literary gluttony

Every reader has a few books they press into friends’ hands like holy texts. You know the ones—the titles you bring up constantly, the stories that still live rent-free in your brain years later, and the characters you think about like they’re exes you’re still not over.

Here are five books I keep recommending like a broken record, and honestly? I have no intention of stopping.

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1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

💛 Why I Recommend It:
It’s a hug in book form. I suggest this to anyone who’s feeling emotionally fried, existentially wobbly, or just wants to believe the world isn’t completely terrible. Found family, whimsical settings, and slow, soft redemption arcs? Yes please.

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2. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

🔥 Why I Recommend It:
For readers who want fantasy with teeth. I warn people before handing this over, because it goes there, but I keep recommending it because it’s bold, brutal, and brutally honest about power, empire, and survival. Not for the faint of heart—but unforgettable.

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3. Quicksilver by Callie Hart

🖤 Why I Recommend It:
Deliciously dark, emotionally raw, and the kind of romance that cuts deep. I recommend this to readers who want intensity—characters who bleed on the page, tension that simmers with every glance, and a plot that never flinches. It’s not gentle, but it is unforgettable.

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4. Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild

🌿 Why I Recommend It:
This one surprised me in the best way—thoughtful, introspective, and deeply human. I recommend it to anyone who loves stories of healing, self-discovery, and the messy, beautiful process of rebuilding your life. Grace’s journey lingers long after the last page.

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5. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

☕ Why I Recommend It:
Because sometimes you just want cozy fantasy with cinnamon rolls and low-stakes sapphic vibes. I give this one to folks who need a palate cleanser after emotionally wrecking books—or just want a story where orcs run cafés and everything is okay for once.

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✨ What are your most-recommended books?
Drop your go-to titles in the comments—I’m always looking to add more to my dangerously toppling TBR.