Books Tracy Always Recommends
If you don’t love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson & Jane Austen then we might not have anything in common.
Those are my all-time favorite books/series, and Harry Potter and Jane Austen are also my go-to comfort movies. And so far I am loving the new Disney version of Percy Jackson.
If you haven’t read these books, what are you waiting for? Highly recommend!
If you like these, check out some of my other favorites!
Favorite Adult books
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
This was a 2023 read for me and I haven’t stopped talking about it.
It is one of the few books that I listened to as an audiobook.
I don’t read a lot of audiobooks because my mind tends to wander and I do a lot of rewinding.
But the narrator for The Rose Code was absolutely incredible!
Saskia Maarleveld is an award-winning voice actress who has done other books by Kate Quinn and I am now loading audiobooks based on what she narrates!
Aside from narration, this historical fiction book is set in WWII in Bletchley Park.
It focuses on three women who help solve the Enigma Code and has contributed to my obsession with this subject.
There is also a bit of a royal romance based on a true story.
This book has something for everyone and I have fourmore Kate Quinn books on my TBR.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
This book has had a lot of coverage and some people love it and some people hate it. I fall on the love it side.
When Addie makes a deal with the devil to live forever, she does not read the fine print that no one will remember her.
Told in flashbacks, we follow Addie through time until she finds someone who might remember her.
I loved this book. However, I did take a long time to read it.
The language and imagery made me want to slow down and just enjoy the journey.
I would read a chapter and then stop and go “wow” 😍
This is definitely a “mood” read and if you are in the mood for a beautifully written, slow moving love story, this is your book.
The Measureby Nikki Erlick
This is the debut novel from this author and I can’t wait to see what she thinks up next.
This book led to many discussions and I still think about it all the time.
The premise is that overnight strange boxes appear on every adult’s doorstep.
As people open them, they find a sting and everyone’s is a different length.
No note, no instructions.
Eventually, they learn that the string represents the length of your life.
Now people must decide whether to look at their string and how to live their life if they do (or don’t).
The political and social ramifications of these decisions are fascinating and led to many discussions.
Would you look? What would you do differently if you knew how long you had to live?
Great for Book Clubs!
Favorite Young Adult books
Cinderby Marissa Meyer
Cinderis the first book in one of my favorite series, the Lunar Chronicles.
This is a sci-fi/fantasy fairy tale retelling series with elements of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White.
Cinder is part cyborg which makes her a second-class citizen in New Beijing.
A chance encounter with the handsome Prince Kai leads to a forbidden attraction and a partnership to fight the evil Queen Levana.
I love that Cinder is very independent and doesn’t let prejudice keep her from being fierce!
This series only gets better from here!
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
This book is not on a lot of people’s radar, but I thought the series was so original and highly recommend it!
This is the first book in a four-book series. It begins by introducing us to the triplets of Fennbirn, one of whom will be the future queen.
Each sister has a different type of magic and is being trained by mentors to use that magic to become queen.
The twist is these sisters are raised apart and taught to hate each other because once they turn sixteen, it’s a fight to the death where only one can be queen.
This premise was so original and the tension leading up to the showdown is great.
You will need to read the whole series to get a satisfying conclusion, but I think you will enjoy every minute!
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I read a lot of YA fantasy and I don’t really enjoy realistic coming-of-age stories, but this is a story straight from headlines that needs to be heard.
Starr Carter bounces back and forth between two worlds: her almost all-white prep school and her almost all-black neighborhood.
She is a master of code-switching.
Her childhood best friend is fatally shot by a white cop, and she is the only witness.
Does she try to keep her identity a secret to stay out of the limelight or does she take a stand for her best friend who can no longer defend himself?
Powerful story, that is a must read for everyone.
Favorite Middle-Grade books
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Josh and Jordan Bell are twin middle school basketball phenoms.
Told in verse, with rap vibes, it’s probably no surprise that I would recommend this book for boys ages 10 and up.
What might surprise you is that I loved this book!
I am not an athlete, never had sons, my girls played soccer not basketball, but I lovedthis book!
It’s more than rhymes and basketball.
Kwame Alexander has written a book about family and growing up that will tug at your heartstrings as you root for the Bell twins on and off the court.
Great for reluctant readers, hoop lovers, and anyone that loves a good story!
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Whenever I have to classify the Ranger’s Apprentice Series,I debate between adventure and fantasy and wish there was a combo category like Romantasy. Advantasy???
Whatever you want to call it, The Ruins of Gorlanis a great book to start a great series.
On Choosing Day, the castle orphans who have turned fifteen are chosen by the Craftmasters to become apprentices.
Most know what they want to do and who will choose them, but Will dreams of Battleschool even though he knows he is too small.
When he is rejected by all of the Craftmaster’s, Will thinks he will be sent to work on a farm.
But then the mysterious Ranger Halt steps forward and Will’s future changes in an instant.
This story has spies, knights, and rangers all enlisted to keep the land safe from a villain biding his time.
An epic adventure/fantasy for fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
The first book in the series introduces us to the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women.
Disguised as a boarding school for geniuses, it’s really a school for spies.
This is my happy place–boarding school, spies, mystery, government conspiracies, a little romance–what more could you ask for?!
This series is a fun read that follows the four very different roommates adjusting to their crazy classes and getting caught up in a conspiracy that will test their spy skills.
I devoured this whole series and think it’s perfect for fans of Alex Rider or the Spy Kids movies.
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Cozy up with a good read and hope to see you
in the middle of a book,
Tracy
