We’re approaching holiday break, which means you’ll FINALLY have some time to catch up on that ~reading for fun~ you’ve been meaning to do. But maybe you’re not quite sure where to start after a super busy semester spent buried in academic papers and lab reports. Don’t worry—Book of the Month, an awesome book subscription service, has got you covered. The books below are their top five books of the year, as voted by real readers. And there’s something for everyone among this selection! If you want to vote for the best books next year, become a member of Book of the Month with the code HERCAMPUS30—you’ll get 30 percent off a three-month subscription, plus a free tote!
1. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
This mystery novel has been compared to the work of Agatha Christie, so you know it’s legit. Judge Liberty Hardy of Book of the Month says the story, which follows a journalist reporting from a luxury cruise ship, is full of “thrills, chills, and action,” but also has “an intriguing psychological aspect.”
2. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
Described by Judge Nina Sankovich as “the ultimate noir fairytale,” this unlikely love story between two people caught up in the meth business is sure to capture your heart.
3. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
This science fiction story is an example of incredible world-building—the author has created “a whole multiverse, with a very singular love story at its core,” according to Judge Maris Kreizman. If you enjoyed sci fi entertainment hits like Stranger Things and Arrival this year, this may be the book for you.
4. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
This novel, called “enthralling, exotic” and “elegant” by Judge Leigh Haber, follows a Russian aristocrat who is put on house arrest in a famous hotel. A Russian history lesson wrapped up in a luxurious story, you won’t want to put this one down when you’re done.
5. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
You may be crying just pages into this memoir, written by the late neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at just 36, and he quickly had to figure out how to make the most of his remaining days. Judge Kim Hubbard calls it “a brilliant, inspiring exploration of how to live a meaningful life in the face of death.”