It’s that time where I dole out recommendations according to what kind of mood you might be in at random — whether that be an actual mood or a specific type of book. Check out past Whatcha In the Mood For Recs
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE if you could also leave some recs for my categories in the comments to further help people looking for books that fit!
Need a beach read?
Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
Why? Well, it has a GREAT summer/beach vibe and I always do love that in a beach read but it also has a great romance along with good family and friend dynamics. It’s perfectly beachy but not altogether mindless at all (and that’s not a knock against mindless beach reads because I LOVE me a mindless beach read).
Wanting to binge read?
Something Strange & Deadly by Susan Dennard
Why? This trilogy is action-packed and so addictive plus the time period and the setting(s) throughout the books are fantastic! It’s very zombie-lite so don’t let the “walking dead” deter you if you aren’t into that thing –it’s not gory or anything. It’s a whole lot of steampunk/zombie/fantasy/supernatural goodness.
In the mood for an emotional historical novel?
Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys
Why? Oh man this one wrecked me. I knew a lot about what Hitler did during this time period but I had NO idea the kind of awfulness that was going on in places like Lithuania thanks to Stalin (maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention in class, who knows!). It’s a heart-wrenching story but also made me so PROUD of the way humans persevere in the midst of ugliness. One of my all time favorite historical YAs and I think everyone should read it even though it can be a wee bit depressing at times. It has stuck with me all these years.
Want To Read About Someone Else’s Dating Woes?
Arranged by Catherine McKenzie
Why? The main character just can’t seem to get it together when it comes dating relationships — it’s the one area of her life that she doesn’t feel like she has quite together. She comes across a company she thinks is an exclusive dating service but really they do these modern day arranged marriages. She’s skeptical but then sees the success rate and decides WHY NOT….and meets her husband to be at a resort in Mexico a month later.
Want a thriller/mystery you’ll want to read in one sitting?
Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
Why? Oh man, I could not put this down — seriously read it in 3ish hours. It’s going to remind you a bit of a ripped from headlines story (a la Amanda Knox or Natalie Holloway) in that the main character is in Aruba on Spring Break and her best friend is brutally murdered and she and her boyfriend are suspects and held in an Aruba jail. But I promise you it is no rip off! Thrilling up to the last page!
Have you read any of these? Agree/disagree with my recs? Have any to add?? Also, if you have a specific mood you think I should do next time….drop that in the comments!
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
Arranged sounds good. I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Rachel Writes Things says
Oh man, I JUST read NANTUCKET BLUE for the first time and LOVED it. I don’t know how I missed it the first time. Then I immediately ran out and bought book 2 and read that as well (and it was SO great). Thanks for sharing these recommendations, Jamie
Brandie says
Between Shades of Gray sounds amazing. Just added it to my list. Thank you!
I couldn’t agree more with you about Dangerous Girls. I devoured it in a day. SO good!!
Kristin @ Simply Bookish Things says
Nantucket Blue has been on my GR TBR list for aggeess! And I’m in need of a mindless beach read right now! Awesome recommendations, thanks for making my TBR even bigger now *glares* Kidding! :p
Bree says
Dangerous Girls is on my tbr list so excited to keep hearing good things about it. If you’re looking for more historical fiction “Z: A novel of zelda fitzgerald” is an easy summer read.
Alexa S. says
I’ve actually read three of the five, and I would recommend them as well – so yay for that! I do own Arranged, and it sounds like just the type of fun contemporary adult novel I like during the summer. I hope I get around to reading it soon!
Katherine says
I totally agree with Between Shades of Gray. I read that one recently and it was so beautiful and a tear-jerker for sure. I also love the Something Strange and Deadly trilogy, although I haven’t read the last book yet. But I’m really excited for Truthwitch next year too! Dangerous Girls is on my TBR and I can’t wait to read it.
Frannie Pan says
Nuntucket is definitely on my TBR!!
Kathy @ Kathy Reads Fiction says
Nantucket Blue looks like a good one and one that I would enjoy. I would love to read Dangerous Girls because I’ve heard so many good things about it, and everyone seems to love it.
The Bibliophile Babe says
This is a great idea! I’ve heard so much about Dangerous Girls, and it’s on my TBR. I need to pick it up!
Jodie @ Words Read & Written says
Added a bunch of these to my TBR!
Alexia says
I bought Between Shades of Gray back in April. I NEED to read it soon.
I plan on binge reading SSaD soon. I was going to read it this summer, but I’ve had a rough summer.
Yes to Dangerous Girls!!!!!
Cynthia @ Bingeing On Books says
Love this! I just had a blog post requesting some beach reads. I will check some of these out. 🙂
Tiffany (About to Read) says
Nantucket Blue is a perfect beach read. Something Strange and Deadly has been on my TBR forever. I’ll have to check it out when I’m in the mood for a binge.