My Favorite Books Of All Time

Let’s talk favorite books! It felt like it was time to update this post as it had been a minute! I am an avid reader and have been that way for the better part of my life. I typically read at least 6 books a month, though usually that number is closer to ten. I just love to read. It’s how I escape, how I relax… it’s my favorite thing. If you want my tips for how to read more books, here they are. Any time I do a Q&A this comes up… so I thought I’d finally write them all down and get a post up!

There are 8 non-fiction books on this list, and 10 fiction books. Some books just stand out from the rest. Each of these books have moved me in some special way. The sort of books you just want to read and re-read, like Harry Potter for some, Jane Austen novels for others (though neither made my list!). Without further ado, a round-up of my favorite books of all time.

Be sure to follow me on Substack — I share what I’m reading each week in my Friday newsletter. And check out my Library page. You can sort and filter by genre and see every book I’ve read in the past ten years!

PS: More posts you might also love: books to read by the beach, my favorite romance books, and a slew of young adult book recommendations! And tell me YOUR favorite books in the comments!

My Favorite Books Of All Time

Non-Fiction

Quiet, by susan cain 

This book changed my life. I read it in 2019 and still think about it all the time. It’s about introverts, and helped me understand myself. It delves into the science of introversion/extroversion, and the ways that we idealize extroversion (and act as though introversion is something to be fixed when in fact it really isn’t). I felt a lot more confident and as though I understood myself better after reading it. I often find myself faking extrovert behavior and genuinely do love being social, but sometimes feel like such a weirdo in how I then need to recharge by being alone. This book explains a lot. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are an introvert, are married to/dating an introvert, or work closely with an introvert, it’s worth the read. Order on Bookshop or Amazon!

Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert

Another old favorite. I remember buying it back in 2016 when it first came out! I don’t even know where to begin but I will say that everyone should read it, even if you don’t necessarily identify as a “creative person.” The content is just so valuable, it’s a fairly quick read, and every time I read it I take something different away from it. The things for me that really resonated were the parts about fear, and letting fear hold you back. And approaching your creativity (or your whole life for that matter) from a perspective of curiosity as opposed to fear, or even passion. This book is truly life changing. I love that Becca re-reads it every January and may start doing the same exact thing. If you are feeling in a rut, uninspired, a little bit stuck, not sure what you want to do next, OR you’re about to start a new project, read this book! Order on Bookshop or Amazon!

Devil in the white city, by Erik Larson

I actually really want to re-read this book this summer as I’ve always said that this is my favorite book of all time but I read it so long ago that I don’t actually remember the whole plot. It’s a hybrid of my two favorite things (non-fiction, thriller) and I just remember it being so unbelievable that it felt like it had to be fake. And it’s one of those haunting books that just stays with you (I also learned a lot about the Chicago World’s Fair). It’s the best true crime book ever… before true crime was a thing! Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

save me the plums, by ruth reichl

I love food and I love magazines (and now I love Ruth Reichl – this book made her one of my favorite authors) so this book is a must. Ruth is a former food critic who was brought in to bring big changes to the magazine (and she does!) Save Me The Plums takes you inside the glamorous world of Conde Nast during its heyday… from S.I. Neuhouse’s birthday party (and art collections!) to the private kitchen inside the magazine, with looks at all of the most famous celebrity chefs. I don’t remember the last time I loved a book so much. I cried during the bits about 911 and then again at the end when Conde Nast decided to fold the magazine. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

The chiffon trenches, by andre leon talley

I love reading memoirs from people who have worked in publishing. In college and my earlier years in New York, I dreamed of going to work for a magazine but it never happened for me. The book chronicles André’s rise from growing up in the Jim Crow South to moving to New York and working under Andy Warhol at Interview Magazine. From there he wound up at WWD, moved to Paris, then back to New York to Vogue. This book is positively dazzling. When it was over, I felt really sad to leave his glittery world.. Besides all of the glamour and fashion it also tackles some more serious (and timely things) like racism: the reason André left WWD and Paris was a terrible racist incident with a publicist at YSL. There is also some SERIOUS fashion tea. From his forty year long friendship (and falling out) with Karl Lagerfeld, to all things Anna Wintour, to the political dynamics at Vogue…. it’s fascinating. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

