Welcome to our Ten Book Challenge where our favorite authors share some of their most beloved and memorable reads—from the books with their favorite covers and best opening lines, to the reads they gift and the bookstores they frequent. This is a peek into your favorite authors’ perfect bowl of literary comfort food. We hope you discover something delicious!

This summer New York Times best-selling author Kristan Higgins delivers a heartbreaking love story with a happy ending—just not the one you expect. Reminiscent of Me Before You and P.S. I Love You, Pack Up the Moon is the story of young widower Joshua Park, whose late wife, Lauren, left him twelve letters with directions on moving forward in the first year after her death. In true Kristan Higgins fashion, the result is a laughter-through-tears page turner that will satisfy longtime fans and new readers alike. 

Lauren’s letters lead Josh on a journey through pain and anger to fragile, cautious hope. The tasks he’s assigned range from the deceptively simple, like grocery shopping or hosting a dinner party for family and friends, to the unthinkable—getting rid of their bed and kissing a woman who isn’t Lauren. On Josh’s clumsy and occasionally humorous path to healing, sorrow slowly makes room for laughter and new relationships. Higgins’s heart tugging and ultimately hopeful story affirms love has the power to transform a life and transcend death.

Want more Kristan Higgins? Check out our interview about her new release Pack Up the Moon!

The Book . . .

I last bought/am currently reading: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I recommend to everyone: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

That was my favorite to read last year, and why: Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev. It was a lot about food, a difficult, complicated mother-daughter relationship, and first love. Sonali’s writing is so poetic and emotional, and her stories have such depth of soul. Plus, the food. It’s food porn, basically, and I thank her for that.

Whose author I would love to have lunch with: Stephen King, so we could play “who can scare the other more.” He owes me that chance, I think. God knows he’s stolen enough sleep from me over the years.

That made me realize language had power: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

I’d like to see adapted to the screen: Well, shoot, one of my books, I guess! Or  The Nightingale, as mentioned above. (I imagine that’s already in the works.)

That made me laugh out loud—or cry—while reading it: Intercepted by Alexa Martin. Or anything by Alexa Martin.

That has the most gorgeous cover: The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff. It’s so striking and powerful, and I love the colors.

With the best opening line: “All children, except one, grow up.” Peter Pan, but you knew that already.

Bookstore that I frequent/is my favorite: RJ Julia, Madison, CT.

Bonus: What is the most powerful thing a reader has ever said to you?: “Thank you for your books. They are saving my life.” (That one just came in this morning, and holy guacamole, it went straight through my heart.)