5 Book Recommendations You Need to Read (Plus One Controversial Pick!)

Hi everyone 💛

There’s something about the start of a new month that makes me want to hit reset, reflect on what’s working, and make space for things that bring joy—like a really good book. And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably always on the lookout for your next great read.

That’s why I put together this list of five book recommendations—five stories that moved me, made me think, made me cry, or simply made me lose track of time (in the best possible way). These are books I read over the last year that I still think about—and if you haven’t read them yet, I honestly think you should.

And because I couldn’t resist, I added a surprise sixth book at the end that was a little… polarizing. I didn’t love it, but so many people do that I felt like I had to include it.

If you’d rather watch me chat about these books (and get all my random side thoughts and facial expressions in real-time), here’s the full video from my channel:

Now let’s get into the list 📚

1. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

If you’ve read Little Fires Everywhere and loved it, this is Celeste Ng’s debut novel—and in my opinion, it’s just as good, if not better.

The story opens with a sentence that immediately pulls you in: “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.”

Lydia is the favorite daughter in a Chinese-American family living in Ohio in the 1970s. When her body is found in a lake, everything unravels—secrets, dreams, expectations. The story is beautifully written, heartbreaking, and layered with questions about family, identity, and what happens when we place the weight of our dreams on someone else’s shoulders.

This is one of those novels that stays with you, quietly and insistently.

2. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

I read this over the summer and flew through it.

It follows twin sisters from a small Black community in the South who run away at 16 and live completely different lives—one passing as white, the other returning home with her Black daughter. Their decisions ripple through generations, and eventually, their daughters’ lives intertwine.

This novel is so much more than a story about race (although that’s a powerful part of it). It’s about identity, history, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. If you love multi-generational family sagas that explore complicated themes with nuance and heart—this one’s a must.

3. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

If you’ve read The Guest List, then you already know Lucy Foley is a queen of the “someone died at a fancy gathering” mystery genre—and I say that with love.

This time, it’s a New Year’s trip gone very, very wrong. A group of college friends rent a remote lodge in the Scottish Highlands, get snowed in, and… surprise, someone ends up dead. No one can leave, which means the killer is one of them. 👀

I kind of guessed who did it, but the twists still got me. Perfect if you’re craving a fast-paced, juicy mystery with just the right amount of drama and betrayal.

4. The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward

This one was a little unexpected for me. It’s about a 70-year-old woman who wins a cruise contest and uses the prize as an excuse to reunite her very estranged adult children.

It’s a story about messy family dynamics, unresolved tension, secrets, and trying to reconnect after years of distance—set against the backdrop of a European cruise.

Some people didn’t love this book because they felt the characters weren’t fully fleshed out, but honestly? I enjoyed it. It was a fun, sometimes emotional, sometimes ridiculous read. A great vacation pick—even if you’re just vacationing from your couch.

5. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (aka: the controversial one!)

Okay… confession time: I didn’t love this one. I know, I wanted to. The premise is so good: a woman wakes up five years in the future next to a man she’s never met… and then wakes back up in the present. Four years later, that mystery man shows up in her real life.

It should have been amazing. But for me, the writing fell flat. I didn’t connect emotionally, the name-dropping was a bit much, and it just didn’t give me the feelings I was expecting. That said—tons of people I trust loved it. And honestly, that’s why I’m including it here. You might love it too.

And if you have read it, please tell me what you thought. I need to know which side of the “I loved it” or “meh” spectrum you’re on.

So… what should I read next?

I’d love to know what you’ve been reading lately—any books that broke your heart (in a good way), shocked you with a plot twist, or just made you feel seen. Let me know in the comments here or over on Instagram @flopereira.

I’m always building my to-read list, and I’d love to include your recs in a future video or blog post.

Until then, happy reading—and remember: it’s okay to abandon a book halfway through if it’s not serving you. Life’s too short to read bad books ✨

Flor