SO MANY GOOD RECS???? 🫶🫶 I am in the middle of reading “Betty” and i really love it so far… I don’t know if it’s going to be a 5 star yet but i recommend it if you haven’t already picked it up❤️🩹 it’s a very triggering / dark book though so be warned!
My only 5-star read this year, so far, is Stay True by Hua Hsu. It starts as a perfect nostalgic setting: a boy who goes to university in the early 00's and meets new friends, no smartphones, barely any internet. And then... well... you should read it. Perfect combo between happy nostalgia and absolute heartbreak
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! Not a single 5-star read until last month when I read “First Time Caller” by BK Borison. Idk if romance is your thing but if you want to give it a shot, I would recommend:)
I haven't heard it mentioned anywhere but my first 5 star read this year is Tangerinn by Emanuela Anechoum which was such a straightforward and meaningful family story with elements that reminded me of Elena Ferrante.
Loved all the main characters in Whistler and while as a novel it might not be worthy of "5 stars" much of Ann Patchett's work is ,Tom Lake and Commonwealth in particular.
maybe the frustrating part isn't the lack of five-star books... maybe it's what happens after finding one.
.... every really great novel quietly raises the entry fee for the next one. ..... suddenly perfectly good books start feeling like almosts coz they're being compared to a memory instead of a story.
... 42 books n still chasing that feeling sounds suspiciously like proof that readers are far more optimistic than they'll ever admit (｡◕‿◕｡)
I’ve had four 5 star reads this year, all of which in wildly different genres. Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Doll by Bolesław Prus, The Will of the Many by James Islington and The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
a five star book i read recently was the river has roots by amal el-mohtar. it’s a dreamy fantasy/folkloric book about the bond between two sisters, i feel like it would be perfect for summer as it’s set in the countryside and faerie lands.
I've been lucky and have had a few five stars reads this year, tho i read my latest one in april which was Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. Before that I finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I also started january with two good 5-star books which were Foster by Claire Keegan and Air by Christian Kracht. Hopefully I can find at least one 5 star book this summer <3
Permanence may be my favorite read of the year so far. I love a deep dive into a what if speculative element. In this case cheating couples are periodically transported to an idyllic city where they can live out their relationship. It’s Sophie Mackintosh, so it’s a great examination of human emotions.
Louise Kennedy has a collection of short stories I highly recommend: The End of the World is a Cul de Sac. She has a manner in these stories where she deals out information slowly, but it never feels like it’s been withheld or out of place, just very impactful. It can be depressing, though, to read these stories in succession (I read a story a day when I read a collection). The characters are often stuck with only bad choices.
I've been having the same issue with almost every book I've picked up this year by anyone other that Magda Szabó, she's the only writer that's saved me!
SO MANY GOOD RECS???? 🫶🫶 I am in the middle of reading “Betty” and i really love it so far… I don’t know if it’s going to be a 5 star yet but i recommend it if you haven’t already picked it up❤️🩹 it’s a very triggering / dark book though so be warned!
i LOVED betty!! one of my favourites and a rare book that made me cry a few years ago
omgggg yay<3
Shuggie Bain stole my HEART!
Lovers XXX is amazing. A very smart well crafted read with a thriller element.
i think about shuggie constantly 😭😭 lovers xxx sounds great!
SAME!!
My only 5-star read this year, so far, is Stay True by Hua Hsu. It starts as a perfect nostalgic setting: a boy who goes to university in the early 00's and meets new friends, no smartphones, barely any internet. And then... well... you should read it. Perfect combo between happy nostalgia and absolute heartbreak
yes i’ve only heard amazing things about that book!
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! Not a single 5-star read until last month when I read “First Time Caller” by BK Borison. Idk if romance is your thing but if you want to give it a shot, I would recommend:)
maybe a romance book is what i need!
I also really enjoyed First Time Caller. It felt really understated, not a lot of drama but some fun chemistry between ordinary people.
I haven't heard it mentioned anywhere but my first 5 star read this year is Tangerinn by Emanuela Anechoum which was such a straightforward and meaningful family story with elements that reminded me of Elena Ferrante.
Loved all the main characters in Whistler and while as a novel it might not be worthy of "5 stars" much of Ann Patchett's work is ,Tom Lake and Commonwealth in particular.
maybe the frustrating part isn't the lack of five-star books... maybe it's what happens after finding one.
.... every really great novel quietly raises the entry fee for the next one. ..... suddenly perfectly good books start feeling like almosts coz they're being compared to a memory instead of a story.
... 42 books n still chasing that feeling sounds suspiciously like proof that readers are far more optimistic than they'll ever admit (｡◕‿◕｡)
I’ve had four 5 star reads this year, all of which in wildly different genres. Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Doll by Bolesław Prus, The Will of the Many by James Islington and The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
a five star book i read recently was the river has roots by amal el-mohtar. it’s a dreamy fantasy/folkloric book about the bond between two sisters, i feel like it would be perfect for summer as it’s set in the countryside and faerie lands.
I didn’t like Strange Girls and I was so sad about it! Currently reading Lovers XXX and it’s okay 😅
I've been lucky and have had a few five stars reads this year, tho i read my latest one in april which was Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. Before that I finished Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I also started january with two good 5-star books which were Foster by Claire Keegan and Air by Christian Kracht. Hopefully I can find at least one 5 star book this summer <3
Permanence may be my favorite read of the year so far. I love a deep dive into a what if speculative element. In this case cheating couples are periodically transported to an idyllic city where they can live out their relationship. It’s Sophie Mackintosh, so it’s a great examination of human emotions.
Louise Kennedy has a collection of short stories I highly recommend: The End of the World is a Cul de Sac. She has a manner in these stories where she deals out information slowly, but it never feels like it’s been withheld or out of place, just very impactful. It can be depressing, though, to read these stories in succession (I read a story a day when I read a collection). The characters are often stuck with only bad choices.
Okay strange girls sounds amazing!! Adding it to my TBR!
I've been having the same issue with almost every book I've picked up this year by anyone other that Magda Szabó, she's the only writer that's saved me!
Heather by Caitlin Mullen is my first 5 star, "wow I loved that" book of the year!
i’ll have to check that out! i NEED a 5 star at this point
I kept telling my bf “HBO is gonna turn this into the crime thriller of the summer”