Let's start a book club?
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:
- A Court of Mist and Fury (book 2)
- A Court of Silver Flames (book 5)
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (book 1)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin (book 3)
- 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.
![](http://thecornerbyclaire.com/cdn/shop/files/unnamed_067de889-7ca1-4a4b-95ac-c24e1dd7470a.jpg?v=1714072508)
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
Leave a comment
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IIssabella | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
Hey Claire! Lately I’ve mostly been reading on Wattpad (as well as writing my own story on there!) so it’s a mix of drama/horror kind of stories, however one that I’ve been really into particularly is called ‘Killing Stalking’. Though I wouldn’t recommend for the faint hearted but it tells an insane story of psychological abuse and romance that I think is a strong subject to touch on, but the way it’s done in this story is very captivating. Also on a little side note, I hope life is treating you and your family wonderfully and I hope you’re taking care of yourself! Love you lots ❤️
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AAnj | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
The 7 sisters series by Lucinda Riley, then the final book, Atlas, the story of Pa Salt, absolutely loved them.
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VValeria Badillo | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
Ahhhh! You’re going to love Throne of Glass SO much!!!! And the first Crescent City book might be one of my favorite things in the world🥹 We should create an actual cornerbyclaire bookclub lol I wanna see your reactions to book stuff!!
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RRaquel Angela Rodrigues | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
Love these books you said. Fourth wing is one of my favs.
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TT. | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
Start with the Satan’s Affair, Haunting Adeline, Hunting Adeline series!! Very dark but it got you hooked with every line🥰
Keep updating that book club list😍
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JJohanna | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
I love that we all have agreed that acomaf is the best one!! anyways if you’re into romantasy i HEAVILY recommend Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber (honestly every book of her), her writing style works like magic – sucks you into the story like nothing else
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NNele Gormanns | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
Hi Claire! I love your blog post and I would definitely join your book club! I love all the books by Sarah j. Maas and I’m so excited for you to read them all! My personal favorite is the throne of glass series. Enjoy your time reading! Heaps of love all the way from Germany 🇩🇪
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KKristy Devine | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
Excited to dive more into the sea of new books!!! ACOTAR is hands down my favorite. Fantasy books are definitely my escape.
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ccathern | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
i firmly believe everyone needs to read the thursday murder club series — you’ll wish you were friends with the sweet, older characters. first book is a smidge slower than the rest, but worth it!
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AAfra | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
I would like to be in the book club🥹✨✨
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lluke | 05.29.2024 | 01:38PM
I CAN’T BELIEVE ONE OF YOUR FAVE AUTHORS IS COLLEEN HOOVER, LIKE?! I LITERALLY READ IT ENDS WITH US BECAUSE OF BLAKE LIVELY IN THE NEW MOVIE AND THE BOOK WAS JUST AMAZING. I WENT TO THE UK LAST MONTH FOR A TRIP WITH SCHOOL AND GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY 7 BOOKS OF HERS. I’M ITALIAN SO THE FACT THAT I CAN READ IN ENGLISH HER BOOKS MAKES ME THE HAPPIEST, ALSO BECASUE I READ FASTER IN ENGLISH THAN IN ITALIAN. CURRENTLY IN MY EXAMS SESSION FOR THESE LAST 2 MONTHS BUT I’M GOING TO DEVOUR ALL THE 7 BOOKS THIS SUMMER AND OF COURSE, INCLUDING IT STARTS WITH US (HOPE THIS SEQUEL MAKES JUSTICE TO THE FIRST). AND HELL YES! I THINK YOU SHOULD OPEN A GROUP ON INSTAGRAM SO US LITTLE PEOPLE COULD TALK ABOUT BOOKS WITH YOU. YOU MADE MY DAY WITH THIS! GOD WE PRATICALLY LIVE THE SAME LIFE, ISN’T THAT WONDERFUL LIKE WONDERLAND?!
L XOXO