Journal

Let's start a book club?

Written by CLAIRE HOLT | Apr 25, 2024
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I wasn’t a big reader as a kid. As my siblings devoured novels every couple of days, I was busy dreaming about my crush and the seven children we would share when he finally realized he was in love with me. Of course, I read the classics. I had delusions of running off to Hogwarts. But I never really had a burning desire to lie awake until 2am turning pages. 

When I moved to America, my excuse was always: I read too many scripts, I don’t have time for books. What a loser thing to say!!! Thank god I’ve grown into a die-hard, fully fledged bookworm. The kind of person who lives and breathes this shit. I cancel plans to read. I form relationships with characters in my head. I get annoyed with my dream of a husband because he’s not quite as perfect as my book boyfriend. What do you mean you aren’t panting with desperation every moment you’re in my presence?!

I switch back and forth between audiobooks and Kindle, unable to waste time existing in my own brain when the fate of the faerie world is at stake! Now that I’m typing this I realize I may have taken it a little too far... but I can’t see myself stopping anytime soon. Not when the entire S J. Maas universe awaits. 

Since I’m committed to this new identity, I figured it was time to start a little book club. I’ll tell you my faves, you tell me yours. We can discuss ad nauseam (since Andy really doesn’t want to get into it with me and I’ve read all Reddit message boards). Here are a few to start off:

The ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Mass

I know I sound like a broken record about this but it’s just. that. good. The second book might be one of the best books I’ve ever read. If I had to rank them in order of favorites: 

  1. A Court of Mist and Fury (book 2)
  2. A Court of Silver Flames (book 5)
  3. A Court of Thorns and Roses (book 1)
  4. A Court of Wings and Ruin (book 3)
  5. A Court of Frost and Starlight (book 4)


Read them all. I’m still thinking about them. I will say the first book took about 200 pages to really suck me in but once I was there, I was a goner. 

In Scientia by Luke Baines 

I would argue that this is the book that really got me into the world of Romantasy. This was my friend Luke Baines’ first foray into fiction and I was BLOWN AWAY. I knew he was an amazing script writer, but had no idea he could pull off a novel like this. I finished it in two days (no small feat for a mother of tiny ninjas) and cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I’m a Kindle girlie so this is my one and only hardcover (but she’s a beauty).

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 

I still have 100 pages to go but you were all right. This book has me in a chokehold. I love that the action sequences start right away, and don’t even get me started on the raunchy scenes. Worth the wait. That’s secretly why we are reading, right? 

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover 

Colleen Hoover is one of my favorite authors. I’m pretty sure I’ve read every single one of her books, but It Ends With Us is my favorite. Colleen has an amazing way of combining darkness with light. Honorable mentions go to: Reminders of Him and Maybe Someday.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I loved this beautiful book about Old Hollywood, romance, and self discovery. I think this is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best book, but I also loved Malibu Rising (couldn’t get into Carrie Soto Is Back).

After I finish Iron Flame, I’m planning to tackle the Throne of Glass series, and then Crescent City. God I’m excited. Pray for Andy! 

C xxx

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  • L
    Luisa | 04.30.2024 | 03:24PM

    Hey Claire
    I think the idea of a book club is great. There are so many book lovers out there and each of them has the same feelings and thoughts about a book. Im from Germany but I read a lot of englisch books. Of curse Sarah J. Maas is a queen. She got me into reading fantasy romance. I have two book series I really loved too. First one is the " caraval" series by Stephanie Garber. The storyline, the plottwists and the charcters were just awesome. This is really a masterpice. I also loved reading " The cruel prince " by Holly Black. This book is giving enemies to lover to 100%. The characters are also amazing but Rysand is still number one of all book crushes.
    Hope this helps your a litle bit.
    Kind regards

  • l
    laura | 04.29.2024 | 12:22PM

    omg! definitely read Throne of Glass next!!! I‘m currently reading the last book and it‘s sooo good, even better than ACOTAR in my opinion.
    tip from me: either don‘t read Tower of Down or read it after the last book, bc it plays at the same time as Empire of Storms and it‘s „just“ about Chaol soo you maybe wanna skip that. Also, it‘s not really needed for the main story :)

  • C
    Casey Muckert | 04.30.2024 | 03:24PM

    The Mortal Instruments and co??? Surely!

