Hi friends! Today, I’m excited to share with you some more fiction reads I’ve enjoyed lately!
If you love reading like me, I hope you get some ideas from this post. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a really good book.
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If you’re looking for even more fiction book recommendations, check out these recent book-related posts: Fiction Books I’ve Read Lately and 13 Fiction Books I’ve Read Recently.
I also shared a non-fiction version recently if you’re not into the fiction: Books I’ve Read Lately: Non-Fiction & Memoirs.
My Recent Fiction Reads
In this post, I’m focusing on fiction books – mostly historical fiction and mystery/thrillers this time around. But keep an eye out in the near future for a post with my recent non-fiction and memoir book recs, because I’ve read quite a few in that genre lately as well!
Keep in mind, these are in no particular order. I also added a rating for each book, out of 5 stars. I’m only including books I enjoyed here, but I wanted to be able to differentiate which ones I really liked versus LOVED. 🙂
Please note the links in this post are affiliate links.
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett (Century Trilogy #1)
Genre: Historical Fiction
This sweeping novel follows five families through multiple points in world history, including World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the fight for women’s right to vote.
I’m a big fan of Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge series, so I thought it might be interesting to read one of his other historical fiction trilogies.
His books are always an investment – they are each about 1,000 pages long – but they are so well crafted with rich character development and very well researched historical information, too. I always learn a lot from them about history!
A warning that Ken Follett’s books are always pretty explicit in terms of the love scenes, just FYI!
I give it 4.5/5 stars.
Winter of the World by Ken Follett (Century Trilogy #2)
Genre: Historical Fiction
The second book in the Century Trilogy continues to focus on five families from different parts of the world as they attempt to navigate life during World War II, the Spanish Civil War, and the threat of atomic bombs.
Once I started reading this series I of course couldn’t stop, so I kept the momentum going!
The second book in this historical fiction series was just as fascinating as the first, and again I found I learned a lot about history through the course of the book, too.
It’s definitely not a light read – a lot of heavy topics are covered simply given what was going on in the world at the time, but Follett did a good job making the book interesting to read while also covering quite a lot of dense history.
After reading a lot of Follett’s books now his characters do tend to be somewhat similar/stereotypical, but I still enjoyed the rich character development – the characters are never just one sided.
I give it 4.5/5 stars.
Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett (Century Trilogy #3)
Genre: Historical Fiction
This epic conclusion to the Century Trilogy continues to follow five families – from America, Germany, Russia, England, and Wales – through the ups and downs of the twentieth century, including Vietnam, the civil rights movement in the U.S., the Berlin Wall, and more.
This was my favorite of the three books in the series.
The parts about the Berlin Wall and the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. were really interesting to learn more about, and Follett includes his characters in a number of the really big moments of that time period to really bring them to light in a relatable way.
I give it 4.75/5 stars.
Shiver by Allie Reynolds
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Set at an abandoned resort in the French Alps, five friends reunite a decade after a snowboard competition that changed their lives forever. One of their friends went missing, and someone is determined to find out what happened – at any cost.
After reading all the intense historical fiction epics, I needed something quick and easy, and this book really fit the bill! I FLEW through it.
The book did a great job keeping you guessing – I didn’t see the ending coming. I also really loved the setting at a mountain resort, and all the snowboarding/Olympic vibes in the flashback scenes.
I give it 5/5 stars, pretty much my perfect easy thriller!
A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
This is a blend of wilderness thriller and survivalist story, about a biologist who takes a job researching wolverines in a remote wildlife sanctuary in Montana. But soon, she realizes someone will do anything to push her out, putting her in serious danger.
Apparently I was into wilderness thrillers the past few months! This one was a really quick and engaging read, too. It felt a little predictable at times but overall I really enjoyed it.
The ending left you hanging and sets it up for a sequel, which I wasn’t sure was super necessary, but I still really enjoyed it.
I give it 4.25/5 stars.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Genre: Fiction/Magical Realism
A genre-bending story – set in a very unique library – about the choices we make during our lifetime, and how each choice leads us down a different path.
I absolutely loved this book – it was such a unique premise! The main character finds herself given the opportunity to try out different lives that she could have had if she had made different decisions throughout her life.
It’s a fascinating premise that makes you think, and I loved the messaging that a change of perspective is often more important than a change in your actual life. I didn’t want it to end!
I give it 5/5 stars.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
Genre: Historical Fiction
A young French woman named Odile gets a job at The American Library in Paris, where she meets a group of people who will change her life. Soon, World War II begins and Nazis take over their beloved city. This historical fiction novel has romance, action, mystery, and everything in between.
This is not exactly a light read given the heavy topic, but it’s really well done with richly developed characters and a premise that switches back in time and keeps you wondering what ended up happening.
It really lost myself in this book and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a novel about the WWII time period that does a good job weaving in history with fictional characters. Heartbreaking but really well done.
I give it 4.75/5.
The Last Flight by Julie Clark
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Despite a glamorous lifestyle, Claire Cook is trapped in a controlling, abusive marriage. When she finally makes plans to leave that life behind, things take a strange turn after a chance meeting with another desperate woman at the airport bar.
This was another book I absolutely flew through in a matter of days. It did a great job of drawing you in and keeping you guessing!
I give it 4.75/5 stars.
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And that’s what I’ve been reading lately, at least in terms of fiction! If you want one more idea, I am currently about halfway through Too Good To Be True, a twisty and dark thriller. So far it’s really good!
Keep an eye out for a list of the non-fiction/memoir books I’ve been reading recently too, coming soon.
Have you read any great books lately? Let me know in the comments so I can check them out!
