15 Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time

1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Though it’s fiction, Evelyn feels like a real-life Hollywood legend. I found myself wishing I could read old articles about her, follow her career, and dive even deeper into her story. What makes this book unforgettable is the beautifully layered love story at its core — one that unfolds through fame, heartbreak, and seven headline-worthy marriages.

It’s powerful, emotional, and impossible to put down. If this ever becomes a Netflix series, I’ll be first in line to watch. But until then, do yourself a favour and read it now.

2. Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

If you’ve been missing Gossip Girl, Magnolia Parks is the fix you didn’t know you needed. Imagine Chuck and Blair in London — all the drama, designer fashion, and complicated love. Magnolia and BJ are messy, magnetic, and completely addictive to read about.

This book sucked me in fast, and I’m already excited to continue the series and spend more time in their chaotic, glamorous world.

3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

I’ve never been a big fantasy reader — it’s just never really been my genre. But Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros was absolutely everywhere, and I finally gave in to the hype. I’m so glad I did. Not only did it completely exceed my expectations, but I ended up reading all three books in the series (so far). It’s intense, emotional, full of romance and drama, and the world-building is surprisingly easy to get into, even for someone like me who doesn’t usually go for fantasy.

The characters are layered, the tension is nonstop, and the story just hooks you from the first few pages. If you’ve been on the fence because fantasy isn’t typically your thing — I was the same — but this one seriously converted me. I already can’t wait for the next instalment.

4. The Women by Kristin Hannah

Earlier this year, I read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah and really enjoyed it, so I had high hopes going into The Women. What I didn’t expect was for it to hit me quite as hard as it did. When I finished the final sentence, I just sat there, staring at the wall, completely stunned — in the best, most emotional way possible.

This novel shines a powerful spotlight on the women of the Vietnam War — those who served, those who were forgotten, and those who had to fight to have their stories acknowledged. It’s raw, heartbreaking, and beautifully written. Honestly, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I know it will stay with me for a long, long time. Absolutely exceptional.

5. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

This 720-page novel had been on my shelf for ages, and I finally picked it up and I’m so glad I did. A Little Life is one of the most heartbreaking, emotionally intense books I’ve ever read. It’s beautifully written but filled with tragedy after tragedy, so definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in.

If you’re looking for a story that will stay with you long after the final page, this is it. Just be prepared to cry — a lot.

6. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

I went into this book knowing little about the plot, just that it was set in rural Ireland. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would resonate. This short but impactful story prompted me to research the Magdalene Laundries and the role the Catholic Church played in them, which has now made its way to my must-watch list.

Claire Keegan’s writing is beautifully subtle, and the quiet power of the story left me with lingering questions and a deep sense of intrigue about what really went on in these institutions.

7. In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Wow. I’m not typically a fan of historical fiction, but this book completely blew me away. It’s a raw and powerful tale of love, loss, and the harrowing realities of war and its aftermath. The characters and their emotional journeys feel so real, and the writing is exceptional, drawing you into their world with every page.

The way Alice Winn explores the complexities of human emotion amidst the chaos of war left me speechless. I can easily imagine this being adapted into a film, and I’ll be first in line at the cinema when it happens. If you’re looking for a gripping and emotional read, this one is an absolute must.

8. Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stewart

Calling Shuggie Bain a masterpiece might sound dramatic, but honestly, it’s hard not to. Shuggie, the sassy yet heart-wrenching protagonist, had me laughing one moment and tearing up the next. It’s a slow burn, but the depth of his character and his family dynamics made it incredibly rewarding. I can totally see why it won the Booker Prize in 2020.

After finishing Shuggie Bain, I couldn’t wait to dive into Young Mungo, and I loved it just as much. While it shares some similar themes, Stuart’s raw storytelling continues to captivate. Both books left me emotionally drained, and I’m eager to see what Stuart writes next.

9. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

I had no idea what to expect from this book really, other than the rave reviews I was seeing all over the internet. The title and book cover weren’t giving me much to go on and the blurb was hinting towards themes of gaming – something I’m not into myself.

However, even though this is a book about gaming, it’s also about love, relationships, grief, disability, communication, success and fame. A truly exceptional book that I would recommend to anyone, no matter if you’re into the world of gaming or not. The best book I read in 2022.

10. Happy Place by Emily Henry

Happy Place has officially claimed the top spot in my Emily Henry rankings. With each new release, her books just seem to get better, and this one truly stands out. From the moment I started reading, I was fully invested in the characters and their journey.

Emily Henry has a unique way of weaving emotion and humour, and this book is no exception. It gripped my heart in a way that made me not want to put it down.

Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of the switching between past and present storyline, but in this case, it was executed so well that it only added to the depth of the story. It helped build the tension and made the eventual resolution even more satisfying. Happy Place is one of those books where you’re sad it’s over but also feel completely fulfilled.

11. Normal People by Sally Rooney

I read this book in the space of two days, maybe a little less. I had seen the TV show and heard the book was very similar, if not identical to the show. The lack of speech marks threw me off a little at the beginning, but as there is so much dialogue in the book, I think it worked a lot better not having the speech marks in the text.

I would definitely recommend, even if you haven’t yet watched the TV show as there are so many quotations and lines that I will always remember forever.

12. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

I devoured The Housemaid in just 48 hours – I honestly couldn’t put it down. If I hadn’t had work, I probably would have read the whole thing in one sitting! I kept seeing this book everywhere, and now I completely understand why.

The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It’s been a while since I’ve read a psychological thriller that grabbed me this much, and honestly, it reminded me of The Silent Patient in terms of intensity and suspense. I’m officially obsessed with Freida McFadden’s writing, and I’m already looking forward to diving into more of her books (and I’ve already read around seven of them!).

13. Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Obsessed. That’s the simplest way to describe my feelings for this book. It might’ve taken 100 pages for the two main characters to finally kiss, but trust me, it was so worth the wait. From that point on, I couldn’t put it down.

The chemistry between the characters was off the charts, and the ending had me grinning from ear to ear, wishing the story didn’t have to end. If you’re a fan of romance novels, you need to read this one – it’s a total page-turner!

14. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I had this book on my shelf for around two years I would say. I’ve heard all of the rave reviews, heard everyone claim this as a modern-day classic, but still couldn’t bring myself to read it.

After reading Circe by the same author and low-key hating it, I couldn’t face another of Madeline Miller’s books on Greek Mythology. But boy am I glad that I finally picked this up. A beautiful and tragic love story, I couldn’t put this down. I may have also shed a tear or two (which if you know me, you’ll know is very unlike me).

15. Verity by Colleen Hoover

Verity is in a completely different realm to the usual Colleen Hoover books I’ve read. I struggled to put this down, reading it in 48 hours. I have to give this book 5-stars as it was excellent.

It was hard to read at times as the book featured some moments of child abuse, but the creativity of the plot line itself was something I’ve never read before. Chilling, haunting and at times a little scary, I can’t wait to read more thriller-type books from Colleen Hoover.