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Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe

Is A River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane

Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us by Anna Malaika Tubbs

Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America by Elie Mystal

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende

Winter by Karl Ove Knausgaard

To the Edge of Sorrow by Aharon Appelfeld

The Second Sleep by Robert D Harris

Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

The Editor by Steven Rowley

The Captain and the Glory by Dave Eggers

What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi

Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek by Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal

We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

The Deep by Rovers Solomon

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NW Book Lovers

Powell's 25 Books to Read Before You Die: PNW Edition

Travis Baldree: "Legends & Lattes" and Everybody Reads 2025 author!

Raymond Carver: Known for his short stories.

Alexandra Day: A children's author.

Beverly Cleary: Primarily known for her children's books.

Richard Ford: A novelist and essayist.

David James Duncan: A nonfiction author.

Chris Crutcher: Known for his young adult novels.

Chuck Palahniuk: Author of "Fight Club"

Ursula K. Le Guin: A renowned science fiction and fantasy author.

Lidia Yuknavitch: An author and poet.

Ken Kesey: Famous for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".

H.L. Davis: A historical novelist.

Cheryl Strayed: Author of "Wild".

Ivan Doig: A novelist and essayist.

Pete Fromm: An outdoor writer and editor.

Ellie Alexander: PNW native

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The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
A meditative novel about grief and companionship—centered around a woman who inherits her late friend’s Great Dane. Quiet but deeply moving.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Sybil is seventy-three years old, in the winter of her life. Sybil has always made sense of the world through writing letters and through this epistolary novel we see how she comes to terms with her past and present and learns forgiveness.

Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer (Nonfiction)
A celebration of modern female friendship, blending memoir and cultural commentary. A good choice for readers who like real-life reflection.

Sula by Toni Morrison
A powerful and provocative classic about the lifelong, tumultuous friendship between two Black women navigating identity, betrayal, and forgiveness.

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine NewmanAs Edith, her best friend of forty-two years who is dying of ovarian cancer, spends her last days at a hospice near her, Ashley, stumbling around into heartbreak, helps Edith celebrate her life as they reminisce, hold on, and try to let go.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Sustained by the hope of someday owning a farm of their own, two migrant laborers arrive to work on a ranch in central California.

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Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher
A brilliant academic satire told entirely through recommendation letters written by one hilariously bitter English professor.

Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby
A laugh-out-loud essay collection from one of the most irreverent, honest, and relatable voices in humor writing today. Topics range from IBS to internet fame to middle-aged fatigue.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
A Swedish farce with Forrest Gump-like vibes—equal parts history romp and goofy adventure. For fans of quirky, dry humor.

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

A teacher at a girl's school in Edinburgh during the 1930s comes into conflict with school authorities because of her unorthodox teaching methods.

Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatz

One of today's top-grossing comedians. In his highly anticipated first book, Nate talks about life as a non-genius.

The Hiking Book From Hell by Are Klavo

Jim Gaffigan meets Cheryl Strayed in this blisteringly funny memoir about the call of the wild, from one of Scandinavia's biggest comedians.

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Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

Three estranged siblings return to their family home in New York after their beloved sister’s death in this “deeply nuanced and compelling” (Vogue) novel.

Colored Television by Danzy Senna

A brilliant dark comedy about second acts, creative appropriation, and the racial identity-industrial complex Jane has high hopes her life is about to turn around.

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight

A witty, atmospheric, and brilliantly told novel that offers compelling portraits of womanhood, motherhood and female friendship, along with the irresistible intrigue surrounding an extraordinary British family.

Brothers on Three by Abe Streep (non-fiction)

The story of coming of age on a reservation in the American West and a team uniting a community when the Arlee Warriors finally bring the high school basketball state championship title home to the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Finding Freedom by Erin French

A story of remaking a life from scratch, as a chef who finds freedom after a life-altering event.

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The Carrying by Ada Limón
Lush, personal poems about the body, grief, nature, and resilience—from the current U.S. Poet Laureate. A fantastic, accessible entry point.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
A novel-in-verse about two sisters—one in the Dominican Republic, one in New York—who discover each other after their father’s death. Beautiful and narrative-driven.

Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong
A lyrical, heart-wrenching collection exploring grief and healing after the death of the poet’s mother—intimate and fragmented in style.

Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
A wide-ranging, socially conscious collection by the inaugural poet—dealing with history, pandemic life, and hope, in language that’s both direct and rich.

Cool Salsa edited by Lori M. Carlson
Poems celebrating Hispanic culture are the focus of this collection.

Devotions by Mary Oliver
A curated selection of Oliver’s nature-focused poems—soothing, wise, and full of quiet wonder. Perfect for reading a few pages at a time.

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
A global bestseller that’s easy to read in small bursts—free verse poems about love, loss, healing, and growth, accompanied by simple line drawings.

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Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
A witty and relatable memoir about friendships, bad dates, hangovers, and growing up—full of charm and self-deprecating humor.

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
A moving and fascinating meditation on freedom, trust, loss, and our relationship with the natural world, explored through the story of one woman's unlikely friendship with a wild hare.

