People can get into a reading slump for many reasons, but sometimes, it just takes one really good book to get back into the swing of things. Recently, I asked BuzzFeed Community members to share the books that made them love reading again, and I’m heading to the library ASAP. Here are some books that people 100% recommend reading:
1.”Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian is an amazing book! A mismatched band of characters end up together on a stolen Wells Fargo wagon to hunt down a witch in the Wild West. I have recommended this book numerous times since I read it. Also, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros may have its flaws, but it sucked me in just as hard as Harry Potter did when I was a kid. I am obsessed.”
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
Sadie Grace is wanted for witchcraft, dead (or alive). And every hired gun in Kansas is out to collect the bounty on her head, including bona fide witch hunter Old Tom and his mysterious, mute ward, Rabbit.On the road to Burden County, they’re joined by two vagabond cowboys with a strong sense of adventure – but no sense of purpose – and a recently widowed school teacher with nothing left to lose. As their posse grows, so too does the danger.Racing along the drought-stricken plains in a stolen red stagecoach, they encounter monsters more wicked than witches lurking along the dusty trail. But the crew is determined to get that bounty, or die trying.
2.”All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown. It’s a beautiful romance told in post-apocalyptic America! It’s perfect for any fans of queer literature!”
—Bee, 27, United Kingdom
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
When Andrew stumbles upon Jamie’s house, he’s injured, starved, and has nothing left to lose. A deadly pathogen has killed off most of the world’s population, including everyone both boys have ever loved. And if this new world has taught them anything, it’s to be scared of what other desperate people will do…so why does it seem so easy for them to trust each other?After danger breaches their shelter, they flee south in search of civilization. But something isn’t adding up about Andrew’s story, and it could cost them everything. And Jamie has a secret, too. He’s starting to feel something more than friendship for Andrew, adding another layer of fear and confusion to an already tumultuous journey.The road ahead of them is long, and to survive, they’ll have to shed their secrets, face the consequences of their actions, and find the courage to fight for the future they desire, together. Only one thing feels certain: all that’s left in their world is the undeniable pull they have toward each other.
3.”Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I was a huge reader as a kid and teenager, and then I just sort of fell out of it. The book reignited my passion for reading. It’s so well-written and has great twists. I still recommend this book to people.”
—Anonymous
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
Who are you?What have we done to each other?These are the questions Nick Dunne finds himself asking on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police suspect Nick. Amy’s friends reveal that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears it isn’t true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they weren’t made by him. And then there are the persistent calls on his mobile phone.So what did happen to Nick’s beautiful wife?
4.”The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower is so entertaining! The writing is immersive, and there is fantastic character development that makes the people come alive! I think about Emma and her cohorts even while I am asleep! The books are an injection of happiness to me each time I open one up.”
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
5.”Anything written by Fredrik Backman. I love his writing; his books make me laugh and cry at the same time. I’ve read virtually all of his books, and it’s hard to pick a favorite! If you liked Incredibly Bright Creatures, you’ll love Backman. If you want something lighter, start with Anxious People.”
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
Looking at real estate isn’t usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can’t fix up their own marriage. There’s a wealthy banker who has been too busy making money to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can’t seem to agree on anything, from where they want to live to how they met in the first place. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment’s only bathroom, and you’ve got the worst group of hostages in the world.Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in a motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.
6.”The Gunslinger series by Stephen King. I have loved EVERY single book! I know when I go to reread the books, it has to be on a weekend. I can’t put them down!”
—JR, Canada
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
The Gunslinger introduces readers to one of Stephen King’s most powerful creations, Roland of Gilead: The Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting figure, a loner on a spellbinding journey into good and evil. In his desolate world, which mirrors our own in frightening ways, Roland tracks The Man in Black, encounters an enticing woman named Alice, and begins a friendship with the boy from New York named Jake.
7.”There are so many amazing books out there, but The Queen of the Tearling series by Erika Johansen, The Powder Mage trilogy by Brian McClellan, and The Grimnoire Chronicles by Larry Correia were three book series that really reignited my love for reading at a time when it was difficult for me to even finish a book. I couldn’t put them down until I devoured every book!”
—Misty, 33, California
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend…if she can survive.
8.”The Water is Wide by the late Pat Conroy, who, like me, was from South Carolina. He was the only writer who could transport me home to the coast of South Carolina when I lived in Washington, D.C. I literally could smell the pluff mud through his descriptions. Sadly, he died way too young.”
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
The island is nearly deserted, haunting, beautiful. Across a slip of ocean lies South Carolina. But for the handful of families on Yamacraw Island, America is a world away. For years, the people here lived proudly from the sea, but now its waters are not safe. Waste from industry threatens their very existence–unless, somehow, they can learn a new life. But they will learn nothing without someone to teach them, and their school has no teacher.
9.”Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens! It’s the first book I read after years of reading strictly for school and studies, so it took me a long time to find something that sucked me in immediately. I finished in a day, and I bawled my eyes out. The movie was good, but the feelings you get from actually reading the book are indescribable.”
—Jean, 28, New York
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.But Kya is not what they say. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life’s lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world—until the unthinkable happens.
