If you’ve ever stared at your bookshelf thinking “I miss reading, but I have no idea where to start”, you’re not alone. That’s actually the whole reason I’m kicking off this book rec series!

Over the past couple of years, I slowly started falling back in love with reading after what felt like a forever-long slump. I used to be such a bookworm growing up… like, every-weekend-at-the-library level obsessed. Books were how I traveled, escaped, and honestly, felt understood. (Shoutout to all my fellow sentimental water signs IYKYK.)

But somewhere between university, textbooks, and the “girlboss-hustle-and-level-up-your-mindset” era, reading became… a chore. And slowly, I stopped reading for me. For fun. For joy.

Turns out, a lot of us millennials felt that same shift. And if you’re nodding along or thinking, “Ugh, I miss that too”, I hope you enjoy this mini book rec series! Consider this your cozy corner of the internet for spoiler-free, no-pressure, just-for-fun book recs that might help you find your next favorite story… or simply remind you why you loved reading in the first place.

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

Genre: Contemporary Fiction (Romance)

Listen. I thought I was just signing up for a little love story but I was not prepared for the emotional gut punch this book would deliver. I haven’t cried over a book in a while, and this one cracked me open in the best way.

The Last Letter is more than a romance — it’s a beautifully messy journey through love, trauma, grief, and healing. It explores how two people can show up for each other even when the world around them is falling apart. And the way it balances heartbreak and hope? Perfection. Like, waterproof mascara mandatory.

If you love books that feel like something — that leave you with a little ache in your chest and a reminder to love hard while you can — add this one to your list.

The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

Genre: Psychological Thriller

This one had me gasping out loud. It’s a fast-paced, compulsive read that I devoured in a single sitting. If you love a juicy thriller with morally grey characters and twisty timelines, add this to your list.

It follows two women—one who’s homeless, and one who seems to have it all. Their lives crash together in an unexpected way, and what unfolds is part friendship, part psychological mind game. You’ll keep guessing what’s really going on right until the end.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Genre: Fantasty Romance

Okay, confession time: I actually haven’t read a fantasy book since my Twilight/Harry Potter era… so I wasn’t totally sure what to expect diving into Fourth Wing… but I was hooked from the jump. Dragons? Magic academy? Enemies-to-lovers vibes? Say less.

This one’s like a crash course into fantasy for people who’ve been out of the genre for a while (hi, it’s me). The world-building is detailed but super approachable, and the romance has all the tension and angst you could want. You follow Violet, a seemingly “fragile” girl, who ends up at a deadly war college where dragons choose their riders… and let’s just say, she’s not going down without a fight.

We Were Dreamers by Simu Liu

Genre: Memoir

From the very first chapter, I felt so seen. As someone with Asian immigrant parents, Simu’s story hit home in the most honest, nostalgic, and sometimes hilarious ways.

We Were Dreamers is one of those memoirs that balances vulnerability with charm. Simu gets real about the pressure of expectations, navigating identity, and chasing dreams, even when they feel totally out of reach. He takes you through his childhood, family dynamics, and the wild ride to landing a Marvel role, all in a way that’s super down-to-earth and easy to connect with.

There’s humor, nostalgia, and a whole lot of honesty about culture, ambition, and what it means to chase your dreams while still honoring where you come from. Loved it from start to finish!

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

Genre: Psychological Thriller

If you’ve read The Housemaid, you already know that Freida McFadden doesn’t play around with the plot twists. I went into The Inmate thinking, “I got this. I know how she writes. I’ll figure this out in a chapter or two.” And yet… plot twist after plot twist had me shook.

This one reads fast — perfect if you’re in a slump and need something to jolt your brain back into reading mode. It’s wild, addicting, and just the right amount of unhinged. Freida McFadden always delivers on the “wait, WHAT just happened?” front, and The Inmate might be one of my faves from her.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Fiction

Worth the hype!! The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is dramatic, glamorous, and full of emotional depth. It takes you behind the curtain of Old Hollywood and into the life of Evelyn Hugo, who is a complex, unapologetic actress with a secret love story that spans decades.

What really pulled me in was how it explored love in all its messy, complicated forms. The sacrifices. The longing. The joy and heartbreak. And the dual-timeline format (with a modern-day journalist uncovering Evelyn’s past) gave it such a rich perspective. If you love character-driven fiction with glitz, drama, and a serious emotional punch… add this to your TBR ASAP!

Let me know your thoughts!

If you end up picking up any of these books, please let me know… I live for a good book chat. Whether you’re screaming at a plot twist, swooning over a slow-burn romance, or just crying on the couch over a historical fiction character (been there), I want to hear it all. Seriously. DM me mid-read or after you’ve finished, we can debrief like it’s a mini book club.

Also! I’ve started keeping track of everything I read (and want to read) over on Goodreads if you wanna follow along there too. It’s a fun little corner where I rate and stalk other people’s shelves for inspo.