Reading is a great pastime for anyone searching for a getaway. Investing a couple of hours every day into a good book can quickly turn into an obsession!
But reading is always a healthy obsession, so there is no harm in staying up all night without an ounce of sleep so that you can finish that series you started days ago. For those of you who are skeptical about reading, have no fear! There is a genre for everyone.
However, if you are having a hard time finding something interesting, and you aren’t quite sure what kind of genre you might want to get started with, I highly recommend fantasy novels.
These are a perfect mix of completely fictitious worlds, new creatures, magic and adventure. I always warn that I haven’t always been a reader of fantasy novels; not until I became an adult, and my eyes were led in the direction of the adult fantasy genre.
With that being said, the following book recommendations I am giving below are most definitely not for children. The word “smut” is often used to describe romance novels that include a spicy scene or two; however, the same word can be transferred over into the fantasy world to describe this genre of books that has scenes that are rather magical, for lack of a better word.
If you are someone who is not willing to adventure “out there,” then reconsider reading the following books. But maybe, just maybe, you are curious enough.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
If you have found yourself strolling through the bookshelves and Barnes & Noble, you may have witnessed this excellent novel which is part of a five-book series. It is ongoing, so I recommend catching up. The book found here is your classic “Beauty and the Beast” retelling with a wonderful twist. If you read past the first book, you will not be disappointed with the engaging character development and the twists that will inevitably crush your heart!
Crescent City: A House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Yes, another Sarah J. Maas book. I don’t know of another author who can write so much in such a short amount of time, but she does not fail. This new book is just the beginning, but the worldbuilding is incredibly captivating. If you have never blushed while in public, you will if you try to read some of these chapters in a coffee shop!
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
This book is a bit on the romance genre side of things but still fits in the fantasy genre. I wouldn’t say this read is inclusive in terms of the gender realm, although I still have yet to read the second book. The world that is built feels as if it takes place in a time similar to the Middle Ages, and of course women are stepped on. However, there are bits of this novel that make you want to scream, “Yes! Women!” Alas, I still recommend this fantastic read.