My five star reads
This week I am back with some more reading recommendations! Only this time I am going to talk about my five star reads, the show stoppers, the cream of the crop and the literary gems that have left a mark on my heart. While I am usually lenient with my ratings, there are not many books that I will award 5 stars.
A big requirement for my five star reads is that the story, characters or writing is something I want to explore outside of just reading the book. Those things linger and compel me to read fan theories about important plot points, saving my favourite quotes or looking up fan art/stories that breathe life into my favourite characters. If a book beckons me to linger in its world long after I've turned the last page, it's a five-star read. Granted, my journey back into reading began only a few years ago, so my list is still evolving. With that in mind, let’s dive into my all-time favourite books.
Alone with you in the ether
This is my most recent five star discovery! The story follows our two main characters as they cross paths in a museum and are immediately drawn to each other. They are super curious about each other but because neither of them are in a position to commit to anything, they agree to have 6 conversations. We follow them through these conversations and see how they fall for each other more and more. This story beautifully describes falling in love while dealing with mental illness and it explores how feeling everything deeply can be both a good and bad thing. The lyrical writing is just extraordinary and there are quotes from this book I will carry with me for a long time to come.
Crooked kingdom
This is the second book in the six of crows duology! Now I love both of the books in this duology (I gave the first book 4.75 stars) but because the stakes in the second book are a lot higher and there is more tension I thought crooked kingdom deserved a little bit more. Six of crows is a story about 6 young people who, for various reasons, have ended up in the criminal circuit. With the promise of their biggest pay out ever, they set out on a heist to break someone out of the most protected jail in the surroundings. Crooked Kingdom follows the aftermath of that adventure and follows the group while they navigate through political intrigues, manipulation and a whole city on the lookout for them. What’s so special about this duology to me is, next to the gripping plot, the characters. Even though all of them are technically criminals, each complex figure manages to capture your heart.
A little life
Disclaimer: even though I gave this book five stars I will never recommend it to anyone. If you want to read it anyways, make sure to read a list of trigger warnings beforehand and make sure you are emotionally okay enough for a story like this. I put the book down 3 times and read other books in between because it was just that much.
A little life is a beautiful story about 4 friends, who we follow from when they meet in university all the way into their 50’s. We see them facing the hardships of life and how they try and support each other through it all. Just as life is, many bad things happen in this book and at times it is incredibly heart breaking. What’s special to me about this story is how well you get to know the characters. You read from all their perspectives but at a certain point in the book it won’t be mentioned who is talking anymore. There are just little clues that make sure you know. These characters feel like close friends throughout reading this book and you really feel with them. One of the most impressive books I’ve ever read that I am still thinking about sometimes months later.
The seven husbands of evelyn hugo
When I first got back into reading, this is one of the first books I picked up. I found it through tiktok and it’s still one of the best recommendations I got through there. In this book we follow Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood icon who wants to have her memoir written by this journalist named Monique. As she’s sharing her life with Monique, we follow her throughout her tumultuous life and her seven marriages. The story is heart-warming, melancholic and has some amazing plot twists. If you are just getting back into reading or are looking for a quick, fun read this is the one for you!
Red, white and royal blue
Speaking of quick, fun reads, this is another amazing one! Here we follow the story of arch nemeses Alex (son of the president of America) and Henry (the British prince) as their yearlong feud slowly starts to change when are forced to hang out to try and keep up political bonds. They end up falling in love and we explore their unexpected love story as they try to navigate having a relationship while being public figures. This story is flirty, romantic and so funny at times. It was a truly enjoyable read and I highly recommend it to anyone!
These five-star reads have carved a special place in my literary heart, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you're a seasoned reader or just venturing back into the world of books, these recommendations promise a journey worth taking.
What’s your latest five star read? Let me know in the comments!