One of our favorite things about being part of the OUABC team (besides being surrounded by a bookish wonderland and creating immersive literary experiences) is talking about what we’re currently reading. Our office chats are equal parts “Have you gotten to that part yet?!” and “Okay, but don’t you think…” and our group texts? Pure chaos in the best way.

From historical fiction to romantasy, memoirs to monster adventures, our current reading list is a little bit of everything. So if you’re looking to add something new to your TBR, here’s what we’re loving right now.

 

Logan: The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly 

“I'm loving the multiple perspectives and timelines. It takes place in both 2016 and 1942, and so far, with the interview aspect in 2016, it's giving slight Evelyn Hugo vibes where you have to travel back in time to figure out how it's all connected.”

Part of our fabulous Summer Reading Book Box, this spectacular novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls tells the story of two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II.

In 2016, Mari Starwood travels to the island while grieving her mother’s death, seeking out the famously reclusive painter Elizabeth Devereaux. Under the guise of taking a painting class, Mari begins hearing the story of the Smith sisters who once lived there, and soon discovers her connection to the island runs deeper than she imagined.

In 1942, sisters Cadence and Briar Smith struggle to keep their family farm afloat as the U.S. Army arrives and war looms off the coast. When German U-boats are spotted, and romance complicates loyalties, Cadence starts a book club that grows in influence, even connecting with a New York publisher. But whispers of spies and a mysterious man who washes ashore threaten everything.

 

Sydney: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

“I'm listening to this book, and the audiobook narrator is so fun, she has voices for each of the characters and constantly makes me laugh! This is a prequel to Alice in Wonderland, and I'm loving seeing the backstory of the famous Queen of Hearts. I love all the characters, and I'm completely invested in the story and the magical setting.”

Long before she became the terror of Wonderland, Catherine was simply a girl who wanted to fall in love and open a bakery with her best friend.

Though she is one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and favored by the King of Hearts, Cath dreams of a different future. When she meets Jest, the mysterious court joker, she experiences true attraction for the first time. Risking the king’s wrath and her parents’ expectations, Cath enters a secret courtship determined to define her own destiny.

But in a land of magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans. This prequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland brings heart, humor, and a magical setting that’s impossible not to get swept up in.

 

Teri: On Top of Glass by Karina Manta

“I'm deep in obsessive Olympics mode right now, so I had to pick up this memoir by a Team USA-turned-Cirque du Soleil figure skater. She talks about her experiences in figure skating (both the good and the bad), mental health and body image struggles, and navigating her queer identity.”

This insightful memoir follows Karina Manta, a fan-favorite figure skater who later became the first female figure skater on Team USA to come out as queer.

Karina shares her journey through competitive skating, her struggles with body image in a sport that prizes delicate femininity, and her experiences navigating mental health and identity. From panic attacks and first crushes to joining Cirque du Soleil’s on-ice show AXEL, her story is about growth, courage, and learning that everyone feels different in their own way.

Honest, personal, and inspiring, this memoir offers a behind-the-scenes look at both elite athletics and self-discovery.

 

Ryan: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman

“This is the 6th book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I haven't gotten too far into it yet, but the whole series is awesome, and it just gets better and crazier with every book.”

Book six in the wildly entertaining Dungeon Crawler Carl series drops Carl and Princess Donut into even more chaos, this time on the eighth floor.

The crawlers must capture six monsters and turn them into cards for an upcoming battle. The stronger and deadlier, the better. But, of course, there’s a catch (there’s always a catch).

With forgotten gods, a deteriorating AI system, powerful monsters (including Shi Maria, the Bedlam Bride herself), and high-stakes strategy, this installment promises insanity, escalating tension, and all the over-the-top fun fans love.

 

Nicole: Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman

“I'm loving this book! It's funny and well written, and I love how it combines space colony survival with video game-style player-controlled murder mechs!”

On the planet New Sonora, colonist Oliver Lewis just wants to run the family ranch and keep things simple. But when Earth’s government hires Apex Corporation to carry out an “eviction action,” things take a wild turn.

Instead of deploying their own AI soldiers, Apex turns the invasion into a game, charging gamers on Earth to design and remotely pilot war machines. The result? Colonists fighting for survival against player-controlled murder mechs.

With the help of an old book from his grandfather and a pile of rusty parts, Oliver is determined to defend his home. Fast-paced, funny, and wildly inventive, this sounds like survival sci-fi with a chaotic twist.

 

Tristan: By the Horns by Ruby Dixon

“This is book two in the Royal Artifactual Guild series. This monster smut story has intelligent characters, secret missions, and outlawed necromancy, and I am loving it!”

In this sizzling sequel set in a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, Gwenna just wants a steady job with the Royal Artifactual Guild. She’s certainly not a necromancer; that would be forbidden and punishable by death. So if the dead keep talking to her? She’s absolutely ignoring that.

Complicating matters is Raptor, an arrogant and far-too-flirty Taurian who believes Gwenna may be an artifact thief. He’s on a secret mission, and unfortunately for Gwenna, she’s his prime suspect.

With outlawed necromancy, secret missions, dangerous magic, and a minotaur love interest who won’t take a hint, this sequel promises steam, tension, and high-stakes fantasy drama.

Just One More Chapter

If this list proves anything, we are a diverse bunch of bookworms. We’re diving into wartime book clubs, Wonderland romances, elite figure skating memoirs, dungeon-crawling chaos, space colony survival, and forbidden necromancy…sometimes all in the same week.

We love seeing how wildly different our current reads can be, and yet how passionately we all fall into our stories. Whether you’re in the mood for historical fiction, romantasy, sci-fi, memoirs, or something delightfully unhinged, there’s always a story waiting to sweep you away.

Happy reading from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club. We would love to hear what’s keeping you reading just one more chapter!

Check out our incredible collection of bookish accessories, because bookish touches change the world. And, our incredible St. Patrick’s apparel is flying off the shelves; they make perfect BFF gifts (aka Bookish Friends Forever)!