The ultimate escape: 25+ books you won’t be able to put down
Books05.03.2025
These days, we could all use a little escape.
Whether it’s the constant news cycle, the never-ending to-do list, or just the everyday stresses of life, sometimes the best remedy is to dive headfirst into a great book – one that transports us to another world, introduces us to unforgettable characters, or challenges us to see things in a new light.
So, if you’re looking for your next great read, we’ve got you covered!
We asked our team and our community to share the books they’ve loved lately – the ones that kept them up late turning pages, made them laugh out loud, or left them thinking long after the final chapter.
From timeless classics to new releases, here are some of the top recommendations from The Honest Talk community:
Fiction
- American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
- Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Why Lisa chose it:
“Hands down my top read of 2024! The story absolutely sucks you in and takes you on an unimaginable journey. The writing paints such a visual – I almost felt like I was watching a movie in my head the whole time.”
- Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
- Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Skinny by Ibi Kaslik
Why Patti chose it:
“It’s about family, acceptance, and the bonds of sisters. Incredibly talented writer and I’ve learned so much from her U of T creative writing classes!”
- Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn was our most recommended author!
- The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
- The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Why Lisa chose it:
“While this isn’t a new book, it’s one I come back to time and time again. Her writing is so vivid and it’s such a fun trip back in time.”
- The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
- The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn & Janie Chang
- The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Women was the most recommended book by our community!
Non-Fiction
Bitch: On the Female of the Species by Lucy Cooke
Why Holly chose it:
“Lucy Cooke does such a brilliant job of highlighting just how much conventional biology of the sexes is simply baked in Victorian ideas and values, and how thoroughly that convention is contradicted by the incredible diversity of the real natural world.”
- Clarity & Connection by Yung Pueblo
- Indivisible by Denise Hamilton
- Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Night by Elie Wiesel
Why Jenn chose it:
“Although it was written almost 70 years ago, it remains incredibly relevant today. This memoir of a Holocaust survivor delves into themes of humanity and the gradual erosion of rights and freedoms. It’s not just a heart-wrenching story; it makes you reflect on questions like, “What would I do?” or “Have I ever just looked away?”. The message of this book is very pertinent even now, considering the current events south of the border. Highly recommend it.”
- The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
- The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
- Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty
- What It Takes by Zahra Al-Hazari
- You Become What You Think by Shubham Kumar Singh
Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat by Ms. Pat
Why Annie chose it:
“It’s an incredible story of resilience and perseverance, and it’s hilarious! The book was a finalist for both an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature and a Southern Book Prize for Biography and History.”
Every item on this page was chosen by The Honest Talk team or its community members We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
