WEEKLY BOOK RECS: 6 book reviews and suggestions every week
Hey, loves! You know that effortlessly polished, minimalist, fresh vibe that the clean girl aesthetic is all about? Well, I’ve got six books to match that exact energy—perfect for when you’re sipping matcha in your perfectly organized space or winding down with a self-care night. These reads are chic, calming, and give you all the aesthetic feels. Ready to vibe with some polished and pristine reads? Let’s get into our weekly book recs: clean girl aesthetic! 🤍📚
1. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Rating: 4.8/5
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Feel-Good Fiction
Tropes: Found Family, Misunderstandings, Humor with Heart
Main Characters: A bank robber, a group of hostages, and one chaotic open house
What It's About:A failed bank robbery leads to a group of strangers being held hostage at an apartment viewing. As they each reveal their own quirks, struggles, and secrets, this feel-good novel explores how human connection can spring from the most unexpected situations.
Review:This book is all about people coming together and finding unexpected beauty in the mess of life. It’s like a warm, thoughtful hug in book form—perfect for the clean girl aesthetic, where everything looks effortlessly neat, but there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. Backman’s writing is sharp, witty, and deeply emotional, and the characters will tug at your heart. This is your go-to for when you want a feel-good read with some depth.
2. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Rating: 4.6/5
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Tropes: Minimalism, Decluttering, Mindful Living
Main Characters: You and your stuff!
What It's About:Marie Kondo’s iconic guide to decluttering and simplifying your life through the KonMari method. Her philosophy? Keep only what sparks joy, and let go of everything else.
Review:If there’s a book that defines clean girl aesthetic, it’s this one. Marie Kondo’s approach to simplifying your space is sosoothing, and it’s about more than just organizing—it’s a mindset shift. The clean lines, fresh spaces, and minimalist vibes she promotes are basically an extension of the aesthetic itself. If you’re looking for a book to help you align your life with your love for clean, curated beauty, this is a must-read.
3. Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Rating: 4.4/5
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction
Tropes: Love, Art, Relationships, Minimalism
Main Characters: Frances, Bobbi, Melissa, Nick
What It's About:Frances and Bobbi are ex-girlfriends and best friends who become entangled in the lives of a married couple, Melissa and Nick. As they navigate this complex web of relationships, the novel explores themes of love, art, and human connection.
Review:This one is for all my minimalist, chic girls who love thoughtful, introspective reads. The writing is stripped-down and clean, much like the aesthetic itself, with a focus on dialogue and subtle emotion. The characters are so flawed and real, and the emotional entanglements feel deeply nuanced. If you’re into effortless style, quiet drama, and understated complexity, Conversations with Friends will fit perfectly into your clean girl vibe.
4. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Rating: 4.7/5
Genre: Literary Fiction, Mystery
Tropes: Nature, Solitude, Coming-of-Age
Main Characters: Kya Clark, Tate Walker, Chase Andrews
What It's About:Set in the marshes of North Carolina, Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya, a young girl abandoned by her family and left to raise herself. As she grows up in isolation, she becomes the subject of local gossip and suspicion when a murder rocks the small town.
Review:Kya’s life of simplicity and solitude in the marshes embodies that back-to-nature, serene vibe. The writing is gorgeous, with lush descriptions of the natural world that feel both minimalist and powerful. It’s a deeply emotional read, and the clean, straightforward prose aligns with the aesthetic while also delivering a hauntingly beautiful story. If you want a book that feels grounding and reflective, this one’s a gem.
5. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Rating: 4.6/5
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Feel-Good Fiction
Tropes: Social Isolation, Quirky Heroine, Found Family
Main Characters: Eleanor Oliphant, Raymond, Sammy
What It's About:Eleanor Oliphant is perfectly fine living her routine, isolated life. But when a kindhearted IT guy, Raymond, and a shared experience of helping an elderly man bring them together, Eleanor starts to unravel her past traumas and open up to the possibility of love and connection.
Review:Eleanor’s story feels like a metaphor for the clean girl aesthetic—on the surface, everything appears orderly and simple, but underneath, there’s a complex, emotional journey happening. It’s heartfelt and quirky, with a heroine you’ll root for. The transformation of her life, from isolated and rigid to open and warm, is beautifully written. If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming, transformative read, this one is perfect for your aesthetic bookshelf.
6. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Rating: 4.7/5
Genre: Literary Fiction, Domestic Drama
Tropes: Secrets, Family Drama, Class Differences
Main Characters: Elena Richardson, Mia Warren, Pearl Warren, Izzy Richardson
What It's About:In the suburban town of Shaker Heights, everything seems perfectly ordered—until artist Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl move in, disrupting the picture-perfect lives of the Richardson family. As secrets unravel, the tension between two very different families threatens to ignite more than just neighborhood drama.
Review:This novel nails that clean, polished suburban aesthetic—but with a twist. Beneath the facade of perfection, there’s so much complexity and hidden fire, which makes it the perfect read for anyone who loves a polished exterior with deep, emotional undertones. The writing is sleek and smooth, like the clean girl aesthetic itself, but the story will have you thinking about the messy realities of life. It’s a captivating read that pairs well with your minimalist vibes and deep introspection.
Which one of these clean, minimalist vibes are you picking up first? Let me know, and don’t forget to tag us in your #CleanGirlReads posts @apolloimperium! 🤍✨
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