Along with sharing some of my all-time favorites, here are five of my most recent favorites!
These are some recent reads that I absolutely loved but have not made it to the all-time favorites list just yet. I’ve also included some favorite quotes like before.
A quick note: a lot of these are fantasy — okay, nearly all of these are fantasy 🫣. It’s the genre I feel most drawn to at the moment, so you can definitely expect to see some fantasy pop up in the coming posts.
Let’s get to it! 💞
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
The Atlas Six follows a group of gifted magicians who must spend a year together to be initiated into the secret Alexandrian society. This book kept me enthralled from start to finish and actually got me out of a reading slump! The mystical world Blake created left me stunned. Each character stands out in their own way and their dynamics are to die for — Parisa and Nico, my loves 😍. Since reading this, the newly edited version has been released, which I’m sure I’ll love once I get to reading. This book was a joy to read and I can’t wait for that sequel!
❥ “The problem with knowledge, is its inexhaustible craving. the more of it you have, the less you feel you know.”
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
You know when you’re so engrossed in a book that you forget about the world around you? Ninth House was that book for me. This was my introduction to Bardugo, eventually convincing me to finally pick up Six of Crows — which quickly became an all-time favorite if you read my last post. I loved many things about this book. The mysterious protagonist, Alex, along with everyone’s favorite boy, Darlington, and the seductive, yet corrupt, magical world around them kept me hooked, so much so that I finished it in a day. I am now eagerly waiting for the sequel 😩. A word of caution, I recommend checking trigger warnings before starting this one, as it can get very dark.
❥ “But would it have mattered if she’d been someone else? If she’d been a social butterfly, they would have said she liked to drink away her pain. If she’d been a straight-A student, they would have said she’d been eaten alive by her perfectionism. There were always excuses for why girls died.”
Upstream by Mary Oliver
If you’ve never had the pleasure of reading Mary Oliver’s work, I urge you to please do so immediately. During my undergraduate years, my favorite professor absolutely adored Oliver’s work and I believe that passion was passed on to her students. Therefore, I’ve been meaning to read her essay collection, Upstream for a while now and I have to say… I left it feeling brand new. Oliver’s intimate reflections on nature and literature make you feel as if you are having a conversation with an old friend, making for the most pleasant reading experience. Her gift is truly undeniable and I believe this is a must-read for everyone.
❥ “In this universe we are given two gifts: the ability to love, and the ability to ask questions. Which are, at the same time, the fires that warm us and the fires that scorch us.”
❥ “And that I did not give to anyone the responsibility for my life. It is mine. I made it. And can do what I want to with it. Give it back, someday, without bitterness, to the wild and weedy dunes.”
Percy Jackson and The Olympians series by Rick Riordan
I’m finally a member of Camp Half-Blood! Yes, this is my first time reading the Percy Jackson series. What was my teenage self thinking? Honestly, I can’t tell you. I LOVED THIS SERIES! The story instantly pulls you in, as Riordan presents a fun, creative world you won’t want to leave. And, Percy has become one of my favorite narrators ever! His POV had me giggling and kicking my legs all throughout. I’m pretty sure everyone knows the premise of these books by now, so if you’ve ever thought about reading them, please do! They are pure fun — you won’t regret it.
❥ “If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.” – from The Lightning Thief, Book One
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
Oh gosh, this book! The Poppy War is my most recent read on this list and it absolutely destroyed me. 😭 Set in an alternate Asia, the story centers around a cruel, bloody war inspired by the Second Sino-Japanese War. The protagonist, Rin, is incredibly badass and relentless, instantly becoming a favorite heroine of mine. Every single bit of this book is developed exceptionally well, whether it’s the characters, the world-building, or the central conflict. This is, by far, one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read. The only reason why it’s here and not in my all-time favorites yet is that I still have to read the next two in the series. This is a must-read if you love fantasy, however, I recommend reading the author’s summary here to know if it’s a right fit for you.
❥ “I have become something wonderful, she thought. I have become something terrible. Was she now a goddess or a monster? Perhaps neither. Perhaps both.”
❥ “You humans always think you’re destined for things, for tragedy or for greatness. Destiny is a myth. Destiny is the only myth. The gods choose nothing. You chose.”
I haven’t stopped thinking about these books ever since I read them. They are just that good! I recommend these to all of you, especially if you’re a fantasy fan — or on a fantasy kick like I am at the moment. I’d love to know your recent favorites so don’t be too shy to leave a comment. 💕 I hope you enjoyed this post and wish you the loveliest day! ଘ(੭ˊᵕˋ)੭ ੈ♡‧₊˚
Mucho amor,
Alex 💗
Very nice list. I have been hearing about Atlas Six everywhere and in some of my reading groups. Sounds good. I am also very intrigued by Poppy’s War. Thanks for sharing!
thank you so much! 🥰 The Atlas Six and Poppy War are total knock-outs, in my opinion. specifically, i really loved the historical elements in both! i was instantly sucked into a wiki rabbit hole because of them. i do hope you enjoy them if you get to reading! <3
Another great list, Alex. Fantasy is always fascinating to read. I’ll make sure to check these. Thanks 😊
thank you! 💗 and please do — i’m sure you’ll love them!