There’s something about the start of a new month that makes me want to share all the stories I’ve fallen into lately. If you’re new here—hi! I’m Flor, a NYC-based content creator, and every month I post a new video recommending five books I’ve recently read. These aren’t just any books—these are ones I genuinely think you’ll either love, cry over, gasp at, or… maybe find a little overrated (I said what I said).
Whether you’re a fellow bookworm, someone who reads one book a year and wants to make it count, or just here for a little inspiration while scrolling—welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
Before we jump into the full blog post, here’s the video in case you prefer to watch rather than read (or want both!):
📺 Watch the video here:
And now, let’s talk about the five books I read this past month…
1. Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
This was the first book I read this year and—wow. It was the kind of thriller that left me genuinely shocked, which doesn’t happen often anymore. I read a lot of mysteries, and I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting twists. But this one? It got me.
The story centers around multiple disappearances—first, a woman named Shelby, then another woman and her daughter. Eleven years later, that little girl reappears, and everything we think we know starts to unravel.
It’s dark. Like, really dark. But if you’re into mysteries with layered reveals and don’t mind being emotionally gutted by humanity, this one’s for you. I devoured it.
2. The 100 Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
Full disclosure: I cried. A lot.
This is one of those stories that hits you right in the heart. It follows Lenni (17) and Margot (83), both terminal patients in a hospital. Together, they decide to create 100 paintings—one for every year of their lives. And as they share the memories behind those years, you fall in love with both of them.
It reminded me of The Fault in Our Stars in the sense that you know from the start what’s coming… but you still read with hope in your chest and tears in your eyes. It’s tender and sad and joyful all at once. Highly recommend—but maybe have tissues nearby.
3. Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
If you told me a year ago that I’d enjoy a book set during the pandemic, I would’ve raised a skeptical eyebrow. But here we are.
This story follows Diana, a super Type-A woman with a detailed life plan, who ends up stuck in the Galápagos Islands as COVID shuts everything down. She was supposed to go on the trip with her boyfriend—a doctor in NYC—but he ends up staying behind to help in the hospital.
Alone, disconnected, and completely thrown off her plan, Diana has to reevaluate everything: her relationship, her job, and what she really wants from life. It’s beautifully written, deeply reflective, and (without spoiling anything) there’s a twist that completely caught me off guard.
It’s one of those books that makes you think about what really matters—and how easily your life can pivot in the most unexpected ways.
4. The Maid by Nita Prose
Okay, so here’s where things get a little mixed.
I was super excited about this one. It had a great premise—a quirky maid named Molly who discovers a dead body in the hotel she works at—and it reminded me a bit of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. But… I just couldn’t fully connect with the main character.
I wanted to love it. And I still think it’s a solid book with an interesting concept. But it felt really slow in parts, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. That said, I know a lot of readers loved it, so this might be a “it’s not you, it’s me” situation. If you enjoy character-driven stories about people who see the world a little differently, give it a shot.
5. The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark
This was another ARC (advanced reader copy), and it totally delivered.
The story alternates between two women—Meg, a con artist who reinvents herself constantly, and Kat, a journalist determined to expose her. It’s twisty, layered, and totally addictive. It made me think about identity, power, and what it really means to “get even.”
I’m usually not into stories about scammers (they stress me out lol), but this one was written in such a smart way. You’ll probably question who you’re rooting for at least a few times, which is always a good sign.
In Summary:
Each month, I discover books that make me feel something—whether it’s tension, awe, heartbreak, or even a bit of disappointment. But that’s the beauty of reading, right? Every story gives you something, even if it’s just a reminder of the kind of books you don’t want to read next time.
If any of these sound like something you’d love (or love to rant about), I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment here or on the video. And if you have book recommendations for me, drop them too—I’m always adding to my never-ending TBR.
Thanks for being here, for reading, for watching, and for being part of this cozy little bookish corner of the internet.
Until next time,
💛 Flor
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