Some of my Favorite Books
My all-time favorite book is These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. There is something so beautiful about the way it's written. It’s a diary in first person but you still feel like you know every side character. The romance in this book is honestly one of the most glorious ones I’ve ever read. The female lead, Sarah, grows up a lot in this book and her character development is beautiful. She falls deeply for the male lead, Jack. Jack is older, a soldier, and is head over heels for Sarah from the first second he meets her. This book is set from 1881 to 1901 in the Arizona territories, so the historical aspect plays a big role. I’ve read this book more times than I can count, and my paperback is about falling apart. It’s funny because I read more dark romance these days than any other genre and this is definitely not that. I also love that though because it speaks to the power a book has after you truly fall in love with it. These is My Words is seared on my soul and books like that don’t come around very often. I had the privilege of attending an online Q&A with the author (Thank you Stephanie) and that will forever be a highlight of my life.
I absolutely adore The Will. I saw the movie before reading the book, but both are wonderful. I love a lot of Kirsten Ashley’s books but this one takes the cake for me. I recently ordered a signed copy to go with the paperback I already owned and I won’t be surprised if it’s not the last copy I end up getting. Josie and Jack honestly keep me up at night. I’ve written so many scenes about them, just for fun. The friendship between Josie and Alyssa is iconic. Honestly, in the second book of this series I liked their friendship more than the main couple, haha. Jack is the definition of “if he wanted to, he would,” and the way he pines for Josie, ugh, it’s SO good.
The Last Letter, talk about putting your heart through a paper shredder. Rebecca Yarros breaks a reader's heart like no one else. Everything she writes has you believing you know what’s going on and then she sticks a knife right in your gut just to prove that you have no idea. I love her writing, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little terrified every time I pick up one of her books.
Literally anything by J.T. Gessingser. I binged the Queens & Monsters series faster than any series ever. In fact, I’m not really a series girl. I will read one book in series, sometimes not the first one, and then move on. I’m weird about series. I get attached to characters and most of the time I don’t want to explore the world outside of the already established relationship. Hilarious coming from someone who is currently writing an interconnected series. Gessinger is always the exception. I’ve also listened to the audiobooks and cannot recommend them enough. They have multiple narrators and it’s more like watching a play in your head than listening to a book.
I consistently read a book a day, because once I start a book I have to know what happens. I’m a serial, binge reader. I’ve read so many incredible books recently, My Dark Romeo, Dear Aaron, Hunting/Haunting Adeline, The Mindfuck Series, Hooked, There Are No Saints/There Is No Devil, Fake Dating the Football Player (YA), and Real Regrets. I’m always on the lookout for good romance, so if you have any recommendations please send them my way! shalanabattles@gmail.com
