32. My soul characters

baring my soul to you and an author who i honestly believe would be my friend

Part of why I love reading so much is seeing myself in so many different characters. I am her, in many ways. She is me. It lets me see aspects of myself from a different point of view. And often, I see her overcome challenges I face or might face in the future.

Below are the four characters that first come to mind, but I have many more. If you’re interested in a part two, I will gladly make another!

Who is your soul character?

Elide Lochan

Elide is massively overlooked in the Throne of Glass series. Her story and her survival is so meaningful to me. So many characters dismiss her in the books. But Elide has that side to her - the witches side, the you do not yield side. She loves immensely, is stubborn to a fault, and never gives up. Elide travels - drags herself - across the world to get to where she wants. Her ability to slip into a personality that reflects those around her resonates with me. I often, especially in the past, shifted myself to reflect my friends around me. In that, I lost myself. I love when Manon and Aelin fight over her. It shows that you are often loved more deeply, cherished more closely, than you imagine.

Nesta Archeron

There are so many reasons why A Court of Silver Flames touches so many hearts. Depression and anxiety can show themselves in many different ways. And for those of us who are angry and lash out, it feels very isolating. This was the first book I ever read that showed that version. I can be incredibly mean. I used to be angrier, but even now, I can say things before I think. Hurt those around me to protect myself. Nesta’s self hatred, her spiral, and her hurt I can feel in my bones because I am the same. It’s hard to put into words. The anger is a coping mechanism, a defense to fall back on. But as soon as you do it, it verifies your self hatred. You prove to yourself that you were right all along. Finding your way out of that is an incredibly humbling and raw experience. Watching Nesta’s journey back to herself helped me find my own. Also, not everyone is kind all the time. So many people don’t like characters like Nesta, but she is an accurate reflection of so many of us. I’m snappy and closed off, but I am also capable of love and kindness. They can live together.

Elizabeth Scrivener

I adore Margaret’s writing so much, and part of that is because her characters are so real. Elizabeth is more familiar and at ease with books than people. She has social anxiety. But she is brave and strong. Stubborn, stands for what is right. I think Elizabeth is someone I look up to. I, too, am at ease more with books than people. I get nervous in group social situations, get in my head. But she found her people. She is so true to herself. She is so courageous and unafraid. Elizabeth is a guiding light for me. I think that’s why I reread this book so much.

Nora Stephens

Thank you

Emily Henry

for Nora. THANK YOU! You might notice a pattern with my soul characters. They can be prickly. They aren’t necessarily nice. Neither is Nora. And you know what? These books show that you can be prickly and closed off because you care so deeply, love so deeply. It hurts to feel that much. Nora is a fixer, just like me. She has her list of stuff to do and gets it done. She puts others ahead of herself. Seeing how Charlie was able to see through her so clearly gives me hope. Don’t judge people based on their cover.

I made these on Canva!

Some articles I enjoyed this week

1. 13 things I loved this week by

   Amani Hope
   , Cherry Bomb

2. Every book on my TBR list for the rest of summer by

   Leanna Julius
   , Books & Nooks

3. An Aside: What Sourdough Taught Me About Life by

   Katherine Leak
   , Bookish Ramblings

4. ten ways my tits robbed me of my adolescence by

   Sudana Krasniqi
   , My So-Called Life

5. 12 Weeks on Substack… by

   Soph Coombs
   , The Quiet 20s

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We’re using ThriftBooks this week for links!

1. The Black Bird Oracle (All Souls Series #5) by Deborah Harkness (Fantasy): July 16, 2024

2. Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto (Romance): July 16, 2024

3. Business Casual (Lovelight Farms #4) by BK Borison (Romance): July 16, 2024

4. The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce (Romance): July 16, 2024

5. The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer (Fantasy): July 16, 2024

   1. this is literally inspired by Narnia. be still, my heart.

6. One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day (Thriller): July 16, 2024

Books I’ve compiled from mainly the NYT Bestsellers List, but also the B&N Top 100 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. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Fiction)

   1. note: has anyone read this yet? it sounds really good.

2. Flashpoint by Catherine Coulter (Thriller)

3. The Night Ends with Fire by KX Song (Fantasy)

4. The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (Nonfiction)

I’m pretty sure I’ve done one of these on this author before, but I just feel compelled to write about Hannah Bonam-Young again.

via hannahbywrites.com, photo by Megan Preece Photography

Last fall, I read Out on a Limb. I was expecting a fun, lighthearted romance to enjoy. I was simply blown away. This book was that and more. Hannah does a fantastic job of including diverse and marginalized characters while incorporating very real life problems. Out on a Limb was one of my favorites of 2023. It was a fun romance, but I also had a smile the entire time I read it, it was also the first accidental pregnancy trope I enjoyed, and I truly loved the disability representation and the characters. Bo and Win stay with me to this day!

Last week, I read Next to You and Next of Kin. Again, amazing characters and life realities that were handled with care and joy. These ones focus on grief, anxiety, the foster care system, LGBTQ+ representation, diversity, and honestly much more. It was lovely to see how Hannah has grown as a writer from these two to Out on a Limb, and I eagerly await her next release in January!

I want to be Hannah’s friend so badly. She married her childhood friend, Ben, (note: you’re literally KIDDING) and has two kids, an orange cat (ifykyk), and a bulldog. She and her family live near Niagra Falls. I visited with my family when I was younger, and it is truly a sight to behold! She loves dance parties with her kids and cheese boards - literally same. Hannah, this is my formal friendship application!

You can find her on her website and 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. Anything by Hannah Bonam-Young, but especially Out on a Limb

That’s all for today. Much love

Izzy