If you’re looking for a list of captivating novels to add to your reading list, look no further! From the gripping mystery of “Where the Crawdads Sing” to the psychological thriller of “The Silent Patient,” these books are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Dive into the heart-wrenching historical fiction of “The Nightingale” and the enchanting world of Greek mythology in “Circe.” Explore the resilience and personal growth in the memoir “Educated” and the emotional journey of survival in “The Great Alone.” Laugh, cry, and reflect on human connection with “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” and unravel the secrets and lies in “Little Fires Everywhere.” Lastly, get ready for twists and turns in the gripping thriller “The Girl on the Train” and the search for beauty and meaning in “The Goldfinch.” These novels are guaranteed to transport you to different worlds and keep you entertained for hours on end.
1. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
Set in the 1950s, this bestselling novel follows the story of Kya Clark, a young woman who has lived in solitude in the marshes of North Carolina for years. When a local man is found dead, the town suspects Kya, and she must navigate the challenges of the legal system while also dealing with her own personal struggles. With lush descriptions of the natural world and a gripping mystery at its core, “Where the Crawdads Sing” is a novel that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
2. “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides
In this psychological thriller, Alicia Berenson is a famous painter who hasn’t spoken a word since she was accused of shooting her husband and has been confined to a mental institution. When psychotherapist Theo Faber becomes obsessed with Alicia’s case and begins to unravel the mystery behind her silence, he uncovers shocking secrets that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
3. “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
This historical fiction novel follows the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, in German-occupied France during World War II. As they navigate the challenges of wartime, their bond is tested in ways they never imagined. With beautifully written prose and compelling characters, “The Nightingale” is a novel that will tug at your heartstrings and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
4. “Circe” by Madeline Miller
In this captivating retelling of Greek mythology, Circe, the daughter of the sun god Helios, tells her own story as she discovers her powers of witchcraft and transforms the world around her. With lush descriptions of ancient Greece and a complex, multidimensional protagonist, “Circe” is a novel that will transport you to a magical world and make you rethink everything you thought you knew about mythology.
5. “Educated” by Tara Westover
In this memoir, Tara Westover recounts her unconventional upbringing in a strict Mormon household in rural Idaho and her journey to self-discovery through education. As she struggles to break free from her family’s expectations and confronts the traumas of her past, Westover’s resilience and tenacity shine through in this powerful and inspiring story of survival and personal growth.
6. “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah
Set in the wilds of Alaska in the 1970s, this novel follows the Allbright family as they try to build a new life off the grid. With themes of survival, love, and resilience, “The Great Alone” is a gripping and emotionally resonant tale that will keep you riveted until the very end.
7. “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman
In this insightful and heartwarming novel, Eleanor Oliphant is a socially awkward loner who sticks to a strict routine to cope with the traumas of her past. When she forms an unlikely friendship with a coworker and confronts her own insecurities, Eleanor learns to open herself up to love and connection in ways she never thought possible. With its sharp wit and endearing protagonist, “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” is a novel that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the power of human connection.
8. “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng
In this novel set in the picture-perfect town of Shaker Heights, Ohio, the lives of two families collide in unexpected ways, revealing secrets and lies that threaten to upend their carefully constructed facades. With its astute observations on race, class, and motherhood, “Little Fires Everywhere” is a thought-provoking and compulsively readable novel that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the choices we make.
9. “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins
In this gripping psychological thriller, Rachel Watson takes the same commuter train every day and becomes obsessed with the lives of a couple she sees from the window. When the woman goes missing, Rachel becomes entangled in a web of lies and deceit that forces her to confront her own demons and uncover the truth. With its unreliable narrator and twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end, “The Girl on the Train” is a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
10. “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt
In this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Theo Decker survives a terrorist attack at a museum that kills his mother and sets him on a path of self-destruction and redemption. As he navigates the seedy underbelly of the art world and grapples with his own guilt and trauma, Theo’s journey is a sweeping and immersive tale of love, loss, and the search for beauty and meaning in the midst of chaos. With its richly drawn characters and intricate plotting, “The Goldfinch” is a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.