11. The Psychology of Fantasy

On how fantasy is our version of magic in reality, fantastic new releases, an incredible author of the week, and a 5 star recommendation.

The day before my seventh birthday, my sister told me that fairies lived in the rocks on the side of the beach house we were staying in. As one might imagine, I was floored. We were avid readers of the Fairyopolis book (if you know, you know), so I was certain I knew how to gain the trust of these fairies before we left. I went to these rocks, laid myself - uncomfortably - on the granular surface before it, and began talking. I introduced myself and tried to gain their trust. Over and over and over. I followed what Fairyopolis told us - how they live their lives, how to gain their trust, how to become friends with these magical creatures. They never showed themselves to me, but I never stopped.

The interactive book I had practically memorized was so impactful on my belief of the supernatural - the fairies in the rocks, the unicorns that roam the hills, the wolves and vampires and magic in the world. I think that reading is our magic. It allows both young and old to believe in the impossible, to escape to different worlds and live different lives. It allows teenagers and adults to be enchanted and fascinated with fantasy books and fairies because it’s a nostalgic and comforting release of our reality. This release is incredibly important for mental well being. It increases our imagination, offers an escape from any issues in our real lives, and allows us to spend time not being worried about anything; it bonds us with other people.

That, I believe, is the psychology of fantasy. And why so many of us are enamored with it, even if we are “too old” to believe in such things. Why we love the fantasy books with fairies and magic. Fantasy books are our version of magic.

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Of course, there are many releases this week, but here are a few to get you started. This is such a fabulous week for releases. Quite a few of these I am really looking forward to!

1. The Women by Kristin Hannah (Historical Fiction): Feb 6, 2024

2. If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin (Romance): Feb 6, 2024

3. Bride by Ali Hazelwood (Romance/Fantasy): Feb 6, 2024

4. Just Stab Me Now by Jill Bearup (Fantasy): Feb 5, 2024

5. The Teacher by Freida McFadden (Mystery/Thriller): Feb 6, 2024

6. All The Twisted Glory (This Woven Kingdom #3) by Tahereh Mafi (Fantasy): Feb 6, 2024

Books I’ve compiled from B&N Top 100, the NYT Bestsellers List, and Amazon Bestsellers in no particular order. I’ve decided to simply add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.

1. House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City 3) by Sarah J Maas (Fantasy)

2. Random in Death by JD Robb (Mystery/Thriller)

3. Gothikana by RuNyx (Fantasy)

4. Madness by Antonia Hylton (Nonfiction)

5. One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy (Nonfiction)

6. Only Say Good Things by Crystal Hefner (Memoir)

via Penguin Random House

I have read one book by this author so far, but man it was incredible. A 5 star read. I was smiling and giggling and melting the entire time. Out on a Limb is a fantastic book about how two people can navigate the unexpected together and normalizes limb differences. I love it. Bo and Win are perfection. It balances real problems with humor beautifully. I found myself tearing up and laughing. I love these characters with my entire heart, and I adore that it includes disability. So many romance and fantasy books do not include this, and sometimes I do believe it’s because authors don’t want to write about something they have no personal experience with. However, Hannah does so with grace and educates all who read this book.

Hannah also wrote Next of Kin and Next to You. She writes about diverse characters in fantasy and romantic books, with both humor and real world problems. She lives near Niagara Falls with her husband, two kids, and Bulldog. Like many of us, she also loves cheese boards and dance parties. THIS is her Instagram.

Just a reminder to submit any books you think others will love on the R&R page or to my email: thesundayreads@gmail.com!

1. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

   1. A favorite of mine. When I started this, I was really worried I would have trouble paying attention, but holy smokes I had no trouble! Even though the first half of the book was definitely slower paced and had a lot of descriptive paragraphs about Alaska, I didn't have any trouble reading through it. I was still captivated by what Leni was going through and how they lived in Alaska. The second half had me in a chokehold. Despite it being a long book, I felt like it was paced well (until the end). Also, I had no idea there was romance in this book, but it ended up being a pretty big part of it. It was so cute and angsty and had me crying. I want someone to love me like that!! The quotes >>>
      I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and tied up in a pretty bow. Is it everything I wanted? Yes. But did it feel quite right? Maybe not. Even though it made me happy, it gave Happily Ever After vibes in a book that's about survival. Despite the HEA vibes I got, I wish things were explained a bit more in the end for sure no matter the way it ended.