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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  • E
    Emma | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    Sign me up for book club. Currently 3 books in to the ACOTAR series. Added several of these recommendations to my read next list. Audiobooks are currently the only way I can get reading time and I’m obsessed. Thanks for sharing!!

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    Samantha | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    Welcome to the club Claire. I’m reading sword catcher by Cassandra Clare then onto The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent before I tackle the throne of glass series.

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    Nancy Cavallaro | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    I’ve been wanting to ready the thorn series and be part of a book club. I think you or so genuine and adorable since I first saw you on TVD. ❤️

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    Gabby Shipe | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    I CANNOT stop thinking about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab!

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    Candace Dwyer | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    You should read Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune. I have read it multiple times and can’t stop thinking about it.

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    Chris Kronback | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    I cant wait to start A Court of Thorns and Rose’s!

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    Michelle | 05.29.2024 | 01:41PM

    Hey Claire, first off, love you and your family, so exciting to see people get into fantasy romance, I’m a devoted reader myself, and I’ve been one for the past 6 years. I swear it feels like ACOTAR and TOG raised me. I read them in my late teens, potentially ruining any possible chance of finding true happiness since it feels no one could ever come close to my book crushes, and they absolutely rocked my world. I read the Bridge Kingdom about a year ago, a duology, very very good storyline, lots of tension, enemies to lovers. Give it a shot! Also, a promise of fire is a very good trilogy as well, although the bridge kingdom holds a very very special place in my heart. As does ACOTAR, which I’ve recently reread, and I must say Nesta is annoying as hell (although she does grow on you) and Feyre is slightly bland as a heroine, but Rhysand… chefs kiss. Perfection. If you loved ACOTAR, wait till you read TOG. You’ll be blown away. Guaranteed. Probably the most intricate of the Sara J Maas series, with so many different types of characters, and I find Calaena so much more compelling as a main character over Feyre to be honest. Hope you read it soon! Excited to see your reactions on insta. Happy reading :)

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    Paola Avellaneda | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    I love ACoTar books but fourth wings is definitely my favorite I have read them in English and Spanish twice I can’t stop 🙈🙈

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    Maddie | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    Count me in for book club! I have never been obsessed with a series as much as fourth wing and iron flame. I have been reading/listenting/watching all things fantasy, paranormal, dark, romance for as long as I can remember! Started with twilight as a youngster and just grew from there! I too mother 3 wild beings and rely heavily on audiobooks. The only one that has touched my book hangover is the bonds that tie series by J. Bree. You should try it!

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    Mazie | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    Read Emily Henry books, they are cute little romance books!:)

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    Brit | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    I LOVE this idea and love even more that we are reading the same books at the moment. The ACOTAR series is amazing and I completely agree with your order of amazing-ness when reading. I loved Fourth Wing and Iron Flame as well, patiently waiting for the next book in the series, although annoyingly I did find the end of Iron Flame a tad predictable so hopefully her next book has a few shock moments! I’ve just started the Throne of Glass series, only a few pages into the first book, and then will also move onto Crescent City. I’m currently on mat leave with baby #1 who is a dream sleeper (I wasn’t saying that out loud for some time but it’s been 4 weeks of sleeping through the night so I’m embracing bragging rights now), and these books are giving me life!

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    Patty | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    ACOTAR was my first romance fantasy vibe and it simply changed my life. All I think about at all times of the day are these books and the characters. Anyway now I’m reading TOG and wowowowow it somehow got even better than ACOTAR. Not as romancy but a better plot IMO. I would say the guys in ACOTAR are better and more perfect, but the girls in TOG are everything like unreal protagonists. Pls play literally anyone in the SJM universe if it ever hits the screen

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    Trude Ash | 04.29.2024 | 12:28PM

    Firstly, bloody love you! Thanks for keeping life real. Secondly, PLEASE read Crescent City next! For reasons I do not want to spoil, your mind will be blown! Also the meme universe and conspiracy theories these books have created is wild!

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    Sarah Ting | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    Ok so I’m a 40 year old reading teen romantasy in her spare time though I just recently realized I wasn’t alone ha.

    One of my favorites besides a lot of what you have are the white rabbit chronicles by gena showalter. Dumb name (alice in zombie land) but seriously good.

    Then anything by author LJ Smith (who doi just realized you obvi know bc vampire diaries writer) who stopped writing around the time I was in college but easy, fast good reads in her Night World Series are great!

    Then most books by jennifer j armentrout are great but I’m more of a fan of her older books like the dark elements series.

    Happy reading (and running) which is my other hobby) :)

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    Ashley Hopewell | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    Yes to all of this!!!! I have just finished All Yes ALL of Sarah J Mass’ books and I’m not ok. Haha!
    Throne of Glass I think topped it off, it was beyond epic.

    I would almost recommend you read Crescent City series before throne as it’s good to read after ACOTAR.

    I’m currently reading The Work by Bri Lee and it’s a winner.

    Also who do you think the next ACOTAR book will be about?!

  • B
    Bridget Bliss | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    Zodiac Academy series also brilliant :)