After wrapping up my #30homeobjects series, I’m feeling the need to step away from my art a bit. Not for long, and not completely. Instead of pushing myself, I’ve learned to lean into these phases of creating, or lack thereof. So, this week, I’m going to talk about something that has nothing to do with art. My second love - reading fiction.

I’ve always been a huge reader. I usually read a couple of fiction books per month, so I’ve read hundreds at this point. I typically judge a book by how fast I read it. If I can’t put it down, it’s a winner. Bonus points for a huge plot twist at the end that I never saw coming. I know some of you have said that you like when I share books, so I thought I’d share my favorite books of all time.

I should tell you first that the Harry Potter and Twilight series definitely belong on this list. However, if you haven’t read those by now, you probably aren’t going to, so I figured they weren’t worth including.

Lastly, these books are in no particular order - just the order I thought of them in.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

One of my favorite books on this list. I read it while vacationing in Quebec in less than 48 hours. It’s everything I love - juicy, suspenseful, and devious. It feels like Gossip Girl for adults. Even as I say that, I cringe, because it doesn’t begin to describe how good this book is.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

This book is beyond creepy. It’s a chilling story about an artist who shot her husband in the face, and hasn’t spoken since. The book follows her therapist as he tries to figure out what happened. The plot has lots of twists and turns, but the biggest twist comes and the end. I was completely blindsided.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Probably my favorite fiction book. It could be classified as science fiction, but there’s also a sweet love story running through the plot. My entire family loves this book. I’ve never met anyone who’s read it and doesn’t. I have to call out another one of Blake’s books, Recursion. In my mind, it’s almost tied with this one. It’s that good.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Warning - this is the most disturbing book I’ve ever read. Disturbing, yet amazing. I was hanging on every twisted word. Probably don’t read it with your parents, because it is graphic. While I’ve read some of Colleen Hoover’s other books, none of them hold a candle to this one. The ending is one of the most shocking, dark plot twists I’ve ever come across. If you truly want a book you can’t put down, this is it.

The Institute by Stephen King

My husband, Ryan, is a huge Stephen King fan. Once in a while, we’ll buy a second copy of a book and I’ll read along with him. This is, by far, my favorite Stephen King book. Both of us read it within a few days. It was amazing. The way he tells the story is so descriptive, it feels like you’re in the middle of a movie.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

I’ve read every single book by B.A. Paris, and they’re all amazing. You can’t go wrong. This one is my favorite though. It’s everything I want from a thriller. I loved every second of it.

One Day in December by Josie Silver

Think Bridget Jones meets Serendipity. This is the most adorable, romantic, picturesque book I’ve ever read. It really is the perfect read if you’re feeling down. It’s not at all your typical love story in that there are plenty of plot twists to keep you engaged. Expect to be grinning ear to ear throughout the entire book.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Every time Emily Giffin comes out with a new book, I buy it. Since this the first book I read of hers, and also the first she wrote, it will always be my favorite. The story follows two best friends living in New York. It’s the perfect romantic read. The movie isn’t quite as good, but not bad to see after you’ve read the book. Other favorites by Emily are Baby Proof and Love the One You’re With.

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

I read this book within 24 hours. It’s a whodunnit mystery that I just couldn’t put down. At some point, I thought every single character in the book was guilty. If you want a quick mystery you can’t put down, this is your book.

Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

Though not my usual genre, I absolutely loved this book. It was witty, engaging, and unexpected. Throughout the entire book, I felt like I was on a wild adventure, following the characters around the world. I love a book with a happy ending, and this one did not disappoint. Disclaimer - probably don’t see the movie. It was awful, and does not do the book justice.