These 10 Books Don't Get Talked About Enough, But They're So Good I Couldn't Put Them Down
As a bookworm obsessed with BookTok, I'm getting really sick of seeing the same books popping up on my For You page over and over again.
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Gone are the days when BookTok users posted reviews of great books that I'd never heard of before. Now, my For You page mainly consists of readers reviewing titles like We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston for the 10,000th time. Anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sarah J. Mass, and Colleen Hoover reigns supreme.
If I hear about A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass one more time, I'll scream.
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As a true book addict (my Amazon wishlist is proof of this), I’ve read a handful of these books, and I won’t lie, many of them deserve the hype. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue happens to be one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. But as a bookworm always looking for a new book adventure, I want to turn to BookTok and find new titles, rather than keep recycling through old ones.
Here are some of my favorite books that aren't on BookTok, but really should be.
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1.When the Moon Was Ours: A Novel by Anna-Marie McLemore
This romantic, magical tale will break your heart and heal it again one page at a time. McLemore's fantastical novel follows Sam and Miel, best friends since childhood who fight to love each other and in turn love themselves. This book tackles body image, self-acceptance, and love all at once.
2.Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
Sky In the Deep is a violently enchanting saga that follows 17-year-old Eelyn, a warrior who fights to protect her Aska people and her family. When she discovers that her beloved brother is fighting alongside the enemy, she is heartbroken. Her brother then kidnaps her, and while injured, she has to learn to fight with the enemy to survive and find a way to bring her family back together again. This book about trust, family, survival, and love isn't one to miss.
3.Romanov by Nadine Brandes
This historical fiction allows readers to transport themselves to St. Petersburg, Russia and live amongst some of the most famous figures in history: the Romanovs. Told from Anastasia Romanov's perspective, Brandes' book follows the Romanov family as they are forced into hiding by the Bolshevik army. As they fight to survive, they rely on the power of family, love, and magic to save them once and for all.
4.The Regrets by Amy Bonnaffons
This bewitching tale told from multiple perspectives is about a whirlwind love affair between a ghost and a living, breathing woman. This dark and captivating book explores life in New York City and navigating relationships in the city that never sleeps. In trying to figure out how to have a relationship across two realms, protagonists Rachel and Thomas highlight themes including reality, love, and regrets. Expanding upon the idea of being alone vs. feeling lonely, “The Regrets” will not only capture your heart, but also challenge your mind.
5.How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
How to Stop Time follows a man who lives for 400 years in the shadows, observing others and watching the clock tick on by. Tom Hazard, the protagonist, has a condition that causes him to age slowly and thus living for centuries looking much younger than he is. Tom Hazard fascinates readers with his views on the concepts of time and human nature and his adventures with historical figures. I read this book in one sitting and am still bewildered and dazzled. Escape your current reality and experience history beginning in the 16th century alongside Tom Hazard.
6.The Girl Who Chased the Moon: A Novel by Sarah Addison Allen
Allen's The Girl Who Chased the Moon follows protagonist Emily Bennett who has come to Mullaby, North Carolina to uncover some family secrets after her mother passed away. This New York Times Bestseller is a romantic mystery that charms readers through a tale of love, loss, and magic. Step into the South, eat some cake, and fall in love alongside Emily Bennett, I promise you won't regret it.
7.Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach
Set in a haunted French chateau, American Caitlyn Monahan finds herself investigating a mystery that leads to her traveling back in time 400 years. Meeting Raphael, a ghost of a teenage boy murdered centuries ago, Caitlyn Monahan embarks on a journey to find Raphael’s killer and in turn, finds herself. Filled with shocking plot twists, suspense, and paranormal circumstances, Wake Unto Me is a mind-bending time-travel novel that will leave you astonished.
8.Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women) by Evie Dunmore
Dunmore's inspiring debut, Bringing Down the Duke, is one of my favorite books I've ever read, hands down. Set in 19th century England, the tale follows young academic Annabelle Archer, who is pursuing her studies at the prestigious University of Oxford and is trying to help women obtain the vote. An advocate for women's rights, Annabelle befriends three other like-minded suffragettes who challenge the norms of their time. In order to secure the right to vote for women, Annabelle must convince the cold Duke of Montgomery to support her cause. The two butt heads and provide some hilarious banter that will have you laughing out loud and then swooning. This historical romance will melt your heart and inspire you to fight for what you believe in.
9.We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
We Should All Be Feminists , adapted from a Ted Talk by the same name, is about Adichie's personal journey to understanding and embracing feminism. Filled with touching personal stories and stunning statistics, We Should All Be Feminists builds an incredibly convincing argument about why feminism should be promoted by all, regardless of gender.
10.The Godmothers: A Novel by Camille Aubray
The Godmothers is a true testament to the power of sisterhood and the strength of women. Aubray's novel follows four young women, Filomena, Amie, Lucy, and Petrina, as they fight to protect their family from crime and save their husbands. Taking charge of the family business, these women challenge the norms of the 1940s and tackle raising children, negotiating with mobsters, and fighting to survive a world war all at once. This beautiful, heart-wrenching novel brings you into a family and refuses to let you go. The four women show the power of love, forgiveness, and healing as they embark on a journey to move past their differences and save their family from ruin.
Give these incredible books a shot, I can guarantee you won't regret it.
Which books did I miss? Let me know about your favorite hidden gems in the comments.