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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  • F
    Faith Njenga | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    Hey Claire 🥺❤️… how about dark romance,do you not read them at all?

  • J
    Jennifer | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    I tried Throne of Glass and it wasn’t for me. Definitely had potential just fell flat. Interested to hear if you like Crescent city. If I had to recommend a book to read it would be The Perfect Marriage alittle thriller with a shocking ending. Happy reading!

  • J
    Jennifer | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    I tried Throne of Glass and it wasn’t for me. Definitely had potential just fell flat. Interested to hear if you like Crescent city. If I had to recommend a book to read it would be The Perfect Marriage alittle thriller with a shocking ending. Happy reading!

  • J
    Jennifer Rempfer | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    I tried Throne of Glass and it wasn’t for me. Definitely had potential just fell flat. Interested to hear if you like Crescent city. If I had to recommend a book to read it would be The Perfect Marriage alittle thriller with a shocking ending. Happy reading!

  • J
    Jennifer Rempfer | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    I tried Throne of Glass and it wasn’t for me. Definitely had potential just fell flat. Interested to hear if you like Crescent city. If I had to recommend a book to read it would be The Perfect Marriage alittle thriller with a shocking ending. Happy reading!

  • J
    Jennifer Rempfer | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    I tried Throne of Glass and it wasn’t for me. Definitely had potential just fell flat. Interested to hear if you like Crescent city. If I had to recommend a book to read it would be The Perfect Marriage alittle thriller with a shocking ending. Happy reading!

  • L
    Lorena | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    Hi Claire!
    As a fan of romantasy I’ve read all Acotar last summer like in 1 month and a half. Now finallyyyyy I’m started Throne of glass and I’ve to say that if you enjoyed Acotar you’re going to love Throne of glass. I’m literally spend all day reading it. I’m currently reading the fifth one and i can’t stop. I’ve read another books that you mentioned so I think you’re going to enjoy so much this books too.

    I’ve to mention that I’m a big fan of yours since I’ve watched H20 when I was a kid.

    Xx from Spain!

  • M
    Madie | 05.29.2024 | 01:39PM

    My friends aren’t consistent enough to commit to book club I’m am here for this!!! Reddit is kinda scary but The Corner is waaaayyyy better for these fun book chats 😀

  • J
    Joseph | 05.29.2024 | 01:39PM

    Throne of glass was the first book series I read that wasn’t suggested to me and I was hooked! I’m looking forward to seeing the updates on that! I’m planning on rereading the entire sjm universe in ‘chronological’ order when I get round to starting ACOTAR.

  • P
    Pragna | 05.29.2024 | 01:39PM

    Im so excited!!

  • A
    Anna Perales | 05.29.2024 | 01:39PM

    Omw to read all these bookss !! I bought the ACOTAR books about a month ago, but I was invested in a few other books. I recommend The Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. This book will have you sobbing. I’m not a crier but I was crying a river with this one.

  • R
    Regi | 05.29.2024 | 01:39PM

    I LOVE all of these books. You def need to jump on throne of glass and crescent city if you loved ACOTAR, they are all amazing. I just finished powerless by Lauren roberts… WOW. If you love fantasy that is a must read.

  • D
    Delani | 05.29.2024 | 01:39PM

    Claire I’m BEGGING you to get to throne of glass it is the best SJM series by a landslide

  • M
    Marci Burger | 04.29.2024 | 12:36PM

    Yes agreed Sarah J Maas is awesome, and hooked on the fourth wing books too! Will have to try Luke B’s book! Also you should check out The Serpent and The Wings of Night etc. by Carissa Broadbent! My god I can go on with recommendations for days!

  • A
    Annie | 04.29.2024 | 12:36PM

    I loved The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. I am currently reading Happy Place by Emily Henry and will probably get all her books because I am really enjoying this one!

  • S
    Samantha M | 04.29.2024 | 12:36PM

    Throne of glass – omg you are in for a treat