There are two kinds of people in this world: those who use work-from-home snow days to catch up on their favorite TV shows, and those who use them to fly through the pages of a compelling novel... all while keeping up with work e-mails, of course. I happen to belong to the latter category — Hi! Nice to meet you, too — and since we're in the thick of epic snowstorm season, I want to make sure my fellow bibliophiles are well armed with reading material before the next big blizzard strikes. To do so, we've teamed up with Flatiron Books to list out the most captivating, must-read page-turners for every genre.
Below, we've rounded up a wide range of recommendations for every kind of book worm. From an enticing modern-day fairy tale, to a dazzling mystery, and of course a hefty dose of inspiration, each pick is guaranteed to serve as the perfect antidote to cabin fever. Check out our list of favorite titles below to find your new favorite read, then grab your coffee, curl up on the couch, and dive right in.
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
Seventeen-year-old Alice has never met her grandmother, so when she receives word that her mom's mom Althea Proserpine has passed away, she doesn't expect the news to have any impact on her life. But when Alice spots a mysterious man from her childhood while she's at work, then returns home to find her mom has been kidnapped, Alice is forced to dive into her family's mysterious past of her grandmother's dark fairy tales, her cult-like fanbase, and the forbidden family estate, The Hazel Wood, to save her mom's life. The Hazel Wood is a modern, captivating fairy tale that I couldn't put down, and you won't be able to, either.
Force of Nature by Jane Harper
While going on a corporate retreat with your coworkers never feels like the most exciting use of your time, it's usually harmless — that is, until five of you are sent on a hike together, but only four of you return. With one woman missing, and the other four spouting off different versions of events, Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk is brought in to investigate, and what he discovers could cause professional acquaintances to suffer real-world consequences. Force of Nature is a thrilling pick for anyone and everyone who loves to indulge in a mysterious tale.
Oliver Loving by Stefan Merrill Block
Oliver has been residing in an assisted care facility for ten years following a tragic night at his high school dance, trapped inside a body that won't let him talk to his mom, dad, or brother. But when a new treatment presents the possibility that Oliver would be able to communicate again, a new hope finds its way to everyone still grieving from the tragedy. Heartbreaking in so many familiar ways, Oliver Loving will have you cheering for every piece of the puzzle in Oliver's recovery to go right so his small town can finally learn the truth about that fateful night.
Mothers of Sparta by Dawn Davies
Mothers of Sparta isn't your typical memoir. It doesn't read as a straight chronological recap of the author's life, and there's no common tone that weaves every section together — but what every essay does have in common is that each recaps the most pivotal moments of Dawn Davies' life. Using a mix of humor along with heart-wrenching storytelling, Davies offers readers her refreshing takes on everything from being the new kid in town to being the mom to a troubled son, and the author's honesty will keep you intrigued from cover to cover.
A Selfie As Big As the Ritz by Lara Williams
Anyone who's ever earnestly uttered the phrase "my life should be a reality show" ought to bump this collection of short stories to the top of their list. Each story in A Selfie As Big As the Ritz centers on a different twenty- or thirty-something woman as she navigates the inconveniences of adulthood. One story takes a glimpse into the mind of a young woman who's struggling to comfort a friend who's just had an abortion, while another story explores the harsh irony of a relationship falling apart in the most romantic city in the world. Though the division of the book into distinct stories gives you the freedom to set it down between chapters, I promise you won't want to.
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Furiously Happy lives at the intersection of the life we live in our minds and the life we live in front of everyone else. In her candid discussions around mental illness, Jenny Lawson's energetic, hilarious writing allows readers to absorb her tales of depression and anxiety while simultaneously experiencing what it's like to live as a furiously happy being. Thoughtful and compelling, Furiously Happy is for anyone who chooses to embrace the good in any situation.
The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey
Straight from the Queen of Everything herself, Oprah Winfrey joins forces with some of the biggest thought-leaders of our time to offer up insights throughout ten thought-provoking chapters. Everyone from Shonda Rhimes to Thich Nhat Hahn is interviewed as they speak out on finding purpose, overcoming our own egos, and the complexities and strength of forgiveness and spirituality. The Wisdom of Sundays is an enlightening and inspiring read I promise you'll return to time and time again.
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
If you're the kind of person who likes to be able to picture a book's drama-filled plot just as easily happening in your life, then boy oh boy do I have just the book for you. In Truly Madly Guilty, what starts as an ordinary friendly barbecue between three couples turns into a fateful evening that will change the course of all of the attendee's lives. Liane Moriarty masterfully weaves in plot twists and exciting turns throughout the story, all serving to illuminate the paper-thin line we all walk between innocence and guilt.
This post is sponsored by Flatiron Books.
