Instagram story viewer> @marianarecommends> Posts

mariana | bookstagram

@marianarecommends

778

followers

596

following

let’s travel endlessly inbetween the pages
🌿💫🏔️🪩🍒🩶

POSTS STORIES REELS

💫 meet the reader 💫

hi, it’s me, attempting to revive my bookstagram!!! Hoping to reconnect with my booksta besties that have stuck around (4 years to be exact 🥹) and reintroduce myself to some new faces. Life ebbs and flows, but I’ll always be happy to be present in this warm corner of the social media world. 💌

I hope to continue influencing your reading tbrs!! Thank you for being here 🥲🫶🏼🌷🫧💖

-

#meetthereader #books #bookstagram #reading #bookrecommendations by @marianarecommends

Come take a glance at my fall/winter tbr 🍁💛🌟🍄‍🟫

-

#reading #fallvibes #booksbooksbooks #tbr #bookworm by @marianarecommends

Consider your daily walks elevated if you start listening to any one of these 6 books!!

All of these were 4🌟 or above and I was majorly obsessed with them these past few months. Horror/thrillers, memoir, romantasy, and thought provoking lit fic books to sink your teeth into before the warm weather slithers away 🩵

-

#fyp #booksta #reading #bookrecs #hotgirlwalks by @marianarecommends

5🌟

This was a book that bled affection & connection, cracked in heartfelt emotions and smelled like the sea breeze. It was a blend of messiness, resentment, and sadness for a life not lived. There were a multitude of regrets in the choices made and longing for roads not travelled.

Ivona was a complicated character who you couldn’t hate for her vulnerability and truths; Life took the deepest parts of her soul and squeezed every drop of it out, and yet she remained.

This was a tangled love affair. But the feelings of regret and yearning for a person, for a life, that escaped through her fingertips was palpable. I’ve never felt so invested in a character-driven story, and the ending will leave you clenching at your chest. Not exactly joyful but you are content with the direction taken. Oh I think this will stay with me for quite some time.

-

#bookreview #reading #slantingtowardsthesea #lidijahilje #bookrecommendations by @marianarecommends

Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan

5🌟

!!!!!!!! I didn’t think any book could hit the sweet spot that Happy Place by Emily Henry did for my people pleasing self but I was wrong !!!!!!!

I saw so much of myself in Dolly. Always putting others and their feelings before herself, never taking the time to take care of her own needs. Never voicing her wants so she didn’t seem bothersome or demanding. The way this trait was portrayed, and how it was tackled/resolved, made me so unbelievably warm inside. I feel like I say this all the time to myself, but it’s not cute to put myself second to everything else!!! Seeing Dolly battle with this toxic mentality, and make substantial changes to rectify that gave me hope for myself.

Us people pleasers are hard to change because we often fear asking for help could topple a perfectly working house. The problem is a house built on one person is not a solid foundation; It’s a ticking time bomb.

A love that was soft, gentle and full of acts of service was the perfect complimentary piece for this main character. Each scene Dolly and Stewart shared shined bright: like the July sun in the clear, blue sky. I also felt like Dolly had the best support system in the world, they were just waiting for her to reach out. Its not talked about enough how having a solid group of people around you, always cheering you on, can be soothing for the soul.

It may take time to realize all the goodness around you, but once you open your eyes, the feeling can’t be described.

I declare this book one of my favorite reads of 2026, cannot stop gushing about it 🧡🧡 by @marianarecommends

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

5🌟

This book was so intoxicating and painfully addictive! The pain came from the reflective moments I had as a reader in the sense that this group of friends, and our narrator, truly lived in a world of champagne problems. The writing and pace of the story had me gripped, but I always knew this was a friend group I wanted to stay away from. But it was like a car crash in which I couldn’t look away!!!

There’s a total of 9 characters in this friend group, which may seem like a lot to keep track of, but the writing is done incredibly well that the reader is able to distinguish each one. The intensity of adulthood, childhood friends, marriage life and it’s ever changing colors was brilliantly captured. I enjoyed how it didn’t shy away from tough conversations and showcased how “picture perfect families” were never as they seemed. Truly a captivating and easy summer beach read!!

-

#theshampooeffect #reading #bookreview #summerbeachreads by @marianarecommends

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

5🌟

WOW, what a whirlwind of a story. Not often am I left speechless as I finish the epilogue of a book, but Yesteryear truly blew my mind.

