I’ve been thinking about writing this post for weeks, but my own reading life has taken a bit of a dive off the deep end since we’ve been staying at home more. You’d think I’d have *more* time to read, but I feel like I actually have less because the days are very busy and the evenings are tiring. I’ve lost my 90 minute (total) commute 4 days a week which I always devoted to reading, too. I’m slowly turning a bit of a corner though, I think, and I still want to share some books I’ve read over the past few years that might really hold your attention during these tough days!!!

In no particular order, here are some book recommendations for quarantine times, mostly light-hearted or very captivating:

The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman
I loved this book that really resonates well in the springtime and might inspire you to start or continue your own gardening hobby!





Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda
This short book is such a fantastic read to take in over a period of time. I’d say we could all use a little pep talk these days, right?!





Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
This plot is the EXACT kind of adventure you might need to follow along with while you can’t leave your house. It is a perfect read-aloud book if you have middle grade (or slightly older, even teenage) children. It’s on our TBR as a read-aloud book this year.



The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
This adorable British book is so fun because the two main characters don’t meet until VERY late in the book even though they technically share an apartment (flat). Talk about perfect physical distancing! 😉 This book falls into one of my favourite genres: not-too-fluffy women’s fiction. Cannot wait to read this author’s second book <a href=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45134200-the-switch which came out in the UK already and comes out in the US/Canada in June!





The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson
This book is ideal for fun summer reading. If you are a big Harry Potter or Jane Austen fan like me (and this book’s main character), even better! This is a bit like Ms. Congeniality meets…The Parent Trap? But for adults? Super fun.





Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
Haha, for a minute I bet you thought I was sharing a list of books without including this one on it…but I’m not!! Gotcha!! 🙂 This is one of my favourite books of all time, it is perfect to read around this time of year because it is set in the spring/summer but I’d also recommend it not because it might make you appreciate aspects of your day that you aren’t otherwise. It is also a *bit* of a precursor to her new book coming out this summer!!





Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan
If you are looking for a fast paced suspense with a hint of romance, don’t look any further! This is on Hoopla too so it’s easy to access during these days when the libraries are closed!





The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin


I adored this book and I hope to re-read it soon. It’s a charming read about a bookstore owner and the events that take place over decades of his life. Bonus – there are tons of book recommendations IN this book!! 🙂

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty


I’ve thought of this book countless times since reading it almost 5 years ago. I also can’t stop recommending it 🙂



The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
I read this entire book, pretty much, with a smile plastered on my face. Nina is such a fun character – she lives for books, she is excellent at trivia, she is a good friend, but she is also rigid, organized, and likes her alone time. It’s easy to relate to her and respect her. It was fun to watch her grow and accept changes in her well-planned-out life throughout this book.