DISCLAIMER: Most of my posts contain affiliate links — so when you click a link here and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. This helps support my content and is very much appreciated. I only ever recommend products I wholeheartedly use and love, and I hope they’ll bring you joy too!
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year. Looking back on the books I’ve read so far, it’s been a great reading year — so today I wanted to share my top favorite books I’ve read recently.
“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles
Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to house arrest in Moscow’s Metropol Hotel, where he faces a life of confinement with grace and wit. Towles crafts a richly detailed story of a man navigating profound historical change from within his elegant prison. I loved the beautiful writing and intricate character development — truly fell in love with everyone in this book.
“The Essex Serpent” by Sarah Perry
Set in Victorian England, this novel follows Cora Seaborne as she investigates a mythical serpent rumored to haunt Essex. Perry’s tale blends historical fiction with a Gothic mystery, examining themes of faith, science, and love. It’s celebrated for its atmospheric writing and complex characters.
“If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler” by Italo Calvino
A metafictional masterpiece, Calvino’s novel presents a reader trying to read a novel, only to find themselves entangled in a series of incomplete stories. This new and bizarre storytelling style was so fun and refreshing to read. I also adored how so much of this novel was written like a love letter to reading — as a reader, I feel seen.
“A Prayer for the Crown-Shy” by Becky Chambers
This sequel to “A Psalm for the Wild-Built” continues the journey of a tea monk and a robot in a beautiful post-collapse world. Chambers offers a hopeful and contemplative exploration of identity and purpose, with a focus on friendship and self-discovery. The coziness, warmth, and beauty in every page makes this series one I want to live in. *Read it in one sitting
“Immortal Pleasures” by Sharon Shinn
An ancient Aztec vampire roams the modern world in search of vengeance and love in this seductive novel — both captivating fantasy romance and powerful historical fiction. In two alternating timelines, we see the first-hand experience of the death and destruction wrought by colonialism and the search for redemption, identity, and revenge in the aftermath. I’ve never read anything quite like this one.
“The Iliac Crest” by Cristina Rivera Garza
In this atmospheric and darkly poetic novel, the main character encounters mysterious figures who invade his home wielding a strange language as a weapon. This book explores themes of identity, gender, language, and transformation. The writing is both hauntingly beautiful and psychologically powerful. *Read it in one sitting
“Come Closer” by Sara Gran
A psychological horror about a woman whose life unravels as she becomes possessed by a sinister entity. Gran’s novel is unsettling and intense, with a gripping narrative that explores just how easily one can slip from tiny, “harmless” decisions into total darkness. *Read it in one sitting
“Demian” by Hermann Hesse
This dark academia classic is a coming-of-age novel following Emil Sinclair’s journey to self-discovery under the guidance of his darkly mysterious and beautiful classmate, Max Demian. Short, beautifully written, and loaded with philosophical and existential themes. *Read it in one sitting.
“Babel” by R.F Kuang
Set in an alternate 19th-century Oxford, this novel explores themes of colonialism and language through the lens of a secret society of translators. Kuang’s intricate world-building and exploration of power dynamics make it a compelling read. Found family, academia, and gorgeous world-building makes this one a new favorite.
“Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” by Robin Sloan
A quirky and engaging novel about a bookstore clerk who uncovers a secret society obsessed with unlocking a mysterious code. I loved this quirky plot, unique and fascinating characters, and blend of technology with old-world charm.
“Mrs. Death Misses Death” by Salena Godden
Honestly, this one was a cover buy — but I was blown away by the writing from page 1. This novel follows Death as she reflects on the lives she has touched, but also blends multiple narratives into a beautiful tapestry of life and death. I loved the poetic prose exploring themes of mortality and identity with deep emotion.
“Infinite Country” by Patricia Engel
A powerful story about a Colombian-American family facing deportation, forced separation, and the impact of displacement. This portrayal of family bonds and the immigrant experience was both beautiful and devastating to read. And the reveal of the title’s meaning at the end of the book left me in tears.
“The Glass Hotel” by Emily St. John Mandel
Set between a luxury hotel and a Ponzi scheme, this novel intertwines the lives of its characters, exploring themes of greed, loss, and connection. Mandel is a master of atmosphere and complex character portrayals. You don’t have to read her other novel, Station Eleven, before reading this one — but there are a few easter eggs in here if you have.
