Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
Have you ever sat down to read just a few chapters of your latest book until suddenly it's 2 a.m. and you're brought crashing back down into real life?
Books are a portal to another world. You can get swept into a fantasy full of danger and heroes or a mystery that keeps you up all night checking all the locks in the house.
The best part is snuggling up with your soft Minky blanket and slipping off into your world of fiction. These nine bestselling books are sure to keep you turning the pages, so add them to your list.
'Fourth Wing' (2023)
It would be remiss not to mention the latest craze: fantasy novel Fourth Wing. It hit the book industry like nothing has since Harry Potter—creating months-long waitlists for readers wanting to get their hands on a copy. Fourth Wing has it all: dragons, magical powers unleashed, and sinister evil that must be beaten.
The plot will have you reading through the night to see if Violet Sorrengail can learn how to stay on her dragon long enough to destroy the evil creatures threatening the kingdom.
'Where the Crawdads Sing' (2018)
"Where the Crawdads Sing" is a beautifully written coming-of-age story intertwines a lonesome childhood spent in the marshes of North Carolina with romance and a murder mystery.
Author Delia Owens masterfully tells the tale of Kya, the "marsh girl" as she bravely forges relationships and her own place in the world. All the pieces of the story connect and build until the reader is left with a stunning conclusion that you won't see coming.
'Verity' (2018)
"Verity" by BookTok sensation Colleen Hoover is known for its wild twists. The story follows Lowen, a struggling writer who is hired by the husband of successful author, Verity, to finish ghostwriting his wife's books. Lowen unearths disturbing secrets in Verity's writings, and each page brings a new bone-chilling admission that will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to discern truth from fiction.
'A Girl Called Samson' (2023)
Utah author Amy Harmon hits it out of the park with her new Revolutionary War-era historical fiction novel, "A Girl Called Samson." It's based on the incredible true story of Deborah Samson, a woman who hid her gender to enlist in the American Continental Army. The tension of wondering if Deborah will be found out—and survive each battle—keeps readers flipping the pages. It doesn't hurt that a gorgeous romance builds throughout the story as well.
'The Secret Keeper' (2012)
A shocking opening scene is sure to hook even the most jaded reader. Teenager Laurel witnesses a disturbing crime at her family's picnic in the English countryside. Now, 50 years later, she tries to get to the bottom of what happened that fateful day. Author Kate Morton alternates timelines between past and present as slowly the threads are pulled tighter and tighter, with twists and turns you won't see coming.
'The Underground Railroad' (2016)
"The Underground Railroad" by literary genius Colson Whitehead was a bestseller mainstay and won the Pulitzer Prize. It tells the fictional story of a slave named Cora who escapes from her Georgia plantation using an Underground Railroad system that is an actual rail route hidden under safe houses. This novel will transport you to another time and provide a heartbreaking and harrowing tale of guts and determination.
'The Grace Year' (2019)
This book, suitable for young adults and adult readers, is an enthralling mix of "Lord of the Flies," "The Hunger Games," and "The Handmaid's Tale." In "The Grace Year," teenage girls are forced by their patriarchal society to spend a year living as a group in the confines of a fenced wilderness. Those who come back are broken and compliant.
What happens when one girl tries to break the status quo? This haunting thriller explores themes of gender, power, and conformity. With twists revealed throughout the book, you'll want to stick around to see what happens in Garner County.
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Here's a list of a few things your mom told you as a kid that have likely made their way into your everyday vernacular. Some will make you wince, others will make you cringe — but some might just make you smile.'Nine Perfect Strangers' (2018)
Australian mystery author Liane Moriarty has written numerous bestsellers, such as "Big Little Lies,"but "Nine Perfect Strangers" may be her most compelling. The story follows nine people who gather at a remote luxury health resort in the middle of Australia's outback. Masha, the charismatic and mysterious director of the resort, uses questionable methods to help her clients achieve wellness and enlightenment. Just how far will she go, and what secrets will the strangers reveal?
After you read the book, you'll be happy to know there's a tv adaptation starring Nicole Kidman as Masha.
'All the Light We Cannot See' (2014)
One of the most popular novels of the past decade—and another Pulitzer Prize winner—"All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr deserves all the accolades. It's a World War II-era novel that explores the war from two points of view: a blind girl in St. Malo, France named Marie-Laure, and a young German radio operator named Werner.
Doerr's writing has a stunning sense of physical detail that makes you feel present in the story, and you won't be able to put it down until the tear-soaked ending.
Cuddle up with a book and your Minky
During the heat wave that is July and August in Utah, snuggle up in your air conditioned house and grab one of these fascinating reads. Be sure to make your book time extra cozy with a soft, Minky Couture blanket. Visit their website or one of their storefronts to see all of the colors, textures and patterns you can choose from.
