As a girl who loves to read, awhile back I sat down to pick my Top 10 books I’d ever read.
It was an assignment I failed miserably. 😉
Try as I might, I simply couldn’t narrow the list down to ten books. In the end, my “Top 10” somehow became Top 12 Books I’ve Ever Read, and honestly? I still stand by every one of those choices. (If you missed it, be sure to check out my Top 12 Books I’ve Ever Read.)
But here’s the thing…
There were so many wonderful books that didn’t quite make the cut—books that have stayed with me, challenged me, made me laugh, ugly cry, lose sleep, and occasionally stare at the ceiling after turning the final page.
So I decided those books deserved a list of their own.
These are the stories that have earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf (unless, of course, I’ve loaned them to someone…which happens more often than I’d like to admit).
Apparently, I have a type (who knew?! 😉).
Looking over this list, it’s clear I gravitate toward historical fiction, stories of remarkable courage, unforgettable friendships, fascinating pieces of history I’d never known, and the occasional psychological thriller that keeps me awake far past my bedtime.
The books are listed in no particular order. Some were published years ago, while others are relatively new. Every single one, however, has earned its place here.
As I continue my literary journey, I reserve the right to amend this list. I keep discovering wonderful new stories—and if history has taught us anything, this probably won’t stay at 35 books forever.
Without further ado…
Here’s what’s next in my book stack.
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1. The Thirteenth Tale
by Diane Setterfield
📖 What’s it about?
A young biographer is invited to record the life story of a famously reclusive author, uncovering long-buried family secrets along the way.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This was a Book Club selection years ago, and I’ve never forgotten it.
I love stories that slowly reveal their secrets, and this one completely drew me in. Years later, I still find myself thinking about it—which, to me, is the mark of a truly memorable book.
2. Cutting for Stone
by Abraham Verghese
📖 What’s it about?
Born from tragedy and raised in Ethiopia by two doctors, twin brothers Marion and Shiva navigate family, medicine, love, and loss in this sweeping, unforgettable novel.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This book is so good.
Abraham Verghese’s writing is absolutely beautiful, and his storytelling completely immersed me from beginning to end. You don’t just read this novel—you experience it.
I still have his novel The Covenant of Water waiting in my TBR pile, and I can’t wait to finally dive in.
3. The Lion Women of Tehran
by Marjan Kamali
📖 What’s it about?
Set against decades of political and social change in Iran, two childhood friends navigate friendship, sacrifice, and the choices that shape their lives forever.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Historical fiction almost always teaches me something, and this book was no exception.
The story was both beautiful and heartbreaking, and it introduced me to a part of history I knew very little about.
More than anything, though, it reminded me how powerful friendship can be.
4. The Book of Lost Names
by Kristin Harmel
What’s it about?
During World War II, a young Jewish woman risks everything by forging documents to help children escape Nazi-occupied France while secretly preserving their true identities.
Why It’s in My Stack
This was a selection for my Christian Book Club, but by the time we met, the evening became something much bigger than a book discussion.
A Holocaust survivor had been invited to share her story, and the book took a back seat. Unfortunately, I was home sick that night—and I’m still crushed I missed it.
World War II novels always affect me because so many are rooted in real events that are almost impossible to comprehend. Stories like this remind us why history should never be forgotten.
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
📖 What’s it about?
A legendary Hollywood actress finally tells the truth about her glamorous, complicated life—and the seven husbands who helped shape it.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This one was pure fun from beginning to end.
Taylor Jenkins Reid has such an engaging writing style that I flew through the pages. It’s a perfect vacation read—but don’t let the glamorous setting fool you. There’s far more heart beneath the surface than I expected.
6. The Forgotten Garden
by Kate Morton
📖 What’s it about?
An abandoned child, a forgotten family, and secrets spanning generations come together in this beautifully woven novel. As the pieces slowly fall into place, so does the truth about a family’s past.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Okay…full disclosure.