  • D
    Dominique Laurant | 04.29.2024 | 12:22PM

    I’ve read all of these books (minus Luke’s book) and I liked/ loved most of them. Highly recommend Emily Henry and Carley Fortune ❤️

  • M
    Millie | 04.30.2024 | 03:24PM

    You should read Powerless by: Lauren Roberts I literally love that book so much!! Then there’s Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows by: Rebbeca ross two of the best books I’ve ever read I got goose bumps reading the second one!!

  • H
    Hayley | 04.30.2024 | 03:24PM

    Don’t judge the Throne of Glass series on the first book! The writing and story gets more sophisticated as you go on – I was a bit thrown coming from ACOTAR. Stick with it!

  • K
    Katrina R. | 04.30.2024 | 03:24PM

    I really love your writing style. You are an inspiration for me. Definitely want to read those books 🤓 thank you

  • L
    Laura | 04.30.2024 | 03:24PM

    Throne of glass is a bit of a commitment, but you need to stick it through cause it’s my all time favourite fantasy series ever!
    The first books are good but later in the series it’s all incredible!
    I found iron flame a hard one to get through, it didn’t suck me in like fourth wing did. So that one is not one of my favourites.
    I’m rereading TOG atm!
    Have fun reading!

  • K
    Kim | 04.30.2024 | 03:24PM

    Love this. I’ve read Fourth Wing and I’m half way through the Throne of Glass series. I just started Iron Flame but you’ve got me intrigued with the ACOTAR series so I might start that also!! In Scientia sounds like something I’d like too – love the recommendations.

    PS – I’m definitely a hard cover book type.

  • S
    Sarah Day | 04.30.2024 | 03:24PM

    Yay, thank you! I’m listening to Cold, Cold Bones atm which definitely keeps you listening, set in the Southern states ;) Have you ever read The Bronzed Horseman trilogy?! Oldie but always been one of my best reads, read it if you can. Please share some of the recommendations you get xx

  • C
    Christie Clay | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Sarah J. Maas has me stuck in any world she creates! Throne of Glass series is worth how many books there are I promise!! I’m about to start Fourth Wing and I do hope I enjoy as much as everyone else.

  • A
    Amina J | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    I started my book reading journey since Harry Potter. I want go join on your book club. I’m so excited.🤍

  • V
    Vanessa | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Yes! I love all your favorites! I’m excited for you to read Throne of Glass. I’ve read ACOTAR and fell in love! I’m currently on the third. The pace is slower than ACOTAR but the details and character development are so much more! My professor and I talk about those series all the time before class. Welcome to the Sarah J. Maas club!

  • S
    Sara | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    I absolutely love that you’ve been sucked into the world of sjm as well!! Her books are amazing. I’m currently on my second re-read of Throne of Glass and I really do think that it’s her best book series. I’m only halfway through and already dread being finished and having to look for a new book to obsess over😂

    When we are talking about book recs, I really do love the love hypothesis by Ali hazelwood, it’s a romance novel and it’s so addicting you’ll finish it in a day or two!
  • e
    emma | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    i’m an all or nothing reader. i’ll either read a book without putting it down or start a book then go without reading it for months! i need to finish ice breaker than i’m going to start with the shatter me series. though, i highly recommend the cruel prince trilogy! the 3rd book is my fav. also i love your friendship with phoebe!

  • R
    Ritika Modi | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    You would be starting the iron flame, read it and the end would destroy you forever, it’s amazing book but we all readers cried a lot at the ending, let us know your thoughts after you complete reading iron flame.