This week I thought I would switch it up and give multiple recommendations. However, these are all books that I haven’t actually read yet. Every one of them is on my want to read list, and hopefully, there is at least one you’ll also want to read.

1. Book Lovers by Emily Henry
   1. You might remember Henry’s book Beach Read that I wrote about recently. Book Lovers is her newest book (it hasn’t actually been published yet). The premise is a book agent, Nora, takes a break from the city and spends August in North Carolina. There she continues to run into Charlie Lastra, a book editor from Nora’s real life. While they might have their differences in the city, they begin to break down the perceptions they have of each other. What interests me about this book is of course the setting. Any summer romance book instantly reminds me of the song “August” by Taylor Swift which I love. Henry’s writing is also so easy and fun to read that I know I’ll enjoy any book she writes. I also love when the characters initially dislike each other, but then they grow and get to know the other person. Overall, this book has a lot of potential, and I’m excited for it to be released.
2. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
   1. Okay, I’m going to just use the summary that Goodreads provides because I don’t think I could write anything better…
      1. “Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues—a bee, a key, and a sword—that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians—it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also of those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose—in both the mysterious book and in his own life.”
   2. Here are the reasons I think this book will be good. Number 1, Erin Morgenstern wrote The Night Circus which is an amazing book I read in high school. She typically writes fantastical, magical plot lines, which is reason number 2. The genre her books are in is just so fun and exciting to read about. Number 3, the setting. New England and a secret world in a hidden library… what else could you want? Number 4, the summary. Is that not one of the best-written summaries? I just love the language of it, and if the book’s writing is anything similar then I’ll be very happy. This is already on my Christmas list, and if you like anything fantasy I would consider giving it a chance.
3. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
   1. I personally love Sally Rooney and I’ve read both of her other books (Conversations with Friends and Normal People). You probably have heard of the Hulu TV adaptation of Normal People. Beautiful World, Where Are You is her latest book that’s come out recently. The novel follows two friends, Alice and Eileen, and their respective relationships. What I like about Rooney’s novels is that she delves into human relationships, and they’re often twisted and flawed. She also writes about Irish characters and the settings are usually in Europe/Ireland. One thing though… she doesn’t use quotations for dialogue. I know that sounds like it would be horrific to read, but honestly, you get used to it fast. If you like literary fiction then I would definitely give this a try (maybe read her other two books first if you haven’t, so that you can get an idea of her style).

I tried to give different genres to have a good variety of options. I’m really excited to read all of these, and if you have read any, let me know how they are (especially before I waste any money on them).

Works Cited: https://www.amazon.com/Starless-Sea-Novel-Erin-Morgenstern/dp/038554121X https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/books/review-sally-rooney-beautiful-world-where-are-you.html https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58690308-book-lovers