In today's day of age, life can be challenging. We need a personal escape, and that escape can be found in books. Books provide us an escape from the stress and disappointment life throws at us every now and then.
Unfortunately, reading can be disappointing if you don't finish a supposedly "popular" book. Let's face it: "Booktok" has lied to us readers at least once, but don't worry; these books will change your life!
1. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
The Henna Artist is a heartstopping coming-of-age story. Lakshmi struggles with her self-identity, and she recently escaped an abusive marriage. She wanders the streets of Jaipur and becomes the most highly requested henna artist. The filthy rich of Jaipur trust Lakshmi with their secrets, but everyone has secrets, even Lakshmi.
Lakshmi's husband encounters her with her sister, whom Lakshmi never knew about. Lakshmi is forced to teach her sister about the horrors of the caste system and discriminatory social etiquette. Radha, the sister, also discovers her identity, but she learns Lakshmi's terrifying secrets. "The Henna Artist" is a romantic story, yet a story with twists and turns.
2. Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles reinvents mythology. Miller retells the love story of Patroclus and Achilles, two characters with opposite personalities. Patroclus is banished from his kingdom and seeks refuge in another kingdom, training to be a warrior. Achilles is a legend in his kingdom; all the boys follow him everywhere he goes.
When duty calls, Achilles and Patroclus are sent off to war. "Song of Achilles" is a tale of war and love. Miller teaches us that no one is perfect, and neither is love. It's a captivating tale of mythology, yet no matter how fantastical it seems, it's one of the most relatable novels written!
3. The Maid by Nita Prose
Molly has always been a hotel maid. She struggles with emotions and reading them. Her life offers her no struggle until she's accused of murdering a billionaire businessman in his hotel room.
All the evidence points to Molly. There's no getting out of this one, and no one seems to believe Molly.
It's only a matter of time before Molly is sentenced to life, so she makes some friends. This newly formed squad works together to find out who really killed the business executive. Their journey takes twists and turns and reveals a dark secret at every turn.
Don't trust anyone while reading. It's a roller coaster.
4. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Three women of all different social statuses, unite at the famed Bletchley Park. The world-renowned code-breaking site where the notorious Enigma machine used by the Nazis was cracked. Osla, Mab, and Beth crack codes and find their own identity through doing so. They find their own romance, Osla being enamored with the charming Prince Philip!
But there's a spy. Someone is trading secrets to the Nazis in Bletchley Park. Mab, Osla, and Beth must find out who it is before it's too late.
Paranoia rips apart the friendships tightly held between the three women, and it rips apart Bletchley Park. "The Rose Code" is a story about love and perseverance. Quinn provided us with this masterpiece, and you must read it!
5. Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Percy moves to a lakeshore house for a summer. It's supposed to be temporary…right? She meets two HOT brothers, Sam and Charlie.
She falls in love with Sam Florek and returns every summer to the lake house. Everything is perfect. She keeps visiting for six summers and is almost part of the Florek family.
Six summers fell apart within one. Percy's relationship becomes complicated, and she can't fix it. Percy and Sam separate, but she's invited back for Sam's mother's funeral in a few years.
She realizes that her feelings for Sam never stopped, but there's limited time for her to fix everything. Can Percy do it?
6. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Avery Grambs lives a normal life inside a car until she inherits billions of dollars. She's summoned to Hawthore's luxurious mansion, where she meets four charming grandchildren. The grandchildren are convinced this is some muse their grandfather is playing on them.
The story reveals a hidden meaning and hidden secrets. Avery Grambs isn't who she thinks she is. It's now a game and not a muse.
Things get tense and serious! Each chapter reveals a new layer to the games, the inheritance games!
7. If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin
Most romance books portray love as a seemingly endless sensation. That's not real life, and Nowlin captures that perfectly in "If He Had Been With Me." This unputdownable masterpiece tells the story of Autumn and Finn, two best friends. The two friends were inseparable, but things took a turn in high school. Autumn and Finn went their separate ways, finding new relationships and friend groups.
But Autumn's heart can't stop racing when she sees Finn. Autumn can't deny her feelings anymore, but is there enough time to make things right with Finn?
8. The Last Thing He Told Me By Laura Dave
The Last Thing He Told Me is an unconventional thriller. Dave writes a unique masterpiece of suspense using a plot different from other mysteries. Usually, when someone is missing, a police officer is the first to tell the family.
This time, it was a 12-year-old girl who was bribed to tell Hannah, Owen's wife. Owen works for a software company, "The Shop," and is suspected of scamming over half a billion dollars.
Hannah and her stepdaughter, Bailey, try to find out where Owen went. Through their journey, they realize that Owen isn't who he said he was. In fact, Owen isn't even his name. Dave writes this novel with a twist every few pages and a fast-paced plot, so don't trust anyone while reading!
Fun fact: TLTHTM was the subject of a jeopardy question!
"This is the terrible thing about a tragedy. It isn't with you every minute. You forget about it, and then you remember it again."
