Best Book Recommendations from Shelf/e's Unique Readers
- thebookshelfe
- Dec 24, 2024
- 5 min read
Over the past month I (Michelle, book recommender extraordinaire) have been working hard at learning design and upgrading Shelf/e's website and offerings, just for you--and if I'm honest, for me, because it's fun.
I discovered that I really enjoy diving deep and figuring out how to do new things, like learning Figma, InDesign, how to do an email campaign, run affiliate links, and how to (yep, you guessed it) create a blog!
But let's not kid ourselves, you didn't come here to hear all that. You're here because you love books and are probably looking for some of the best book recommendations*!
*It's noteworthy that each person's "best book recommendation" is going to look different. Just jumping around on Google and looking for a book is hit or miss when we are all different people with different interests, reading habits, and reading styles.
This knowledge that every reader is unique and a broad search isn't going to find you the best book for YOU, as well as my love for books, and over eight years working in public libraries, all led me to my little book recommendation business. Just in case you don't know what Shelf/e does, here's a quick run down:
1. Choose a plan:
"An Exhaustive Shelf"- includes a personalized write-up with 3 carefully selected books and your choice of 1 eBook from that list: $30
OR
"Recommendations Only" - includes a personalized write-up with 3 carefully selected books and the freedom to procure them from your local library or bookstore: $20
2. Sign up for monthly or quarterly
3. Fill out our "reader's assessment"
4. Within two weeks of filling out our reader's assessment (it usually takes much less time), receive your personalized write-up and recommendations
5. If you have "An Exhaustive Shelf," let us know what book you choose and we will deliver the eBook directly to your email to download and own.
6. Read and ENJOY!
Right now, if you use coupon code HOLIDAYSHELF at checkout, you can get $10 off any Shelf/e plan or gift!
I am so grateful to have a number of loyal Shelf/e subscribers who have been reading my recommendations for years now. I thought I'd compile some of the data from them and share with you some of the favorites (and not so favorites). Out of over 400 recommended reads, here are some of the stand-outs:
FAVORITES UNVEILED:
Note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
This book sent one Shelf/e subscriber down a rabbit hole of all things TJ Klune!
Personally, this book made me laugh and tear up, it was so sweet and silly and heartfelt.
A little about it: Linus leads a quiet life with his devious cat and his job as a case worker with the Department in Charge of Magical Youth--where he makes sure government-sanctioned orphanages care for magical children properly. He is given a classified assignment on a mysterious Island where six dangerous children live: a gnome, sprite, wyvern, green blob, were-pomeranian, and the antichrist. He must figure out if they are safe, and if the island and the people around it are safe. What ensues is a lot of laugh-out-loud, ridiculous, and heart-warming moments.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Shelf/e subscriber: "fun & fast-paced, couldn't put it down!"
I listened to this one in audiobook and it was fast-paced and different then I expected! I went in expecting a "typical" domestic psychological suspense, but what I got was a fast-paced thriller. So, if you lean more to the thrilling side of suspense, go for this one!
A little about it: nope, not telling you because I don't want to spoil anything ;).
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
One Shelf/e subscriber said it was like crack.
I would have to agree, I could not put it down-the dragons were so cool.
A little about it: This encompassing high fantasy takes place at a war college for dragon riders. Violet is forced to join the candidates striving to become dragon riders by her fierce, general mother, but she's smaller than everyone and her body is brittle. This proves extremely dangerous because dragons won't bond with "weak" humans; instead they incinerate them. The only way to make it through is to use her wits so she can graduate, instead of die.
Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah
"I ran off with the Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop series"
A little about it: Lindsey Bakeswell catches her fiancé in the arms of another, launching her to up and leave the big city, purchase a lighthouse, and open a bakeshop in a small town in coastal Michigan. Of course her ex-fiancé ends up making an appearance with his new girlfriend, who ends up dead, and Lindsey is the prime suspect.
A COUPLE NOT-SO-FAVORITES
What Shelf/e subscribers don't like is just as important as what they do! Also of note, reasons that one person dislikes something, may be the exact reason another reader will like it! So don't discount these reads!
My Grandmother Asked me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Subscriber just couldn't get into it.
Personally, this is my favorite Backman book. He makes you laugh, he makes you cry, it's the perfect balance.
A little about it: Elsa is a little bit different than the rest of the children around her. The one person she fits perfectly with is her grandmother, who is extremely boisterous and not afraid to be completely and totally herself. When Elsa’s grandmother unexpectedly dies, she leaves behind a bereft and angry Elsa. Her grandmother also leaves behind a mission for Elsa. She must take apology letters from her grandmother to those that she has wronged. Elsa must learn how to communicate with other adults and build meaningful relationships now that her grandmother is gone. She also must work through her grief and begin to heal from the loss of her best friend.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
"trying to full[ly] understand the world map, the terms, the social dynamics and roles is just a lot of work"
A little about it: In an opulent mansion, an officer lies dead; the apparent cause of death is a tree spontaneously erupting from his body. Ana Dolabra is summoned to investigate with her new assistant Dinios Kol, who has been magically altered to have a perfect memory. Ana and Din uncover a scheme that threatens to topple the safety of the Empire, and Din’s secrets are in danger of being discovered by Ana’s sharp mind.
THE WILDCARD
My Lady Jane by Jodi Meadows, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton
Both a favorite and disliked. You might just have to check it out yourself. ;)
It's falls on the side of favorite for me, it made me laugh so much and was such a fun adventure, and as a bonus, there's now a show (though it is quite different from the book)
A little about it: This is the story of 16-year-old Lady Jane Grey retold with humor, magic, romance, and a welcome lack of beheadings. Told from three different perspectives, each character is hilarious and their antics are laugh-out-loud funny.
Now that you've learned a little bit about what Shelf/e subscribers are reading, why don't you take the plunge and get a bookish subscription (or gift one!) From now until the beginning of January, use coupon code HOLIDAYSHELF at checkout to get $10 off any plan! That's 50% off the recommendation only plans, and basically a free book on the exhaustive shelf plans!
If you are interested in email updates that are all things bookish, feel free to join our mailing list by subscribing on any page of the website!
And with that, I hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season and that there are a few books under the tree. <3
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