We all have our comfort books. The books that you can’t stop thinking about. The books that you wish so badly that you could re-read for the first time again. Some books that have left me in awe have been Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. You might just have to read them.
Better than the Movies, by Lynn Painter, quickly became one of my comfort books. The story of Liz Buxbaum and Wes Bennett is absolutely adorable. Their story completely enveloped me. It felt as though I was watching a movie even though I was reading. Liz “befriends” Wes because he has become close with her long term crush. Wes was simply her annoying next door neighbor, but as the story moves on, Liz finds herself drawn to Wes. Their story is the perfect ratio of funny and emotional. I fell in love with this book and just had to own the hard copy myself.
My most recent read, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, got an easy five stars from me. Josh and Lucy are enemies. Lucy is colorful and bright, she is all smiles. Josh, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. They are assistants to co-CEO’s of their publishing companies after they merged into one. They sit across from each other every single day, playing the hating game. The hating game transforms into the staring game, the spying game, and more, until their relationship transforms, too. This story has the perfect amount of secrets to keep you turning the pages. Many romance novels portray relationships with terrible communication and huge secrets, this novel has realistic healthy relationships. I loved every aspect of this book and in 2021 it was made into a film that I have yet to watch.
The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller, unexpectedly became one of my favorite books. I am normally not drawn to the fantasy genre, but this story was beautiful. Patroclus is exiled from his kingdom to Phthia, where he meets Achilles. Achilles takes Patroclus in and they become very close friends. Their friendship grows and with it their feelings for each other. Their relationship is very frowned upon by Thetis, Achilles’ mother. Achilles tells Patroclus that he is leaving to train with Chiron, and Patroclus runs away the next day. Achilles finds Patroclus in the woods and Chiron takes them in. They stay with Chiron as they grow into adults. Their feelings for each continue to grow and their relationship becomes something so beautiful and heartbreaking.
These stories are a must read. I hope these books will give you the same page turning desire as some of the past loves you may have. The most heart-breaking feeling is finishing a good book, but the best feeling is starting a new one so get reading!
