Hello, fellow book lovers! I’m starting a new series of posts where we can generate great book lists together. So whenever you need a book recommendation, you know where to come. Let’s start easy: what was the last five-star book you read? Give us a sentence or two about why you loved it!
My last five-star read was Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas. It's a beautiful and dreamy novel about a love affair between a young woman and a man 18 years her senior told from the perspective of 15 years later. I thought Lucas had beautiful meditations on time, love, family, and memory and I especially enjoyed the lush setting on the Australian coast. Such a special debut novel!
1. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson - The storytelling was unmatched. I was constantly in awe of what was revealed about the Bennett family and how expertly all the characters were intertwined through alternating timelines and POVs.
2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt - The quintessential Dark Academia book. It’s so complexly layered and nuanced that you have to take time to reflect on and critique what you’ve read. I'm still stuck on it.
3. Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy - Should be required reading whether you're a parent or not. She expertly explains that our internal emotions lead to our external behaviors and give solid advice on how to be a better human through emotional regulation.
Such good ones! The Secret History is an all-time favorite of mine, too. And I read Black Cake last year with my book club and it was absolutely a book that sticks with you!
Cloud Cuckoo Land! Life affirming, great characters, beautiful prose. I really loved it. I followed it with The Poisonwood Bible - also 5 stars. It had been on my shelf for years; I finally plucked it off to read and was hooked instantly. The pov of the different characters was compelling and I was equally enamored and horrified by them. So rare to have back to back slam dunks and these two were immediately put in the special place on my shelf for all time favorites.
Wow, what a wonderful reading experience to have two home runs back to back like that! I've heard nothing but praise for those two, so I'm glad to hear they lived up to the expectations for you. I have yet to read anything by Kingsolver, but I'm determined to change that soon. I've got Demon Copperhead on my shelves and The Prodigal Summer is one that is recommended to me alot!
For novels, for me it’s ‘The Bell’ by Iris Murdoch. In the English countryside is a centuries-old abbey where Benedictine nuns are cloistered. A nearby estate, Imber Court, is where a religious community has formed with people seeking a spiritual and peaceful escape from modern life. It’s beautifully written and offers a fascinating exploration of the tragic and cathartic experiences we go through as we try to figure out our true selves. I loved it.
I have two this year. First is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.This was just a powerful and emotional book! It gave a new perspective of the war and how some people didn't see it as a good thing. I loved the characters in the story and the structure of the book was very interesting. I liked the narrator of the story and how during the story he would put his own thoughts and opinions throughout it. The book had its moments of making me laugh and smile in delight, like looking back on fond memories. There were also moments where I felt sad and horrified by what happened. My heart was broken at the end and I got teared-up. I could not imagine how hard that was to go through. All in all, I loved reading this book and will probably reread it again sometime in the future.
My second is An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahi.This was such a great and captivating book! The world-building was amazing and I just love the characters. I loved how Laia finally came to find strength in herself. I don't know how I feel about the love triangles between the main characters, but they definitely keep the story interesting and making you wish for two to be together.
I have had an excellent reading year with several 5 star reads. I’d like to tell you about two of them…don’t see these mentioned everywhere.
1. The Spoon Stealer by Lesley Crew. This was a recommendation from Strong Sense of Place. It the story of Emmeline who was born into a basket of clean sheets on her family’s farm in Nova Scotia before WW1. Her mother never really got over her ruining a perfectly good load of laundry. Emmeline crosses the Atlantic and builds her life in England. Many years later, she inherits the farm and returns. It is a book full of secrets, humor, animals and women’s friendship! I adore Emmeline and want everyone to meet her.
2. The Queen of Dirt Ireland-Donal Ryan. It too is primarily a women’s story, that takes place during The Troubles. These characters were so well written. I was really impressed. I felt this male author really did an excellent job.
I haven't heard of your first recommendation but now I'm eager to look it up, it sounds intriguing! And the second one has been on my TBR. I've been exploring more Irish authors this year and thoroughly enjoying it, I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed it so.
Still Life by Sarah Winman. Set in London and (primarily) Florence. Memorable characters, spanning 1945 to 1970's, a beautiful storytelling arc, and most important, consistently uplifting. I had to ration the last chapters because I didn't want it to end.
Thanks for this thread, Michelle! The last 5 star book I read this year was A Little Life by Hanya Y (late to the game, I know!). I am a sucker for the combination of stellar literary craft + engaging plot.
You’re in for a real treat, I’m excited for you! I read and listened side by side, sometimes read and sometimes listened. Audiobook is great too :) enjoy!
My most recent was Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner! I loved the rich food description and how the book explores the intersections of culture, grief, and cuisine. Made me hug my mom real tight after reading 💗
Maame by Jessica George! It reminded me so much of Such a Fun Age which was my favorite five star read in 2020. I love a story line about a young adult trying to figure out their life and with an inspiring underlying message. Felt like a giant hug and like I was in my therapist office. Totally fell in love with Maddie by the end and was rooting for her healing so much.
A book that immediately popped into my mind was On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. The writing in this book is so beautiful, so poetic that it just flows effortlessly on the pages. The storyline is complex and painful but so interesting that it was hard for me to put the book down.
My last five-star read was Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas. It's a beautiful and dreamy novel about a love affair between a young woman and a man 18 years her senior told from the perspective of 15 years later. I thought Lucas had beautiful meditations on time, love, family, and memory and I especially enjoyed the lush setting on the Australian coast. Such a special debut novel!
Sounds intriguing! I’m going to have to look it up. Thanks for sharing, Rayvn!
