As avid readers, Kristen and I have had a TBR pile almost since infancy. I seriously can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a stack of books somewhere.
Both of us buy books almost on compulsion sometimes. We love supporting authors and topics that grow our empathy and our knowledge of the worlds around us.
In the interest of sharing what is next up for us, we’re sharing the skimmed top of our TBR pile.
These are books that run the gamut of my interests. They also constantly tempt me with their gorgeous covers and fascinating stories. It was a bit of a process, but here’s my top 5 TBR’s:
- What is love? by Jen Comfort (2024)
Kristen and I LOVE romance. It is far and away our favorite genre of books. We are constantly sharing our lists and recs with each other. This book landed on my TBR as a part of the Amazon First Reads subscription. Its premise is based on an enemies to lovers trope set during a Jeopardy! Masters-like tournament. First, I love the enemies to lovers trope. Second, I LOVE Jeopardy! How could I not love this book?
- The Myth of Seneca Falls: Memory and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, 1848-1898 by Lisa Tetrault (2017)
I purchased this book during the centenary celebrations for the passage of the 19th Amendment (granting White women’s suffrage) in 2020. But, it was 2020, and I didn’t read a lot of “serious” books then. This book is high up on the list because I appreciate any historical book that aims to bust the myths we have. The premise of this is that the myth we have about the start of the women’s rights movement in Seneca Falls in 1848 is only a small part of the whole picture.
- A Bound Woman Is a Dangerous Thing: The Incarceration of African American Women from Harriet Tubman to Sandra Bland by DaMaris B. Hill (2020)
I know, I know, another super happy topic. But, Kristen and I both firmly believe that the best way to learn about the perspectives of others is through stories. And we are voraciously curious people. This book is short and powerful and there’s a reason it’s so high up my list.
- Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar
Since our lives are controlled by the Amazon overlords, this was also a monthly suggestion for me. I do love a good thriller, and this one is a part of Mindy Kaling’s book club, so it’s a good mix of classic thriller and exploration of immigrant identities.
- Life in the City of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Müller
Look at this cover and you’ll know what I picked it up. I purchased this north of the border, on a Canadian trip a few years ago. I have a very high interest in Indigenous stories and perspectives, and while we can access a lot of Native American stories here in the States, it’s much harder to find First Nations, Métis, and Inuit stories. We were in a local bookstore in Guelph, Ontario, and between the two of us, bought out their Indigenous section. Clayton’s memoir tells of his experiences growing up Indigenous in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and though I know it will be hard reading, I also know it will be worth it.
What is on your TBR pile? Comment below or share this post with whatever you’re excited to read next!
