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
    Sarah Jane | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    Okay I’ve been wanting to get lost in a book for a while… will start the ACOTAR series tomorrow!

  • A
    Alison Davis | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    I just finished the Throne of Glass series! It’s been a whirlwind, and I have so many favorite characters now! Enjoy!

  • C
    Casey | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    I’m fully immersed in the SJM universe as well. I read Crescent City after I finished ACOTAR. It took a long time to get into book 1. It’s so much world/story building. I was determined though so I kept going. The ending of book 2 sent me over the edge and I couldn’t wait for book 3 to come out. It had just been released and so I immediately had to go buy it and had to “deliver later” my library loans. I couldn’t be stopped. I was satisfied with book 3 but doesn’t compare to ACOTAR. I’m currently on Heir of Fire of TOG. I enjoyed book 1 and 2 and even the short stories (you should read it in that order per SJM) but some people said they didn’t enjoy the first 3 books. I’m not the masses so 🤷🏻‍♀️. Still as I’m half way through book 3, no one compares to my bat boy Rhys.

    I have also read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. I am biting my nails until book 3 comes out in January. I NEED to know where this story is going. The Throne Scene in Iron Flame 👌🥵🌶️. Still replaying it over and over in my head. Can’t get enough of Xaden.

    The following are also good if you like the above:
    Sookie Stackhouse series (sooooo much better than the show)
    The Shepherd King series- interesting magic going on in this fantasy world
    The Scholomance series- Harry Potter meets Hunger Games in a way
    Letters of Enchantment- Roman Kitt… that is all
    Midnight Texas- I love Charlaine Harris like people love Frieda and Colleen
    The Witching Hour- first book is soooooooo good. But the series gets weird in book 2. Anne Rice though, so.
    The Mortal Instruments- LOVE Jace
    Red Queen
    The Witches Daughter
    All Souls series (again, better than the show)
    Daughter of Smoke and Bone- so good. Angels and Demons, count me in!

  • J
    Julia | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    I am so excited for you to start Ghrone of Glass, I read ACOTAR first but to say TOG beat it and left no crumbs would be an understatement. After seeing it play out I still Think of it everyday, I still cry whenever I Think of it. Those books changed me in a way that not many things could and I hope you will love them as much ❤️

  • B
    Brianna | 04.30.2024 | 03:25PM

    Honestly. Top notch list. I’ll have to read that Scientia! Tops are so hard to choose. A few of my top rated on goodreads: ACOTR, Throne of glass series, Shatter me series, the love hypothesis

  • M
    MB | 04.30.2024 | 03:26PM

    The Serpent and the Wings of Night also so good! Brutal, slow burn, spice, bad ass character

  • C
    Carla Tonolli | 04.30.2024 | 03:26PM

    Got influenced by you on Acotar series, but not read it yet!!!
    But, did you read We were liars?!?!?!
    OMG!!! Do read it! I just finished it, and started yestarday!! Lol!
    Its a good book, can wait the amazon serie!!!!!

  • T
    Teja Adams | 04.30.2024 | 03:27PM

    Not really a romance book but A Lesson in Chemistry is a fantastic book. Also, Carrie Soto gets good if you can just hang in there. Once the competition really kicked in I was so invested I couldn’t put it down. If you want to branch into more supernatural-ish romantasy I have a few recommendations (that are all fairly short reads): Caraval, The Night Circus, Belladonna (Death is hot), House of Hollow, and Bittersweet in the Hollow. They don’t all take place in fantasy worlds but instead bring it into our world. If you want a kinda cheesy series and are into vampires the Vampire Academy is fantastic. And if you want a mind-fuck read Tender is the Flesh will make you debate going vegetarian and I who have never known Men will leave you with so many questions. If you haven’t already you should also start a Goodreads! That way people can follow along with what you read and you can see what your followers read

  • R
    Renea Mullins | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    I’m SOOOO excited about this book club!!! I loved ACOTAR! You should try From Blood And Ash!

  • A
    Anabela Georgieva Slaveykova | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    You should read the six of crows duology, very funny, mysterious and with lots of action, and a beautiful found family.

    Also, definitely read Emily Henry’s books: Beach Read and Happy place are a must.

    And if you feel like going into a good thriller or suspense, read Verity by Colleen Hover, and the Silent patient. Amazing plot twists, I still think about them.

    I’m in the middle of the ACOTAR series, trying to get into the third one already, but still don’t have time for it until summer starts

    Love you bye
    Bela

  • t
    tracy k muntz-dalton | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    Excellent choices! 7 husbands ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • P
    Philippa van der Linden | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    I’m excited to see if they captivate me in the same way, thanks!

  • L
    Letícia Padilhas | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    ACOMAF (acotar2) is my fav book of LIFE, it’s so good😭

  • H
    Hayley Noonan | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    I am up to date with all Sarah J Mass series, which I am sad about because I just have to wait for her to write new books 😭 I started the ‘From Blood & Ash’ series by Jennifer Armentrout to fill the gap, it’s quite good. Spicy, adventure, fantasy.

  • L
    Liz | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    Throne of Glass is not spicy but the fantasy elements are incredible! Book 1&2 are similar to the first 3/4 of ACOTAR in that its in the same setting as its building the ground for the rest of the series and once it shifts in book 3, there is no going back!

    I’d then recommend Jennifer L Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash series and the prequel series From Flesh and Fire – there is a specific reading order to better enjoy the series so look that up before starting.

  • E
    Evie Trice-parkin | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    Have you read any Elsie silver books? She is my favourite author xx