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!

Author Sara Desai just might be the queen of rom-com fake romance plots; at least, the ones that make us laugh out loud to the fullest. Her books have been hailed by Oprah, Marie Claire, and Booklist as most anticipated romances of the year, and her newest title, The Singles Table—called by Bookbub as “the best romances to read this fall”—is no exception.

The Singles Table is the true opposites attract story: Zara Patel, Hollywood-loving lawyer with a recently broken heart, vows to put her energy into her career and helping her friends find romance during wedding season. Anything but finding romance for herself. That is, until she meets the sexy, former military security specialist Jay Donavan at said single’s table. Luckily, he’s of the same mind: no time for love, stay focused on work. But when kismet brings them together for the duration of wedding season, they have to strike a deal or else they’ll drive each other crazy: she’ll help him find his “special someone” if he introduces her to his celebrity clients. But while looking for their perfect matches, they might just be overlooking the one right in front of them.

The Book ……

I last bought/am currently reading: Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes by Alexa Martin – so funny and so relatable

I recommend to everyone: Nalini Singh’s Archangel Series – the ultimate alphas. The first of the series is Angel’s Blood.

That was my favorite to read last year, and why: India Holton’s, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels – it was a fun, fresh utterly delightful historical romance that had everything I could want in a story!

Whose author I would love to have lunch with: Nora Roberts – so many questions! How does she come up with such amazing stories and characters? How does she stay focused? Does she get writer’s block? How can she have a character say so much with just the smallest lift of a brow or the stroke of her pen?

That made me realize language had power: Leonard Cohen’s Stranger Music. His poetry is so haunting and powerful, every word heavy with meaning.

I’d like to see adapted to the screen: Kristen Ashley’s Motorcycle Man – love those bikers.

That made me laugh out loud—or cry—while reading it: Lover Awakened by J. R. Ward had me sobbing. Zsadist is the ultimate tortured hero.

That has the most gorgeous cover: Am I allowed to choose one of my own books? When I saw the cover for The Dating Plan, I gasped out loud. The purple, the flowers, the Golden Gate bridge, Liam on one knee–I thought it was absolute perfection!

With the best opening line: “This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it.” William Goldman’s, The Princess Bride.

Bookstore that I frequent/is my favorite: Indie bookstore, Munro’s Books in Victoria, BC–located in a beautiful historic building with an incredible stained glass windows and beautiful artwork, it is a booklover’s dream.

Bonus: Paper or Digital? I still prefer paperback books although digital is so much more convenient. There is nothing like holding a new book in your hands, absorbing the artwork, reading the cover copy, smelling the print, turning those first few pages . . . It is a full sensory experience!

Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Sara Desai about incorporating cross-cultural differences into her writing, her favorite characters, and her love for rom-coms.