It’s been a hot minute since I read this one, and apparently the garden isn’t the only thing that’s been forgotten! 😂
What I do remember is closing the book thinking, “Wow…I loved that.” Kate Morton has a wonderful way of slowly unraveling a story, and while the details may have faded over the years, the feeling I had after finishing it certainly hasn’t.
📚 Shelf Talk
Apparently, I have a soft spot for family secrets, remarkable women, and stories that quietly work their way into my heart.
Don’t worry…we’re about to switch gears. A few page-turners are coming up next that had me reading long past my bedtime.
7. The Silent Patient
by Alex Michaelides
📖 What’s it about?
After a famous artist is convicted of murdering her husband—and then refuses to speak another word—a psychotherapist becomes determined to uncover the truth.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Don’t start this one if you have an early morning. Seriously. I lost sleep because I had to know what happened—and I never saw the ending coming.
This book also introduced me to my love of psychological thrillers. Between this one and Gone Girl, I suddenly discovered an entirely new genre I couldn’t get enough of.
I’ve recommended this book more times than I can count.
8. The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
📖 What’s it about?
Set against the changing landscape of Afghanistan, this unforgettable novel explores friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and the enduring power of redemption.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
It’s been years since I first read this book, but I still remember how it affected me. Khaled Hosseini’s writing is absolutely beautiful, and the story is both heartbreaking and unforgettable.
This is one of those novels that quietly stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
9. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford
📖 What’s it about?
A chance discovery reconnects a widower with memories of his childhood friendship with a Japanese-American girl during World War II and how their lives are forever changed by the internment of Japanese Americans.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This was another wonderful Book Club pick. Before reading it, I honestly knew very little about the experience of Japanese Americans during World War II.
That’s one of the reasons I love historical fiction so much—it introduces me to people, places, and moments in history I might never have explored otherwise.
I finished this book not only entertained, but with a much deeper appreciation for a chapter of history I’d largely overlooked.
10. Rock, Paper, Scissors
by Alice Feeney
📖 What’s it about?
A husband and wife hoping to save their marriage retreat to a remote Scottish chapel, where long-buried secrets begin to unravel.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Okay…Another one that completely fooled me. I love a book that makes me think I’ve figured everything out…only to realize I was completely wrong.
And apparently I never learn…“Just one more chapter” (and other lies I tell myself 😉).
I’m excited that Netflix is adapting it into a series because I think the story will translate really well to the screen. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, don’t skip this one.
11. Big Little Lies
by Liane Moriarty
📖 What’s it about?
On the surface, three women appear to have picture-perfect lives. But beneath the school drop-offs, neighborhood friendships, and carefully kept appearances are secrets that slowly build toward one shocking night.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This was my introduction to Liane Moriarty, and I was hooked. Her writing is smart, funny, and completely addictive.
I also loved the HBO adaptation—which, if you’ve been reading this list, you know is a compliment I don’t hand out easily.
And yes…The minute I heard Liane Moriarty was revisiting these characters, Big Little Truths immediately found its way onto my TBR pile. (Release date: August 25, 2026)
12. Me Before You
by Jojo Moyes
📖 What’s it about?
A young caregiver unexpectedly forms a life-changing friendship with a man whose world has been forever altered after a devastating accident.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
I probably ugly cried.
Actually…I’m pretty sure I did.
Because I work with spinal cord injury patients every day, this story hit differently than it might for many readers. It made me think about the patients I work with every day and the very real challenges they face—not just physically, but emotionally.
Jojo Moyes has a remarkable gift for creating characters that stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. Heartbreaking…and beautiful.
📚 Shelf Talk
If you’ve been keeping score, you’ve probably noticed my Book Club deserves a little credit. Quite a few of these favorites found their way onto my bookshelf because someone else insisted, “I heard this book was fabulous. Let’s read it!” Thanks, B’s.
13. Sense and Sensibility
by Jane Austen
📖 What’s it about?
After losing their family home, the Dashwood sisters navigate love, heartbreak, and society’s expectations while learning that both reason and emotion have their place.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
There’s a reason Jane Austen is still being read more than 200 years later.
