My Favorite Books
Allow me to talk about all my favorite books in no paticular order
Book 1
The Secret History
The Secret History by Donna Tartt made me the reader I am today. I have always been a reader however before reading 50 books a year or more would have felt impossible. I was a senior in high school on the cusp of real adulthood when I picked up this book for my book club. From the first line I could not put this book down. The story is immaculate honestly and the writing hits different. Years later I still search for books as amazing as this one. Since reading this book I took a greek literature class, with this new found knowledge decided to reread this book and was blown away by how genius this book was and how connected it was to ancient greek literature and stories.
This book is amazing. It was so so fun to read, I absolutely loved it. The story is dark and has many twists and turns making it impossible to put down. This book has a similar “perspective” to the Great Gatsby and also gave me Catcher in the Rye vibes but MUCH darker. I would recommend this book to anyone. The writing style is amazing and I will be reading the Gold Finch next. If you like a book that doesn’t have predictable story line and isn’t boring, this is for you. It’s also kinda a murder mystery (emphasis on kinda) but not at all in a traditional way. So if you like themes like that read it.
Orignal Review:
5 Stars Donna Tartt
Book 2
Crying in Hmart
No author has made me cry hard then Michelle Zauner. Good damn. I cried literally ten pages in and couldn't read this book in public because I wouldn't cry a little, I would SOB. I recommend this book constantly because I don't know anyone who didn't love it. Please don't confuse this memoir with a celebrity trying to make more money, Zauner is an amazing author. I also listened to the audio book more recently and its so powerful to hear her read her own story.
This memoir is amazing. I’m not too familiar with the feeling of grief but my great grandmother died a couple years ago and was pretty important to me. This book unlocked feelings of grief I didn’t remember existed. Zauner did such a good job telling her story while connecting you to her own feelings. By the end of this book I felt like I’ve lost something as well. This books wins the award of making me cry the most out of any other book i’ve read including soa. Now i’m going to hug my mom a little harder and try my best to remember not to get mad with her 😭😭
Warning don’t read this book if you’re not ready to cry.
Orignal Review:
5 Stars Michelle Zauner
Book 3
Bunny
Thank you Mona Awad for this masterpiece. I waited so long to read this book because it has a low rating on good reads. I've learned a valuable lesson, Good Read readers don't like strange or disturbing books. This book is straight up unhinged and that is why I love it. It's kinda giving cult, really I have no idea what this book is about but it really messed with my head. The way the characters call each other bunny is so well written and creepy. This is why i love dark academia. bunny you're so amazing <3
This is the most insane book i’ve ever read. It was great though. Some of the best writing i’ve read. Wouldn’t recommend if you don’t like darkness and weirdness. Honestly, I felt just as confused as the main character.
Orignal Review:
5 Stars Mona Awad
Book 4
I am, I am, I am: Seventeen Brushes with Death
This was one of these books that stuck with me. Right away I wasn't sure if this was a five star read but now I know it is. This memoir is incredibly powerful. Getting a chronalogical retelling of Maggie O'Farrel's life through incidents of near life death experiences, is an incredibly intimate and vunerable way of understanding O'Farrel. The most powerful story is certainly the best chaper, wrapping up the entire novel while leaving the reader in tears. This book deserves so much more attention and in my opinion is O'Farrel's best work as an author.
I am. I am. I am crying. This was so good!!!! A woman defines her life by her 17 near death experiences, do i need to say more??? Read this. I want to read more memoirs so please give me good memoir recommendations.
Orignal Review:
5 Stars Maggie O'Farrel
Book 5
If we were Villains
So is this the third dark academia book on this list? Yes. Is this book incredibly similar to the Secret History. Yes. Do I care? no. If a concept isn't broken don't fix it. I think this book is different enough. Although, this book isn't as good as The Secret History. The characters are not as developed and the female characters are lacking, well, character. The story is a page turner, I was on the edge of my seat. Some people don't like this book because it's a lot of Shakespeare, but I have a confession, I've never actually read Shakespeare and I thought this was book was really accessible.
AMAZING LOVED LOVED LOVED
Orignal Review:
4.5 Stars M.L Rio
Book 6
The Song of Achilles
Not to be dramatic but this book changed my life. I have never read more beautiful writing. I read this book before I knew anything about greek mythology which I think made it more enjoyable because I had no idea what was going to happen. I loved reading about their love, so much. When I say I love romance, these are the type of books I mean. I've been trying so hard to find books like this one but it just hits different. When people ask my favorite book, I tell them it's the Song of Achilles. When this book ended I cried like a mother fucker. I was weeping so hard. I couldn't believe the emotional impact this novel had on me. I wish I could reread it for the first time all over again.
wow! wow! wow! this book one thousand percent lived up to the hype. it’s the best romance i’ve ever read. ever. so i was really really hesitant about reading this book. the greek mythology intimidated me, i was worried i was going to need context for the characters but the author does a good job of making the mythology accessible and easy to understand. first, the writing was just BEAUTIFUL! second the relationship itself was wonderful to read. the amount of love they felt for each other was inspiring. i cared deeply about their relationship and i love how they treated each other. lastly. the ending. boy. i cried, scratch that i weeped for like twenty minutes. if i could just experience half of the love they felt for each other my life would be complete. i think anyone should read this book. i wish i read this book in school it was just so amazing. get over the title and read it please. warning it will wreck you
Orignal Review:
5 Stars Madeline Miller
Book 7
Malibu Rising
What an iconic book. We love sibling dynamics around here. Their relationships with each other is so interesting to read about. This was the first Taylor Jenkins Reid book I read and unpopular opinion but Malibu Rising is my favorite of all the books I've read of hers. Yes, better than Seven Husbands. I also love that a lot of her books are in the same universe. I don't have much to say but this book slays.
This book was such a good read!!!!!!!!!
( I wrote this review before I wrote actual reviews, my bad.
Orignal Review: