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Pursuit of it All

30 Fun Books To Read

30 Fun Books To Read

 

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I’ve always enjoyed reading. I easily get sucked into stories, completely unaware of my physical surroundings, and utterly ensconced in the words on the pages.

There’s no better feeling than not being able to put a book down. To finishing a fun novel in one curled-up-on-the-couch-with-a-blanket sitting (a-hem, I’m looking at you Harry Potter and Hunger Games). To enjoying a completely UNserious series simply because it’s easy to read, and the story is fun and magical, and completely different than real life.

My early obsessions began with Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, and Nancy Drew. (In fact, part of me wants to reread all of them now, as an adult. I wonder though…would I love them as much?)

And, give me a series, because if a book’s really good, I never want the story to end.

These days it’s harder to find time to read. Any extra time outside of work is devoted to the family or to my writing.

I’m not complaining, mind you. It’s just how it is.

30 Fun Books To Read!

During our week-long summer beach vacation, I try to shut down all things digital and READ. Like, multiple books. In a week. It’s both refreshing, relaxing and energizing! It’s also hard to find any other time during the year to make that happen.

Joining a book club certainly helps, and mine was just resurrected again this past spring. We average a book a month, sometimes stretching it out a little longer between reads and meetings. Because, busy. And, life.

And there are rules in my book club, like: must be fiction, a mix of old books and new, not too serious, not all one genre. I love it because it keeps me from obsessing over only reading YA sci-fi fantasy epic novels. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

The other helpful thing I’ve tried this year is Audible. As in, audio books. On my phone. In the car. During my commute.

GENIUS. Also, it’s not cheating. I still totally prefer the traditional book (or my Kindle), when I have the time to actually physically read.

So, let’s say you’re in the market for some new books, but maybe you don’t know what to read, and perhaps you’re not part of a book club to help inspire you. And maybe you don’t feel like digging into something super serious, or grown-up, or intense. Or maybe you do?

Well, you’re in luck! Jen and I have pulled together some fun books to read—both books we’ve read and love, and those we’d like to read. Order a book, visit the library, or check out Audible—whichever you choose, just get started!

30 Fun Books To Read

1. The Night Circus

30 Fun Books To Read: The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

2. Harry Potter Series

Fun Books To Read: Harry Potter Series

Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling

3. The Hunger Games Trilogy

Fun Books To Read: The Hunger Games Trilogy

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

4. His Dark Materials Trilogy

Fun Books To Read: His Dark Materials Trilogy

His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman

5. Outlander Series*

Fun Books To Read: Outlander Series

Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

6. All Souls Trilogy

Fun Books To Read: All Souls Trilogy

All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness

7. The Girl on the Train

Fun Books To Read: The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

8. Eat, Pray, Love

Fun Books To Read: Eat, Pray, Love

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

9. Garlic and Sapphires

Fun Books To Read: Garlic and Sapphires

Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

10. The Hobbit and the Lord of The Rings Trilogy

Fun Books To Read: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien

11. Millennium Trilogy

Fun Books To Read: Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson

Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson

12. Wild

Fun Books To Read: Wild

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

13. Misery

Fun Books To Read: Misery

Misery by Stephen King

14. A Game of Thrones Series*

Fun Books To Read: A Game of Thrones Series

A Game of Thrones Series by George R. R. Martin

15. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children*

Fun Books To Read: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

16. Primates of Park Avenue

Fun Books To Read: Primates of Park Avenue

Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin, Ph. D.

17. Leaving Time

Fun Books To Read: Leaving Time

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

18. The Forever Bridge

Fun Books To Read: The Forever Bridge

The Forever Bridge by T. Greenwood

19. The Nightingale

Fun Books To Read: The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

20. Sharp Objects

Fun Books To Read: Sharp Objects

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

21. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened

Fun Books To Read: Let's Pretend This Never Happened

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

22. We Thought You Would Be Prettier

Fun Books To Read: We Thought You Would Be Prettier

We Thought You Would Be Prettier by Lauri Notaro

23. This is Where I Leave You

Fun Books To Read: This is Where I Leave You

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

24. The Help

Fun Books To Read: The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

25. The Time Traveler’s Wife

Fun Books To Read: The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

26. Yes Please

Fun Books To Read: Yes Please

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

27. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Fun Books To Read: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

28. Julie & Julia

Fun Books To Read: Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell

29. Key Trilogy

Fun Books To Read: Key Trilogy

Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts

30. Wicked*

Fun Books To Read: Wicked

Wicked by Gregory Macguire

There are SO many awesome books out there. These 30 only skim the surface! They’re enough, however, to get you started — or to hopefully give you one new book to read that you’ve never heard of before. Look for more great lists of books to read from us in the future!

Try the audiobook!

*These titles are on my “to read” list, after hearing so many people rave about them. I’m pretty much obsessed with Game of Thrones on HBO, Outlander seems like a terrific new epic series to get sucked into (update: started Outlander, and am into book 3 — it’s great…and, so is the Starz series!), and Wicked the Broadway show is beloved by pretty much everyone, so I feel like the book could be fun, too (though I’ve recently heard the book may not be so amazing…I guess I’ll find out).

 

What’s on your reading list?

 

Liza is a self-proclaimed #wordnerd who loves getting sucked into whimsical novels and epic movies, frequently flying under the coolness radar with her laid-back, practical attitude towards life. A foodie at heart, Liza relishes the chance to both cook and eat. (She's not picky.) She’s on the hunt for the perfect mojito, inspiration for a third tattoo, and world peace. You can also find Liza sharpening her knives over at (a)Musing Foodie.

Comments (14)

  • A friend recommended the Outlander series to me. I have been meaning to pick up the first book.

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  • So many goodies and some great suggestions! I was actually just looking at the golden compass series for my son! and i’m going to check out outlander as well!

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  • So many books, so little time! Thanks for reminding me of some of my favourites, and some of the ones I keep meaning to read. I’m such a book nerd. Can’t wait to devour some of these this summer 🙂

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  • Holy crow! This is an amazing list. I’ve read many of them so you have listed some of my favorites. Most recently I finished Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult. She is one of my favorites – I’ve read most, if not all, of her books and she never fails to get me in the end! I am reading Girl on the Train now and so far, so good. I’m keeping this list for the books I haven’t read yet. I’m always looking to add to my never ending ‘want-to-read’ shelf.

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  • I have read quite a few of the myself, but now I am definitely adding a few more to my list. So thank you as I am always looking to see what books I can add on and enjoy 😉

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  • I love Eat,Pray, Love and Nora Roberts for the beach! I need to check Kristin Hannah’s new one out! I just devoured Andre Agassi’s autobiography OPEN. If you are a tennis fan you will be shocked at how honest he is.

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  • great list! loved girl on the train and sharp objects especially!

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