Or any life crisis, frankly. At twenty five, I’m at the quintessential age for my Quarter Life Crisis. I don’t think I’ve had one too bad, but maybe it’s more of a slow burn. Maybe it’s a wave that when I blink and turn twenty six I’ll be struck by how drastically my life has changed.
The books I have below are romances and literary fictions. They have a life change as the main point or as the driving force. Sometimes it’s because of a break up and other times it’s due to grief. No matter what life crisis you’re in, I bet at least one of these speaks to you.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
A late twenties college friend reunion that displays the various different areas of life you and your friends can be in. A second chance romance with the driving force of completely pivoting your life.
Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein
A beautiful story of sisters, what you do for each other, and soccer.
Finders Keepers by Sarah Hogle
A romcom romance with underlying threads of raging anxiety, dysfunctional family impacts, and the paradoxical concept of failing at life.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Her memoir is the classic for quarter life crises, but I needed to give this one a shoutout. Written from the point of view of a failing comedic thirty something man, it’s perhaps one of the hardest POVs I’ve had to relate to, but boy did I.
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
A classic for this niche recommendation list. A struggling writer and the chaotic life of creating something you love desperately.
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
I don’t love Rooney’s work, but this one really did leave an impact. Four friends exploring how life changes drastically in your twenties.
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Very different sisters as they navigate life after the death of their sister.
Girl in Pink by Samuel John Peploe (1906)
Upcoming Releases
All links are affiliates through bookshop.org to help support indie bookstores.
Daggerbound by T.Kingfisher (Fantasy): Aug 25, 2026
Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier (Thriller): Aug 25, 2026
The Sound of Regret by Trey Gowdy, Christopher Greyson (Mystery): Aug 25, 2026
Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty (Fiction, Mystery): Aug 25, 2026
They Say A Girl Died Here by Sarah Pinborough (Mystery): Aug 25, 2026
The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen (Thriller): Aug 25, 2026
New Bestsellers
Books I’ve compiled from a variety of bestseller lists. I add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.
The Secrets We Hide by Karin Slaughter (Thriller)
The True Meaning of Love by Danielle Steel (Romance)
The Butcher Legacy by Amanda Urquhart (Thriller)
Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore by Brittanée Nicole (Romance)
Recommendation
If you have a book recommendation to share, send me a DM or email me at thesundayreads@gmail.com! I would love to share it here.
Ramen, Existential Crises by Roie Oknin
A literary novel set in Tokyo, following Koji, a 27 year old working in a ramen shop where the menu never changes and the noodles cook for exactly 85 seconds, even as the rest of his life proves much harder to control. Dry and slightly absurdist, the novel explores routine, work, indecision, and the surprising amount of meaning we attach to life’s smallest things.
That’s all for today. Much love
Izzy
I devoured Good Material in a day, it was SO good and such a unique POV!
I'd also recommend Happy Place on audiobook, it somehow makes it even more gut wrenching.