Our Team’s Favorite Recent Reads
Add these 12 titles to your must-read list for the cozy months to come! Images: Amazon
Always on the lookout for your next read? From mystery thrillers and 90s-inspired memoirs to a nonfiction pick designed to boost your productivity, StyleBlueprint team members are offering up their favorite recent page-turners. Add these 12 recs to your must-read list!
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The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Series by Beth Brower
“A delightful series following a British woman coming into adulthood as she navigates relationships with a grumpy cousin, mystery neighbor, austere aunt, and dear friends. Told in short journal entries, this series is a treat to enjoy! I recommend listening to the audiobook version to start to get the narrator’s wonderful accents and voices, and then sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy the rest!” — Erin Wilson, Birmingham Market Leader
Gone Before Goodbye by Harlan Coben
“Hands down, Gone Before Goodbye is the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. It features an all-star cast, including Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine, who bring the characters to life in a gripping global thriller. The story follows Maggie, a disgraced world-renowned Army doctor, as she’s pulled into a dangerous international conspiracy involving a shadowy, ultra-private billionaire. Fast-paced and incredibly well performed, this one had me hooked from beginning to end.” — Mandy Learn, Louisville Market Leader
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
“I blow through mystery thrillers, and my litmus test for the really good ones is when I feel the need to jump back and forth between audio and Kindle. The ones I can’t put down, so I throw in my earbuds and bring them with me. My latest favorite is Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica. The narrative straddles two timelines and multiple narrators, unraveling the details around three mysterious disappearances. It’s gripping from the very first chapter.” — Alissa Harb, Managing Editor
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
“I am currently reading Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. And while it is not an edge-of-your-seat read, it is absolutely fantastic, and I am taking it to heart and working to improve my 30-year habit that needs upgrading.” — Jay Graves, COO
Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston
“I read Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston this summer as I was traveling, and it was the perfect antidote to airport boredom! It’s an uplifting, feel-good story about a lonely and broke 82-year-old man who accidentally gets mistaken for a nursing home resident — and after multiple attempts at an explanation, decides to roll with it. Kind and loving Fred becomes grumpy, forgetful Bernard, and the result is a journey filled with humor and heart. Though it deals with tough topics such as grief, aging, betrayal, and the nature of forgiveness, the book is an easy read, with a few gentle twists and turns. I loved it!” — Gaye Swan, Contributing Writer
Arsenio: A Memoir by Arsenio Hall
“If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, this memoir is a must-read. Arsenio: A Memoir takes you behind the scenes of The Arsenio Hall Show, the late-night hit talk show that redefined pop culture from 1989 to 1994, while also sharing stories from Hall’s childhood. Nostalgic and engaging, it’s a fun trip down memory lane for both pop culture and memoir fans.” — Melissa Thompson, Account Executive
Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
“I recently read the nonfiction book Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden. I found it thought-provoking and felt very empathetic toward the author as she navigates an unexpected, unexplained divorce from her husband of 20 years, just as COVID begins. I enjoyed reading her story and how her perception of her life, marriage, and self had to change accordingly.” — Dianne Garland, Account Executive
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
“The Calamity Club is a beautiful and robust story about the things women will do to survive, the choices they make when their backs are against the wall, and the sometimes unexpected communities they form to support one another. There are several storyline threads running through the 600+-page-turner that might unravel in the hands of a less experienced writer, but Stockett (who also wrote The Help) manages to weave them seamlessly, integrating the characters into one another’s lives in a way that never feels forced. She paints a beautiful picture of the complexities of life in the South during the Great Depression and the women who lived through it with both grit and grace.” — Bonny Osterhage, Associate Editor
Small Wonders by Jen Shoop
“I’ve been slowly savoring Jen Shoop’s Small Wonders. I’m fortunate to call Jen a friend, and the thoughtful, inquisitive way that she takes in the world around her comes across on every page in this book of memories and reflections. It’s the perfect book for those of us who may not be in a season of poring through novels, but want to take a few moments in the morning or evening to stop, slow down, and read a few pages that remind us to notice the small moments that make up a life.” — Heather Bien, Contributing Writer
The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
“I’ve been going back and forth between the print and audiobook versions of Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets, as time permits. The latest Robert Langdon thriller takes him to Prague, where a missing manuscript and a murder send him down a rabbit hole exploring the mysteries of human consciousness. The book itself is classic Dan Brown, but the audiobook has really grabbed me. It’s definitely a commitment at nearly 23 hours, but the narrator (Paul Michael) has a wonderfully soothing voice and does a great job shifting between various accents — it’s a surprisingly dynamic listen! I do miss the more Indiana Jones– and Goonies-esque codes, puzzles, and treasure-hunt feel of some of the earlier Robert Langdon books, but this one is holding my attention. If you’re looking for something engrossing to listen to on a long drive, I’d recommend giving the audiobook a go.” — Jenna von Oy Bratcher, Editorial Operations Manager
Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff
“I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, so I was looking for a quick, easy read to pull me out of it — and Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff absolutely delivered. At just 176 pages, I devoured this feel-good novella in a single afternoon. The story follows political strategist Maya, whose career has taken a serious hit after her ex-husband’s very public affair, until an unexpected run-in with her former boy-band crush gives her a second chance (at both her career and life). Fun, witty, steamy, and packed with adorable moments, Big Fan was exactly the literary palate cleanser I needed.” — Brianna Goebel, Associate Editor
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
“I am not usually one to reach for super controversial reads, but I loved Yesteryear. I was transfixed by its nuance and complexity. By the end, I felt as topsy-turvy as Natalie did at the beginning of the book when she finds herself transported from the present day back to 1855. I finished it a few weeks ago, and I’m still reeling. Plus, I loved the audiobook narrator, Rebecca Lowman, and felt she was perfectly cast — it might be my favorite audiobook experience to date! I can’t wait to see Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of Natalie in the film adaptation already in the works.” — Katie Leigh Matthews, Contributing Writer
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Alissa Harb
Alissa Harb is StyleBlueprint's Managing Editor, based in Nashville. A lifelong Tennessee native, Alissa has over 14 years of experience in digital media and loves writing about food, travel, and entertaining. She is a lover of dogs, true crime, and ordering for the table.
