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
    Ene | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    If you ever think about reading classics, make sure to read: Dead Poets Society, Anna Karenina, 1984

  • A
    Ari F | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    I’m glad I’m not the only person completely obsessed with ACOTAR 😭

  • E
    Emma Varga | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    Oh my godddd!!! Throne of glass is a complete masterpiece and iron flame is just ahhh!!! Xaden is forever my top 1!!!🤭

  • L
    Lulu | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    You will loooooove throne of glass!!!

  • S
    Simey Araya Zuñiga | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    Hi Claire! Greetings from the beautiful country of Costa Rica! In fact, I started reading the universe of SJM for you, it made me very curious, and now, I’m dying of love and the beauty that is Acotar.
    I hope to continue reading and participating in this book club.

  • T
    Tabitha Terry | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    On the last book of the Throne of Glass series and I loved it more thanACOTAR

  • a
    aya kahil | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    you should read girl in pieces or you’d be home now by kathleen glasgow!!

  • A
    Amy | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    Claire, I don’t know anyone else who has read the ACOTAR books!! I am OBSESSED! If you read anything else like these please share as I feel like I’m in a state of mourning!🙈I need book 6! 🤞🏻

  • R
    Rebecca | 04.30.2024 | 03:27PM

    I love that you shared you haven’t always been a big reader and found your inner bookworm a little later on. Definitely feel like I am reading about myself, minus the scripts! I read here and there, also dreamed of Hogwarts but never fell into reading constantly and being unable to put a book down. Now I can’t seem to stop and I think at this point, it may be classed as an addiction. It started over a year ago, maybe a little before that and was all romance (the hating game, things we never got over etc) and then I read Fourth Wing and the love for Fantasy/Romantasy blossomed. Well rekindled, I have always loved the genre in TV, film and the occasional book. I have finished Fourth Wing and Iron Flame (though I do plan a re-read – I love it that much) and managed to convince my sister to give them a go and thankfully she loves them. Which is great because now I can talk to her about Dragons, Basgiath and Xaden of course. I am halfway through the ACOTAR series and loving it. I have to jump between Kindle, physical copies and Audible (mum/working life). Graphic Audio is the best if not a little awkward when an intimate scene comes on and your significant other walks in and wonders if thats the plot. Like you say though, its why we are all secretly reading it 😂. If you haven’t tried it yet, it really brings a book to life. Highly recommend. I bought throne of glass a few weeks ago in anticipation so that I can dive right into the next Sarah J Maas series and have purchased many many more (For example: A day of fallen night). I rarely cry when reading but It ends with us got me for sure. I have been sucked in by booktok and purchased Twisted Love on Kindle which I am going to try and fit in between the many fantasy books on my TBR list.

  • C
    Claire O'Kane | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    Cat Doyle’s series Twin Crowns is very good, from a Sarah J. Mass fan :)

  • J
    Julie Taylor | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    I am a lifelong reader, but very new to the romantasy genre (although I did read Game of Thrones). I read Fourth Wing and then decided to read ACOTAR. Boy did that get me started!! I actually read the entire series through a second time before starting TOG and Crescent City. Sarah J. Mass is a genius. I would have to say that TOG is my favorite series so far. It’s not quite as spicy as ACOTAR, but the world building and character development is second to none. Now I’m reading Iron Flame and then will try and decide what is going to satisfy my fantasy cravings next.

  • L
    Luci Egan | 04.29.2024 | 12:30PM

    11.22.63 The best 👌 it’s a long one but so worth it. It’s the best stephen king I have read. As for a series the witcher or bridgerton books are also a favourite. I am on my 15th of the year luckily I get to listen to audio books all day at work.

  • n
    ninon | 05.29.2024 | 01:40PM

    hi again, just remembered about the series Blood and Ash: amazingamazingamazing and totally the universe you like!! love ya xx

  • M
    Mallory Paige | 04.29.2024 | 12:33PM

    I think we are soul mates? Lol yes please to a book club, and we are living a parallel life with the books you’ve outlined. I’m on book three of ACOTAR. The similarities between Rhys and Xaden are surprising, and at first I liked Violet more than Feyre. At this stage though I’m team Rhys I think? I’d like to marry his twin. And although I do think Rebecca’s writing style is more interesting and engaging, if I had to choose, I’d rather exist as an immortal magical High Fae, as opposed to a dragon rider.

    You should read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. 🫶🏼

  • C
    Crystal | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM

    I’ve read ACOTAR and Throne, and just getting started on Crescent City. Its slow going so I’m not feeling committed yet. Someone tell me it gets better/more exciting soon?!?!

  • J
    Julia Hochhausen | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM

    damn, I‘m excited!