Photo by Banks, Clay. “Nothing like a Good Book.” // Unsplash

By Ananiya Narmathan

From fiction to true crime, here are 5 wonderful book recommendations for you – every book has been read and rated extremely popular page-turners to get you started for another amazing year full of reading. 

1) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid


Contrary to appearances, this is not a mere tale of a glamorous woman with seven husbands and tragic fame. Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo, at the age of 79 gives a final interview to Monique Grant, a journalist ready to prove her worth. Narrated through the eyes of Evelyn, we are taken on the journey of her life as a 1950s Hollywood star as she is desperate to be seen beyond her fame. Rated 4.5/5 on Goodreads, this historical fiction novel will take you on a roller coaster of emotions with a variety of twists, turns, and heartbreak. 

2) House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed 

Author: Sara Gay Forden

Many of us are aware of the high fashion brand Gucci and the luxury it provides, but very few know about their excessive family history; including the murder that comes along with it. This true-crime novel depicts the controversial conviction of Patrizia Reggiani and the murder of her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci. Did she murder him in 1995 because of his out of control spending habit? Was it due to him wanting to marry his mistress, Paola Franchi? Or did she even do it in the first place? Given a rating of 3.5/5 stars on Goodreads, this novel has also been adapted to film which many have loved (click here to see trailer). Read this jaw dropping novel to find out the secrets of the most powerful fashion family on earth. 


3) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Sometimes, our secrets are just based on the fact that we’re still unsure of our path in life and we are too afraid to admit it to ourselves. This book follows two Mexican-American teens – Aristotle and Dante – trying to find their way in the world, but before that, they find each other first. This coming of age, LGBTQ+ novel showcases their friendship and their struggles with racial and ethnic identity, sexuality, and family relationships. With a rating of 4.3/5 on Goodreads, dive into the secrets of the universe with Aristotle and Dante and follow them on their breathtaking journey.

4) The Invisible Life of Addiee Larue
Author: V. E. Schwab

“A life no one will remember. A story you will never forget” (Schwab). This historical fantasy novel enchants readers and brings them into the life of Addie Larue.  Follow the story of Addie and her life as she makes a bargain to be cursed forever and be remembered by none. Read about how Addie lives centuries while traveling continents and experiencing history and art, struggling to define her legacy and be remembered. Until one day after nearly 300 years, she meets a man in a hidden book shop who remembers her name. Rated 4.2/5 stars on Goodreads, you will find yourself both aching with heartbreak and gleefully cheering at the truly amazing cleverness packed inside this book. 

5) It’s Kind of a Funny Story
Author: Ned Vizzini

As Teen Vogue puts it, this is “a book about depression that’s not the least bit depressing.” Craig Gilner is determined to succeed in life but once he reaches high school the pressure becomes unbearable, leading to suicidal tendencies. Getting checked into a mental hospital, Craig goes on a journey of discovering and confronting his sources of anxiety. This is a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness. Rated 4/5 stars on Goodreads, this book has also been adapted into a movie (click here to view the trailer). Follow Craig’s journey in this humorous yet romantic fiction novel. 


Enjoy these five amazing recommendations, and share them among your peers! If you have loved all of these and want to expand your library even further, other amazing books that are highly recommended include the following: Quiet, The Da-Vinci Code, They Both Die At The End, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the Empire of Pain.

Works Cited

Banks, Clay. “Nothing like a Good Book.” Unsplash, 30 Aug. 2021, unsplash.com/photos/w_qTfiPbjbg. Accessed 28 Dec. 2021. 

MGM, director. HOUSE OF GUCCI | Official Trailer #2 | MGM Studios. YouTube, MGM, 28 Oct. 2021, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGNnpVKxV6s&feature=youtu.be. Accessed 28 Dec. 2021. 

MovieEagleProduction, director. It’s Kind of a Funny Story – Official Trailer [HD] (2010). YouTube, YouTube, 18 Oct. 2010, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45yT1IWND6g&feature=youtu.be. Accessed 28 Dec. 2021.