kitchen confidential, by anthony bourdain

This book made me incredibly nostalgic. I grew up in a restaurant – literally – my house was attached to the restaurant and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, from hanging around as a kid to working every single possible job from potato peeling and dish drying to busing tables, food running, and ultimately waitressing in high school and college. You know this, but Bourdain is a master storyteller. This is a memoir of his kitchen days; starting with his days as a dishwasher in a dive-y Provincetown restaurant all the way through life in New York. Through terrible lows and wonderful highs, you feel like you are sitting next to your slightly reckless, very brilliant friend recounting his wildest and most honest stories. Many will be shocked by some of the stories (and things like why you should never order the “special” or eat fish on a Monday. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

joyful, by ingrid fetell lee

This book came highly recommended to me by my sister and I can’t recommend it enough. It took me forever to read as I was taking copious notes like a good little student. But she mentions so many different artists, architects, creators… that I wanted to stop, pause, look them up, and then keep reading. So I’d read maybe a quarter of a chapter at a time and I do not regret that. I learned so much from it. This book is all about the power of aesthetics and objects to impact our happiness. From the way we delight over rounded objects, to why we are drawn to symmetry, and beyond. It is such an interesting read… if you are someone who nerds out over good design OR are just somebody who wants to create a personal space that leaves you feeling joyful, absolutely read this book. I loved it and learned so so much from it. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

Unreasonable Hospitality, by Will Guidara

This was meant to be a chaser to Setting the Table as Guidara was a protege of Danny Meyer in some ways, but I liked it even more! Guidara climbed his way up the restaurant ranks (working under Meyer for a hefty chunk of the time), buying Eleven Madison Park (with Daniel Humm) from Meyer. The story of how they built and grew EMP is pretty legendary. At times it reads like a sports book where you are rooting for a team and just want them to win. I found myself becoming emotional so many times as the restaurant won awards and excellent reviews. It’s equal parts restaurant memoir where you root for this team, but also a business book. Guidara applies lessons he has learned in the restaurant world to other professions like real estate. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

Fiction

Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr

This was such a big book that I got intimidated at first. I started it, and friends… I finished it in just a couple days. I couldn’t put it down! I will say that this one is a little bit polarizing. There are so many different stories that it took me a little while to become invested in each one, and then when I did, I wondered how they would ever intersect. But anyway, this is a masterpiece. There are 3 different main story arcs: one set in ancient Constantinople, one set in modern day, and one set in the future on a space ship (!!! – but it’s not sci-fi-y, if that worries you at all). You are kind of like “what is happening” in parts, but trust me… just stick with it, the way it all ties together is magical. The last 200 pages took my breath away! I don’t know if I will ever be able to stop thinking about this book. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver

This was my favorite book from 2023. I felt stressed out but loved it. There is a lot of trauma (drugs, death, addiction, abuse), but while the subject matter is dark, its endearing protagonist makes the book a page-turner. Damon Copperhead is born to a junkie mother. By the time of his birth, his father is already dead. The storyline follows Demon from childhood through young adulthood, through horrible loss after horrible loss, terrible and sometimes abusive foster homes, child labor, heartbreak, more death, disaster, and loss. In between that there are pockets of sunshine (his athletic success, his friendships, his wit and sense of humor) which makes the book a compulsive read: Damon/Demon’s voice is really just incredible. There is also a lot of good social commentary Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

The Island of the Sea Women, by Lisa See

This book is a masterpiece. Set on the Korean island of Jeju, it follows the main character (Young-Sook) from the thirties (pre-WWII) all the way through modern day. It begins as Young-Sook and her best friend Mi-ja are learning to work in the sea with the village’s all-female diving team. Jeju is a matrifocal society: the women work in the sea (diving for abalone, sea urchin, other treasures) while the men stay home and care for the kids. It’s kind of amazing how these women dived into the cold water, holding their breath for three minutes, without a wet suit or any sort of modern equipment. The waters are dangerous and there is tragedy. The girls have each other but as their lives take different turns and the world around them changes, they both make difficult decisions and in the process, lose each other (I am keeping things vague so not to spoil anything). Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

