Every time I see a book I’ve read or listen to a song I’m transported somewhere. It’s usually the place I first read or heard it. Other times it’s a memory of something meaningful or fun that happened. It is a powerful thing when art evokes that kind of reaction from us. I’m particularly susceptible to it probably because I’ve been low key emo since my middle school years, and guess I never really grew out of it. It is what makes reading such a big part of my life. I am thrown into new adventures, characters jump off the page, and the feels I experience are intense - genuine sadness for a loss OR squeals and blushing in excitement when the characters finally have their moment OR visible shudders when the murderer in a thriller is found out and starts giving their creepy monologue.
These book recommendations have earned their success, but it goes beyond the 5 stars for me. They remind me of interesting times in my life that are worth remembering and sharing.
Watership Down by Robert Adams
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Classic
Did you know that Watership Down didn’t have an easy road to be published, despite holding classic status now? I guess most authors have their own horror stories about getting published, but if you are interested, this book has a good intro that gives you its backstory. I listened to this book on Audible the first time, and thanks to my husband for getting me a US first edition copy. It is a book about one rabbit breaking off from the core group and taking a few others with him because of a hunch. They go on this massive journey to find a new home, and they gain (and lose) some friends along the way. Don’t let the cute bunny on the cover fool you. It is a gruesome book - full of battles, loss, and survival. However, beneath it all you see true friendship, belief, and love. Over time, my connection to the book has become a little bit of the same too. I was recommended this book by a friend I had once upon a time. They knew I was on this crazy kick to catch up on reading all the classics I never got to read growing up, and this book was on the top of their list for me. They thought the story would have a little of everything, plus bunnies! They’re my favorite! I have a cutest one, Wrexy man! Anyways, every time I think or read the book, I reminded of that great friendship that existed then.
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Zhao
Genre: YA
You’ve Reached Sam has been a catalyst in opening up the waterworks. I’ll start by saying I don’t generally cry. I know everyone says this, but I’m serious! I do get choked up during sad moments in movies, but that’s it. I’ve never suffered a loss, except for my dog, and I’m actually pretty aloof because I’ve had to be all my life. I don’t show emotions well. However, this book, first 50 pages, I was ugly crying in the middle of a library. It was embarrassing! Then, of course, I decided to check out the book, and when I start the book over again in the car, I started to sob all over again. My husband was driving us home, and he thought I was having a nervous breakdown and panicked. I kept trying to explain that I couldn’t understand why I was so touched by the book and kept crying, but I could hardly get a word out in between the sobbing, hyperventilating, and hiccuping. To make matters worst, I couldn’t believe I’d cried twice, so I started the book a third time and wash, rinse, repeat, except this time I was finally in the comfort of my own home. This book is tangled up in grief, loss, friendship, and love. The story is told from the fmc’s POV after her boyfriend passes away tragically in a car accident. You follow her journey of dealing with his loss along with her somewhat supernatural connection with him beyond death. The author does a great job of walking you through all the stages of grief and how his life ending shapes the fmc’s life who is a senior in high school - on the cusp of her beginning. I still cannot explain what about this book gets to me, but it gets me every time.
-Note: Just did a book review on it and was crying while I looked for quotes to include in the review. Major eyerolls.
Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Classic
Sooo…..I’m starting to sense a pattern here because Farenheit 451 is another book riddled in loss but most pointedly, their sense of self. The main character in this book starts off following the mission given to him, doing the job, and blindly executing orders despite this nagging feeling that there is something wrong. His wife is a mess, and I suspect a representation of who we are turning into, essentially this mindless drone lost to the media. Another cog in the wheel. His evolution as a character was huge because this one moment caused him to re-evaluate everything he’d ever believed in including transitioning to fight FOR the opposition.
I read Farenheit 451 shortly after COVID and the 2020 elections. It was a devastating time in our country. Between being locked up in our homes full-time, which was unheard of, and the fear mongering of the media, I was feeling vulnerable. Reading this book made me find parity between moments in the book and the censorship and chaos I was seeing unravel around me. I wondered how someone back then could see into a window of today. Reminded me of how much of my anthropological studies showed that life is cyclical, and society seems doomed to repeat its mistakes. Since, the book remains top of mind for me as one of many I’ve read recently that tackle difficult topics about societal issues and what we’re evolving towards. I try NOT to think about it because life is messy enough without the dreary news, but it still creeps in.
Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Is it ok to read a book simply because it is hilarious? My favorite trope? Part of a series with a fun concept? This book is exactly it! Interestingly enough, I didn’t read this book in the series first. During one of my many B&N hauls, I found the book Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams and fell in love with the cover of a man holding a cat and reading what seemed like a romance novel. The description only confirmed my suspicions, and while I wasn’t totally sold on the friends to lovers trope because it is NOT my favorite, the cover got me. Surprisingly, the book was good. Win for friends to lovers. It was well written, super interesting concept about a group of male friends who read romance novels to help them navigate their own relationship issues, and the side characters were so loveable. This book made me go back to the beginning and start reading book 1 and onward. Btw I’m all caught up now and waiting for book 6 to be released.
This book is #2 in the series, and it is my #2 all-time favorite romance (recently dethroned for #1 by First Time Caller). Enemies to lovers, a fiercely independent yet fragile fmc, a rich pretty boy that “cannot be trusted”, and a support group of besties to help and unwittingly sabotage them too along the way. The memory this book triggers is tied to a friend who used to read books to me. This was one of my favorites, so they put a lot of effort in reading and recording clips of my favorite parts. I haven’t had a lot of people do that for me, so it is a forever sweet memory tied to a super funny romcom.
First Time Caller by B.K. Borison
Genre: Contemporary Romance
This is the newest to make the list and round out my top 5. It is my new #1 favorite contemporary romance. B.K Borison is incredible at creating loveable main characters, quirky side characters, and a slow burn that ends up in too hot spicy moments. It’s about a single mom who has a pre-teen daughter that calls into a romance radio show with a host who doesn’t believe in love to get advice about her mom’s non-existent dating life. And you guessed it! The single mom gets sucked into some Bachelor version of a radio show where she and the host slow burn their way to an HEA. When I put it like that it sounds like the formula of every other good romance novel out there. However, this one hit on a personal note. I was a single mom for a few years (no judgment here please). Dating was tough(er) because no matter how put together I was plenty of guys I met would run for the hills when they found out I was a single mom. Some were blunt and honest enough to tell me that they weren’t interested in a woman who showed poor judgment in the past. Others…..needless to say it wasn’t pretty out there. So, I have a soft spot for guys who accept women for who they are and don’t judge them for their past. Still gushing over it!
Sooooo these are my recommendations for you and they’re great to me, but remember to read what makes you feel something. It’s what matters the most and makes reading so incredibly special. Like seeing a piece of art at a museum, it never means the same thing to everyone.
I really enjoyed this - great article! ❤️