Book Recs: My 5 Favorite Books in 5 Years of Blogging

 
 

My blog is five years old! (Well, a couple days ago, if we’re being exact.) And although lately I haven’t been blogging as much as I used to, I still love books, and I figured a fun way to celebrate my blogoversary would be to talk about my favorite books and series.

I decided to stick with finished series, because that made it less complicated, but it’s also all the more reason to give some of these a try if they sound like your kinda thing ๐Ÿ˜‰

Anyway, onto my favorite books!

*If youโ€™re considering buying any of these books from Amazon US, Iโ€™d appreciate it if you use my links! It will help support this blog at no additional cost to you!*


Thieves by Lexi Blake

Steal the Light by Lexi Blake

I discovered this series the same year I started blogging, and I have talked about it a lot. I think it’s the one I’ve actually convinced the most people to try. It’s also the series I’ve read more times than any other. It’s funny because there are so many romance tropey, alpha male, sex-related things in this series that would normally hinder my enjoyment, but the characters and their relationships and the emotions and the humor and even the perfectly woven plots are all so amazing that they completely make up for everything else, in my opinion. This series holds a special place in my heart.

Amazon // Goodreads // My Review

The Incubus Saga by Amanda Meuwissen

Incubus by Amanda Meuwissen

This is another series I first discovered the year I started blogging and also holds a special place in my heart. I recently reread it and was so happy that it absolutely held up to my standards, even five years later. It has so much emotion, and the characters are so amazing and lovable, and their romantic/friendly/family bonds with each other are so incredibly sweet. It makes me feel so much every time I read it.

Amazon // Goodreads // My Review

Real Vampires Don’t Sparkle by Amy Fecteau

Real Vampires Don't Sparkle by Amy Fecteau

I discovered this series a year or two into blogging, and it’s another one that I reread this year and loved just as much. It’s funny, and emotional, and intense, and dark at times, but still hopeful, and I adore these characters. (I’m sensing a theme here in what makes me love a book lol.) This is a series that starts great but also gets better as it goes, building up to a really intense finale.

Amazon // Goodreads // My Review

Steel & Stone by Annette Marie

Chase the Dark by Annette Marie

I have to admit this is a series I have only read once, and it’s been some years, but I feel pretty confident that I’m still gonna love it when I read it again, which I do plan on doing. These books hooked me with their interesting characters and magic/supernaturals and slow burn romance and action-packed plots and unique post-apocalyptic world.

Amazon // Goodreads // My Review

Obscura Burning by Xan Van Rooyen

Obscura Burning by Xan van Rooyen

I’ll admit choosing a fifth book was hard. The others came so easily. They’re the ones I immediately think of. But, though there are other books and series I have loved, I couldn’t really pick one to elevate above the rest. Some I read so recently that I worried they might only be so memorable because of that. Some I know I loved at the time but don’t remember well now.

I chose this one because, though I don’t remember it much, I do remember how it made me feel. I remember that it was dark and twisty and trippy. I remember that it sucked me in so deep I could not stop reading except for food and bathroom breaks. I could not do anything else or go to sleep until I finished. I stayed up until the sun was up. I forgot real life existed. It’s not often that books grip me that hard.

Amazon // Goodreads // My Review

 
 
 
 

Talk to me!

Have you read any of these?
What's one of your favorite books or series?

 
 
[shared_counts]
 
 
 

Your Thoughts

 

38 thoughts on “Book Recs: My 5 Favorite Books in 5 Years of Blogging

I'd love if you'd share your thoughts, too!

 

Leave a Reply to Cee Arr Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 
  1. Greg

    Happy 5 years! Wow, how cool is that?? I think I remember some of these books from when you reviewed them, several look familiar. ๐Ÿ™‚ Lexi Blake I’m pretty sure I’ve read about on your blog a few times!

