'I've read more than 100 books so far this year — I couldn't put these five down'

I’ve always been an avid reader, but my love for books intensified in 2024 when I transitioned from reading a book a month to consuming several novels weekly. Becoming a new mother at that time meant I was spending more evenings at home and having exhausted Netflix, I found solace in the books on my shelf. Fast forward 18 months, and although I now have slightly more free time, my preferred way to spend an evening is still engrossed in a good book.

This year alone, I’ve read over 100 books, ranging from short stories and fantasies to enlightening memoirs, not forgetting a generous helping of romance novels. I usually juggle a physical book alongside a Kindle read, but some books have completely captivated me, holding my attention until the very last page. Here are five such books that I simply couldn’t resist, as originally reported in the Mirror. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.

A young woman becomes so infatuated with her boyfriend that she literally climbs inside him. This is the outrageous premise of Jessica Gross’ latest novel, Open Wide.

Radio presenter Olive has always found it challenging to connect with others, covertly recording her interactions to understand social nuances. However, when surgeon Theo arrives for a shift at the food bank where she volunteers, she finally feels seen and accepted.

As their bond deepens, so does Olive’s fascination with the gap in Theo’s front teeth, wide enough for something – or someone – to slip through.

I’m partial to a bit of quirky female fiction; the more unconventional and eccentric, the better. But this book had me utterly hooked, accompanying me wherever I went.

It’s truly unique, exploring themes of intimacy, consent, and love in such a compelling manner.

You can pre-order Open Wide, publishing on August 7, here.

Had you told me a few years back that one of my all-time favourite book series would revolve around a man and his cat battling monsters in a dungeon, broadcasted to billions of alien planets, I’d have scoffed.

However, after investing many hours engrossed in all seven books of the series, I can vouch for its appeal even to non-gamers with cat allergies. What begins as Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat Princess Donut merely fighting for survival in a video game-like setting soon evolves into something far greater.

The series is still in progress, with the eighth instalment anticipated for release next year. The entire collection can be accessed on Kindle Unlimited, or purchased from Waterstones.

For a truly immersive experience, I would strongly suggest listening to the audiobook!

While fiction remains my go-to genre, I make it a point to delve into at least one non-fiction book each month. Typically, I savour these reads over several weeks, but Inherited Fate proved an exception to this self-set rule.

Psychologist Noémi Orvos-Tóth guides readers on a journey of self-discovery, elucidating how factors ranging from our birth circumstances to our position in the family hierarchy mould our identities. She sheds light on how our fears and recurring relationship patterns can be traced back to the experiences of our parents, grandparents, and even distant ancestors we’ve never known.

This subject matter intrigues me greatly, and I found the anecdotes Orvos-Tóth shares about her patients and acquaintances particularly engaging. This book was so compelling that I only put it down to voice note friends whenever I stumbled upon something exceptionally interesting.

If you’re looking to explore a new non-fiction read this summer, I’d highly recommend this one.

You can buy Inherited Fate here.

Scientist Kesta’s spouse Tim was the last individual to be infected during a zombie pandemic. With the government seemingly having rounded up and eliminated all infected persons, the search for a cure is now in progress.

However, with her zombified husband hidden away in her spare room, Kesta has more motivation than most.

The book cover had me hooked before I even glanced at the synopsis. But, beyond the rampant science and zombies, I was struck by the emotional depth within; the romantic tale between Kesta and Tim will elicit both smiles and genuine sorrow for them.

I found myself unable to put the book down, nervously anticipating something going terribly wrong.

You can buy One Yellow Eye here.

As an avid fan of science fiction, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir quickly became a standout favourite in the genre earlier this year. However, upon receiving The Martian as a present, I was initially hesitant to delve into it.

As those who have watched the film adaptation featuring Matt Damon would know, the protagonist spends a significant amount of time in solitude, and I was apprehensive about reading a book with such sparse dialogue.

For those unfamiliar, The Martian chronicles the journey of Mark Watney, an astronaut left stranded on Mars following a severe storm, who must utilise his resourcefulness along with his botanical and engineering expertise to survive and signal Earth for rescue.

There was no need for me to worry about reading this book, as Mark’s narration (through the medium of diary entries) is hugely entertaining, and a significant portion of the book is dedicated to the teams working on Earth to bring Mark home, as well as his fellow astronauts.

You can buy The Martian here.