It was refreshing to see a new perspective on the intersection of motherhood, family, gender dynamics and how a different interpretation can cause a strong chain reaction. Religion played a heavy role in how motherhood and the role of females were portrayed in Yesteryear, but I would argue there were bits and pieces that I felt resonated with my own personal stories. Speaking on my own experiences and beliefs, college is a such a transformative period in a girl’s life. Not only are you exposed to a new city, filled with different cultures, customs and individuals of all backgrounds but you began to question everything you’ve been raised to believe. Living in an all female dorm, I was surrounded by groups of powerful, resourceful women that taught me a) change is always welcome and b) never make yourself small to fit in a room, there are plenty of rooms that will cater to you.

Girlhood is powerful, transformative, and multi-faceted; I believe Yesteryear did wonderfully tapping into just ONE small piece of it. Reflection often comes after broken, harsh actions have taken place and Natalie Heller Mills was a prime example of that. She was a hard pill to swallow, and a rough narrator to cheer for. But that is exactly why I enjoyed this book. Not once was the reader shielded from the ugly truths of Natalie, and instead we were taken right alongside her twisted mind as she navigated a cruel, heavy world Natalie had created for herself and her family.

(rest of review in the comments)

-

#yesteryear #caroclaireburke #femalerage #femaleragebooks by @marianarecommends

brb just staring at the beauty that is my mid summer book haul!!!! 💛🌟🌊❣️💖

-

#bookhaul #summerreading #booksta #books by @marianarecommends

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

4.5🌟

This book felt like that first glimpse of orange and pink hues as the sun sets over the country side: refreshingly warm and awe-inspiring. Reminding you beauty has always been all around you and will always appear. 💜

There were so many layers to this story: a complicated mother + daughter relationship, a woman who restricted herself to live the life she hoped would be enough, and a friendship that was too important to rupture with “passing feelings.” As I delved deeper into this book and unwrapped each layer, my heart cracked open for these characters. I sympathized with their situations, basked in the obvious love that was demonstrated through countless actions and celebrated the sweet conclusion.

Frankie is so much more than what meets the eye. She’s ferocious, passionate and eager for adventure; but life has torn her down too many times that she becomes a shell of the woman she used to be. Love has always ran away and left her reeling, so of course she holds on to the one person who always stays and happily glues on her rose colored glasses. She’s reluctant to see the love that her best friend George has shown as something more than platonic, but boy are the signs all there. The way both Frankie and George had supported each other and nurtured their relationship made my heart feel warm and glowy, it reminded me how love that stays, grows and is steady can be so LOVELY AND A GEM OF A BEAUTY. In a society that bets high on passionate, tension-filled relationships, a quiet and resilient love is that much sweeter.

-

#bookreview #carleyfortune #ourperfectstorm #summerreads #beachreads by @marianarecommends

This series spotlight is brought to you by a girl who completely fell in love with these characters and stories!!!

Maybe in a different life you were the one who stumbled upon a small town nestled perfectly in the mountains, with a sparkling lake and filled with peace and joy.

For those yearning to experience love and friendship in the summertime heat, this plate is made specifically for you!! Each book feels like reading on a dock, after swimming out in the lake in 90 degree weather, with a glass of sweet lemonade by your side.

Although only one cowboy is included, I promise you’ll grow to love each man for all the beautiful things they bring. I included stars for the two books that were my favorite. Each story has depth, great communication, and a beautiful scenery.

*bonus points if you get to read this before the prime series is developed! Happy reading! 🍋🤠🏔️☀️🍉🌊 by @marianarecommends

Warm, sunny weather = time to feed my romantic soul !! 💖

I’ve been stuck indoors the past few days with a cold but having book mail show up today made my day! I finally have in my possession the last two books in this series and I am so ready to jump back into this world!! 🌟💕🍓🪩

Shoutout to my dear friend @secondstarlibrary for getting me addicted to this world!!! Her review was what made me pick up Dishonestly Yours in the first place 🥰

-

#bookhaul #romancebooks #bookworm #bookstagrammer by @marianarecommends

say it with me: hot girls support their local library!!!! 🌟🍀🫶🏼🍄🍉📚

one thing I hope doesn’t happen with these holds is that they all become available at the same time.. wish me luck! And I hope I influence your own library holds 💛💛

-

#librarylove #supportlocallibraries #reading #booksbooksbooks by @marianarecommends