The Best Books To Read Right Now

"Zombie-apocalypse stories are perfect for miserable winter weather regardless, but for those obsessed with The Walking Dead (such as yours truly), this is essential reading. This is the epitome of a page-turner, and makes subway rides just breeze by. And, that ending — woof."
— Chris Beer, video editor

Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead: Rise Of The Governor, $8.46, available at Amazon.

"This book is one of the best I have ever read. It transforms the way you think and the way you love. I have never been so sad to finish a book in my whole life as it brought me to tears." — Katie Lincoln, associate video producer

Jojo Moyes Me Before You: A Novel, $8.80, available at Amazon.

"It's just like the title says: timeless lessons for grace and style." — Isabel Castillo Guijarro, junior designer

Pamela Keogh What Would Audrey Do? Timeless Lessons For Living With Grace & Style, $14.70, available at Barnes & Noble.

"This book probably predates the self-help genre, but it has a very modern, zen quality that I love. It's also the voice of another generation, which I find to be super fresh and original. Finally, my dad recommended it to me, which is a great reason for me to read anything." — Anne Cassard, design project manager

Alan W. Watts The Wisdom Of Insecurity, $8.86, available at Amazon.

"It's not often that I find myself completely sucked into a crime mystery novel. I've never been into any books or TV shows of the sort, but Cartwheel just captured me. Mirroring the events of the notorious Amanda Knox case, this book is a total page-turner that will take you no longer than a weekend to get through. Just don't plan on having any social interaction once you start it — you won't be able to put it down." — Alyssa Coscarelli, contributor network intern

Jennifer duBois Cartwheel, $20.10, available at Barnes & Noble.

"After rereading The Fault In Our Stars for the third time, I decided it was time to read more of John Green's work. So, I reached for Looking for Alaska. Green does such a great job of truly making his readers relive the messiness and obsessiveness of falling in love for the first time. Not only do his characters find themselves in their first serious relationship, but for the first time they fall in love with themselves. Is this story particularly realistic? No. But, the snarky and sarcastic tone of his characters create the perfect backdrop for a story about hope and forgiveness. And, for a little bit, it even made me nostalgic for my own high school days. Don't worry — that quickly passed." — Rebecca Smith, SEO editor

John Green Looking For Alaska, $9.99, available at Barnes & Noble.

"Straight up: This book is sad. It's not a stifle-your-sob-on-the-subway kind of sad, but more of a deep ache that lingers. On the simplest level, The Round House is the story of a teenaged boy trying to solve a mystery and save his family. But, it's so much more than that. It's a history lesson in Native American law. It's a magical journey filled with folklore and tradition. It's about the importance of friendship and love above all else. Sure, the story is familiar, but the way Erdrich weaves the tale feels completely fresh. And, the characters will stay with you long after you read the last tragic page." — Lindsey Stanberry, content editor

Louise Erdrich The Round House, $10.19, available at Amazon.

"I feel like everyone was talking about this book over the holidays, and I was slow to pick it up. But honestly, I hate myself for it, because I would have loved to read this on my days off in December, in one uninterrupted stretch. The characters are so compelling and charming, I never want to leave them — especially not for stupid things like approaching my stop on the subway or going to work. And, even though the titular Bernadette is broken and a little off, I love her as if she were real. Maria Semple does such a beautiful job bringing her to life slowly, and in such a hilarious, fractured way, I feel fiercely protective of her — and that's a grand accomplishment for any storyteller. The fact that she makes me laugh and cry in the process, that's just an added bonus." — Neha Gandhi, executive features editor

Maria Semple Where'd You Go, Bernadette?, $9.33, available at Barnes & Noble.

"Tackle it like a standard novel or pick and choose chapters, Augusten Burrough's collection of true stories is one of the most contagiously funny, laugh-out-loud books I've ever read. The prose is insanely good — you'll feel like a fly on the wall amidst all of the absurdities that unfold. And, if you love Magical Thinking, definitely go ahead and scoop up every book with this author's byline. You won't regret it a single bit. " — Ellen Hoffman, editorial assistant

Augusten Burroughs Magical Thinking: True Stories, $10.98, available at Amazon.

"All I want to do is curl up with my Kindle app and read The Goldfinch. I've got a long way to go and I'm already sad that someday soon I'll finish it. If you've read Donna Tartt's other magnificent book The Secret History (and if you haven't, please do) you know she's one of those rare writers who give you everything you could possibly want in a big badass book: ridiculously gorgeous prose, a perfectly paced, entertaining plotline, and characters who inhabit your brain for life." — Susan Kaplow, executive vice president, editorial development and operations

Donna Tartt The Goldfinch, $7.50, available at Amazon.