On Saturday morning, I tapped on the Instagram app, and I discovered the most amazing direct message question from a friend. She asked: “off the top of your head, without caring about the other person’s preference, what’s one book that you couldn’t put down or stop thinking about?”

I love a good question, and a book recommendation can be a tough thing.

After all, we each have our own preferences in reading and story. This means that a story I might really love, you might loathe. And that’s just the way it goes. But, I loved the freedom of this question because it allowed me to just go with my gut.

And I was surprised by the first book that popped into my head, especially since I read this book nearly two years ago now.

What’s 1 Book That You Couldn’t Put Down or Stop Thinking About?

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Where’d You Go, Bernadette was such a delight for me to read because I couldn’t get over the quirky characters who were intelligent, thought-provoking, and so totally themselves. And they had such strong values of their own. And they didn’t give up on each other even as things got super wonky. Never have I ever been interested in visiting Antarctica, but this book did it to me. I now REALLY want to go and experience that cold continent.

But yes, I often find myself contemplating Where’d You Go, Bernadette because it touched my heart. The characters have stuck with me. And their adventure too!

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

If you want a book that will haunt you forever and ever and ever, We Were Liars is that book. I listened to it as an audiobook 3-4 years ago, and it still sticks in my head. The story was so compelling, and the characters felt incredibly real. Before long, my heart was completely wrapped into the story.

And the story wrecked me in the very best way by the final page.

A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken

Wow, if you want a story about love and loss, A Severe Mercy is just the book to read because it is so poignant and real. Honestly, it’s hard to believe that it happened for real, rather than just being a work of fiction. Two very real people falling in love, loving each other deeply, and then losing one another. That journey is one that we all take in one way or another.

While it was a slower read, it caused me much thought for a long while.

 

So tell me, what’s one book that you couldn’t put down or stop thinking about?