16 Great Books For Everyone

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Looking for some great books? Look no further! I’ve compiled a list of must-read books that will satisfy any avid reader’s craving for a good story. From page-turning thrillers to heartwarming coming-of-age tales to intense historical fiction and engaging contemporary fiction, there’s something for everyone on this list. So get ready for some captivating stories.

You may think that great books must be classics like Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck or the works of Jane Austin, or Little Women by Louise May Alcott, and for a good reason, they are all fabulous must-reads, but modern classics and books by new authors can be just as compelling and certainly worth reading. Sometimes an author’s first novel is one of their bestselling works.

Historical Fiction

Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton

In Our Last Days in Barcelona, Cleeton’s new book, we follow the stories of Isabel and her mother, Alicia, in two different timelines. In 1964, Isabel flew to Spain in search of her sister Beatriz who is tangled up in espionage, while in 1936, we hear about Alicia’s escape to Spain and the horrors of the Spanish Civil War.

This story immerses you in the rich culture of Spain and Cuba and explores themes of romance, family drama, civil war, and political unrest. However, the strong and incredible women at its heart make this story memorable. It’s a truly emotional and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

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Weyward by Emilia Hart

Weyward tells the captivating story of three remarkable women, each with a unique perspective on life in different historical periods. Althea (1619) struggled against the oppressive standards of her time, where any woman who dared to deviate from the norm was labeled a witch and punished. She is twenty-one years old and on trial for witchcraft.

Violet (1942) longs for the same rights as her brothers but lives in a time when it’s difficult for women to be more than just domestic caretakers.

And finally, we have Kate (2019), who is running from an abusive man who believes he is superior to her.

All these women were undeniably strong, and they had to navigate a world where society tried its best to limit their power and potential.

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City of Girls Elizabeth Gilbert

This is a story about a young girl’s journey to adulthood. Vivian, a 19-year-old college dropout from a wealthy family, moves to New York to live with her eccentric aunt Peg who owns a theater. As she lives her life to the fullest, we learn so much about growing up privileged and being sexually adventurous in the 1940s.

One of my favorite things about this story is how it brings the struggles and triumphs of wartime and the glitz and glamour of Broadway to life. I also loved Vivian’s witty and upbeat tone.

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The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

I loved this great sage about a fascinating time in ancient history – biblical times. It’s beautifully written and shows the power and necessity of female bonding. The author highlights the rituals and traditions of being a woman and shows the strength of the woman living in biblical times. It’s complex and moving and provides much insight into being a female in ancient times—one of the all-time great books.

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The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Death tells this story. It’s about Liesel, a young girl living with foster parents Hans and Rosa in Nazi Germany. She becomes friends with Rudy, and together, they learn to love reading and steal books to satisfy their appetite.
However, when Hans hides a Jew in their home, things change, and danger is everywhere. This is a beautiful, unforgettable coming-of-age tale. Although this is a YA book, don’t let this stop you from reading it – it has broad appeal to all ages.

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The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This is an unforgettable story about friendship and past regrets. It covers serious topics, such as injustice, abuse, and class discrimination. And it’s also about survival. The story revolves around Amir, a rich boy, and Hassan, the son of his father’s servant, who grow up being best friends. But civil wars and the Russian invasion of Afghanistan change everything. This thought-provoking story should be on everyone’s great books-to-read list.

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Thrillers

Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

The book is a captivating read with many secrets and good plot twists. It follows the lives of two couples, Gabe and Pippa, who have two children, and Max and Amanda, who decide they want a child-free lifestyle.

The author explores the impact of mental illness on family and friends and how each couple defines their partnership and views fidelity. Although a delightful read that held my interest, it leans more towards contemporary fiction and thriller due to a heavy focus on domestic issues.

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The Good Lie by A.R. Torre

The main character is Gwen, a physiatrist specializing in people with violent tendencies, so you can imagine that the story touches on real emotional issues. She is thrilled when offered the chance to profile the BH Killer – a serial killer who has killed six people.

Two other POVs also come into play with this story, Robert, the father of one of the victims, and Gwen, the mother of the only victim who escaped. Robert is a defense attorney and is sure the man accused of this crime is innocent; he decides to represent him. And Gwen is sure her son is hiding something, so the suspense keeps building.

The book had short chapters and good pacing making it perfect for travel or beach, and it will surely make it to the top of your “good books” list.

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I enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo because it was a psychological story and a mystery. But what made the book genuinely intriguing were the characters, especially the tattooed, unique, and unforgettable Lisbeth. Once hooked, I could not stop reading. And when finished, I could not wait for the two sequels, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. I recommend the Millennium Trilogy to anyone who likes action-packed books and unique characters.

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Women’s Fiction

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain

I love reading Diane Chamberlain’s work and struggle to name her best novel because they’re all good books and must-reads. This story takes place in dual timelines. The first takes us back to 1964, right before the Voting Rights Act passed, and it’s about actual events that happened to college students volunteering to register voters in the South that year.

The second timeline follows Kayla, a new widow who moves into a house she and her late husband designed. Just before moving in, a woman turns up at her workplace. She divulges an unnerving amount of information regarding Kayla and her property, warning her to avoid it entirely.

Chamberlain did a fantastic job accurately portraying the history, pulling you into the story, creating suspense and tension, and weaving the two time periods together. The Last House on the Street is an emotional and haunting read that tackles some tough topics, such as racism, interracial relationships, and grief, in a way that makes you think.

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The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Generally, I do not like books that foreshadow a dystopian future, but I found The Handmaid’s Tale thought-provoking from start to finish. It imagines a dystopian society where child-bearing women are forced to produce children for the barren wives of powerful men, and sex is only allowed for reproductive purposes. Women who cannot have children are household servants. This is a book with an important message – so add it to your list of great books to read.

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The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson

This is the story of Ruth Tuttle, a successful engineer who has to confront the consequences of her teenage pregnancy and the baby she had to give up for adoption while keeping it hidden from her husband. It explores themes of race, class, and the pain of secrets. What I liked about the characters is that they felt like real people, with imperfections and secrets, but still likable. The story is interesting and thought-provoking, leaving a lot to think about how society treats Black people.

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Kya’s story is one of resilience and strength. At the age of ten, she is alone and must survive in the marshes of North Carolina. Yet, despite the challenges of the harsh and unforgiving swamp, Kya proved resourceful, determined, and clever, never giving up on her fight for survival. She faces the small-minded people of North Carolina and manages to overcome every obstacle in her path with her indomitable spirit.

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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This story is all about the importance of family and how sacrificing for the ones you love is essential. It touches on issues regarding trust, being abandoned, and how fame and fortune can affect family dynamics. In addition, it portrays parental abuse, alcoholism, and economic hardships. It’s a compelling tale of a renowned family set in the breathtaking location of Malibu. And don’t miss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by the same author—another must-read book.

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Of course, great books mean different things to different people. So if you are a classic book lover- and gravitate to books like The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Beloved by Toni Morrison, or The Color Purple by Alice Walker, why not visit the classic book section of our site? Here you will find great books and true classics – all must-reads.

Best sellers are also a great way to find currently trending great books.

Happy Reading,

Linda

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