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
A harrowing yet hopeful memoir from a man who spent 30 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit—an inspiring story of resilience and forgiveness.

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
A collection of short, poetic daily essays about small joys and surprising beauty—perfect for dipping in and out during summer.

You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar
A funny and candid sisterly conversation about everyday racism, delivered with wit and love—both eye-opening and laugh-out-loud funny.

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The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki (Women’s Prize for Fiction Winner; Note: Not in translation, but a global perspective.)

The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld (translated from Dutch by Michele Hutchison)
Winner of the International Booker Prize
A haunting, poetic coming-of-age novel about a young girl processing grief on a Dutch dairy farm—visceral and strange, with unforgettable language and imagery.

Or, if you'd like something gentler in translation:

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot)
A quietly magical tale about a Tokyo café where customers can travel back in time—bittersweet and thought-provoking, with a comforting tone.

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Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
A blend of science, Indigenous wisdom, and lyrical prose exploring our relationship with the natural world.

The Overstory by Richard Powers
A sweeping, Pulitzer-winning novel centered on trees and the interconnected lives of people influenced by them.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
A classic work of narrative nonfiction chronicling a year spent observing nature in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
A memoir of grief and healing through the process of training a goshawk, steeped in observations of nature and self.

World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
A vibrant, short-essay collection blending natural history and personal reflection, perfect for dipping into during summer.

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Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
A reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin set in a snowy, Eastern European-inspired fantasy world, featuring strong female protagonists and economic wit.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
A lush Russian fairytale retelling full of folklore, magic, and a fierce heroine who can see spirits others cannot.

Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi
A literary retelling of Snow White that explores race, beauty, and identity in mid-century America.

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
A dark, haunting novella retelling a Japanese folktale, reframed through themes of motherhood and sacrifice.

Baba Yaga Laid an Egg by Dubravka Ugrešić
A postmodern, feminist twist on Slavic folklore that mixes scholarship, satire, and surrealism.

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A glamorous, old-Hollywood-style novel about a reclusive star telling her life story—full of secrets, scandal, and heart. Netflix is currently developing the adaptation, and anticipation is high.

I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

A group of friends is terrorized by a stalker who knows about a gruesome incident from their past.

The Running Man by Stephen King

The futuristic United States of 2025 when the world has become a dystopia.

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Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe

A narrative about a notorious killing that took place in Northern Ireland during The Troubles and its devastating repercussions to this day

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
A quirky, feminist novel about a 1960s chemist turned unexpected TV cooking star—adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Brie Larson.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A rock-n-roll oral history-style novel about a fictional 1970s band—adapted into a musical drama on Amazon Prime.

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
A chilling psychological thriller adapted into a lush 1999 film—and again as a 2024 Netflix series Ripley.

The Night Manager by John le Carré
A spy novel turned prestige miniseries starring Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie—stylish and gripping.

The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
A post-apocalyptic literary novel (sort of!) that inspired the acclaimed HBO series about life after a mysterious mass disappearance.

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The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (~775 pages)
A multigenerational epic set in Kerala, India—lush, emotional, and deeply rooted in place and family history.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (~400 pages)
A sweeping story of friendship, creativity, and video game design—literary but accessible, with deep emotional arcs.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (~500 pages)
A genre-defying puzzle box of interwoven stories across centuries—perfect for readers who love structure and style.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (~350–380 pages depending on edition)
A horror-tinged gothic novel set in 1950s Mexico, featuring creepy mansions, family secrets, and a badass heroine.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (~720 pages)
Heart-wrenching, intense, and emotionally powerful—best for readers looking for something that will wreck them (in a good way?).

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Big Book - lighter long reads (350+ Pages)

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Big Book - lighter long reads (350+ Pages)

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The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (~400 pages)
Whimsical, heartwarming fantasy about a caseworker who inspects magical orphanages. Like a cozy hug in book form.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (~360 pages)
A charming story about a grieving widow, a curious octopus, and unexpected friendships—set in a seaside town.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (~390 pages)
Quirky and surprisingly uplifting, this novel follows a socially awkward woman slowly opening up to life and connection.

One Day by David Nicholls (~435 pages)
Follows two friends/lovers over 20 years, checking in on the same day each year. Emotional, yes—but with warmth, humor, and hope.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley (~360 pages)
A grieving gay uncle takes in his young niece and nephew for the summer—funny, snappy, and unexpectedly tender.

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Hell of a Book by Jason Mott (National Book Award Winner)
A satirical, surreal, and moving novel about being Black in America—layered but accessible, and at times laugh-out-loud funny.

How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang (Longlisted for Booker, winner of Asian/Pacific American Award)
A lyrical western reimagining of frontier myth, grief, and family through an immigrant lens.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (PEN/Faulkner Award Winner)
A beautifully written novel about music, language, and unlikely bonds during a hostage crisis—part thriller, part literary character study.

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich (Pulitzer Prize Winner)
Inspired by Erdrich’s grandfather, this novel blends tribal history and personal struggle with wit, warmth, and activism.

The Promise by Damon Galgut (Booker Prize Winner)
A family saga set in post-apartheid South Africa—lean, sharp prose with biting commentary and emotional heft.