Her writing is witty, insightful, and surprisingly relatable. I loved being transported to another era, only to discover that people’s hopes, fears, and relationships really haven’t changed all that much.
This one narrowly missed making my Top 12.
14. The Briar Club
by Kate Quinn
📖 What’s it about?
Set in 1950s Washington, D.C., a group of women living in the same boarding house form unexpected friendships while each carries secrets of her own.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Kate Quinn has become one of those authors I’ll happily read without even looking at the back cover.
One of the things I loved most about this book was realizing just how recently women lived with so many limitations that are hard to imagine today.
Historical fiction has a wonderful way of reminding me how far we’ve come.
15. Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
📖 What’s it about?
Growing up almost entirely alone in the North Carolina marshes, “the Marsh Girl”, Kya Clark learns to survive on her own until a suspicious death changes everything.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Full disclosure…When I first heard the premise, I wasn’t convinced this book was for me. Boy, was I wrong.
I became completely invested in Kya’s story and amazed by Delia Owens’ storytelling. There are difficult moments, but the character development is unforgettable.
If you’re on the fence about this one…Trust me. Give it a chance.
16. Code Name Hélène
by Ariel Lawhon
📖 What’s it about?
Based on the incredible true story of Nancy Wake, one of World War II’s most decorated female spies, this novel follows her extraordinary courage during the Nazi occupation of France.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
I absolutely loved this book.
What made it even more remarkable was discovering after I finished that Nancy Wake was a real person.
World War II stories are never easy, but this one introduced me to an incredible woman I never would have known otherwise.
I also highly recommend The Frozen River, another wonderful novel by Ariel Lawhon.
17. The Second Mrs. Astor
by Shana Abé
📖 What’s it about?
Set against the backdrop of the Titanic, this novel follows Madeleine Astor as she navigates love, privilege, and unimaginable tragedy.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Another great Book Club selection.
I loved seeing the Titanic through a perspective I’d never considered before.
Once again, I found myself fascinated by the expectations placed on women during that time. It’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to historical fiction—it helps me appreciate both where we’ve been and how far we’ve come.
18. The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
📖 What’s it about?
Three unforgettable women in 1960s Mississippi risk everything to tell the truth about the lives of Black maids working in white households.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
I honestly can’t imagine not loving this book. Our entire Book Club gave it five stars, and it’s easy to see why.
It’s one of those stories that makes you laugh one minute and completely breaks your heart the next.
And yes…The pie. 😂 If you’ve read it, you know.
This is also one of the rare times I thought the movie adaptation did the book justice.
19. The Last Lecture
by Randy Pausch
📖 What’s it about?
After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, professor Randy Pausch delivers one final lecture—not about dying, but about living.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This isn’t just a great book. It’s a life book. The lessons Randy shares for his children becomes wisdom for all of us.
Hopeful. Beautiful. Profound.
I honestly think everyone should read it at least once.
20. Mad Honey
by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan
📖 What’s it about?
What begins as a courtroom drama unfolds into a thought-provoking story about family, identity, secrets, and unconditional love.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This book wasn’t at all what I expected…and I mean that in the very best way.
Long after I finished, I found myself thinking about the characters and asking what I would have done in their shoes.
Those are usually the books that stay with me the longest.
21. Wrong Place Wrong Time
by Gillian McAllister
📖 What’s it about?
After witnessing her son commit a terrible crime, a mother begins traveling backward through time to uncover where everything went wrong.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
As a mama bear, this one hit me hard.
Beneath the clever time-travel twist is really a story about how far we’d go for the people we love.
I found myself thinking about this book long after I finished it.
22. The Invention of Wings
by Sue Monk Kidd
📖 What’s it about?
Inspired by the true story of abolitionist Sarah Grimké, this novel follows two women—one born into privilege, the other into slavery—as their lives become forever intertwined.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Sue Monk Kidd has such a gift for bringing history to life.
Stories about slavery are never easy for me to read, but this one is filled with compassion and humanity.
Historical fiction at its finest.
23. All Good People Here
by Ashley Flowers
📖 What’s it about?
A journalist returns to her hometown to investigate the unsolved disappearance of a young girl, only to uncover disturbing similarities to another missing child decades later.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Okay…I definitely didn’t see THAT coming. Well…maybe I wondered for a split second…but then I convinced myself there was no way. Turns out, there was.
A fun, twisty thriller that kept me guessing til the end.
24. Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn
📖 What’s it about?
When Amy Dunne disappears on her fifth wedding anniversary, suspicion quickly falls on her husband. But as the investigation unfolds, nothing is quite what it seems.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This one absolutely hooked me.
Between Gone Girl and The Silent Patient, I discovered I apparently have a thing for twisty psychological thrillers. Who knew? 😉
The movie was excellent…But let’s be honest…
The book is still better.
📚 Shelf Talk
Well…Apparently I also have a thing for psychological thrillers.
Who knew? 😉
As much as I love a twisty ending, the next shelf reminds me why historical fiction will probably always be my first love.
25. The Hunger Games (*Trilogy)
by Suzanne Collins
📖 What’s it about?
In a future where children are forced to compete in televised battles to the death, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to save her sister and unexpectedly becomes the face of a revolution.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
My kids are actually responsible for this one. Much like Harry Potter, these books became something we enjoyed together. I loved reading them first so we could talk about the stories before seeing the movies.
This isn’t a genre I normally gravitate toward, but Suzanne Collins completely pulled me into Katniss’s world.
*Since I read the trilogy, the saga has expanded to five books with the addition of two prequels.
26. Lone Survivor
by Marcus Luttrell
📖 What’s it about?
Marcus Luttrell recounts the true story of Operation Red Wings, the courage of his fellow Navy SEALs, and the incredible sacrifices made during one of the most well-known missions of the war in Afghanistan.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Our Book Club couldn’t stop talking about this one.
Later, I discovered a friend of mine who served as a Navy SEAL actually knew Marcus Luttrell, making the story feel even more personal.
It’s an incredible account of bravery and a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who protect our country.
27. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
📖 What’s it about?
Told entirely through letters, this charming novel follows a writer who discovers an unlikely book club formed during the German occupation of Guernsey during World War II.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
What a delightful surprise this book was.
I loved the unique letter-writing format, and despite being set during such a difficult time, it somehow manages to be warm, funny, hopeful, and uplifting.
I love how books have a beautiful way of bringing people together—even during the darkest seasons of life.
28. Left to Tell
by Immaculée Ilibagiza
📖 What’s it about?
Immaculée Ilibagiza shares her astonishing true story of surviving the Rwandan genocide by hiding in a tiny bathroom with seven other women for 91 days.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.
I later had the privilege of meeting Immaculée on three different occasions, and her grace and forgiveness are every bit as remarkable as her story.
Years after reading this book, I traveled to Rwanda and visited many of the places connected to the genocide.
That experience is something I’ll never forget. If this book taught me anything, it’s that forgiveness isn’t weakness. It’s extraordinary strength.
29. The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
📖 What’s it about?
A woman discovers a magical library where every book represents a different version of the life she could have lived.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
My sister-in-law recommended this one after her Book Club loved it.
Such an imaginative story. It made me think about regrets, gratitude, and how one small decision can change everything.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading Matt Haig’s second installment Midnight Train just released May 26, 2026. (Watch my TBR stack grow! 😀)
30. The Other Boleyn Girl
by Philippa Gregory
📖 What’s it about?
Philippa Gregory brings Tudor England to life through the women surrounding Henry VIIIt, weaving history into stories of ambition, power, love, and betrayal.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Okay…it’s been a hot minute since I read these.
But I still remember being completely swept away by this fascinating period in history. Philippa Gregory has a gift for making history come alive, and I found myself fascinated by the lives of these remarkable women…
And grateful that Tudor clothing is no longer our mode of dress. 😂
📚 Shelf Talk
If you’ve made it this far…
Congratulations! 😊
Putting this list together made me realize something…
I apparently can’t resist forgotten history, ordinary people who did extraordinary things, and stories that send me down a Google rabbit hole because I just have to learn more.
Is it just me? 😂
31. The Kitchen House
by Kathleen Grissom
📖 What’s it about?
A young Irish orphan raised by the enslaved family working in a Virginia plantation’s kitchen house finds herself caught between two worlds as long-buried secrets begin to surface.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
This is another story that completely immersed me in history.
What made it especially memorable was its unique perspective. I’d never read a novel quite like it, and it challenged me to think differently about that period in American history.
And here’s a confession…I only recently discovered there’s a sequel—Glory Over Everything. And yes, that immediately found its way onto my TBR pile.
32. Firefly Lane
by Kristin Hannah
📖 What’s it about?
An unforgettable story of two best friends whose decades-long friendship weathers life’s greatest joys, heartbreaks, and everything in between.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Part of the reason I love this book so much is because it transported me right back to the 1970s.
There was something so familiar and comforting about that setting.
It also introduced me to Kristin Hannah—and from that moment on, I wanted to read everything she’d written.
33. The Women
by Kristin Hannah
📖 What’s it about?
A young nurse serves in Vietnam and returns home only to discover that the sacrifices made by women during the war have largely been forgotten.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
I don’t think I truly knew how much women contributed during the Vietnam War until I read this book.
That’s one of the reasons I love historical fiction so much. It shines a light on stories that deserve to be remembered.
While there were parts of the story that absolutely broke my heart, I’m so grateful Kristin Hannah told it.
34. The Giver of Stars
by Jojo Moyes
📖 What’s it about?
Inspired by the real Pack Horse Library Project, this novel follows a group of women delivering books on horseback through the mountains of Kentucky during the Great Depression.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
Another Jojo Moyes winner.
I had never even heard of the Pack Horse Library before reading this book, and I found myself completely fascinated.
By the time the program ended in 1943, more than 1.5 million people had been served—and somehow I’d never learned about it!?
Pick this one up…it’s a keeper.
35. Kisses from Katie
by Katie Davis Majors
📖 What’s it about?
At just eighteen years old, Katie Davis left everything familiar behind to move to Uganda, where she eventually adopted thirteen daughters and founded a ministry serving thousands of vulnerable children.
💙 Why It’s in My Stack
I read this book just before traveling to Uganda on a church mission trip.
We had hoped to visit Katie’s ministry while we were there, but the timing and distance simply didn’t work out. Even so, her story has stayed with me for years.
Reading about her life challenged me in the very best way. It made me ask myself a simple—but uncomfortable—question: Am I doing enough for others?
More than a decade later…I still think about Katie.
📚 Final Thoughts
There you have it…
Thirty-five books that nearly made my Top 12, but absolutely deserve a place on my bookshelf—and maybe yours, too.
One of the things I love most about reading is that no two readers have exactly the same experience. A book that I absolutely love might not become your favorite, while one that barely missed my list could end up changing your life.
That’s the beauty of books.
They have a way of finding us exactly when we need them.
📚 Keep the Bookish Fun Going…
If you’re anything like me, a great book is just the beginning.
While you’re here, you might also enjoy these bookish favorites:
🥂 Book Club Dinner Party Ideas: A Night with My Favorite B’s
📚 Hosting a Cozy Book Club: A Cozy Library-Inspired Night
Because one of the best parts of finishing a great book…is finding someone else who’s read it too.
And because I’m always looking for my next great read, I’d love to hear from you…
What’s one book that has stayed with you long after you turned the last page?
Leave me a comment below! Who knows? It just might end up on my own TBR pile…or even inspire a future edition of The Next Book Stack! 📚
If you’d like more book recommendations (plus entertaining ideas, gift guides, and a little everyday fun), I’d love to welcome you to the Fun with Fun-Size community.
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Happy reading!
Shelley 📚❤️