Welcome to the Reading Journals, a new series that I’ll (probably) do every so often where I can just kind of ramble on about whatever book related thoughts or opinions that I have. An uncategorized series, if you will, but with a cute featured image and title. Today I’m discussing something that I consider to be important backdrop for any reader, as well as any reader of this blog who may be unsure if they should trust my recommendations. Some of these have been my favorite books since I was a teenager, and others have been more recent finds (the newest one is as recent as last week!) but all have a special place in my heart and on my shelf. They are a step above even some of my 5-star rated books, for no real reason other than a personal connection I felt to the book. Usually that connection means it made me cry, or I genuinely got lost in the story and maybe even forgot I was reading sometimes.

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Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

It had been a long time since I got so completely absorbed and lost in a book before I picked up the much-hyped Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. And it had also been a very long time since I’d really cried at a book. The fact that this book accomplished both and introduced me to characters that I can’t wait to meet again speaks volumes on how great it really is.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My first favorite historical fiction novel, and another one that made me ugly cry. I would say this book is considered a modern classic, and for good reason. The prose and the characters just stay with you, and I’m probably due for a reread of it soon.

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

The first “classic” that I ever really loved. It introduced me to satire in literature, aligned with my dark teenage view of the world, and I still think about it almost every day. This is also the only book I’ve gotten a tattoo for, which is the quote “so it goes” along with Kurt Vonnegut’s signature. No one ever knows wtf it is and I have a bit of regret for not just getting the quote because the signature usually seems to read as just a big scribble, and I still have a lot of his works I need to get through…but hey, it’s unique! Here’s the tattoo:

Looking for Alaska by John Green (yes, still!)

Say what you will about John Green being cringe and about the hell wrought by the Manic Pixie Dreamgirl character that this book introduced, I can’t fight you there. But this book will always have a special place in my heart. It was one of the only books that I really connected to growing up, and I loved John Green’s pretentious ass writing, and the knowledge that a story without vampires or action or a dystopian universe opened up a whole new world of books for me.

The Princess Bride by William Golding

This one almost feels like cheating because if you love the movie you’re going to love the book, and I grew up loving this movie, so it was only natural that I loved the book too. I can always count on either iteration of the story to lift my mood and wrap me up in comfort.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Historically, I get very intimidated by fantasy books, long books, books about war…but I tore through this and I don’t think I was bored for a moment. The way Kuang makes you question your own morality and brings to light the true nature of war and its victims bowled me over. I also loved the sequel, The Dragon Republic, but I’ve been so nervous to start The Burning God because I know there’s going to be something really dark and sad waiting to rip my heart out in it.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

I’ve sat on it, and this is my favorite Emily Henry book I’ve read, inching out Book Lovers. I don’t know, parts of it just made me giddy and excited to be reading, and other parts made me feel seen and sad.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

I don’t do rereads very often with a few exceptions (Looking for Alaska being the main one) so I surprised myself by rereading The Bell Jar when I didn’t completely love it the first time I read it. For my initial reading, I was squeezing it into a very packed schedule as a teenager at a writing retreat, and it all felt confusing and verbose and boring. The second time I picked it up was during Covid quarantine, when I felt quite literally trapped in a bell jar myself, and wow did I get so much more out of it the second time.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

I haven’t read the Game of Thrones books before, but this book filled the void inside of me that the show left, but I may have liked the story even more? (Definitely liked the ending more.) I just finished this about a week ago at the time of writing this, so I need to figure out a way to review it soon. But just wow I cannot believe there was so much contained in this book even at its huge length, and I can’t wait to return to this world in the unrelated book in the series, A Day of Fallen Night.

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If we have any favorite books in common, comment and let me know what book made you feel similar feelings or what other book you think I might be obsessed with!