Hi I’m Christa, and it’s no secret I love books.

Cookbooks, book club fiction, nonfiction, memoir, contemporary fiction, romantic fiction with all the tropes, thrillers with unreliable narrators, I don’t discriminate.

And that’s precisely why you’ll find a motley crew of literary gems. These probably won’t be the books that grace the New York Times’ year-end list. Rather, these are titles that meant something to me (and I hope you will love too).

In no particular order (because it was difficult enough narrowing it down to ten), here are the books I loved most.

Heart the Lover by Lily King: Two words: ugly cry. Two more: totally enchanting. I love a story that celebrates English nerds, complex relationships, and how difficult choices shape our lives for better and worse.

I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally: Whenever I’m in NYC, at least one of Keith’s restaurants is  on the itinerary. Pastis, Balthazar, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi are all favorites of mine. While it’s no huge surprise that it’s difficult to launch successful restaurants like McNally has again and again, his life’s journey is utterly fascinating. This memoir isn’t easy reading. It’s raw. And it lives up to the title because it feels like an honest account of a complicated person. So many memoirs feel curated and sanitized with all the rough edges buffed to glossy perfection. This isn’t that type of book. I couldn’t put it down.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans: I was a bit late to the party, but I absolutely adored this book. I always joke that I’m single-handedly trying to keep the stationary and greeting card business going because I love writing letters so much. This book is a novel filled with letters, some extraordinary, some mundane, and all incredibly charming because of our charming yet flawed protagonist.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley: The less I say about the plot, the better for your reading purposes. Let’s just say Jane and Dan’s date night at a fancypants restaurant goes a bit differently than expected.

Ready for Dessert by David Lebovitz: I know, I know, it’s a cookbook. But since I read cookbooks like novels, it was only fitting to share one that’s a pleasure to read and cook from. If you’ve never made a David Lebovitz recipe, you’re missing out because I’ve never had anything that wasn’t off-the-chart delicious. But even if you don’t feel like donning an apron and whipping up a Clafoutis, you’ll enjoy reading about his dinner parties and restaurant experiences in Paris all the same.

Loved One by Aisha Muharrar: It’ll break your heart and make you laugh on the same page. Plus, there one’s incredible intercontinental adventure. I’m not saying any more, just read it okay?

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Confession: I’ve never been that wild about stories involving space or space travel. Star-gazing? Sure. But the whole astronaut as a career thing? Nope. But here’s the thing about Taylor Jenkins Reid…I’m convinced she can make any subject interesting. And she does with aplomb on Atmosphere.

The Satisfaction Cafe by Kathy Wang: I love when a story is nothing like you expected (in the best possible way). I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Joan Liang and watching her navigate her new life in the United States. Without giving anything away, I think her crowning achievement is absolutely brilliant. 

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess: I love a “trip” to the English countryside and this is quite a memorable one. It’s funny, bittersweet, and takes you by surprise. To say anything more would be a crime (pun fully intended).

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez: I don’t know how Abby does it, but it’s kind of annoying how charming her stories are year after year. And I mean that as a total compliment. Once again, we’re in the Twin Cities (which I love since it’s where I went to college) and two people meet who should definitely be together but can’t for a rather substantial reason. It’s wonderful and frustrating and a real joy to read.