I have always been a HUGE reader. When I was in middle school, my parents used to take the bulb out of my bedside lamp because I would stay up until the middle of the night reading and not want to wake up for school the next day. I used to get in trouble in high school Math class for reading under my desk. As I have gotten older, my reading has slowed down a bit just because life has gotten so busy through college and law school. I still relish a few hours to devour a good book though. Few things make me happier than a soft chair, a cup of hot tea and a new book to read.
My taste in books has changed a bit over time as well. I moved on from young adult fiction and veered toward more heavy reading. A lot of my friends say that they don't know what to read as an adult. Today I am sharing a few of my favorite adult reads. There's a little something for everyone; fiction, historical, science, mystery, and romance. My reading interests are very diverse so my recommendations are as well.
Radium Girls
I just read this novel and I loved it! It is so well written and brings the women of this historical moment to life. It details the use of radium paint on luminescent watches in the early 20th century and the women who painted them with no knowledge of the harm the paint would later do to their bodies. It is a fascinating read about a little-known piece of history.
Devil in the White City
This book.... so good it gave me chills. It is a detailed and fascinating account of the Chicago Worlds Fair and the depraved serial killer who worked in its midst through the use of his "murder castle". I recommend this book to pretty much everyone I know because it reads like the best mystery novel but it is all true. I cannot recommend this book enough!
The Hot Zone
This is possibly my favorite book of all time... I have read it in its entirety 4 times. It is a gripping account of the history of Ebola- one of the most devastating diseases in the world and the fight to save lives and find a cure. It also details the story of the time when Ebola made it onto American soil and the people who fought it to keep it from spreading. The author, Richard Preston, is so talented and can make deathly diseases seem like the most interesting thing in the world. He has several books and I would recommend them all but this one is my favorite.
The Cuckoos Calling
This book is actually by JK Rowling and was written under a pseudonym. It is a mystery thriller and it is SO good. This is the first of a series and so far all the books have been fantastic! It is written in the same style as Harry Potter but just completely different content and storyline. I have a hard time putting these books down once I start them.
Outlander
If you have not gotten on the Outlander train yet, you are seriously missing out. This book is SO good- there is romance, action, mystery, time travel and it all takes place in beautiful Scotland. I seriously could not put the book down and I am now working my way through the rest of the series. Starz has also put out a TV series based on the books and I cannot recommend it enough- it is my favorite show right now.
Me Before You
Oh, my heart... this book put me through the emotional wringer but was 100% worth it. It is so sweet, moving and beautifully written. Set in England and about an unlikely romance, the book just drew me in deeper the longer I read it. The movie was good but the book is great. A perfect beach read!
Unbroken
Guys this is probably the most empowering book I have read in years. It tells the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who joined up in World War 2 and ended up in a Japanese POW camp. The trials this man endured and the way he persevered through it simply astounded me. Again, the movie is good, the book is phenomenal.
Harry Potter
I know what your thinking, this is not an "adult" book series. But seriously people, if you have made it to adulthood without reading Harry Potter and experiencing the magic of this book series, you need to fix that now. I have read the whole series at least 5 or 6 times in its entirety and it never gets old, even as an adult. There is a reason that these are the most popular books in the world... they are just that good.
For those who love reading like me, there are two great things that make is so easy.
Bookbub is a website that will send you free or heavily discounted e-books every day for free! I have downloaded over 50 books with this and I love it! Another great resource is
Libby the app. This app allows you to log in with a library card and check out e-books and audiobooks for free- you can read and listen right in the app! It is so awesome!
Happy reading!
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