10 book recommendations for National Reading Month

“A Fragile Enchantment” (2024) by Allison Saft transports readers to a regency-era-inspired world set in the aftermath of Ireland’s Great Famine. Seamstress Niamh O’Conchobhair has the dangerous ability to weave magic into her designs. The queen commissions Niamh to create the clothing for the upcoming royal wedding and must travel to the kingdom of Avaland where she meets the queen’s son, Prince Kit. As the two grow closer, an anonymous gossip columnist follows their every move and threatens to expose their relationship and Niamh’s magic if she doesn’t help the columnist find out the secrets the royal family is hiding. 

“Anne of Green Gables” (1908) by L.M. Montgomery is a classic coming-of-age novel that depicts a cheerful, young orphan named Anne Shirley. The Cuthbert family set out to adopt a boy to help them with their farmwork but mistakenly receive Anne. They are uncertain at first but ultimately decide to give her a chance. As Anne settles into her new home, she faces numerous obstacles, but her optimistic and imaginative personality helps her navigate through them. 

“Better Than The Movies” (2021) by Lynn Painter follows Liz Buxbaum, a hopeless romantic who lives vicariously through romance novels and books. When her old crush, Michael, returns to town during their senior year, Liz sees it as the perfect opportunity to plan their meet cute. She is willing to do anything to win Michael over and become his prom date, even if it means befriending her childhood nemesis and next-door neighbor, Wes. Along the way, however, Liz falls for Wes and realizes that real-life love can be even better than the movies. 

“Emily Wilde’s Encloypaedia of Faeries” (2023) by Heather Fawcett is an epistolary novel about professor and researcher Emily Wilde who specializes in the study of fairies and is writing the first-ever encyclopedia documenting their history. Her search to uncover information on the most elusive fairies called the Hidden Ones brings her to the fictional, remote island of Hrafnisvik. 

“I Hope This Doesn’t Find You” (2024) by Ann Liang follows Sadie Wen, a perfectionist senior student admired by everyone in school for her achievements, including being the school captain and valedictorian. However, her life takes a turn for the worse when thousands of hateful emails written by Sadie are leaked to the entire school, revealing her true thoughts about her classmates when she was angry. As Sadie’s reputation crumbles, she must navigate the aftermath of the scandal, all while competing with her academic rival, Julius Gong, and for his heart.

“My Week With Him” (2023) by Joya Goffney is a coming-of-age novel starring high school senior Nikki. Hoping for a fresh start to begin her music career, Nikki plans on running away to California. She doesn’t have to, though, because after a fight with her sister and mom, she is kicked out of the house. When her old friend, Mal, finds out she wants to leave, he begs her to change her mind and spend the rest of spring break with him on a road trip. Their plans are interrupted when Nikki’s sister Vae goes missing, and she is forced to work with her mom to find her.

“Lore of the Wilds” (2024) by Analeigh Sbrana tells the story of Lore Alemeyu, a human living in a world inhabited by the Fae. When her village is severely damaged, Lore makes a risky decision by striking a bargain with the Fae lord. In exchange for the rebuilding of her village, Lore is assigned to work at their enchanted library, which stores a hidden magic that only she can access.

“Something Close to Magic” (2023) centers on Aurelie, an overworked teenage baker’s apprentice who spends most of her shifts completing mundane and tedious tasks with little respect from her boss. Her life takes an exciting turn when Iliana, a bounty hunter, pays a visit to the shop and asks for her help in embarking on a quest to the Underwood. Iliana introduces Aurelie to Quad, her troll friend, and together they set off to find a kidnapped prince.

“Watership Down” (1972) by Richard Adams is an adventurous tale that originated from stories the author told his kids. It traces the journey of a group of rabbits on the quest for survival and a home. When one of the rabbits envisions their former home being destroyed, they decide to leave in search of safety. With the threats of other creatures and humans looming, the rabbits journey through many locations until they stop at Watership Down.

“Where The Dark Stands Still” (2024) by A.B. Poranek is a Gothic fairytale inspired by Polish folklore. The novel revolves around Liska Radost, a village girl shunned by her people due to her rare healing powers. On the festivities of Kupala Night, Liska’s magic is exposed, and in a desperate attempt to get rid of it, she runs off to the Driada in search of a fern flower that will cure her. However, anyone who ventures into the Driada must make a deal with the forest demon, the Leszy. The Leszy agrees to help Liska in exchange for one year of servitude.