing after years of isolation.
Read my Goodreads review here
How to Kill Your Family
Bella Mackie
Darkly humorous and brilliantly twisted tale of revenge and family secrets. With sharp wit and unexpected twists, it’s a thrilling read that keeps you hooked until the very last page.
Read my Goodreads review here.
Disobedient
Elizabeth Fremantle
A captivating reimagining of Renaissance art and rebellion, bringing Artemisia Gentileschi’s story to life with vivid prose and emotional depth. It’s a powerful tribute to a woman who defied convention to pursue her passion and assert her voice in a world determined to silence her.
Read my Goodreads review here.
Strong Female Character
Fern Brady
A candid and hilarious memoir in which Fern Brady explores her experiences as a neurodivergent woman, using sharp wit and humour to navigate societal expectations and personal challenges.
Read my Goodreads review here.
Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir
A lone astronaut on a mission to save humanity from extinction, he faces interstellar challenges and forges an unlikely alliance with an alien
Read my Goodreads review here.
Act of Oblivion
Robert Harris
The story of a former soldier on the run after the English Civil War, navigating a dangerous world of political intrigue and moral dilemmas as he seeks redemption for his past actions.
Read my Goodreads review here.
The Witches of Vardo
Anya Bergman
Follows the harrowing journey of a group of women accused of witchcraft in 17th-century Norway as they navigate societal persecution and strive to reclaim their power and identity in a world that seeks to silence them.
Read my Goodreads review here.
The Ashes of London
Andrew Taylor
A young man navigates the treacherous streets of post-Great Fire London as he becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious murders that reveal dark secrets and hidden agendas within the city’s elite.
Read my Goodreads review here.
Notes on an Execution
Danya Kukafka
The final hours of a convicted serial killer, intertwining his story with the voices of the women whose lives were forever altered by his actions
Read my Goodreads review here.
Yellowface
R.F. Kuang
A whirlwind of success, controversy, and moral dilemmas that expose the darker sides of the publishing industry.
Read my Goodreads review here.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Follows reclusive Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo as she recounts her scandalous life story and her seven marriages, revealing the true love of her life and the sacrifices she made for fame.
Read my Goodreads review here.
What A Way To Go
Bella Mackie
Wealthy Anthony Wistern’s sudden death leaves his family, complete with a glamorous wife, photogenic children, and a trove of secrets, vying for his fortune while each becomes a suspect in his demise.
Read my Goodreads review here
Case Histories
Kate Atkinson
Private investigator Jackson Brodie untangles three seemingly unrelated cold cases, exposing hidden truths and uncovering unexpected connections between the past and present.
Read my Goodreads review here
Behind the Scenes at the Museum
Kate Atkinson
Ruby Lennox narrates her life from the moment of conception, unravelling her family’s hidden secrets and emotional history across generations.
Read my Goodreads review here
The Sight of You
Holly Miller
Follow Joel, a man who dreams about the futures of those he loves, as he grapples with the impact of his visions on his relationship with Callie.
Read my Goodreads review here
The Household
Stacey Halls
Stacey Halls never fails to amaze with her vivid descriptions of the past. Love it and everything else she’s written.
Read my Goodreads review here.
Mrs England
Stacey Halls
Ruby May uncovers the dark secrets of the England family, revealing the trauma and abuse hidden beneath their seemingly perfect facade in Edwardian England.
Read my Goodreads review here
The Emporer’s Babe
Bernardine Evaristo
Follow Zuleika, a young woman in Roman Britain, as she embarks on a journey of love and self-discovery while navigating the challenges of a patriarchal society.
Read my Goodreads review here
Shuggie Bain
Douglas Stuart
Shuggie Bain follows the life of a young boy in 1980s Glasgow as he navigates the challenges of poverty and his mother’s battle with alcoholism, striving to find his place in a harsh world.
Read my Goodreads review here.
People Like Her
Ellery Lloyd
People like Emmy Jackson. They always have. Especially online, where she is Instagram sensation Mamabare. But Emmy isn’t as honest as she’d like the fans to believe. She may think she has her followers fooled, but someone out there knows the truth and plans to make her pay.
Read my Goodreads review here
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
Feyre is a huntress, but when she kills what she thinks is a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution
Read my Goodreads review here
A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas
Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court – but at a steep cost.
Read my Goodreads review here
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Sarah J. Maas
Oh, Feyre’s about to wreck some shit. Grab the popcorn, because things are about to get really messy, and she’s not here to play nice.
Read my Goodreads review here.
A Court of Frost and Starlight
Sarah J. Maas
A festive and intimate novella that bridges the gap between battles and new beginnings, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the lives of the Night Court as they celebrate the Winter Solstice.
Read my Goodreads review here
Sarah J. Maas
Nesta Archeron grapples with her traumatic past and fiery temper
Read my Goodreads review here.
Sarah J. Maas
Meet Celaena, an assassin fighting for her freedom in a deadly competition, uncovering dark secrets along the way.
Read my Goodreads review here.
Sarah J. Maas
As the King’s Champion, Celaena Sardothien carries out his deadly orders—but as she uncovers dark secrets within the kingdom, she must decide where her true loyalties lie.
Read my Goodreads review here.
Sarah J. Maas
Celaena Sardothien is broken, grieving, and far from the court where she once played a deadly game. Sent across the sea to a foreign land, she must confront her past, face truths she has long buried, and unlock a power she barely understands.
Sarah J. Maas
Follow Celaena Sardothien’s deadly missions, forbidden romance, and betrayals, shaping her into the infamous assassin readers meet in Throne of Glass.
Sarah J. Maas
Celaena Sardothien—now embracing her true identity—as she returns to reclaim her throne, seek vengeance, and fight for those she loves in a kingdom on the brink of war.
Sarah J. Maas
Aelin Galathynius navigates deadly alliances, ancient prophecies, and rising darkness, risking everything to protect her kingdom and those she loves.
Sarah J. Maas
Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq as they journey to the southern continent in search of healing and allies, uncovering powerful secrets that could change the fate of the world
Sarah J. Maas
Aelin Galathynius and her allies wage a final, desperate battle for survival, love, and freedom, facing impossible odds to reclaim their world from darkness.
Read my Goodreads review here.
Ali Riley 