Reading is probably one of my favorite hobbies. I crave quiet moments during the day when I can read a few pages. Train rides into the city and 20 minutes before bed are the best I can do right now. (My dream would be to go on a vacation for a week without a phone or wifi and just READ for, like, a week straight.)
I’ve been trying to read books with a little more substance, but to be honest, right now, I have such little time to read that I need page-turners. Something to get into quickly… and stay awake for more than five minutes.
Here are two books I recently read and enjoyed!
First up… The Couple Next Door. This is not the best-written book in the world. But you know what? The story is really freaking good. The characters are all pretty unlikeable, but I couldn’t stop turning the page to figure out what was going to happen. The Couple Next Door definitely falls under the same category as Gone Girl. In the book, the couple’s infant daughter is kidnapped, but they don’t know who took her and why.
This is another quick read. I was flying through it without even realizing. It’s about a family falling apart as their daughter applies to Harvard. The Gatekeepers was required reading for my high school, and I think The Admissions is like a fictional version of it. I Snapchatted saying that I was reading it and got a few responses from readers that they started the book but couldn’t continue because it stressed them out. I agree; it brought back some not-so-great memories for me about the college application process. That said, it’s a great read and has a good message (for families and students) despite being fiction. If you start and get stressed out… keep going. It’s worth it. (I also want to make a note that even though I just said, the content can be a little stressful to read, it’s actually written with a lot of humor. I enjoyed Moore’s writing style a lot!)
Have you read anything great recently?
Thanks for the recommendations!! I agree that sometimes I need a great page-turner! I’ve been in a reading rut so I’ll have to try these out 🙂
XO Lauren
http://www.loveandlauren.com
I read “The Girl on the Train” (as everyone has), and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t see great reviews on the movie, so that is one I am going to wait on Redbox for. Right now I am reading the memoir of a Radio DJ, Bobby Bones. I plan to start “The Best Yes” when I am done with that. I have heard great things about that book!
Melissa Faye
http://www.melissafayeblog.blogspot.com
I’ve been wanting to read The Couple Next Door, so now that you’ve recommended it… it’s a must! Also, Sue Grafton always reminds me of The Office.
xo,
Sarah Parker
http://www.parkertheprepster.com
Thank you for the suggestions Carly! I’m always looking to add new books to my list. I just finished the Good Girl by Mary Kubica and if you’re looking for a suspenseful page turner, I highly recommend it. It’s written from the perspective of the different characters and very interesting.
I am in the middle of this right now and cannot put it down! I stay up way too late reading this book. Def recommend.
I’m really intrigued by The Admissions! While I read to escape, many times I like to read stories that I can relate to, and the college application process is definitely that! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Thanks for the recommendations! I need a good page turner in my life; I just finished Girl On The Train.
-Heather
http://www.newyorkrootstosouthernboots.com
Thanks for the recommendations! If you haven’t already read it (or seen the film), The Light Between Oceans is another great page turner!
-Taylor (Living Taylored)
Another great rec for a decent page turner like gone girl/girl on the train is All the Missing Girls – It’s an awesome mystery, told in a really unique way!
I really enjoyed The Admissions! Wasn’t crazy about The Couple Next Door – I agree about the writing. I’m reading The Trespasser now – all of Tana French’s books are major page turners.
I just finished reading Crazy Rich Asians and the sequel China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan. They came out a few years ago I believe but were hysterical and well written. Highly recommend!
I too have a secret weakness for Kevin Kwans books. Waiting for another one soon, might be about the child raising stage.
I’m currently reading Inferno by Dan Brown (I know, I’m 3+ years late) because I HAD to read it before watching the movie and it’s really “page turning”. Will be checking out your recommendations, Carly, thanks for sharing!
Andrea @ Twentyish Brunette
Nice suggestions 🙂 I am currently reading Gone Girl and have made a wee post about the books i’m going to get into this autumn 🙂 Kymeliu x
I read Bird Box last week. Super quick read and most definitely a page turner.
Thanks for the suggestions, Carly! Reading is one of my favorite hobbies too. At the moment I’m reading And the Mountains Echoed and I can’t put it down!
Just finished The Couple Next Door and my thoughts in recommending it to friends were exactly the same: not the best written by any means, but the story is interesting enough to keep you going to find out what will happen next. If you haven’t already read some of Gillian Flynn’s other books (author of Gone Girl) I’d recommend checking them out too if you like the genre.
Reading is my favorite hobby too! Thanks for the recommendations; I’ll have to check those books out- they both sound fascinating!
I posted some books I recently read right here: https://calmlybykimmie.blogspot.com/2016/10/recently-read-october.html
Thanks, Carly! I always look forward to your book suggestions and keep a growing list of ones to look into! Question – where do you keep all of your books?! I love reading a physical book but feel like it’s not practical to collect so many? Do you mostly read on your kindle or purge your collection? Or literally keep a huge shelf of them? Thanks for any insight 🙂 It’s something that’s puzzled me for awhile!
I’m reading The Woman In Cabin 10 right not and I cannot put it down!! It’s so good I’ve ready almost all of it in 3 days, staying up to late and reading on my bus to work. Falls in the Gone Girl category as well.
Have you seen trailers for Kate Winslet’s latest movie? The Dressmaker. Well the movie is fabulous and the book is great also! Definitely recommend.
I am adding The Couple Next Door to my reading list!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com
Ooo these both sound really good! I’ll be checking out that second one for sure!
xoxo,
Abigail
http://www.belleofthebrier.com/
I am more of a non-fiction reader these days. I just finished reading Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, which is a non-fiction book that is really interesting and well written. I also recommend Love & War by Mary Matalin and James Carville and Unbowed by Wangari Maathai. With regard to fiction, I also liked the Boston Girl by Anita Diamant, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, and Dracula.
Just started The Admissions per your reco. I’m currently more than halfway through it. It reminds me a lot of the NYC suburb high school I attended growing up. I’m so glad to be done with that phase of life, but I’m really enjoying the book!
-E
Definitely will have to check these out! Currently finishing up The Devil in the White City- such a well presented historical book! All nonfiction but read like a suspenseful fictional story!
Thanks for the recommendations!! I am also an avid reader. I just finished one called, “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?”
Crazy story!!!!