The seven husbands of evelyn hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I have mixed feelings on Taylor Jenkins Reid. Mixed because I will always pre-order her books and consider her one of my favorite authors… but, I do think they’re a little overhyped. I’ve been just medium on the last few books she’s written. Not the case with Evelyn Hugo. This is the first book of hers I ever read and will forever be one of my favorite books. The story is incredible and very moving, but also salacious. I wish Evelyn Hugo were a real person, I would have liked to know her. So thrilled that it will be a movie. (Should have been a TV series but I’ll take what I can get). Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

The book thief, by Markus Zusak

This is one of those books where I can tell you exactly where I was when I read it. I was sitting at a bar in Copenhagen, crying into my steak tartare, book in hand. It’s a classic, but I somehow didn’t read it until 2017. Set in Nazi Germany and told from the perspective of “Death”, you can imagine that you will need tissues… a lot of tissues. It follows the story of the main character Liesel (aka the book thief) from age nine to fourteen and what her life was like during Hitler’s rule. It’s heartwarming and even funny at times but also heartbreaking. One of those books that sticks with you for a very long time. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

city of girls, by elizabeth gilbert

This is one of those fiction books that just totally sucks you in. Elizabeth Gilbert is one of my favorite authors has such a gift for writing. The characters she creates, the worlds they live in… I bow down. The book follows Vivian Morris (a 19 year old Vassar dropout) to New York City, through ups and downs and middle age all the way until she’s 89 years old. She moves to the city to her aunt Peg’s house, where she takes up costume design for glamorous showgirls… spending most nights out on the town . When she makes a terrible mistake her whole world implodes and she faces ruin but ultimately lands on her feet. This is the story of female friendship, of female sexuality, of redemption… and so much more. I could not put it down. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

the midnight library, by matt haig

This book felt like a warm hug. When you finish it, you just feel like everything is going to be okay. It starts out as a book about regret. Nora Seed showed so much promise. At one point, she could have been an Olympic swimmer. At another, a rockstar. But bad decision after bad decision leads her to a sad and lonely life. When her cat dies, she decides it’s time to end her life. But in between life and death, she arrives at a place called The Midnight Library. There, she meets her childhood librarian who shows her around. Each book on the shelf represents a different regret or decision, and the life she would have had if she’d chose differently. But as soon as she finds a life to be disappointing she is taken back to the library to take out another book. And so Nora goes on to live tons of different lives. I won’t say anything more as I don’t want to spoil it. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

gone girl, by gillian flynn

I had to include this one as it is what started my thriller obsession. I think I am still, ten plus years later, searching for that same thrill I got when I first discovered the big “twist” in this book. To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve found it? You never forget your first twisty thriller. It’s Nick and Amy’s wedding anniversary when beautiful Amy disappears. Nick looks guilty in every sense of the word, and Amy’s diary certainly doesn’t help. I am sure you have seen the book, or watched the movie (if you somehow haven’t, you must!) but I had to include it here. Again, you never forget your first! (I do wish Flynn would write again, I have loved all of her books. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

the maid, by nita prose

I think this was the most heartwarming murder mystery I’ve ever read? Molly is a maid at an upscale London hotel. She loves her job and can’t think of anything else she’d rather do. But Molly is different. She’s smart and kind and well intentioned, but doesn’t always pick up on social cues and tends to misread people. Because of that, sometimes, she trusts the wrong people. One day, one of the hotel’s VIP clients turns up dead. A murder investigation ensues and Molly finds herself at the center of it, as the main suspect… wanted for murder! Everything she says only seems to make the situation worse. Her entire life is upended, but friends in unlikely places come through to help her search for clues and figure out what really happened: who the real murderer was, and what actually happened. I loved this book. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I had to include something more classic in this list! This is a great book and will always be one of my favorite books of all time. The film, too! Written in 1925, it is part cautionary tale, the darker side of the American Dream. Set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, near New York City in West Egg, the novel depicts first-person narrator Nick Carraway’s interactions with mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and Gatsby’s obsession to reunite with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan. It’s glittering and opulent at times (the parties! the clothing! Gatsby’s home), but dark at others. And after watching the film, when I read it I still see Toby and Leo as the characters. Order on Amazon or Bookshop!

Disclosure: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature things I truly love here. Thanks for your support.