My Top 10+ Books Over 10+ Years... plus AI Commentary

What began in 2013 as a group of friends sharing book suggestions on Facebook and tallying up their favorite reads at the end of the year evolved into a dedicated Facebook Page with over 130 readers. Over the years, we’ve compiled an impressive list of 1,400 titles, ranked annually by participants’ Top 10 lists.

In the last 12 years, readers have seen incredible transformations in the reading landscape. From the rise of e-readers and audiobooks to their widespread availability in library systems, the explosion of book influencers on social media, and now the integration of AI tools to provide book reviews, summaries, and recommendations, finding the next book to love has never been easier.

Using these innovations, I created a list of my all-time favorite books and added commentary from AI to help you discover new stories to explore.

Here’s my personal list of #1-ranked books since 2013, arranged in alphabetical order. (As any passionate reader knows, "book math" often includes ties or extras because picking just one favorite can feel impossible—though it might change day by day!)

Top Favorites

• 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak

• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

• American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

• Beartown by Fredrik Backman

• Educated by Tara Westover

• It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

• Stolen Beauty by Laurie Lico Albanese

• The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

• The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

• The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

• The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

• The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

• The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

• The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

• The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

• The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

• The Nix by Nathan Hill

• The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

• The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

• The Women by Kristin Hannah

• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

• Who She Left Behind by Victoria Atamian Waterman
  

  
  
  
  

AI Commentary on My Reading Preferences

AI has noticed some clear patterns in the stories I gravitate toward:

• Historical Fiction: Stories set against dramatic historical backdrops (The Alice Network, The Nightingale, Stolen Beauty).

• Emotional Depth: Books that explore profound human emotions, love, and loss (A Little Life, The Fault in Our Stars, The Light Between Oceans).

• Contemporary Fiction: Thought-provoking reads about modern struggles and relationships (American Dirt, It Ends with Us).

• Multicultural Perspectives: Narratives that highlight diverse cultures and voices (The Island of Missing Trees, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World).

• Women’s Stories: Tales featuring resilient and complex women (The Invention of Wings, The Women, The Book of Longings).

Many of my choices are driven by character depth, emotional complexity, and the interplay of light and hope amid challenges (Remarkably Bright Creatures, The House in the Cerulean Sea). My love for culturally and emotionally rich storytelling reflects a thoughtful reading style that values resilience and humanity.

This journey through my favorite reads has been a reflection of my growth as a reader and the evolving landscape of literature itself. As a writer of my debut novel, Who She Left Behind, a historical fiction novel based on my family’s survival of the Armenian Genocide and rebuilding their lives in the United States, I focused much of my most recent years of reading the works of talented Armenian authors who inspired me with their writing and research. 

Armenian Genocide -Themed Books and Key Themes, summarized by AI

1. Historical Accounts and Fiction:

   • As the Poppies Bloomed by Maral Boyadjian: A poignant love story set against the harrowing backdrop of the Armenian Genocide.

   • The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian: A sweeping historical fiction novel that unearths the horrors of the Armenian Genocide and its ongoing legacy.

   • The Hundred-Year Walk by Dawn Anahid MacKeen: A compelling memoir that intertwines a descendant’s journey with her grandfather's firsthand experiences during the Armenian Genocide.

   • Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian: A richly layered narrative that uncovers the hidden truths of the Armenian Genocide through a family mystery.

   • The Resistance Network by Khatchig Mouradian: A groundbreaking exploration of Armenian humanitarian and resistance efforts during the genocide, highlighting acts of defiance and solidarity amid immense tragedy.
     

2. Young Adult Perspectives:

   • Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath: A lyrical, heart-wrenching story of three siblings fleeing the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide.

Cultural Identity and Diaspora Themes

1. Exploration of Armenian Heritage:

   • Forbidden Homeland by Katia T. Karageuzian: A story reflecting the longing for an Armenian homeland and the preservation of cultural identity.

   • The Seamstress of Ourfa by Victoria Harwood Butler-Sloss: A multigenerational family saga that captures the resilience of Armenians as they navigate survival and life in the diaspora.
     

2. Generational Trauma and Resilience:

   • The Hundred-Year Walk and Orhan’s Inheritance not only depict genocide but also delve into the emotional aftermath and how families carry these stories across generations.
     

Stay tuned for next month's blog that will feature the remainder of the 100+ Honorable Mentions that ranked #3 - #10 on my annual Top 10 since 2013....

Whether you’re drawn to historical epics, heartfelt journeys, or uplifting tales, I hope this list inspires you to discover new favorites. Here’s to the next decade of remarkable stories!