Hi friends!
A new month always brings new energy â new intentions, new routines, and (if youâre anything like me) a new stack of books youâre hoping to dive into. Today Iâm sharing five new book recommendations I think youâre going to love. Whether youâre a thriller girlie, a fan of emotional character-driven stories, or youâre just here for some good book-to-TV adaptation inspo, this post is for you.
I also filmed a video walking through each of these books, so if youâre more of a visual person or just want to hear me talk through my thoughts in real-time, scroll down to watch it here:
(If youâre new here â hi! Iâm Flor. I talk about books, productivity, motivation, and building a creative life that actually feels good. I post every Wednesday over on YouTube and share book recs, behind-the-scenes, and more on Instagram.)
Okay, now letâs get into this monthâs five book recsâŚ
1. Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
This one has it all â courtroom drama, elite political circles, moral tension, and deep character exploration. The story revolves around Sophie and James, a high-profile married couple whose world starts to crumble when James is accused of sexual misconduct. We also follow Kate, a barrister (UK version of a prosecutor), who is assigned to the case.
What I liked: Itâs layered. We explore how the charactersâ pasts â especially during their time at Oxford â influence their present. It feels timely and thought-provoking.
What I didnât love: I found it a bit predictable by the midpoint, so I wouldnât call it a five-star read. BUT itâs still worth reading, especially because itâs being adapted for TV soon (and we love a good book-to-screen moment).
2. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
After falling in love with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I had high hopes for this one â and it didnât disappoint. This novel tells the story of a 1970s rock band, from their rise to their dramatic breakup. But hereâs the twist: itâs told entirely through interviews with the band members.
It feels like reading a really juicy documentary transcript â everyone remembers things differently, and the story builds through those contradictions. Itâs also very atmospheric. If you love classic rock, tour chaos, or the 70s vibe, youâll probably devour this one.
Bonus: Itâs also becoming a TV show and the casting looks so good.
3. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This book was everywhere on Instagram, and for good reason. Itâs a psychological thriller that completely lives up to the hype.
The story follows Alicia, a famous painter who kills her husband one night and then never speaks again. She ends up in a mental institution, where a therapist becomes obsessed with understanding her silence.
I couldnât put this down. The plot twist at the end? Absolutely wild. I didnât see it coming at all, and honestly, it made the entire read worth it. Itâs one of my favorite reads of the year so far. If youâre into suspense and clever twists, read this ASAP.
4. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Okay⌠this one was a bit of a letdown for me. The premise is great: a couple finds something mysterious while scuba diving on their honeymoon in Bora Bora. We also know from the first chapter that the husband ends up dead. Sounds amazing, right?
But hereâs the thing: the pacing felt off. The âsomethingâ in the water doesnât show up until halfway through the book, and some parts felt overly detailed in a way that pulled me out of the story (hello random Wikipedia-style gun descriptions?).
That said, Iâve heard great things about the audiobook version â the author is an actress and she narrates it herself, which gives it a more immersive feel. So maybe give the audio a try if youâre curious.
5. The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
I love a good âreunion with secretsâ storyline, and this book delivered. Four women who went to boarding school together reconnect years later when one of them sends a cryptic message: âI need you.â
The story unfolds slowly, revealing bits of their past and the events that pulled them apart. Itâs told from one of the womenâs perspectives, which adds an extra layer of mystery since you canât be totally sure you can trust her version of things.
I thought it was suspenseful, emotional, and really well-paced. If youâre into stories that bounce between past and present, especially with a âwhat really happened back then?â vibe, youâll probably love this one.
Letâs Chat!
Have you read any of these books? Do you agree with my thoughts? Or did you love one I didnât click with? Iâd love to know what youâre reading right now â Iâm always looking to add more books to my (never-ending) TBR.
You can also follow me on Instagram where I share mini book reviews, reading goals, and general behind-the-scenes of my creative life. And if youâre on Goodreads, Iâm Flor Pereira over there too â letâs be book friends!
Thanks so much for reading (and watching!), and Iâll see you next week with a brand new video.
Big hugs,
Flor.
