What I’m Reading Now

People are always asking for book recommendations, right? I mean, we’re all so busy. We don’t have time to wade blindly into a book only to find out that it’s a dud. We want to know, or at least presume, that it will be an enjoyable experience. That’s why we ask. I don’t know about you, but I have 2-3 “book gurus” who I rely on to give me recommendations. If they give a book a thumbs-up, I’ll order it, sight unseen! Browsing in a book store is always a fun outing, but even then I rely on staff recommendations and my handy Goodreads app to search reviews and star ratings before I commit.

Let me be your book guru today. Here is a list of books that I have either recently read, am currently reading, or plan to read in the near future. Enjoy!

The Books on My List Right Now

Edgar and Lucy by Victor Lodato
Edgar and Lucy may just be my favorite book of 2025. It encompasses so much! Family history, past tragedies, current edge-of-your-seat plot, and a glimpse into the afterlife. Edgar reminds me of an Owen Meany type of character… without the Messiah complex. He’s small, old for his years, and tends to bring out the best in everyone around him. You’ll love this saga! I think it would make a great Father’s Day gift, too, if you have a reader for a dad.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
This has been on my list for a few months, but as my book club has picked it for June, I’m finally getting around to reading it. Why did I wait so long? I’m only a few chapters into it, but am thoroughly enjoying it so far. The writing is impeccable. I love Russian history. The main character is so likable. Have you ever watched Rupert Everett in The Importance of Being Ernest? That’s who he reminds me of. Highly recommended so far!

The Woman in Cabin 10  by Ruth Ware
I haven’t read this one yet, but it gets good reviews. A mystery on a luxury cruise ship– I’m intrigued already! I’m saving this one for a vacation read.

Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen
I typically have some sort of parenting book on the docket. This one spoke to me because I’m trying to find methods of responding to tense situations with my children with humor. That is not a natural reaction for me. Some days I feel like all of my buttons are right there on the surface with such easy access for little developing humans! I’m such a proponent of positive parenting rather than punitive, but the execution of that is a constant learning experience.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman
What an amazing title, right? One of my favorite books last year was A Man Called Ove by the same author. I’m excited to read his other books. This one chronicles a task given to a young girl by her dying grandmother: to make amends with a whole list of people by delivering a series of letters. I can’t wait to see what interesting scenarios that leads to! Backman’s books aren’t full of fast-action plot, but his characters and writing are delightful.

How to Find a Book Recommendation You Can Trust

A recommendation is only as good as the person giving it, so here is how to sort the gurus from the noise. Look for someone whose taste overlaps with yours. If a friend, a librarian or a blogger loved three books you loved, the fourth is a pretty safe bet. Ask what they liked about a book, too. “It was great” tells you nothing, while “the characters stayed with me” or “I could not put it down” tells you exactly what kind of read you are in for.

Star ratings help, but read them with a little suspicion. Skim a few of the middle reviews, not just the raves and the rants, because those tend to explain what works and what does not. A complaint can even sell you on a book, since “too slow” may be just what you want on a quiet weekend. You can browse more ideas in my book reviews.

How to Pick Your Next Read

Even with a good list in hand, it can be hard to choose. A few simple questions make it easier, and none of them require a reading degree.

• Match the book to your energy. If your brain is fried by bedtime, a fast plot will serve you better than a dense classic.
• Read the first few pages. Most bookstores and libraries let you flip through, and many ebook stores offer a free sample. If the voice does not grab you there, it may not grab you at all.
• Try the library first. A borrowed book costs nothing, so there is no guilt if it turns out to be a dud.
• Keep a running list. Save titles the moment you hear about them, in an app or on the back of an envelope, so you are never stuck wondering what to read.
• Give yourself permission to quit. Life is short and the stack is tall. Put down a book that is not working and move on to one that does.

That’s it for now! What are you reading right now, and is there a book I should add to my own list? Tell me in the comments below.