10.”I am a huge psychological thriller fan, and now I’m a fan of Greg Iles. I started with his book Mortal Fear, which is so realistic that it makes you feel like it could happen to you. I used to read the book, then dream the scenes.”
—Elaine, 62, Connecticut
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
By day, Harper Cole trades commodities from his farmhouse in the isolated Mississippi Delta. But at night, Harper serves as system operator for E.R.O.S., a highly exclusive, sexually explicit online service whose clients range from the glitterati of Hollywood to the literati of New York. Shielded by a guarantee of absolute anonymity, these clients pour their secrets into the digital confession box of E.R.O.S. Only “sysops” like Harper – the high priests of the system – know and see all. When six female clients inexplicably drop off the network, Harper suspects that something is amiss. But when a world-famous New Orleans author – and E.R.O.S. client – is decapitated in her mansion, Harper breaks the code of silence and contacts the police. They are as shocked as Harper to learn that all six women have been brutally murdered, each with a different weapon, and in a different city. And each time the killer has claimed the same bizarre trophy. Horrified to find himself the prime suspect in the murders he reported, Harper is swept into a secret manhunt led by the FBI’s Investigative Support Unit. While the FBI uses the technology of the future and the psychology of the past to trap the brilliant killer, Harper realizes that he alone stands a chance of luring the elusive madman into the open.
11.”Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo! It’s so fast-paced and adventurous, and it involves a heist — what more could you want? It’s a duology, and even though it’s popular on BookTok, I honestly think that it deserves the hype. The found family trope is done so well, and I’m wishing and hoping for a new book soon!”
—Danielle, California
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…A convict with a thirst for revengeA sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wagerA runaway with a privileged pastA spy known as the WraithA Heartrender using her magic to survive the slumsA thief with a gift for unlikely escapesSix dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.
12.”When I’m in a reading slump, I reread a book by an author I know I love in order to get back in the habit. Frequently, it’s books by Sarah Vowell, who writes these witty, insightful, and personal drives into American history. (If I had to pull one out to recommend, I think Assassination Vacation is a great start.) Last time, the book that brought my reading habit back was An Ocean of Words by Ha Jin. His work often straddles the line between China and America, and I love the way he pulls a story together. I’ve read at least 10 of his books, but my favorite is probably A Map of Betrayal, which is about a high-ranking Chinese spy and his daughter tracing back their family origins.”
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
The place is the chilly border between Russia and China. The time is the early 1970s when the two giants were poised on the brink of war. And the characters in this thrilling collection of stories are Chinese soldiers who must constantly scrutinize the enemy even as they themselves are watched for signs of the fatal disease of bourgeois liberalism.
13.”Circe by Madeline Miller. It’s not as popular as Song of Achilles, but it’s just as beautiful, especially if you really love retellings of Greek mythology. I hadn’t picked up a book in years, but when I heard about this retelling of one of my favorite mythological heroines, I decided to give it a go. I fell in love immediately and couldn’t stop reading it. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.”
—Anonymous, 29, Arizona
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child–neither powerful like her father nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power: the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts, and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from or with the mortals she has come to love.
14.”The Long Walk by Richard Bachman (Stephen King). Teenage boys aren’t often big on reading, but when I was a teen, I ended up with a Richard Bachman collection, and The Long Walk has stayed with me 25 years later. Being roughly the same age as the boys in the book, coupled with the subject matter and its relatively short length, I think it’s a book that boys would genuinely still enjoy today. And, yes, I am ridiculously excited for the upcoming film. Pretty much every sequence in the trailer, including the dialogue, is straight out of the book. I always imagined The Major as being played by Jack Nicholson growing up, but having him be played by Luke Skywalker, my childhood hero, makes the character even more terrifying.”
Here’s a synopsis from Goodreads:
Against the wishes of his mother, sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty is about to compete in the annual grueling match of stamina and wits known as The Long Walk. One hundred boys must keep a steady pace of four miles per hour without ever stopping… with the winner being awarded “The Prize”—anything he wants for the rest of his life. But, as part of this national tournament that sweeps through a dystopian America year after year, there are some harsh rules that Garraty and ninety-nine others must adhere to in order to beat out the rest. There is no finish line—the winner is the last man standing. Contestants cannot receive any outside aid whatsoever. Slow down under the speed limit and you’re given a warning. Three warnings and you’re out of the game—permanently…
15.”Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan is the book that I fell in love with after a reading slump. The characters, the world-building, and the sizzling relationships dragged me back into the world of books, and I haven’t fallen out since!”
Orbit
—Anonymous
16.Lastly: “One of the best books I’ve ever read is one I never, in a thousand years, would have picked out for myself. It was recommended to me by my dad and aunt, and it’s an 850-page western. It made me feel every emotion; I was crying in bed, cheering out loud, getting angry, and everything else. If you read one Western book in your life, make sure it’s Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. I can’t praise this book enough. Please, just read it.”
Simon & Schuster
Oh, the joys of reading! What’s a book that got you out of a deep reading slump or just made you get back into reading again in general? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your story using the form below!
Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.