25 + Fabulous and Fun Books for You to Read Over the Weekend
How to get Free Reads with a list of 25+ FUN BOOKS in 7 Different Genres.
Self-care is a popular topic lately. Instead of trying to fit in a massage, mani-pedi or “time away” to manage your stress, pick up a fun, and entirely pointless book.
I have been an avid reader since I was small. For many years, I have used reading as an avoidance or escape technique. If I don’t like the world, or what is happening I read. Because I read so much, I have found some amazing books that I want to share with you.
The entire point of this list is for you to be able to carve out some “me time” and enjoy a little time “away.” This “frivolous” classification of book is often referred to as: beach reads, fluff reads, fun reads, entertaining reads and weekend reads.
At some point, I hope to be an affiliate through Amazon. I am not yet. So, if you read this after I get my act together, Amazon may be giving me a “thank you” for letting you know how amazing these books are!
Used bookstores
I love supporting local mom and pop shops. Most of your local used book stores, not the big chains that also have used books, are owned by someone in your city or town. One of the biggest plusses of used bookstores is that the owner/manager can learn your “loves” or favorite authors and call you if something comes in. If you like to “hold” your book, like I do, you can also trade in your current reads for different books. This makes you a “green” person even if you are reading an actual paperback.
The downside to used bookstores is they only have what has been brought in. This means that if you are really enchanted with a series, you may only get a few out of the series. Typically, it is easier to get recent releases than older books at used book stores.
Second hand stores
Much like used book stores, second hand stores usually have a wide variety of used books at inexpensive prices to choose from. You can also return it to the second hand store when you are finished to “complete the cycle” of book usage. Second hand stores have the same downsides as used bookstores plus one more: they are usually very disorganized, so plan on spending a lot of time browsing.
Audio books
I love audio books. This is the form of “reading” I do most often these days. I have found that doing my exercises and chores is much more entertaining if someone is telling me a great story. The entire quality of the book and “joy” factor ends up revolving around how good the narrator is.
I am always shocked when I hear that people are paying for their audio books. I looked up subscriptions to various audio book sites and found:
- Kindle Unlimited: $119.98 a year or $9.99 a month
- Audiobooks.com: $14.99 a month
- Audible Premium Plus: $14.95 a month (they also have a $7.95 a month plan, but your choices are very limited)
- AudioBookStore.com: $7.95 a month for “flex pass” which allows you to have “member pricing” on each audio book
I listen to approximately 5 books a month. I do not pay a dime!
How to get Audio Books for FREE!
Do you have a public library card? If not, go get one! The libraries are connected with Libby Overdrive. This allows you to put audio books on hold or borrow from your local library. You can do it all from your living room and it is entirely free. The only downside I have found to Libby is if you live in a small town and your local library is not connected with a larger one. We live two hours from Phoenix, where they have an enormous selection of audio books available. The libraries in the greater Phoenix area allow a person to pay a small fee to be “out of district” but a member of their system. This has been worth it for me and is much less than any of the paid audio options.
Kindle or E-books
I would be remiss if I did not mention Kindle or E-Books. There is a lot of research on the effects of viewing a screen before you go to bed. I have never enjoyed the feel or look of reading off of an electronic device: I am on a computer enough during the day. However, for those of you who love it, see the Audio Book section. There are plans were you can pay a lot of money for E-Books or get them for free from Libby at your local library.
MY LIST OF 25+ FABULOUS AND FUN BOOKS
I read…a lot. I like a variety of genres. I am recommending 7(ish) genres. I have “clumped” all of the Young Adult books into one genre, even though their subject matter differs. Why do I like Young Adult novels? I like good writing. Often, the YA books have better writing, characterization and plot simply because they are not throwing in sex. I find a lot of adult novels have graphic violence or explicit sex scenes that seem to be thrown in, in place of great writing.
These genres are not necessarily “official” classifications for books, they are ones that I made up that fit for my type of reading:
- Mystery/Thriller/Crime
- Fantasy/Adventure
- Historical Fiction
- Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/
- Paranormal Romance/Comedy/Romantic Suspense
- Fantasy
- Suspense/Horror
- Young Adult
I have listed 26 books and even now I am thinking of more! All of them, except maybe 3, are of no value other than to entertain. I have another blog coming out on how to form a book club and book club books I recommend. This list is for the fun of escaping and reading. I have heard this type of book referred to as: beach reads, fun reads, entertaining reads, fluff reads and weekend reads.
For the sake of ease, you simply need to click on the download or title to get to the list: no email required!
In my opinion, one of the easiest, cheapest and funnest ways to have a “self care” moment is to read a fun, frivolous book. I see posts on Facebook all of the time for recommended reads. Here is my list of over 25 fabulous and fun books to pick up for a weekend. I love books that are part of a series. This way I can delve into an entire world with “people” I know and situations I already find amusing. This list actually refers you to over 240 books! Find a series in the genre you love with characters you want to follow, then relax and enjoy some quality “me time.”
“Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities.
Forget about your worries and your strife.”
– Baloo, Jungle Book