I loved this one, too! So delightfully weird ☺️
I've had 3 so far this year:
1. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson - The storytelling was unmatched. I was constantly in awe of what was revealed about the Bennett family and how expertly all the characters were intertwined through alternating timelines and POVs.
2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt - The quintessential Dark Academia book. It’s so complexly layered and nuanced that you have to take time to reflect on and critique what you’ve read. I'm still stuck on it.
3. Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy - Should be required reading whether you're a parent or not. She expertly explains that our internal emotions lead to our external behaviors and give solid advice on how to be a better human through emotional regulation.
Secret History has a place in my Top 20, for sure. SO good
Such good ones! The Secret History is an all-time favorite of mine, too. And I read Black Cake last year with my book club and it was absolutely a book that sticks with you!
Cloud Cuckoo Land! Life affirming, great characters, beautiful prose. I really loved it. I followed it with The Poisonwood Bible - also 5 stars. It had been on my shelf for years; I finally plucked it off to read and was hooked instantly. The pov of the different characters was compelling and I was equally enamored and horrified by them. So rare to have back to back slam dunks and these two were immediately put in the special place on my shelf for all time favorites.
CCL was one of my only 5-star reads of 2022 - loved it so much
Wow, what a wonderful reading experience to have two home runs back to back like that! I've heard nothing but praise for those two, so I'm glad to hear they lived up to the expectations for you. I have yet to read anything by Kingsolver, but I'm determined to change that soon. I've got Demon Copperhead on my shelves and The Prodigal Summer is one that is recommended to me alot!
LOVED Demon C!!
Honor by Thrity Umrigar! I sobbed uncontrollably at the end.
Ah, yes! Some of the best reading experiences ◡̈
For novels, for me it’s ‘The Bell’ by Iris Murdoch. In the English countryside is a centuries-old abbey where Benedictine nuns are cloistered. A nearby estate, Imber Court, is where a religious community has formed with people seeking a spiritual and peaceful escape from modern life. It’s beautifully written and offers a fascinating exploration of the tragic and cathartic experiences we go through as we try to figure out our true selves. I loved it.
This sounds wonderful! I love anything with a deep sense of place and this sounds like it had that.
I have two this year. First is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.This was just a powerful and emotional book! It gave a new perspective of the war and how some people didn't see it as a good thing. I loved the characters in the story and the structure of the book was very interesting. I liked the narrator of the story and how during the story he would put his own thoughts and opinions throughout it. The book had its moments of making me laugh and smile in delight, like looking back on fond memories. There were also moments where I felt sad and horrified by what happened. My heart was broken at the end and I got teared-up. I could not imagine how hard that was to go through. All in all, I loved reading this book and will probably reread it again sometime in the future.
I always hear such wonderful things about that book but I have yet to read it! It sounds like an emotional journey. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!
You should it's really good! I'm trying to read a little bit more of these types of books.
My second is An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahi.This was such a great and captivating book! The world-building was amazing and I just love the characters. I loved how Laia finally came to find strength in herself. I don't know how I feel about the love triangles between the main characters, but they definitely keep the story interesting and making you wish for two to be together.
I have had an excellent reading year with several 5 star reads. I’d like to tell you about two of them…don’t see these mentioned everywhere.
1. The Spoon Stealer by Lesley Crew. This was a recommendation from Strong Sense of Place. It the story of Emmeline who was born into a basket of clean sheets on her family’s farm in Nova Scotia before WW1. Her mother never really got over her ruining a perfectly good load of laundry. Emmeline crosses the Atlantic and builds her life in England. Many years later, she inherits the farm and returns. It is a book full of secrets, humor, animals and women’s friendship! I adore Emmeline and want everyone to meet her.
2. The Queen of Dirt Ireland-Donal Ryan. It too is primarily a women’s story, that takes place during The Troubles. These characters were so well written. I was really impressed. I felt this male author really did an excellent job.
I haven't heard of your first recommendation but now I'm eager to look it up, it sounds intriguing! And the second one has been on my TBR. I've been exploring more Irish authors this year and thoroughly enjoying it, I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed it so.
Still Life by Sarah Winman. Set in London and (primarily) Florence. Memorable characters, spanning 1945 to 1970's, a beautiful storytelling arc, and most important, consistently uplifting. I had to ration the last chapters because I didn't want it to end.
I'm off to put it on hold at the library, thanks Terry!
Thanks for this thread, Michelle! The last 5 star book I read this year was A Little Life by Hanya Y (late to the game, I know!). I am a sucker for the combination of stellar literary craft + engaging plot.
I have yet to read this one, too! I hear it's a beautiful and emotional story. I'm so happy you enjoyed it so much!
You’re in for a real treat, I’m excited for you! I read and listened side by side, sometimes read and sometimes listened. Audiobook is great too :) enjoy!
My most recent was Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner! I loved the rich food description and how the book explores the intersections of culture, grief, and cuisine. Made me hug my mom real tight after reading 💗
Such a good book.
Maame by Jessica George! It reminded me so much of Such a Fun Age which was my favorite five star read in 2020. I love a story line about a young adult trying to figure out their life and with an inspiring underlying message. Felt like a giant hug and like I was in my therapist office. Totally fell in love with Maddie by the end and was rooting for her healing so much.
I enjoyed this one, too! Maddie is definitely a character that will stick with me ☺️
A book that immediately popped into my mind was On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. The writing in this book is so beautiful, so poetic that it just flows effortlessly on the pages. The storyline is complex and painful but so interesting that it was hard for me to put the book down.
So, so good! Vuong grew up one town over from me in Connecticut and it was so interesting reading about his experience and comparing it to my own.
Oh wow that’s incredible!
What a fun thread! I always enjoy seeing what books others give 5 ⭐️s to. My last five-star read was Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor