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It’s all fiction.

If you don’t know this about me- I love reading. I love to lose myself in a different world and become a part of the storytelling experience of the author. It’s a way of great relaxation for me. And yes, I only read fiction. 

I have heard in abundance that reading helps you to improve your grasp of the language and helps you to develop a good vocabulary. Here is the thing though- if you read fiction novels solely for developing your brain, you lose the fun. Yes, reading can be a source of improvement but it can also be just a very healthy hobby. The point is that you don’t have to attach any expectations of growth from this process. If you’re someone trying to develop a reading habit, make sure that you do it for the right reasons (whatever they may be), so that you can pick the right books for the same. 

My reason to read novels is to unwind. It’s something very special to me. So, here are 8 books that I loved the first time I read them. This list includes some prominent and loved books and some not so much.

If Tomorrow Comes

Author: Sidney Sheldon

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

If Tomorrow Comes follows the story of an ordinary-woman-turned-con-artist Tracy Whitney. Sidney Sheldon writes about her origin story and all of her subsequent adventures in a fast-paced manner. The thrill of her escapades will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. And when a competitive con artist disrupts her winning streak, it’s hard to decide whom to root for. This novel will keep you engaged in the plot and its characters.

The Girl You Left Behind

Author: Jojo Moyes

Genre: Mystery, Romance

The Girl You Left Behind follows the story of two young women- Sophie Lefevre and Liv Halston- in two different eras separated by almost a century. Sophie Lefevre dwelled in Paris during World War I and Liv Halston lives in modern-day London, in a war with herself. The thing connecting these two is an astonishing portrait of young Sophie- painted by her husband pre-war. How it ends up with Liv and how its true value causes a conundrum in her life – Jojo Moyes writes it all. This is a story of obsession, a chance encounter, and of course, love. 

Turtles All The Way Down

Author: John Green

Genre: Contemporary, Mental Health

Turtles All The Way Down is a book about identity, wealth, and infatuation. It is narrated from the viewpoint of Aza Holmes, a young woman navigating life immersed deep into her ever-tightening thought spiral. When she meets Davis Pickett again after a childhood encounter, she can’t seem to shake the feeling of fear and infatuation. Her anxiety and his loneliness bring together shared moments of intimacy and young love – without the romance. It’s a story of how even a short-lived experience with someone can bring your life to a better perspective. 

Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code

(Robert Langdon #1 and #2)

Author: Dan Brown

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Historical Fiction

Dan Brown takes religion and art history and twists it in the best possible way. Both these books follow Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor of symbology, on his journey to discover various truths and lies of the world. Angels and Demons begins with the election procedure of the new pope in Vatican City, a gruesome murder to uncover a secret, and the arrival of Robert Langdon and Vittoria Vetra at the scene. The Da Vinci Code begins at The Louvre in Paris, a body portrayed like a famous painting, and the meeting of Langdon and Sophie Neveu. The books will make you curious about everything around the plot and will end with the perfect twist. 

One of Us is Lying 

One of Us is Next

Author: Karen M. McManus

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

This two-book series is an ideal book for beginners in the perfect high school setting. One of Us is Lying follows the story of four students after the death of one of their classmates. How they connect to him and how the plot unfolds – it’s a fun read. The second book introduces new characters, some of which are related to the original four. This time, a game of truth or dare ensues within the student body, uncovering secrets and crafting daring challenges. Karen M. McManus tells the stories from the perspectives of the main students and writes a truly unpredictable plot. 

Playing Nice

Author: J.P. Delaney

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery

Playing Nice has a simple plot: child-swap. The story is told from the perspective of Pete and Maddie- new parents to their toddler Theo. When another couple arrives at their door claiming that Theo is actually theirs and vice versa, their lives take an unexpected turn. Thus ensues a story of suspicion, trust, and most of all, duress. It might take some time to resonate with the characters of this book but truly, the psychological twist and perspective as told by J.P. Delaney is spectacular. 

Those were my book recommendations for y’all. I hope you pick them up and have fun. 

Thank you for making it here! 

The universe is made up of stories, not of atoms.

Muriel Rukeyser

Keep the storytelling vibes flowing, 

Pranjali