A couple days ago, I sat with a friend in front of a small bookshelf I have in my bedroom. I pulled out my favorite books and passed them to her like I was cradling a sleeping child. I spoke about each book like it had a personality all its own, categorizing them like I was playing favorites amongst my spawn. I set out three different piles (1. Oh! My! God! LIFE CHANGING! books. 2. Delightful and an enjoyable books. 3. I didn't regret reading books) and encouraged her to check them out.

She asked if I thought of investing in an e-reader, but I insisted I couldn't leave my paper, glue, and hardbound books in the past. I secretly have a dream I'll build a library in my house one day…kinda like that library in Beauty and The Beast, but better. I'll have a ladder on wheels to select the way-up-there books and host tea parties amongst the shelves.

And, boom. I've just become British.

Here's a list of a few books I've read recently, but you can also keep track via previous Good Reads posts…

Wonder by R.J. Palacio – This book is so, so good. It's sweet and sad, and perfect summer reading. It's a young adult book, so I finished it in just a couple days, but the story has stayed with me for weeks. The best part is that the story is narrated from multiple perspectives and follows the life of a young boy with physical deformities. Such a good read!

The World to Come by Dara Horn – If I could write like Horn, I'd die a happy girl. The story is so much more than the mystery surrounding the theft of a million dollar Chagall painting, it's about a family's history and how the painting represents faith, strength, courage, and the depths people will go to protect their history. So good.

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman – This book got rave reviews and is a best seller, but the only reason I bought it was because I was at the cutest bookstore in Los Angeles and I decided I couldn't leave without buying something to read (side note: does this mean I have a shopping addiction?). On a whim, I picked up Dovekeepers and was intrigued. The story itself was compelling, but I just felt like it didn't hold my attention and I had to work my way through it. The good news? The bookstore gave me a complimentary bookmarker, so I win!

The Secret History by Donna Tartt – And, whoa. This book is 500+ pages and it felt like 100. I couldn't put it down, even though I wanted to. It was eery and left me feeling empty, but I just HAD to know what happened next. It's dark and tragic, but so well constructed I was hooked for days. Not my typical read, but–darn–it was good.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova – I'm not going to lie, I cried a little when I read this book. More than anything, it was a sober look at Alzheimer's disease. This story is a vivid depiction of life with early-onset Alzheimer's and Alice's battle to maintain grace, dignity, and pride while her mind slowly quiets. It was a solid read.

Happy Friday!