1. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
There isn't much that can be said about this book without spoiling the entire story. This book follows a wealthy family that vacations on a private island and the escapades of the four cousins each summer. This book will blow your mind, and won't leave you with dry eyes.
2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This book is told through the perspective of Richard Papen, a student at Hampden University in Vermont. He joins a small class, along with five others bright students under an eccentric and adventurous professor. They experience things beyond their comfort zone but stretch too far and end up in a pretty sticky situation. Donna Tartt gives every sentence suspense and draws the reader into Richard's world.
3. Provence, 1970 by Luke Barr
Told through the journals and letters of M.F.K. Fisher, this book captures every moment of this historic winter's day in the South of France. If you're a fan of James Beard, M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, Richard Olney, Simone Beck, and Judith Jones, or you're just really into food, you'll LOVE this book. As the stories of their cooking, talking and eating are unfolded in these pages, you'll feel as if you're sitting in the room with these iconic culinary figures.
4. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman
This novel, written by Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket!!) and illustrated by Maira Kalman, is told through letters from Min Green to her ex-boyfriend, Ed Slaterton. Each letter is written about a certain item that reminded her of their relationship. Your jaw will drop at the end, no doubt. You'll fall in love with their relationship, and your eart will shatter into pieces. This is a must-read.
5. Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
This book chronicles the life of Tess as she works as a "backwaiter" at a restaurant in Union Square. "Let's say I was born when I came over the George Washington Bridge..." define Tess' life as she moved from her mundane life to a bustling, fast-paced, crazy existence in New York City. We follow her as she falls in love, meets unforgettable and intelligent people, and has new experiences (with and without food involved) every day.
6. Yes Please by Amy Poehler
First of all, this book is amazing. Amy Poehler writes personal and professional stories and weaves advice in ways you don't really see coming. Amy's writing is witty and hilarious, yet wise and to-the-point. It isn't necessarily a "comedy" book, don't a expect a Bossypants situation where there are excerpts that are purely for the sake of being funny. It's just a funny book about her life. She lays it all out in a very blunt way, but she's Amy Poehler, so of course it's hilarious.
7. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
If you didn't know this already, Ernest Hemingway was a total babe. He also was twice as cool as The Most Interesting Man in the World. The Paris Wife is told through the perspective of his wife, Hadley Richardson, and gives insight into the story of their lives. We see them living in Paris, among the "Lost Generation" and you know what that means: stories including Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald !!! We also see them struggle in their relationship because they're in Jazz Age Paris and there is definitely some crisis in their marriage. When you read this book, you'll get so wrapped up in it, you'll feel like Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris. This is definitely worth the read.
8. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
You know Donna Tartt is a good author when she's on this list TWICE! This story follows Theo Decker, a thirteen-year-old boy that has just survived an accident that killed his mother. He goes and lives with a wealthy family friend after his father leaves him. You can tell already, Theo's having a rough time. He clings to a painting called "The Goldfinch" that is the one thing that reminds him of her. This book (while at a hefty 771 pages) has everything that will keep you interested. It's mesmerizing, suspenseful, and heartbreaking. Donna Tartt is an amazing writer and will keep you on your toes no matter what's happening.
9. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Be prepared to cry, but, like, not because of what you think. Enzo, a dog, narrates this book. If you love dogs (and who doesn't?), you'll love this book. Enzo feels like a human because he's learned so much from watching television extensively. His "master" is Denny Swift, an up-and-coming racecar driver, and Enzo loves him with all his heart. This is the best dog-narrated book I've ever read, and seeing a dog's insight on life is heartwarming and makes you appreciate experiences as much as Enzo does.
10. Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
If you haven't been living under a rock, you probably know this has been adapted into a movie in the past year. I have one thing to say: read the series first. It's amazingly written, and each character will make you love them in a different way. This is the first book in a trilogy, the second and third being Hollow City and Library of Souls respectively. It tells the story of Jacob, whose grandpa leaves him directions to go to a remote island after his mysterious death. After Jacob travels to this island with his father, he meets Miss Peregrine and a house of peculiar children. They each has a specific power that makes them odd. Jacob later finds out that he is peculiar as well. The suspense in this book is killer, and these peculiar children are capable of so much. It's also a pretty fast read because you will not want to put it down.
11. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso
Written by the founder/CEO/Creative Director of the clothing website Nasty Gal, (worth $100+ million) this book is a manifesto that should be read by every woman. I felt so empowered after reading this and Sophia Amoruso is amazing. She went through so much in her life and look at her now. This book isn't patronizing of young women. Sophia gives advice on how to become a #GIRLBOSS while staying down-to-earth and adventurous.
12. As Long As She Needs Me by Nicholas Weinstock
This is a pretty old book, but I recently found it in a used book shop and I can't believe I hadn't heard of it before then. It's about Oscar Campbell, the personal assistant to the CEO of a successful publishing house. It's a fast, funny read and while satirical, also has heartwarming parts. The main story of this book is Oscar's escapades while trying to plan his boss' wedding, and how he has to juggle agents, world-famous authors, and wedding planners while also doing every small thing a wedding entails. One word to describe this book would be: underrated.
13. The Melodramatists by Howard Nemerov
Susan and Claire are sisters that are left on their own in their father's expensive house. This book is the definition of scandalous. Susan has an affair with her psychiatrist and Claire turns the second floor of their home into a brothel. The events that unfold in this book are hilarious and will definitely keep you entertained.
14. Dr. Mütter's Marvels by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz
This book is a biography of the plastic surgeon, Dr. Mütter, who revolutionized American medicine. The author of this book definitely embellishes on a lot of the history that she presents, but that's what makes it interesting. Dr. Mütter was flamboyant and eccentric and everything he does is so unbelievable. Imagine getting plastic surgery without anesthesia and with unsterilized tools. That's what the procedures in this book look like. You do not have to be interested in science, medicine or history to like this book. It's told just like a normal story and you'll love Dr. Mütter's personality (he added an umlaut to his name just because he wanted one) so much you'll forget you're reading a (mostly) nonfiction book. Since his patients had a lot of weird things going on, Dr. Mütter also founded Philadelphia's Mütter Museum, a museum of medical oddities.
15. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This book is so popular, you've probably already read it, but I would be forsaken if I didn't add it to this list. I would give my life to go to this circus. It's purely magical and attractions seem so amazing. The story expands beyond the circus, however. Celia and Marco, two illusionists unknowingly are battling to be on the circus stage, and when they discover this, become partners instead of adversaries. This book is a magical story and will draw you in immediately. I highly recommend.
16. Emma by Jane Austen
Wow, Jane Austen? Really? Let me explain. If you haven't read Emma, you're missing out. Emma is an enthralling human being and reading about her escapades makes you want to be involved in her world. She is so elegant, yet she interferes in others' lives more than she should. Emma is often called Jane Austen's most flawless work, and if you read it, you'll understand why.
17. Milk & Honey by Rupi Kaur
I definitely saved the best for last. You've probably seen excerpts from this posted everywhere - Snapchat stories, Instagram, Tumblr, even VSCO - and I promise you, it is not overrated. It is split into four parts, each serving a different purpose. It is filled with beautiful short poems and is a true piece of art. Each poem pulls at a different emotion, and you'll want to keep on reading one after another. I finished this in an hour and I think I have a post-it note on every page because every poem is a winner.
