Let's start a book club?
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:
- A Court of Mist and Fury (book 2)
- A Court of Silver Flames (book 5)
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (book 1)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin (book 3)
- 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
Leave a comment
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DDakota | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
What is your favorite part about the ACOTAR series? Why do you think this series gets you hooked deep (myself included). I feel like SJM puts a spell on you the moment you start reading. I feel very similar to how to feel about the series and I’m excited to hear your thoughts on the rest of the series! We love a Rhys girlie❤️
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KKarry Kertesz | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
I was just like you, disliked reading growing up and then got sucked into the vortex. I really enjoyed the Caraval series. I’m currently reading When the Moon Hatched and although not super spicy it’s very good. My list could go on and on.
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SSarah Meghani | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
Claire!!! I love this concept and the books you’re currently reading. As a romantasy girlie myself, ACOTAR was my first step into the genre too. FW was so good, I must say ‘The Serpent of Wings & Night’ is also one of my favourites. You would love it! And if not for book character boyfriends, however could we explain our delusional selves?!
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NNatalie | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
I LOVED ACOTAR and yes specifically ACOMF. I read crescent city (3books) in a month while im on my maternity leave with my 4 (now 5) month old. I loved it! Please read that series next! Love you 💕
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RRaven | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
I love tessa bailey books for a pallete cleanser! You know when you finish a fantasy book and you are not quite ready to go through world building yet- cue spicy romance books you can devour quickly
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DDestiney | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
Love this!
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LLucy Marchant | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
Zodiac academy books are amazing, loads of spin offs set in the same world too
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EElizabeth | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
I am so excited for you when you begin Throne of Glass. The female main character is my absolute fav of the SJM girls. I love this journey for you!🫶🏻
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Briel K. | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
I too loved the ACOTAR series! I’m really glad you are reading TOG next! It might take a while to get into it (she started writing it when she was 16 so the first books aren’t the best but they are still good) but once you do you’ll be hooked! I HIGHLY recommend doing the tandem read for Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. I think if I hadn’t done that I might have gotten a smidge bored. But Kingdom of Ash, the last book, is SO GOOD! Get the tissues ready.
As for Crescent City, I didn’t love the first two books but I just finished the third book this week and actually enjoyed it. I think if you go into the books understanding that the world has more modern technologies such as cell phones, trashy reality tv, guns, etc as well as the fantasy aspects then it will be easier to get into that world.
Iron Flame is also another “meh” book imo. I had high hopes for the series but am not very excited to continue on. I look forward to reading your thoughts!
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JJen | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
The Pillars of the Earth series by Ken Follett
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VVerity | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
You will love Throne of Glass. It will break you and heal you🫶🏼
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NNadia Maples | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
Claire, please read the house of night series I beg of you! Vampires and mystery and folklore and all the good stuff 😍
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CCourtney M | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
Great recommendations ! I’m a huge SJM fan as well. I was a bookworm growing up. You could always find me with a book. Then college , followed by motherhood, slowly took up all my free time. I turned around one day and realized I hadn’t read a book for me in WAY too long. I found SJM and my love for reading was reignited.
I flip between audiobooks (as long as the narrator is enjoyable ) and physical copies too. My newest fantasy recommendation is For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten. It’s red riding hood with a twist . I devoured that book and am currently reading its sequel, For the Throne. -
DDemy | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
You should read the 8 book series by Lucinda Riley, the seven sisters. One word: amazing! All 8 books are equally fantastic!
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mmillie | 04.29.2024 | 12:31PM
LOVED actotar then read throne of glass and it was sooo good. Some people said it was hard to get into so i was sceptical but it was so unreal sent me into a majorr reading slump
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AAdella | 04.29.2024 | 12:33PM
Throne Of Glass is better than ACOTAR. You’re gonna die and be reborn. Anyways, add Serpent and the Wings of Night series to your TBR. Thank me later