I got out of reading for many years and recently rediscovered my love for it, so for the last year or two I’ve really put in the effort to read more. This year I set a reading goal for myself and I’m falling far behind, and I think that is partially because I can’t find a book I really connect with. I’m hoping someone can recommend me something I fall in love with and can’t put down. This year I have read:
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Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells: I was trying something different, I’m normally a horror/fantasy girlie. Was not much of a fan of this one. I’m from Louisiana and have mommy issues so thought this would resonate with me but it just didn’t, I liked the movie way better.
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Night Film by Marisha Pessl: Big fan of a story within a story, and I LOVED the concept of this book. I was even really into the mixed media aspect of the book. But man I hate the MMC. I could not get past my dislike of him, I was so mad the whole time that I was getting the story from his point of view. I give credit to this book, it did creep me out quite a bit at least once, but the ending just fell flat for me. I was very disappointed that I didn’t love this book.
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Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts: This read was just for fun, was really feeling the New Orleans ghostly ambience. And I don’t even care that MMC is a bit cliche, I loved him. I found FMC a bit annoying, but was still happy to read a book involving a strong woman. Also weirdly loved the scenes about him renovating the house, just felt so satisfying I guess? Would be interested in more of this. Overall found the book to be quite basic, but I’m just playing around with romance to see what I like. This book wasn’t great but I don’t regret reading it.
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Not really a book, but Manacled by SenLinYu: I’m not normally into fan fic but goddamn, this story. I’m new to dark romance and WHEW this one blew me away. I guess based on my love for this story, I could reasonably say I’d be into another “enemies to lovers” story. I felt an emotional connection to this one, and honestly if it wasn’t a Dramione story I would probably give it 5 stars. (I know, I’m a hater, I’m so sorry)
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All of these listed were just books read while taking breaks from what I’ve really been reading, the ACOTAR series. Which is taking me FOUR MONTHS to get through. I am now 100 pages from being done with Silver Flames, and I am having to force myself to finish. I know, I know, everyone loves these books. And I do love some aspects of them. But I feel the writing is bad. It feels very much like fan fic to me, could do with some major editing. Honestly I have never been fully team Rhys, and have always found Feyre a little annoying. But like I said, there were aspects of it that I loved that kept me going. I loved the whimsical feel of the first book, and I really wished she would have focused a bit more on world building in the following books. I also feel like aside from their magic these “fae” very much feel human; so many of these characters still read as immature even though most of them are supposed to be 500+ years old. I may have just read too much traditional fantasy but ACOTAR doesn’t feel very fantasy to me. Another disappointment, one that I can’t wait to be done with so I can move on with my life.
So it’s nearing time for me to start something new, and I am asking for your help in finding a 5-star book. It could be fantasy, horror, dark romance, maybe even a psychological thriller (my favorite book is House of Leaves so you KNOW I’m down for a little mind fuckery). I prefer if not a “good” main character than at least an interesting one, I like good scene descriptors to help me visualize the world, and a story that I actually care about, one that has stakes. Can yall help me out?
by dirigibleplums-s