Books to Dive Into

I never liked the expression “bookworm”. When I hear it, all I can picture is an old book covered in white worms. I don’t get why anybody would want to be compared to a worm. Regardless, I have to admit that I am a bookworm myself. To me, there’s nothing like curling up on the couch during a snow storm and read for hours on end. Reading allows you to literally dive into another world. Isn’t that amazing? It can take you anywhere; into the future, back into the past, in the middle of the desert, deep into the forest, on a busy street somewhere in Europe, in the depth of the ocean... Nothing is out of reach.

My mom thought me to keep a running list of every book that I’ve read. She gave me a notebook when I was in first grade, and I’ve been adding entries to it ever since. I love flipping through it and see what I thought about a certain book, or what it meant to me... And it keeps me from reading the same book twice without realizing it (that always seems to happen to my dad).

Here are some of the books that I particularly liked reading in the last couple of years. All of these are perfect to dive into while sipping cold lemonade, or curled up under a warm blanket.

See Me
Nicholas Sparks, 2015.
 
I am a total fan of Nicholas Sparks. I have read nearly all of his books, I have loved them all, I’ve watched those that have been made into movies... I love every single story he comes up with. But when I read “See Me”, I was surprised! It’s still the same kind of fairytale-like love story we’re used to getting from Sparks, but this time it is entangled with a detective story. A real thriller, one that makes you wonder who the killer is, and one you find yourself reading through the night. This step outside of the comfort zone from Sparks makes this book a massive page turner.

Heads in bed
Jacob Tomsky, 2012.
 
This book was a recommendation from Ingrid Nilsen on Youtube. Jacob Tomsky talks about his experience working in the hotel industry, specifically in New Orleans. Written with humor and discretion, it is not a denunciation of hotels; it is simply a look behind the scenes. I like that this book is different; it shows the hidden side of hotels, what we, as visitors, don’t take the time to notice. Some of the stuff in this book, I had no idea even existed! It’s sure to get you laughing, and change your attitude on your next hotel stay. I can’t even tell you how much I love this book.

Beautiful Ruins
Jess Walter, 2012.
 
I read this one summer, and I literally fell in love. It depicts the lifelong love story between an Italian innkeeper and an American actress, who first meet in the breathtaking beauty of Italy. Throughout the book, you are able to follow the bond that unites these two people living completely different lives, on opposite parts of the globe. I love this book because it really takes you someplace else. It all starts in Italy, in 1962, and carries out until today, in America. Truth be told, I usually hate books that alternate present time with flashbacks, because I always end up extra confused. But from what I’ve read, Walter is one of those authors that does it beautifully, and in a way that really adds to the story. This book makes you travel, it makes you cry, it makes you laugh... It is quite simply beautiful.

Something Borrowed
Emily Giffin, 2005.
 
This is a true chick lit. Pink cover, impossible love story, wedding drama... This is THE book to read lounging on a beach, with margaritas and oversized sunglasses. The story is about Rachel and Darcy, best friends since childhood. When Rachel “accidentally” sleeps with Darcy’s fiance, things get complicated. Written from Rachel’s perspective, the book shows different sides of love and friendship, and how these often intertwine. Giffin always creates stories that are extremely relatable, in one way or another. I have read this book so many times (yes, I am one to willingly re-read the same book 25 times), and I find something new in it everytime, a new lesson or somebody else’s point-of-view I hadn’t considered before. And you know what the best part is? There is a sequel! Something Blue (2005), which relates the same story, but from Darcy’s perspective, in addition to her life after the end of the first book. Both books are very easy reads, funny and sentimental, and they’re sure to remind you of someone (if that someone isn’t you).

The Smoke Jumper
Nicholas Evans, 1999.
 
This book was recommended to me by my mom and it is an epic read. It puts forth wildland firefighters, who jump out of planes, into burning areas, to try and control remote wildfires. When I first saw the trailer for Joseph Kosinski’s movie, Only the Brave, I thought it was the movie adaptation for that book (which it wasn’t). This book is a fiction, but smoke jumpers really do exist. They are real-life heroes and this book is a look into a part of their lives. With a gripping storyline about love and loyalty, this book pulls at your heartstrings, but also makes you see the beauty that can be found even in tragedy.

North of Beautiful
Justina Chen Headley, 2009.
 
This is a teen read. But I couldn’t do this post without talking about this book. If you have teenagers, especially girls, I very highly recommend it. It follows the story of Terra Cooper, who dreams of traveling the world, of escaping her own life. But when she meets Jacob, everything changes and it’s a whole other journey that begins – one about love, beauty, and the true treasures found in every adventure. To be honest, I think that most of us, as adults, could also benefit from that story. It is beautiful, and raw, and authentic. There is a candid lesson to be learned from that book. It changed my life and the way I was perceiving myself.

If you have any book recommendation, please leave a comment, I would love to read them!
Happy reading!

-TM-