Paper Eliza's March Book Suggestions
It’s a rainy Monday here in Birmingham, Alabama and if day 8 of quarantine has you going completely out of your mind, like me, I have you covered.
I love to read but never have the time to. Long flights, beach days, and summer porch nights are reserved for good books and there are never enough of those to go around. If there is a silver lining to being forced inside for who knows how long, it’s that I have a chance to rest, relax, and catch up on insanely long “to read” list and the growing pile of books beside my bed, thanks to my legitimate buying-books-that-I-don’t-have-time-to-read ADDICTION.
Stuck and unsure of where to turn? Start with one of these bad boys, which are some of my favorites over the past few years. Listed in no particular order, each and every one has made an impact on me - whether spiritually or mentally or just in a feel good, wish I could read this over and over, kind of way.
And last but not least, this post wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to my best girl, Megan, who reads like no other and whom I love and aspire to be like. She posts beautiful books and encourages me via aesthetic literature daily. Follow her on instagram if you read through this list and need additional suggestions. She’s a wonderful intellect.
Commonwealth, Ann Patchett
FAMILY DRAMA and you can’t put it down once you start. It’ll make you appreciate those that you are currently quarantined with. Too good.
Garden City, John Mark Comer
Game changer in looking at work, rest, and how they are used to point others to Jesus Christ.
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley, Hannah Tinti
Father-daugher action novel that is equal parts moving, upsetting, and addicting.
The Cuckoo’s Calling, Robert Galbraith
Can’t tell enough people about these books. Detective novel series by “Robert Galbraith” AKA JK Rowling’s pseudonym. She has you convinced it was every suspect at some point of the book and you’re still blown away/shocked/confused/obsessed in the last twenty pages. READ THESE BOOKS!
Celine, Peter Heller
Bad-ass, grandma detective out west. Nancy Drew aged fifty years. I adored it.
The Immortalists, Chloe Benjamin
Kinda weird, late sixties, coming of age novel based around four siblings. Page turner and easy read.
Dance Stand Run, Jess Connolly
Jess Connolly has a way with words like no other. An encouragement to be the girl the Lord created you to be, dancing in grace, standing firm in holiness, and running on a mission.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman
Gail Honeyman is truly a genius. She created a character that makes you simultaneously frustrated and fall in love with at the same time. Weird Eleanor, sweet love story. I give you one day of quarantine and you’ll have it finished.
Educated, Tara Westover
Non-fiction that reads like fiction. The entire book you’ll have to remind yourself that these THINGS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Tara Westover is a boss.
Daisy Jones and the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid
Seventies, rock and roll band on tour, the love story behind the lead singer, and the infamous breakup that ensued. The end ties everything together perfectly. I adored it and wanted to read more and more. Was rumored to have been written about Fleetwood Mac? Did I make that up?
Where’d You Go Bernadette, Maria Semple
Most suggested book maybe ever, by me. It’s just the first that comes to mind when people ask for a good beach read but honestly, it just fits all occasions. Mother-daughter duo that emphasizes loyalty, adventure, and weird-ness? Better than the movie and written via letters/emails/texts. COOL.
Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste NG
New Hulu show by Reese Witherspoon. Another thriller-ish, that I loved. Keeps you guessing with incredible character development and genius interwoven plots.