Just recently in San Diego, it’s been raining again and that almost never happens, but when it does, I get excited. Rainy season means over-sized sweaters, boots, coffees/teas, and books, almost always, books for me. There’s just something about that dewy rainy weather that makes it perfect for being in bed all snuggled up, (preferably with a cup of coffee) and reading a good book to set the mood. Especially since we’re all set in a situation where there’s an unfortunate pandemic occurring everywhere in the world, it somehow makes it even more important to reach for a great book to get lost in until the sounds of the rain slowly disappear. So hopefully, I can help out in just the smallest way by recommending 4 books for those stormy days that will without a doubt, transport you in another world, getting you through the day.
A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
-If you’re really looking to cry, a deep guttural cry that makes you just let it all out, yet be consumed by strong feelings, then this book is definitely for you. Bhathena’s contemporary debut novel, set in Saudi Arabia, did not disappoint, with her great ability to write vivid and developed characters along with each of their backstories. You’ll find yourself growing to love the dauntless heroine, Zarin and the world she lives in where she, and along with other characters, suffer from sexism, mental health, attacks on their religion, and toxic masculinity. This is not your feel-good contemporary romance novel, but don’t let that from keeping you to read this spellbinding story, because once you do, you’ll be moved forever.
Content Warning: Child abuse, attempted rape, sexual assault, and animal death
No Exit by Taylor Adams
-For any of you suspense/ psychological thriller lovers out there, this book is a must-read, especially during the chilly rainy days! With a medium-paced speed and twists that leave you breathless, this book is sure to cause chills along your spine. I seriously couldn’t walk to school without constantly looking behind my back, thinking somebody was out there to get me, that’s HOW MUCH this book got and reeled me in. 4 strangers stranded in a blizzard inside of remote highway rest stop, with the main character, Darby Thorne, discovering a kidnapped child is in the backseat of one of the three strangers’ car inside. We, readers, are caught in the pull of questioning who to trust, what Darby should do, and asking why someone would lock a child in the back of a car, inside a cage.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
-When it first rained last week here in San Diego, this was the first book I grabbed to read and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Having read this book two times before, I never read it during a day it was raining, and I’m so glad I did because it added to so much more feelings of happiness and tiny butterfly flutters (of the good kind!) in my stomach. This book is steamy, hot, funny, and refreshing because of the character’s personalities and traits. There are some graphic scenes here so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone below 18, but if you do end up reading it, you’ll probably stay up all night reading it.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
-Sadly, by the end of this book, you’ll probably be heartless, but I promise you won’t regret it because these characters and the page-turning story-line, are like no other. This novel is a retelling of the Queen of Hearts in the classic “Alice in Wonderland” before she became the grouchy queen without a heart. Catherine’s backstory and passions get you hooked starting in the first page of this book. Once I started, I really couldn’t stop. I just wanted more and more of Catherine, the land of Wonderland, and the dashing Jest. There’s romance, angst, and fantasy all thrown together, so nothing can go wrong, and it didn’t (although I wouldn't mind if the ending was different)! Lastly, I loved the transformation of Catherine later becoming the Queen of Hearts, it was just so beautifully done and at the right pace without rushing anything. If there’s any book on this list you should dive head into first, it should be this one.
Now that I’ve disclosed on some of the best heart-shattering and entertaining rainy day reads, I hope you’ve come out of this blog discovering a new book to add next, on your to be read shelves.