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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  • S
    Sam | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Omg welcome to the bookish community!!! 😅
    You should start a Goodreads!

  • M
    Maria | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Wait till you read Trone of Glass series. The emotions are roller coaster there😅 I was gasping, laughing, crying.. for a moment my husband thought I was insane.

  • N
    Natalie Leichtfuss | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Uhm, yes. I’m happily married with kids but still waiting for my Cassian/Rhys/Hunt to arrive any day now. Absolutely obsessed with ACOTAR, and currently on the last book of Crescent City!

  • M
    Megan Torrejon | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Yes to all of these! The Crescent City series took me 3 tries to get into. I actually gave the book away and ended up buying it again. Honestly, I wasn’t fully into it until about 80% through, but dayum! I was mad I waited so long! LOTS of world building and character development. Be patient, you won’t regret it!

  • O
    Oana | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    Hello! I want to start with the fact that I’m excited because You will start reading Throne of Glass as well. So yeah, the first series of my list is this one.
    An ember in the ashes
    There are 4 books, I think. I’m at the 3rd book.

    Percy Jackson
    This one is more for children, but I’m really enjoying reading this series.

    Fjallbacka
    There are 9 books, I haven’t read them all, but I really like them. It’s a police fiction series.
    I started to read the 3rd or 4th book, back in 8th grade. I borrowed this book from a friend and I didn’t know it’s a series abd I found it strange, because there were some things I didn’t understood about the main characters, but i enjoyed the main plot.
    This book got my into reading again.

  • V
    Valerie | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Just wanted to add that you described the feeling of being introduced to reading anew perfectly! Cannot wait to read on your thoughts regarding the Throne of Glass and Crescent City series!

  • D
    Daniela Giraldo | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    do a real linked-in group or something so we can see everyone’s recommendations!!! 🙊

  • M
    Mahathi Amudhan | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    I’m a 17yo girl from India. From the day I remember, I loved reading so much from my childhood. I made most of my friends to develop this reading habit. Some of them are not my friends anymore but they still read books which makes me happy.

    So, for starters who would like to read dramedy then 2 States by Chetan bhagat is the absolute best. Now, if you wish to read sel help romance I liked you only live once by Stuti Changle. I also loved the sun is also a star. I have read the classics of going to Hogwarts.

  • L
    Lia Brim | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Loving this!!

  • J
    Jacqueline Silverwood | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    You just HAVE to read Zodiac Academy by Suzanne Valenti and Caroline Peckham (aka The Twisted Sisters). Then Ruthless Boys and then Darkmore Penitentiary. You will not regret it. Fair warning the first three books are bully romance. But they will make you feral for more.

  • P
    Paige Phillips | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    I am on such a similar path as you, and loving every second. Let’s do a book club chat or something?? Also you need to mentally prepare for throne of glass. I jumped right in after ACOTAR and regret not waiting a little to soak in all the feels of one series and start fresh with TOG. It can be slow at times but it is an immaculate experience. It also might crush your soul- be warned. You are one of my idols thank you for all your excellent work. Love you loads xx

  • E
    Eman | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    Clair- after you devour throne of glass, crescent city and iron flame pleaseeee read From Blood and Ash!!!!!

  • J
    Jazmín Lazcano | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    Can’t wait!

  • J
    Jennifer Wagner | 04.29.2024 | 12:26PM

    I love Colleen Hoover but have tried three times to get into IT ENDS WITH US and haven’t been able to get past chapter three. I’ll try again. Your going to love IRON FLAME but the wait between books is torture.

  • M
    MM | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    read the all and they’re amazing, currently re-reading Throne of glass series which is my favorite by Sarah J Mass

  • D
    Debbie | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    Just started crescent city, struggling a little as acator was soo good but I’m sure it will develop into a great series. Read acator as you said how good it was, read the whole series in just over 2 weeks but I don’t have little ones to look after and I am a retired aussie school teacher. Love the idea of a book club that is not too high brow but purely for enjoyment. Thanks for recommendation x