Since childhood, reading has been a fundamental part of my relaxation. I remember spending full days during the summer flipping between novels and illustrating scenes from the books.

Like most people, after college, I stopped reading for a bit. I had my fill of textbooks (and learning for that matter) and needed some time to totally let go. It was short lived–I soon realized that the best way to wind down before bed is to read a chapter or two from a good book.

Now, it’s time for a little confession. As much as I want to be an erudite cycling through the New York Times Bestsellers, I’m more basic bruh when it comes to my reading selection. I prefer to get immersed in a vivid, imaginary world and fall asleep thinking about magic. So my list of books runs the gamut of young adult fiction, sci-fi, humor, and incredibly cheesy romance. Here’s a list of every fiction book I’ve purchased from my iPad.

I’m embarrassed already.
Young Adult Fiction that runs the gamut of falling in love to battling Egyptian gods

  • Passenger (series) – Alexandra Bracken
  • The Kane Chronicles (series) – Rick Riordan and Katherine Kellgren
  • Matched – Ally Conois
  • Divergent (series) – Veronica Roth
  • Mirror in the Sky – Aditi Khorana
  • The Darkest Part of the Forest – Holly Black
  • Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell
  • Sidekicked – John David Anderson
  • Carry On – Rainbow Rowell
  • Dumplin – Julie Murphy
  • The Iron Trial – Cassandra Clare and Holly Black
  • Minion – John David Anderson
  • The Fault in Our Stars – John Green
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians (series) – Rick Riordan
  • The Casquette Girls – Alys Arden

Science Fiction, Witches, and Magic, but intended for actual adults

  • Off to Be the Wizard (series) – Scott Meyer
  • The Bone Clocks – David Mitchell
  • The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August – Catherine Webb
  • All the Birds in the Sky – Charlie Jane Anders
  • Welcome to Border Town – Edited by Holly Black
  • Witches of East End (series) – Melissa de la Cruz

Romantic Comedy

  • Landline – Rainbow Rowell
  • The Ex Boyfriend’s Handbook – Matt Dunn
  • How to Be Single – Liz Tuccillo
  • Attachments – Rainbow Rowell
  • The Hopefuls – Jennifer Close

Work Drama

  • The Knockoff – Jo Piazza and Lucy Sykes
  • The Assistants – Camille Perri
  • A Day at the Office – Matt Dunn

I’m not sure how to categorize these, but they’re good

  • Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore – Robin Sloan
  • Modern Lovers – Emma Straub
  • Giovanni’s Room – James Baldwin
  • The Interestings – Meg Wolitzer
  • Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Truman Capote
  • I am not Sidney Portier – Percival Everett
  • The Family Fang – Kevin Wilson
  • Nefertiti: A Novel – Michelle Moran

Have you read any of the books on this list? Do you have any recommendations? Send me a tweet to let me know.

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