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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  • 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.

  • K
    Karla(again🥴) | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    All those books I posted about to you are all on Kindle Unlimited. So yea they’re free!! That’s a def score✌🏻☺️

  • K
    Karla(again🥴) | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    All those books I posted about to you are all on Kindle Unlimited. So yea they’re free!! That’s a def score✌🏻☺️

  • K
    Karla | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    Chronicles of an Urban Druid -Auburn Tempest(Michael Anderle)
    It’s a series 15 books. Then Case Files of an Urban Druid. (7) Then Chronicles of an Urban Elemental(6) and then(yes!!) Chronicles of a Hidden City. There’s 2 books already out third one in June this year
    🩷🌸🩷If you like magic Druids the good guys,and bad guys,a couple of immortals some sexy demi god some of loud laughs mebee a tear and a little bit of dragons read these books!!!I love them!! I’m on my second reading of the entire series waiting on book three of the Hidden City to come out.
    Anyhoodle sorry for THIS book.
    Toodles 🌸✌🏻

  • 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

  • S
    Simone Greyling | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    I have also loved the ACOTAR series, but am struggling with the different people views in book 4, you placed it as last in order of preference too, I’ve heard that opinion from many.

    A relatively new author wrote fantasy that i devoured… its a trilogy and first 2 books are out- Into the Skies- Kay Humphreys. Try it!

  • K
    Kelly | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    I am so with you on ACOTAR, Claire. I was never a big reader in my 20s but some
    Colleen Hoover books got me back into the swing of it. I really loved Ugly Love, Verity, Too Late and It Ends With Us.

    Then my sister recommended SJ Mass to me. When I first started reading ACOTAR I thought, how could I possibly read 5 books about fairies? And well here I am, currently on book five and I just can’t put it down! How do we go about our daily lives anymore?! It just gets better and better each time, however I am with you on ranking ACOFAS last. I’m so excited for the 6th book! Elain and Ariel surely?

    All the best Xx

    PS – Absolutely love you! Your Insta brings me so many laughs and smiles. Definitely my favourite actor in Vampire Diaries too 🤭

  • S
    Sophia Westgard | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    OMG!!! Claire!!!! I love ACOTAR!!! Book 2 and 6 are my faves!!! I also loved the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid is truly the best!!! I recommend Daisy Jones & The Six!!!! I haven’t started fourth wig or throne of glass but it’s on my tbr!!! Love you 🤍🤍

  • 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.