To stop the scrolling time suck that is social media before going to bed, I’ve been picking up a book instead. In addition to better sleep, I’ve found myself immersed in some really, really great books. I am a voracious reader. Have been since a very young age. As a child, going to the library was always a high point to my week. I’d check out as many books as I could and the minute I got home, you’d find my nose in one. In college, my girlfriend was always amazed that I could read in a room with a ton going on and not notice anything happening around me, or be disturbed by it. I could just tune it all out. It’s the imagery, the character development, the drama, the mystery, and the laugh out loud moments that get me. When you read a book, you’re transported to another place.

I love getting book recommendations from people. Many times it’s how I find some of my favorite books. In an effort to pay it forward, here are six books I recently read that I absolutely loved. And since my habit has now become a routine, I’ll share my favorites each month.

** Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org where your purchases support local bookstores. I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase on any of the links below. **

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

A woman truly ahead of her time, Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1960s, where woman are expected to stay home, have dinner on the table at 6, and by all means not use their brain. Elizabeth doesn’t buy into this societal norm. She believes 100% in equality and is determined to help other woman see that as well. In an unfortunate series of events, she ends up the host of a cooking show! But, in true Elizabeth fashion, her cooking show isn’t your every day cooking show and she sets out to empower her audience and change how women see themselves. Elizabeth is a wonderful protagonist with a supporting cast that compliments her.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Evelyn Hugo is more than star. She’s infamous. And reclusive. She’s finally ready to share her story with the world and tapped an unknown writer to share it. As Evelyn weaves her life through her seven husbands, you begin to understand who Evelyn is. She’s ambitious, ruthless, and calculating. All to protect her one true love. There are twists and turns and a surprise you don’t see coming. The story takes you back through the glamour of old Hollywood and the drama ensures you can’t put it down.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Soon to be a movie with Jennifer Garner as Hannah, the lead, this mystery/suspense novel opens with Hannah’s husband missing, and a note from him that says “Protect Her”. Her being his daughter Bailey from his previous wife who died when she was young. As Hannah tries to find out where her husband is and if he’s guilty of what they are accusing him of, she’s stuck with Bailey. The story unfolds with twists and turns about Bailey and Owen’s life when she was young. Hannah and Bailey are thrown into depending on each other and bonding in a way neither of them saw coming.

Liking Myself Back by Jacey Duprie

I’ve been a fan/follower of Jaceys since her early blogging days and didn’t think there was much I didn’t know about her. Turns out there was quite a bit she hid as an influencer. It goes to show you never really know what’s going on in someone’s life. I remember back when IG stories started and influencers began to have a voice. Jacey was one I immediately loved because she was so candid and funny. Something that didn’t come across in her highly polished blog posts. In my head I had her as a completely different person, one I wasn’t sure I liked. But the Jacey in stories was fun, real, and hilarious. She didn’t take herself too seriously. So, it was another level to read about everything she’s been through knowing she was hiding it all and putting on a different face. A really good read about influencers and social media.

Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

If you subscribe to my newsletter, you already know about this one (it’s the same author of The Last Thing He Told Me). I wrote about it last month and I’m still trying to find out if I did actually see a version of it on TV! Georgia is about to be married when she finds out a secret her fiancé was hiding from her. She heads home to Sonoma to get away and think and here unfolds the story of home and how it isn’t always how you think it was/is. Her brothers are fighting, her parents are acting weird, and her dad is thinking of selling the vineyard/winery. Grab a glass of wine and dive in. You won’t regret it!

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

After reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I sought out other books by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Malibu Rising tells the story of Mick Riva (one of Evelyn’s husbands) and his four children. The story takes place over 24 hours with flashbacks in time. All of the Riva children are successful, but it’s not because of Mick, it’s in spite of it. And each child has a different perspective of how they grew up. By the end secrets will come out, lives will change, and the house will go up in flames!

Let me know what you think! Have you read any of these? What’s on your reading list?