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I made this list for a friend who needed to find rest in stories. She wanted to feel warm, be distracted ā keep her soul breathing during a hard time.
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Whenever Iām in a reading slump, or Iām feeling depressed, this is my go-to pick-me-up. Rereads can be so comforting. VIBES: Fantasy, middle-grade, YA, campus.
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
This book made me fall in love with Magical Realism as a genre. Itās a bit silly if you take it too seriously ā just let it be what it is š. VIBES: Romantic, southern, magical realism.
Garden Spells (Waverley Family, #1)
This book (and the sequel, which I like even more), are just perfect summer reading. Romantic, Scottish, full of book-love.
VIBES: Romance, Books about Books, Scottish.
The Bookshop on the Corner (Kirrinfief, #1)
Classic favorite of mine. Honestly you could read anything by L.M. Montegomery ā her whole catalog is delightful. Iāve read all of her short stories and those are fantastic too. But for Anne, the whole series is worth it, honestly. Montegomery writes short stories best, so even the Anne books are kind of in that format. VIBES: Children/YA, romantic (in the classical sense), hijinks
Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1)
This is a twisty mystery with a great heroine, set in Victorian England. Itās definitely a little spooky at times, but not dark at all!
VIBES: historical, mystery thriller
A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell, #1)
This was laugh-out-loud delightful. Definitely another one that you shouldnāt take too seriously. Itās a YA story about Lady Jane Grey, with a little fantasy twist. Iāve also read My Contrary Mary by the same author ā also great.
VIBES: YA, fantasy, silly, romantic, funny
My Lady Jane (The Lady Janies, #1)
Another historical YA fantasy ā this one focused around the history of medicine and surgery. I was absorbed with the setting (Edinburgh) and the characters ā and it has such a sweet romance! The sequel is great too.
VIBES: historical, fantasy, YA, romance
Anatomy (The Anatomy Duology, #1)
This is a classic from 1948. I found it just wonderful comfort reading, about a 17yo girl and her eccentric family living in an old castle ruin.
VIBES: YA, romance, coming-of-age
This one is a bit of a slow burn for me ā thereās a lot of world-building. But the ending was so exciting and all the feels. Really creative all around!
VIBES: offbeat, sci-fi, ensemble, funny
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers, #1)
This is a light, fun murder mystery with a great Chinese-Indonesian family.
VIBES: romance, mystery, family
Dial A for Aunties (Aunties, #1)
Classic fun, with an incredible framing story from the author (all made up!). Iāve never laughed so much.
VIBES: romance, fantasy, funny
Honestly, you could read ANYTHING by P.G. Wodehouse. Iāve listened to his books multiple times, they always keep me laughing. They are written in the 1910s and 1920s and are just classic British comedic novels. I also love all the Jeeves and Wooster books.
VIBES: silly, classic, British, hijinks, romance
Something Fresh (Blandings Castle, #1)
This is heart-warming middle-grade with a pretty enticing mystery element. So many feels at the end!
VIBES: middle grade, mystery, fantasy
The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedicā¦
This is a classic retelling done right ā Pride and Prejudice set in modern Toronto in a Muslim community. Loved!
VIBES: romance, family, faith
This is what Ben calls a PERFECT book. I also think itās five stars although maybe not perfect š. Itās end-of-the-world + science + study of language. Itās so so funny and the ending had me crying for all the happy feels. Although the world is ending, itās not really sad at all! The Martian by this author is also fantastic. Thereās a lot of science, so if youāre not into that, you can just skim those parts like I do, lol.
VIBES: friendship, sci-fi, science
The setting!!!! Medieval Wales? Yes, please. Historical fiction fantasy at its best. I wouldn't say it's terribly gothic or horror - it was super tame.
VIBES: fantasy, YA, romance, horror