If you’re a mood reader (or want to get into reading and don’t know where to start), it can be daunting trying to figure out what is next on your TBR (to be read) list. Check this article for the best books for whatever you’re feeling.
- Hopelessly Romantic
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If you feel like escaping into a world of romance, meet-cutes and lighthearted goodness, these books are for you. Beach Read by Emily Henry is the enemies to friends to lovers story that you need. It has a brilliant slow burn, wonderful banter and a little spice on top of that. Icebreaker by Hannah Grace is great for a college girl who wants to romanticize their campus life a little bit more. Do you want to have a hockey boyfriend? Then this one is for you. If you feel like taking a trip back in time (or if you’re an avid Netflix fan), you should check out the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. With eight books in the main series (and more in novellas and the spin-off, Queen Charlotte), you are bound to find a love story perfectly curated for you.
- High Octane Fantasy
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Sometimes you just want a good book to sink your teeth into that makes everyone around you think that you just look smart. These books can be a little hard to get into with world-building, but it will be worth it. Priory of the Orange Tree and Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon are stand-alone books that are set in the same world. The descriptive language used really transports you and the weaving of different storylines makes this a must-read for sure. Babel by R.F. Kuang blends fantasy with dark academia and also critiques bias in higher education. R.F. Kuang’s storytelling is otherworldly and will have you gripped until the very end.
- Horror (Both Campy and Freaky)
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Whether you’re a horror aficionado or just love a completely camp slasher, the horror genre is so diverse that you are bound to find something that you will love. Of course, there’s the classic Carrie by Stephen King. Revenge, teenage rage and simply iconic, it will have you sleeping with the light on while needing to make some popcorn. My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix blends camp with terror and sprinkles in some genuine female friendships. Listening to ’80’s pop while reading is highly recommended. If you’re looking for some nostalgic horror, the OG will always be R.L. Stine. Any of the Fear Street books will bring you back to when you were reading Goosebumps under your covers with a flashlight but with a more grown-up twist.
- Realistic Fiction for an Existential Crisis
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There will come a time in every girl’s life when she just wants to read a book that induces severe catharsis in some very odd ways. The plus side to this is that the reputation of this niche genre of books will make you look very smart (especially when paired with a tote bag). Arguably, the book that defined this genre would be Normal People by Sally Rooney. It has soul-crushing romance and is perfect for every college student who ruminates on where they fit in a little too much. Turning to a bit of a more absurd side of this genre is My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh. It is written in an unromantic yet dream-like way that engages you while connecting you with the main character. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is the perfect intelligent, dark academia novel for anyone who enjoyed Shakespeare a little too much in high school. Set at a college, it has a great sense of heightened stakes and drama for escapism that will also to get your wheels turning.
- Sci-FI/Fantasy Adjacent for the Modern Girl
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To close off this list, presented to you is an incredibly niche but exciting genre. If you enjoy more fantastical elements in your stories but don’t find yourself as drawn to an entirely new world where you have to commit at least 100 pages to understand their universe, this one is great for you. Set in our world with an added element of magic, these can be a more tangible read. First up are Bunny and All’s Well by Mona Awad. She is the queen of magical realism and absurdism (and deliciously unlikeable characters). While these books aren’t for the faint of heart, they will have you on the edge of your seat and needing to know more. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab has it all. Romance, angst, self-discovery and some incredibly insightful ideas about the concept of legacy and leaving your mark. Taking you from 1700s France to modern-day New York, you are in for a delightful and tear-filled read.