Like the rest of us bibliophiles, our Guest Editor Colleen Oakley enjoys nothing more than kicking back with a great book. With picks from all different genres, the books she loves has a little something for everyone. Keep scrolling to find out what Colleen Oakley reads and why she loves these books so much!

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

“One of the best love stories of all time.”

Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of the most beloved love stories of all-time and features a strong black female protagonist – a truly powerful book.


The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

“As a reader, I devoured this book and cried buckets at the end (and still do on rereads). But as a writer, I’m completely in awe of the format – how she was able to jump around in time constantly and still have it all come together and make sense. It’s most impressive.”


East of Eden by John Steinbeck

“I’m not sure I can even put my finger on why I love this book so much, except to say that Steinbeck’s world and character building is so brilliant, that each time I read it, it’s like I’m sucked into this alternate universe and I’m completely consumed by the story – more than any other book I’ve read.”


Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

“There is so much genius in this book, I could write a thesis about it, but it’s the love story between two people who don’t speak the same language that sticks in my mind as the most hauntingly beautiful thing I’ve ever read.”


Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

“I read this on a plane and literally laughed out loud – to the consternation of everyone around me. I am not someone given to outbursts of emotion in front of strangers, which should tell you just how brilliantly funny it is.”

What Colleen Oakley’s reading next:

“I cannot wait for Taylor Jenkins Reid’s new book Malibu Burning, though it doesn’t come out until 2021 (*SOB*). Two big books from this year that I hope to get to over the holidays are There, There by Tommy Orange and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong.”

*Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links. These picks are editorially selected, but if you purchase, She Reads may get something in return. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.