books everyone should read at least once in their life
timeless reads you'll want to keep close and return to
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“I spent my life folded between the pages of books.
In the absence of human relationships I formed bonds with paper characters. I lived love and loss through stories threaded in history; I experienced adolescence by association. My world is one interwoven web of words, stringing limb to limb, bone to sinew, thoughts and images all together. I am a being comprised of letters, a character created by sentences, a figment of imagination formed through fiction.”
- Tahereh Mafi
This year, I’ve been trying to be more intentional with how I spend my time, especially when it comes to reducing screen time and cutting back on doomscrolling. One of the most toxic habits I’ve picked up over the years is reaching for my phone and scrolling through social media first thing in the morning. I know I’m not alone in this—it’s an addictive reflex, but one that takes a real toll on our wellbeing.
In an effort to break that cycle and be more mindful with my time, I’ve been leaning back into offline hobbies. One of the most meaningful for me has been rekindling my love for reading. If you’ve been here a while, you’ll know how much of a bookworm I can be—I’m the type of reader who’ll devour a book in a day or two if it really pulls me in. I’m also guilty of building a never-ending TBR list (because let’s face it, there’s always a new release or hidden gem waiting to be discovered).
There’s something truly magical about getting lost in a book—how each reader imagines the story in their own unique way. With that in mind, I’ve put together a curated list of books that everyone should read at least once in their life, along with some thoughtful recommendations from those of you in my Instagram broadcast channel.
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Books You Should Read At Least Once in Your Life
Whether you're navigating your twenties or just feeling a little bit unsure of where you’re going next, I hope one of these finds you at the right time.
The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida
A tender, quirky portrait of a seaside Japanese convenience store and the lives that quietly orbit around it. Through charming, interconnected vignettes, it reminds us that comfort, connection, and a sense of belonging can often be found in the most unexpected places, making it a gentle must-read for anyone seeking warmth and meaning in everyday life.
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Martha knows something is wrong, but no one—including her—has the words for it. This is a brutal, witty, and honest portrayal of mental illness and the complexities of love and family.
Read if: you want to feel seen in your mess, and maybe laugh through the ache.
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Selin’s first year at Harvard is filled with bizarre emails, confusing crushes, and an internal monologue so sharp you’ll feel like you're reading your own brain.
Read if: you’ve ever overthought a single text message or felt like life was one long, intellectual fever dream.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
A love letter to friendship, chaos, bad dates, and growing pains in your twenties.
Read if: you’re navigating adult life and need a reminder that you're doing just fine.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Told from a man's perspective, this flips the script on heartbreak and masculinity. Andy’s life unravels after a breakup—and he tries to make sense of it all.
Read if: you want a refreshing, compassionate take on the “ex-boyfriend” narrative.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
A woman retreats to her uncle’s dusty Tokyo bookshop after heartbreak. There, she rebuilds a life one cup of tea and classic novel at a time.
Read if: you believe bookstores hold magical healing powers.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
In a Tokyo café, customers can travel through time—but only until their coffee cools.
Read if: you’ve ever wished for a second chance to say what you meant.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Nora Seed is given the chance to explore all the lives she could have lived.
Read if: you're questioning your life choices and wondering, “What if?”
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
A spiritual crisis meets family dynamics in this dialogue-heavy, beautifully strange novella.
Read if: you’re craving something reflective, cerebral, and deeply human.
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
In just four nights, a dreamer falls in love with a stranger in St. Petersburg’s glowing summer.
Read if: you’ve ever experienced a fleeting, transformative connection.
Love for Imperfect Things by Haemin Sunim
Short, compassionate reflections from a Korean monk reminding you it’s okay to not have it all together.
Read if: you need a daily dose of self-kindness and grounding.
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
Two enemies stranded on a spaceship must learn to trust each other—and what they uncover goes beyond anything they imagined.
Read if: you're into queer love stories, sci-fi survival, and existential twists.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
She’s a successful doctor. He’s a small-town carpenter. Their worlds couldn’t be more different—until they collide in the most tender way.
Read if: you want a smart, funny romance that still hits deep emotional beats.
If you enjoyed this newsletter, you might enjoy these posts:
Newsletter
I asked strangers about the best things about living alone in their twenties - here’s what they said
Part 11 of Media to consume instead of doom-scrolling
(Subscribe to my IG for weekly recommendations)
This person is chronically online…but knows how to use it.
Uncertainty is stressful, but here’s why we need to feel it
The People Who Don't Want You to Sleep
That's it for now, but you'll be hearing from me soon!
Until next time,
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