5 Addictive Books to Make You Love Reading Again
Get out of a reading slump and back in touch with why you loved reading so much as a child.
You read some books once and forget. And there are other books that leave a lasting impression on you, no matter how many years ago you read them.
In this post, I’ve listed the five most addictive books I have read in my life.
Once I started, I couldn’t put them down.
These books made me love reading all over again.
Whether you’re someone who’s new to reading or someone who used to be an avid reader back in school but now can’t find time to read books, this list will help you find your next read.
Here are five books that are so addictive, they can get you out of for reading slump and make you love reading again.
(Note: The links mentioned in this article are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase these books through these links, it will help me earn a small amount of money — at no extra cost to you. Thanks!)
1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Period drama/Romance.
Evelyn Hugo is one of the most successful Hollywood actresses, having a career spanning several decades. But more than her work, Evelyn is famous for having had a sordid romantic history and seven husbands.
This book is Evelyn’s story of her life and love affairs in Hollywood.
The most interesting part of the story is that everyone knows who Evelyn’s seven husbands are, but no one knows who’s the one person she was truly in love with. That makes up the crux of this story: finding out who among the seven did Evelyn give her heart to.
Once you get into this book, you wouldn’t be able to stop reading because of how well written it is and how deeply fleshed-out and relatable the characters are.
It kept me turning the pages until I could finally know who Evelyn’s true love was. The final reveal makes this a heartwarming story. If you want to cherish that lovely feeling of surprise towards the end, read this book without reading any reviews, or even the blurb.
One thing’s for sure: no matter what genre you prefer, it’s difficult to not like this book.
2. Anxious People by Frederick Backman
Genre: Period drama/Romance.
Premise: a bank robbery gone wrong which into a hostage situation.
This is the story of the hostages in the house with the bank robber and how this single incident changes their lives forever.
Frederick Backman is known to write these amazing stories that make you smile. Anxious People is no different. It’s warm, lighthearted, funny, and every page will spark joy in your heart.
The characters are a motley bunch; they come from diverse backgrounds. That’s what makes the whole group such an eclectic mix.
The mystery is built up and resolved in a very satisfying way. The final reveal will make you exclaim, “How did I not see that before?”
Warning: This book has descriptions of mild suicidal ideation. Read with care, fearless community.
3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Suarez
Genre: Coming-Of-Age/Queer romance.
Set in El Paso, Texas during the 1980s, this is the sweet, yet heartbreaking story of two boys reaching their emotional and sexual awakening amidst an environment that forbids their existence.
If you love queer awakening stories, this book is a must-read. The writing is so beautiful, some pages almost read like a poem.
And once you start reading, you wouldn’t be able to stop because you want to know what happens next. You fall far too deeply in love with the characters, that you start thinking of them as your own.
Very few books in my life have made me feel this strong a love for fictional people. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is definitely one of them.
If you read this, it will become more than just a favorite book. This book will feel like home; the characters feel like family. Yes, it’s that good.
4. The Lightning-Struck Heart by TJ Klune
Genre: Medieval Fantasy. Queer Romance.
A young boy is rescued from the slums by the King's great wizard.
Soon, the young boy learns that he has magical powers and starts his training to become a wizard.
On this journey, the young boy meets a talking unicorn and a baby giant who become his best friends. He also meets the Knight Commander of the Imperial army who turns out to be the one true love of his life. Sadly, the Knight Commander is engaged to the prince and is soon to become his husband.
As if this wasn’t enough, the young boy also has a thousand-year-old prophecy on his shoulders. The future of the whole world depends on what he decides to do with his destiny.
That is the story of The Lightning-Struck-Heart, the first book in a series of four by TJ Klune. The series is called The Tales of Verania which is easily one of the best queer fantasies I’ve read in my life.
If you have read TJ Klune’s other work, then be warned. This one’s very different. There is humor on every page. Some scenes are so funny that you’d laugh out loud when you least expect it. Don’t read this book when you’re in public unless you want people to look at you and think you’re crazy.
The audiobook performed by Michael Lesley is a gem. The way his voice has given life to these characters will make you want to keep reading one book after another until the whole series is over.
I finished the entire four-book-series in less than two weeks. I just couldn’t put it down. That’s how good this was.
Warning: The book has some graphic sexual descriptions and innuendos. Read with care, fearless community.
5. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
Genre: Fantasy Fiction.
This is one of the most different books I’ve read because of how elaborate the language is and how grand the scheme of things that’s happening in the universe is.
On its surface, Nevernight is a young adult fantasy story of a girl whose family was killed because of Imperial politics and an urge for power. Consumed by the desire for revenge, the girl throws herself into the deadliest assassin school of all time and learns all the lethal skills that will help her reach her goal of obliterating her enemies one day.
Along the way, she makes good friends and terrible enemies, and also finds love more than once. She also discovers an ancient prophecy — of which, she inadvertently becomes a part.
Nevernight is the first book of a trilogy. Each book is super engrossing and deeply satisfying to read.
If you love medieval fantasy stories with incredible characters and nail-biting action scenes, you should definitely read Nevernight by Jay Kristoff.
Warning: The book has some graphic violence and sexual descriptions. Read with care, fearless community.
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