    I still love that title Real Vampires Don’t Sparkle. ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Olivia-Savannah Roach

    Congratulations on five years of blogging, Kit <3 I have not read any of your favourites but I really did enjoy reading your review of the Incubus series just now! I also really need to read a series by Annette Marie and that is something I know, so I need to get busy doing that. I hope there are many more favourite series in your future as well.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thank you!! Annette Marie’s book are pretty popular, considering they’re self-pub, so you should try one! Obvi I rec Steel & Stone lol, but I know other people have loved her other series as well. Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Mareli @ Elza Reads

    Kristen!!!! Yeaaaa!!! I found you again! I don’t know if you will still remember me, I use to blog about 3 years ago under Mareli Thalk Ink and then I stopped…. Long story. But I’ve missed the blog and when I tried to just pick up again, it proofed way easier to just start afresh. With a new “voice” as well. I’ve been meaning to import the old blog to the new one, but didn’t get to it yet.

    ANYHOW! How are you?? I see you still read vampire stories and all books with such gorgeous titles. Congrats on your blog being 5 years old! Whoop whoop!

    Hope you are doing well, I’ll pop in every now and then to say hi.

    Keep well!

    Mareli (and Elza)

    1. Kristen Burns

      Hi!!! Yes I remember you lol. I think you still have the same little picture too? Well I’m glad you’re back and finding a way to make it work for you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Haha yes still love me some vampires. Thanks!!

  4. Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra

    Happy Blogoversary! 5 years is a pretty impressive milestone, so congrats. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’ve not read any of these, but I would love to read that Annette Marie one. I started her Red Winter series earlier this year and love her writing style and her characters.

  5. Ethan

    Congrats on five years! I’ve never read any of these, but I think it is such a cool idea to take a broad look back at some of your favorites. One of my favorite series has always been the Harry Potter books. With all of the author’s hateful comments lately, my view of her is tarnished,. But I think I’ll continue to have a soft spot for the books.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks! It was definitely a fun post! The HP are some of my faves too, I’m sure I’ll read them again, but yeah, I didn’t really feel like giving her more recognition.

  6. Lorna

    Congratulations on 5 years! Iโ€™ve not read any of these books. I used to only read paranormal but now I review at a romance blog not so much. Exceptions include my all time favorite paranormal series by Dannika Dark, named The Mageri series. If you havenโ€™t I recommend them. I also love her other series. Real vampires Donโ€™t Sparkle looks good!

  7. ShootingStarsMag

    Congrats on five years of blogging!!! That’s fantastic. I remember you raving about the Real Vampires Don’t Sparkle books. I should really look into those.

    -Lauren

  8. Becky @ A Fool's Ingenuity

    You’ve been blogging 5 years? That’s awesome. I think it’s really cool to look back on some favourite books over that time. Real Vampires Don’t Sparkle I like just for the name. ANd the first book in the Lexi Blake series is free on Kindle! I have to check it out now.

    1. Kristen Burns

      You should definitely check it out if it’s free! I think that’s how I ended up reading it in the first place lol. Like I said, it has some issues, but it has some great stuff too!

  9. Gayathri

    These are all new to me. I was thinking that you would have some hyped and well known books, but I love finding new indie books. Good job!

  10. Roberta R

    Nice way to celebrate 5 years of blogging! Wow, for some reason I was surprised, because I feel like I’ve known you for much longer, or maybe because your writing has always been so mature (which sometimes happens after blogging for a few more years). Either way, I hope you’ll keep at it for a long, long time!

  11. Lola

    Congrats on 5 years of blogging! That’s an awesome achievement. And what a fun way to celebrate with your 5 favorite books. I don’t think I could pick only 5 books. I can remember you mentioning these books before so not surprised to see them here.

    I tried Chase the Dark in audio, but it didn’t work for me and didn’t grab me as her Guild Codex series did. Maybe I’ll try the ebook version eventually. I still have her Red Winter series on my to-read list as well.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Thanks! Steel & Stone and the Guild Codex series are really different. Because I was the opposite, I loved S&S but couldn’t get into Guild Codex. So maybe it just won’t be for you? Or maybe you would like it more not in audio, audio can definitely have an impact. I still need to read Red Winter too! I might try the audio for those.