This year, I read a total of 27 books and they were all actually very good!
Check out the books that I read (in the order that I read them) and let me know what books to add to my 2026 list!
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
I enjoyed this book, it was a unique story from the perspective of a young Latina. It reminded me of the movie Passengers and The Martian put together but for a younger audience. If you enjoy young adult books, you’ll like enjoy this one.
The Trespasser by Tana French
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I really love this author’s writing style. The story was so intriguing and even up until the very end I had no idea how it would end. If you like mystery, then I highly recommend this series!
The Secret Place by Tana French
I really enjoyed the book, its book # 5 of a series! I loved the writing style and how the chapters alternated from past to current events. It kept me on my toes the entire time and I had no idea how it would end. If you like mystery books I would recommend!
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
This book was recommended to me by a colleague and truthfully I went in blind. After reading a few chapters, it reminded me of another book I read called “Slow Productivity” where the message is to do less. I preferred this book because the author gave actual justification for why doing less is a good thing as well as shared practical tips.
I recommend this book to anyone who feels overwhelmed by their never ending to do list or who struggles to say no. The ending did feel a bit rushed but I enjoyed the book.
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
This is the 5th book I’ve read in the series and it’s been my favorite so far! So much happened in this book and even more is being set up. I can’t wait to see how the series ends! I’m enjoying seeing how all of the paths of the main characters are connecting.
The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas
This book was technically a prequel to the first 3 books in the series that I’ve already read. It was great to learn more about the main character and her history. Even though I knew what would happen at the end, it was still brutal to read the details. Can’t wait to finish the series!
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Each book that I read in this series is better than the last! I really enjoyed how there were different points of views and storylines in this book! I have no idea what will happen next but I’m really rooting for the main character! I am loving the magic in the book!
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The story was intriguing and I had no idea how it would end. It was a quick read for me as I really wanted to know how it would end but there were a few parts of the book that felt pretty unbelievable to me. If you like historical fiction, you might enjoy it. Note that there is a lot about war which may be triggers to some.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
I actually enjoyed this 2nd book in the series more than the 1st book! The world continues to be built and I’m really enjoying the character development. So far it’s kept me on my toes and it’s been tough to predict what will happen next! I recommend and can’t wait to read the next book!
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
MMy mentor has been recommending this book to me for a years and I finally read it! There were so many great, practical tips here that are super helpful especially as someone who’s recently stepped into management.
This is one of the best professional development books I’ve read, I highly recommend!
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
This series has been recommend to me by a few people and I’ll admit I was hesitant as most of the books that are on “BookTok” are never get good. But this was such an entertaining read!
It feels like a mix of Game of Thrones and Harry Potter so if you like those, you will enjoy the book! Can’t wait to read the next book!
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
Most of the book was enjoyable and had great tips that I’ll definitely be implementing at work and in my personal life. It was a little too long and some of the pages were a bit boring but overall, I would recommend it to people who are feeling burnt out at work.
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky
Such a tragic story told in the most unique of ways. I’ve never read a story like this. It was so well written, the author had such a talent in making you feel so many emotions from grief to guilt to hope.
I just want to hug the main character throughout the story. Highly recommend! I will warn that it starts off with a terrible tragedy that may trigger some people.
The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins
I read The 5 Second Rule by this same author and enjoyed that one a lot more. I think the idea Mel Robbins shares in this book is pretty good in the sense that we cannot control others and should try to avoid letting others impact us, but the book felt very repetitive.
I think it could have been an article. Some of the stories she shares didn’t seem real and kept driving the same point over and over.
I would not recommend this book, the podcast episode is probably good enough.
The Case of the Missing Mabel by Valarie Krejci
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are really fun to read about and it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Great book for kids!
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
I loved this book! The author did an incredible job telling a multi generational story! I felt like each character had a full story. They were all so different but I love how their stories were connected.
There’s a lot of tragedy in this story so be warned. It does take several unexpected turns. I loved the writing style as well. Highly recommend!
Self-Care for Latinas: 100+ Ways to Prioritize & Rejuvenate Your Mind, Body, & Spirit by Raquel Reichard
This book was recommended to me by a friend. It was short and most of the advice I already knew but it was a nice reminder. I did learn a few tips. I recommend if you have the time otherwise i would just google and read some articles.
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
I loved this book! It was not at all what I expected (I didn’t read the summary) and it was written in such a unique way.
It tells the story of an older Dominican women living in NYC who goes to a job counselor. In these sessions she opens up about her life. It was so good I couldn’t stop reading, and finished it in one day.
The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness by Elyn R. Saks
This might be the best memoir I’ve ever read. It’s honest, raw, painful, heavy and about such an important topic. The author brings us into her life and mind and the whole thing is so unpredictable. It was an extremely heavy topic (mental illness) so it took me a while to get through it but I would 100% recommend this.
If you suffer from mental illness, it may be triggering to read this so be warned.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
What a unique story! I finished it really quickly because I wanted to know how it would end. I’ve read one previous book by this author and really like her writing style. It reminded me a bit of Mexican Gothic so if you like that book you’ll enjoy this one.
Broken Harbor by Tana French
This book was DARK. It’s part of a series and it’s definitely my least fave just because of how dark it was. The author is a phenomenal writer but this story was just not for me.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
What a fun read! I loved this author’s writing and really enjoyed being transported to a different world. The main character was really interesting and there’s a plot twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. Definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun read!
Outlawed by Anna North
What an interesting read! This book is Handmaid’s Tale meets Fallout meets The Frozen River meets a classic Western story. I enjoyed that the focus was on the female characters. The ending was not what I was expecting but I was really happy with how it ended. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to read something unique and adventurous.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Wow, what a riveting story that had me reading nonstop. I went into the book blindly with no idea what it would be about. A warning for anyone who may get triggered from reading about drugs, child abuse or foster homes.
I’m usually pretty good at predicting what will happen in stories but this one had me fooled. The author takes you on a journey that has you really rooting for the characters. It was such a heavy book full of tragedy but so well written and I learned so much about a different side of America.
There were a few things that happened that I found unnecessary that didn’t drive the plot forward but all in all, I enjoyed it.
I didn’t realize it was a modernization of a Charles Dickens novel so I will have to read that next!
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel
What a powerful book about family, resilience, pain, and love. I love the authors writing and felt transported into her world. There were some heavy parts so definitely a warning is needed for anyone who can be triggered with stories of immigration, family separation and sexual abuse. I’ll definitely be checking out more of her work.
I Hold a Wolf by the Ears: Stories by Laura van den Berg
My friend recommended this book so I went into it blind. It’s a collection of short stories and each of them are thought provoking, a little disturbing, but incredible writing.
I highly recommend this book (especially to women) as the stories are unlike anything I’ve ever read. Several of the short stories left me wanting more so I’ll definitely check out more from this author!
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
What an enjoyable and thrilling book! I loved the storyline and how it kept me on my toes. I certainly didn’t expect it to take the turn it did. It was so interesting that I finished this book in 2 days.
I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed which is why I gave it 4 stars but I still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery!
Feel free to comment below any other books you recommend for me! I do have a book club that is open to new members, so feel free to email me at enthusiasticaboutlifeblog@gmail.com or comment on any of my social media accounts to get invited to our next meeting!
If you’d like more recommendations, check out my full list here!
Thank you all for reading, and stay enthusiastic!
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-Maira