These 17 Page-Turners Are so Enthralling They Basically Read Themselves

What better time to catch up on all of those books you’ve been dying to read but haven’t had the time to. If you’ve gained a couple of hours to yourself this week by avoiding the dreaded daily commute to the office, then spend them flicking through some of the most popular page-turners that everyone is raving about. There’s nothing like getting lost in fictional world filled with fascinating characters to ease your mind and take a break from the media overload that we’re faced with on the daily. Whether you’re a natural-born reader who will happily make their way through dozens of pages each night or are fairly new to the literary world, there’s never been a better time to take up the soothing hobby of reading. We’ve gathered all of our favourite books to read right now in a list so you don’t have to. From profound love letters to gripping true crime tales, there’s a title for everyone. Happy reading! 

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Such a Fun Age comes recommended by Reese Witherspoon's book club and is at once a made-up tale and something we wouldn't be surprised to see on the news. After babysitting her employer's two-year-old daughter, Emira is apprehended at a supermarket in an affluent area and charged with kidnapping. Her boss, feminist blogger Alix, resolves to make things right but things just get messier for the pair who are entangled in this mess.

Writers & Lovers by Lily King 

Straight from the incredible mind of the New York Times bestselling author of Euphoria comes this brand new story that follows a thirty-one year old waitress as she stumbles her way through chasing her dream career as a writer, complicated romance, and the recent death of her mother.

The Mirror And The Light by Hilary Mantel 

 The Mirror and The Light is the final instalment of Hilary Mantel’s cult trilogy and tells us about the final days of Thomas Cromwell, the boy who rose to power from nothing and must balance between royal and common, past and present in this tale set in 1500s England.

It’s Not All Downhill From Here by Terry McMillan 

If you loved How Stella Got Her Groove Back, it’s time to read Terry McMillan’s newest release that’s taking the world by storm. Loretha Curry is just about to turn sixty-eight years old and is determined to show her friends and family that she’s not someone who believes her best days are behind her. But, when an unexpected loss shakes her world, she’ll need all the determination she has to continue to thrive and choose joy over fear.

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich 

This ambitious and gripping novel is based on the life of Louise Erdrich’s grandfather who worked in one of the first factories in North Dakota and who was instrumental in the fight to protect the rights of Native Americans and their land after the government introduced a bill to threaten their entire identity in the 1950s. The Night Watchman chronicles Pixie, a hardworking young woman who is doing her best to support her family and her dreams of independence on a miniscule wage in trying times.

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel  

Weaving together high-end Manhattan hotels, a shady shipping company and the wilderness of Vancouver Island, this mysterious book will keep you on your toes as the characters are interwoven and greed and guilt makes people do things they’d never dreamed of—like murder.

Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang

As a seemingly successful staff writer at a major tech publication, the twenty-four year old narrator of Days of Distraction is aching to make a move, but can’t pinpoint where, when, or even how. When her long-time boyfriend moves to a different town for grad school, she begins to see things more clearly. She starts to question her role in an interracial relationship and the broader picture of what it means to live virtually unnoticed. 

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry 

Switching things up just a bit, this light-hearted at times moving story is set in 1980s coastal Massachusetts and follows a high school field hockey team as they summon the witchy powers of their Salem ancestors to bring the team together and continue their winning streak.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng 

To set the scene—the suburban streets of Shaker Heights are no different to the set of Desperate Housewives. Perfect picket fences and perfectly-pruned gardens. So, what happens when a mysterious mother and daughter pair move in to the neighbourhood? Suspicion and obsession from the street’s most conservative resident. The result is devastating.

The Loudness of Unsaid Things by Hilde Hinton 

Susie’s life has always been uncertain. One day, her dad packed up their life and moved them to the city…without her mum. She hated travelling back to visit her mum in the “mind hospital” and was resentful of the chaos and things she could never speak honestly. Miss Kaye, a worker at the facility helps Susie to figure out a way to communicate with her unwell mother through music. 

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Phillipa Perry

Through a combination of case studies, her own personal experiences as a parent and over twenty years of professional practice as a Psychotherapist, Phillipa Perry offers a fresh take on forming functional relationships and for those who would rather not repeat their parents mistakes when raising their own children.

Anxiety by Dr Mark Cross 

Psychiatrist Dr Mark Cross knows a lot about anxiety, with many of his patients suffering from the most common mental health condition in Australia. But, more than that, he knows anxiety from a personal perspective as well, having suffered with anxiety his entire life. With a relaxed and friendly approach, he looks at causes and treatments all while sharing his own experiences.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal people is a girl-meets-boy story with a difference. Connell and Marianna grew up in the same small town in Ireland, but they’re completely different people. This novel reveals the intricacies of sincere communication and the difficulties of revealing your true feelings to the ones you care for.

Grown Ups by Marian Keyes

Johnny Casey, his two brothers, and their wives are a tight-knit group. They enjoy weekends away together, and their kids are inseparable. With such a close group of adults there is bound to be some disagreements and people who enjoy each other’s company a bit too much. When Cara gets a concussion and can’t seem to keep her thoughts to herself, everyone’s dirty laundry is aired. 

Sweetness and Light by Liam Pieper

Connor is an Australian ex-pat who’s had a rough past. Nowadays, he spends his time around the beaches of sleepy tourist towns running low-stakes scams. In stark contrast, American Sasha is in search of something much more spiritual in her time overseas. When their worlds collide, a world of secret agendas and gangsters provides a thrilling and intoxicating read, from the beaches of Goa to the streets of Delhi.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

In a classic murder mystery case, the person you’d suspect the least turns out to be the culprit. The only problem is that it could be anyone from the group of college friends who’ve gathered in a remote hunting lodge to celebrate the new year together. And no, it wasn’t an accident.

The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant

If you’d like to gain some insight into one of the most beloved athletes of all time, then you’ll want to get your hands on the late Kobe Bryant’s book that gives out valuable advice and understanding on the game of basketball from the most creative and analytical minds the sport has ever known.

A Good Neighbourhood by Therese Ann Fowler  

In a tight-knit Carolina community, professor of forestry and ecology Valerie Alston-Holt is happy raising her biracial son. Next door, the Whitlams are preparing to move in next door, bringing with them new money and a secretly-troubled daughter. All is well until a rift begins over an historic oak tree in Valerie’s yard. As tensions rise, the grown-ups fail to see that their teenagers are beginning to form a connection that will test the traditions of race and class in this neighbourhood.

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