I am always getting asked for BOOKISH recommendations. I have received dozens upon dozens of messages asking for my personal favorites, go-to authors, and what books I recommend to other readers. I DECIDED TO CREATE A PAGE JUST ON THIS TOPIC. THIS IS IN NO WAY A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF TITLES. I HAVE BEEN READING MULTIPLE BOOKS A WEEK SINCE I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THERE ARE A LOT OF BOOKS I LIKE; FROM THREE TO FOUR STAR READS to my diehard favorites. FOR THIS PAGE, I AM ONLY INCLUDING A FEW of my five star reads. TO HELP EVEN MORE, I LINKED EACH BOOK COVER TO THE TITLE’S GOODREADS PAGE. IF YOU CLICK ON THE IMAGE, YOU SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO A NEW WINDOW FEATURING THE BOOK VIA GOODREADS. I HOPE YOU LIKE MY SELECTIONS AND THEY INSPIRE YOU TO GET READING.
While I am not naturally a dark romance reader, I have read a lot of them. For my dissertation, I read hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of romances. For those who are interested in darker romances, these are my recommendations:
ROMANCE AUTHORS
*JANE AUSTEN
*AGATHA CHRISTIE
*I know these authors have passed away, but even the mention of their names gets my attention. I also purchase new editions of their previous works, biographies, and books that pay homage to these talented authors.
COZY MYSTERY RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THEME/TROPE
Each of these titles is the first in a cozy mystery series based on the stated theme
WINE: Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing
BED & BREAKFAST: Plantation Shudders by Ellen Byron
WRITER/AUTHOR: A Dark and Stormy Murder by Julia Buckley
LIBRARY: Death Overdue by Allison Brook & Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay
DOG: Bite the Biscuit by Linda. O Johnston
BAKERY: And Then There Were Crumbs by Eve Calder & Murder, She Baked by Joanne Fluke (the Hannah Swensen series)
COFFEE: On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle
TEA: Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs
HOME IMPROVEMENT: A High-End Finish by Kate Carlisle
COOKING: The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis
PARANORMAL: It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake & A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry
RESTAURANT: Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien
BOOKSTORE: Crime & Poetry by Amanda Flower & Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany
FLOWERS: Mum’s the Word by Kate Collins
CHRISTMAS: Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland
MUSIC & TEACHER: Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon
CANDY/SWEETS: All Fudged Up by Nancy Coco
Authors I’ve Been Loving Lately: Raquel V. Reyes, Abby Collette, Jennifer J. Chow, Sherry Harris, & Cynthia Kahn
ROMANCE GENRE RECOMMENDATIONS BY AUTHORS
When it comes to romance novels, I have a much harder time making generalized recommendations because tropes and personal preferences are a large part of what makes a romance novel enjoyable. Rather than recommend just books, I am also going to mention some of my go-to authors along with the categories.
HISTORICAL: Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, Courtney Milan, Cat Sebastian, Lorraine Heath, & Julia Quinn
SUSPENCE: Jayne Ann Krentz, Melinda Leigh, & Nora Roberts
CONTEMPORARY: Alexis Daria, Mia Sosa, Jill Shalvis, Mariana Zapata, Helena Hunting, Roan Parrish, Christina Lauren, & Casey McQuiston
COWBOY/WESTERN: Jennifer Ryan & Maisey Yates
SUPERNATURAL/PARANORMAL: Nalini Singh, J.R. Ward, Gail Carriger, Ruby Dixon, & Kresley Cole