While I always feel like I’m reading something and even have a monthly reading goal each month I still go through phases. There are times I just want books that are distracting from the craziness of the world. If you are like me and want some books to read when you need a mental escape-this list is for you!
Books To Read When You Need A Mental Escape
The Idea Of You: Honestly one of my favorite books EVER. The premise may sound a bit crazy; a hot divorcee meets a 20-year-old boy band member and they start an affair. Their affair takes them all over the world and turns into a beautiful romance. I can’t suggest it enough. Perfect escape.
Anything Colleen Hoover: I am a huge Colleen Hoover fan. I would say some of her books aren’t really my favorites but lots of them are amazing. Ugly Love, All Your Perfects, and November 9 are the 3 I always recommend. But recently I read Reminders Of Him and Regretting You and LOVED them both!
Anything Taylor Jenkins Reid: OK so hear me out. I don’t think her two newest are her best. I personally LOVE her first 4 books and the writing style of them and Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo just were not my favorites. I read her first two books on our honeymoon: After I Do and Forever Interrupted and just loved them. Her next two: Maybe In Another Life and One True Loves were also excellent.
The One That Got Away: I randomly stumbled across this Bethany Chase book a few years ago and fell in love with the story. I found Sarina so relatable and just loved all the characters.
In Five Years: My most recent read on this list. The premise got me… waking up one day, five years in the future with a different ring on your finger, in a different apartment, with a different man? It was a book I could not put down and I really enjoyed it and the major twist got me.
One Day In December: This book is another perfect quarantined read! You can escape into this wonderful Josie Silver book about fate, love, and life.
Anything Christina Lauren: The first Christina Lauren (two people by the way) book I read was My Favorite Half Night Stand. I then plowed through every other book and each of them I have loved. Other favorites are The Unhoneymooners (probably the best one) and Love and Other Words.
Normal People: Let me just say the show is better and even though this is about books to read when you need a mental escape the show is an even better mental escape. Connell and Marianne’s love story goes throughout high school and college as their lives continually intertwine. It is a heartbreaking story and the show is INCREDIBLE!
I won’t lie I have re-read most of these books. Some multiple times. It’s like escaping into a fun world and right now I think we could all use that! Feel free to shop for these books and a few other favorites below!
What is your favorite book when you need a mental escape?
This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for 2022
I’ve been reading a lot more lately, I’m usually int o any book that helps with personal growth. I’m currently reading The Gift of Fear and I can’t put it down! Sadly, I can only read about one chapter per night with all of my homeschooling, work and other duties to tend to, but it does provide me a nice escape.
So many interesting book titles. I want to read “In Five Years” and “One Day In December” would be my top two picks from your list. I will check if I can get an eBook copy.
Well, you certainly mentioned a few of my favorites on this list. I know you know I’m already a huge TJR fan – and I absolutely love anything by Rebecca Serle and Josie Silver! Christina Lauren can be hit or miss, but there are some I really enjoyed by them a lot! Great list!
Great recommendations! I agree with you about TJR but I respectfully disagree about Christina Lauren books. I’ve found them to be hit-or-miss. For example, I loved The Unhoneymooners but I hated Twice in a Blue Moon.
I just added a few books by TJR to my tbr because of you! I’ve always been wanting to give her a try, but seeing your recommendation got me to finally give it a try!
Books To Read When You Need A Mental Escape
The Idea of You sounds like a fun read – a different kind of plot too! ❤️✨
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These are some great recommendations! I love In Five Years and also enjoyed The One That Got Away. Will definitely check out the rest!
I’ve been reading a lot more lately, I’m usually int o any book that helps with personal growth. I’m currently reading The Gift of Fear and I can’t put it down! Sadly, I can only read about one chapter per night with all of my homeschooling, work and other duties to tend to, but it does provide me a nice escape.
I have In Five Years on my hold list at the library, still a few weeks until it comes in. I love reading and it’s such a great escape!
You will LOVE it!
I looooved One Day in December. In Five Years is on my TBR shortlist.
Its SO SO SO GOOD
Thank you for this list! I have been reading a lot this quarantine and will definitely add some of these to my Scribd list 🙂
Definitely going to check out some of these books 📚 thank you for this list!
These are all such amazing books! I’m sure my son would love them!
Informative and Helpful content. What else a reader want?
I think everyone needs mental escape and these books will really helpful.
I needed this for sure. I’m going to try the in five years book like the sound of the twist x
So many interesting book titles. I want to read “In Five Years” and “One Day In December” would be my top two picks from your list. I will check if I can get an eBook copy.
Interesting recommendation! Reading books is really a good possibility to escape into a fun (better) world.
Love Colleen Hoover and Taylor Jenkins Reid! Have you read any by Karma Brown? She’s outstanding too.
Well, you certainly mentioned a few of my favorites on this list. I know you know I’m already a huge TJR fan – and I absolutely love anything by Rebecca Serle and Josie Silver! Christina Lauren can be hit or miss, but there are some I really enjoyed by them a lot! Great list!
Great recommendations! I agree with you about TJR but I respectfully disagree about Christina Lauren books. I’ve found them to be hit-or-miss. For example, I loved The Unhoneymooners but I hated Twice in a Blue Moon.
I just added a few books by TJR to my tbr because of you! I’ve always been wanting to give her a try, but seeing your recommendation got me to finally give it a try!