53 (Grown-Up) Books For Your Own Reading List

Kelly R. said:  The lives of twin sisters, both light-skinned black women, take separate paths when one chooses to disappear from her family and secretly pass for white in the world. I'm often let down by books that get a lot of hype, but I really enjoyed this one.

Kelly R. said:  While it does seem weird to recommend a dystopian novel during a pandemic, this felt like just the right time to read Station Eleven. It follows the intertwining stories of people before and after a flu pandemic, including a troupe of performers traveling the Midwest after civilization has very nearly been wiped out. It is surprisingly plausible right now, especially considering that it was published in 2014, but the much grander scale of the catastrophe keeps it from hitting too close to home.

Kelly R. said:  Part crime novel and part family drama, an assistant district attorney's quiet life is upended when his teenage son becomes the primary suspect in the murder of a classmate.

Kelly R. said:  A fictional 1970s rock band's rise to fame and eventual breakup, told from the point-of-view of the band members and those close to them in a unique interview-style format. This was a real page turner for me, a little reminiscent of Almost Famous.

Alexandra F. said:  The Way of Kings is the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s ongoing epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive - one of my favorite series of all time, and a favorite for many of my friends and family members as well. The series is told from the perspective of several different characters as they live through an apocalyptic war against otherworldly beings bent on destroying humankind. A masterpiece in world building, story telling and character development, the thousands of pages are a commitment, but a really fun one!

Shanna Uptergrove said:  This series is kind of The Bachelor meets Super Woman. The Prince has to choose a wife from a group of girls that his parents pick out, and once he settles on the one he wants, she shows that she has her own mind and a strong personality, it changes the way people see women and she is a strong female lead.

Nancy L. said:  Going into Town: A Love Letter to New York isn't a novel but a quick and funny read from bestselling author Roz Chast. It's part playful guide and part love letter to a great city. This will make you laugh whether you live in Manhattan, the boroughs, the 'burbs, or even further away. This is ideal for those who don't have time for a complete novel.

Nancy L. said:  Chiara Ravello is about to flee occupied Rome in 1943, but one glimpse of another woman being pulled away onto a truck with her husband and their children changes for her life forever. In that moment, Ravello is thrust into the role of caretaker for the woman's child. Early One Morning, by Virginia Bailey, is a heartbreaking story of how they not only make it through the war years in Italy but of how their lives will be forever connected, changed, and haunted.