38. Some of my favorite books ever

i could gush about these all day

My original plan for this was to show you all my all time 5 star books. I’m still going to do that, but I started thinking: what makes a book 5 stars for me compared to others? Are rankings ridiculous? (yes)

I associate 5 stars with feelings. Some of the books on my list are not perfect (no book is), but they were perfect to me at the time. When you love something, you love it for it’s faults - you don’t spite it for them.

Some books on this list are 5 stars because they had such an impact on my childhood. Others are 5 stars because while I had some reservations about plot, the characters became part of my heart. Quite frankly, this list could go on and on and on, because I’ve been lucky enough to be positively affected by so many authors, characters, and worlds.

As a note, I’ve stopped ranking books by star ratings for a few months. I don’t think it’s fair, and it is entirely subjective. So, why don’t we call this simply some of my favorite books. Meet a few slivers of my heart:

1. Harry Potter series by JKR

   1. I’m not going to get into this author, but like so many in my generation, this series deeply impacted my childhood. I read the series in third grade by myself. Those copies from third grade? The spines started falling apart last fall. The movies and the books are the epitome of comfort to me. I grew up with these characters. I can always and will always return to them.

2. The Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley

   1. This series DEFINED middle school for me. I wanted to be Sabrina so badly. It proved to me that magic could exist in the real world. I was in love with Puck. These immersed me in a way that I hadn’t been since I read Harry Potter. Cue my love for magic systems and fantasy worlds that have lasted till this day.

3. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

   1. My introduction and first step into the world of historical fiction and women’s fiction. I can’t tell you how much this book impacted me. It is so important to me. Historical fiction can feel a bit like fantasy - a world that is new to me - except I know it was real and that makes it impact deeper. I also think historical fiction is a genre that every single person should read. Over and over again, we repeat history. By reading, we are able to remember.

4. The Women by Kristin Hannah

   1. A recent addition. Read above for why - the same meanings as her other on my list. Over and over and over again. In particular, I could really tell how much detail and thought was put into every word. This one was special to Kristin, and it is special to me.

5. Beartown by Fredrik Backman

   1. Honestly, all of his books have deeply impacted me. However, this series just clicks in a place deep inside. I can’t even describe it. I love the way he writes and has multiple points of view, how you never know the ending, and the realistic life happenings along the way.

6. Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

   1. For someone who doesn’t like the accidental pregnancy trope, this book has so much meaning to me. I relate very much to both Win and Bo. They each represent parts of myself, and you can just tell how much soul the author poured into this one. I think anyone can take something from their love story and personal journeys.

7. Beach Read by Emily Henry

   1. I had a hard time deciding which Emily Henry to put here. This one, Book Lovers, and Funny Story are all very special. Happy Place is too, but it makes me sad in a way. She is able to weave a love story with these characters who are so very real. There is a reason why so many people resonate with her books.

8. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

   1. I had a hard, hard time choosing a fantasy for this list. There are ones I love but others don’t, and I felt self conscious. I think fantasy is a pretty personal genre. People have specific things they want versus others. However, this standalone lives in my soul. I have reread it probably over five times. Magical books, Thorn manor, Elizabeth herself … I never get tired of it. It feels like coming home.

Honorary mentions: Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling, Crowns of Nyaxia by Carissa Broadbent, The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. You know what, why don’t I just do a part two one day?

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Thinking of doing a very in depth list for my Wednesday Rambles post next week. What do you think? Also: affiliate links!

1. Daydream (Maple Hills #3) by Hannah Grace (Romance): August 27, 2024

2. The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves (Thriller): August 27, 2024

3. The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter (Fantasy): August 27, 2024

4. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (Sci Fi, Fantasy): August 27, 2024

5. The Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott (Fantasy): August 27, 2024

6. Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma (Romance): August 27, 2024

7. Sync by Ellen Hopkins (Fiction, Family): August 27, 2024

8. Given Our History by Kristyn J Miller (Romance): August 27, 2024

9. Truly Madly Magically by Hazel Beck (Magical Realism): August 27, 2024

10. The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams by Karen Hawkins (Romance): August 27, 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. Born of Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout (Fantasy)

2. Angel of Vengeance by Preston and Child (Mystery)

3. Joy by Danielle Steel (Romance)

4. Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman (Thriller)

Welcome to the stage Annabel Monaghan!

via annabelmonaghan.com

I’ve fallen in love. I want her to be my aunt/best friend/advice giver. Annabel has written three bestselling romance novels, Summer Romance, Same Time Next Summer, and Nora Goes Off Script. Before that, she wrote fiction and columns. Before that, she studied English at Duke, got her MBA from The Wharton School at UPenn, and was an investment banker. Talk about a well rounded woman! Also, huge kudos for working so hard.

I deeply enjoyed Summer Romance and I have heard great things about Nora! I would love to get my hands on physical copies of both so I can annotate them. Also, I need to read Same Time Next Summer.

Her family is from Southern California, but she currently lives in the suburbs of NYC with her family. Now for the things you don’t know? Who better to tell you than Annabel herself?

Learn more on her website or Instagram.

Just a reminder to comment any recommendations or email me: thesundayreads@gmail.com!

1. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

   1. She’s a romance book, and she is special. Do you want to read a romance book about someone not in their twenties? Do you want to read a romance book about someone with kids, who has lost, and who has loved fully? This was a breath of fresh air, and a reminder that love can find you at any age. You don’t have to be twenty four. I love the way Annabel writes this book. I love the way we see the mind of our character and the second chance of love and the slow unraveling of characters. Your reminder that loving is always worth it in the end.

That’s all for today! Much love

Izzy