Books To Inspire You: What you should read when you’re feeling blue

Hello awesome nerds, happy Thursday everyone and welcome to a slightly different post today.

As I’ve mentioned multiple times these past couple of months, I am not in a really good place. That’s partly the reason why my content here seems to be repeating itself, with unboxings, a few rep posts and some book reviews here and there. Trust me, I’m not doing this on purpose, but I feel like I’ve lost my voice and I don’t know what to do in order to get it back.

Truth be told, I’ve thought about taking a break in April, since it’s a Camp NaNo month, as well, and I want to focus more on my WIPs, but we’ll see about that in a couple of weeks. I haven’t made my decision yet.

Still, here I am today with some book recommendations for those of you who’ve been feeling blue, as I’ve been feeling, lately. I’m not claiming that these books will have the same effect on you, as they had on me, but you can at least give them a try.

1. A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.1), by Sarah J. Maas

First things first, I’m not saying this is a life-changing book, by any means. I’m simply saying that when I needed something sweet and cozy, something that felt like an escape, a heart-warming read, with familiar characters and situations, A Court of Frost and Starlight was there for me.

And that’s exactly what I need right now. A book that will feel familiar and it will remind me that, even in the darkest of nights, there’s always another dawn. And it will shine bright.

Also, I really want to reread this, probably for the third time, if I remember correctly, because I need to prepare myself for A Court of Silver Flames. And no, I haven’t read it yet and I have protected myself from incoming spoilers, so please, don’t ruin this for me.

“Because you’re the foundation, the one who lifts us. You always have been.”

~ A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.1), by Sarah J. Maas

2. Chain of Gold (The Last Hours, #1), by Cassandra Clare

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that a Cassie Clare novel is in this list of inspiring books.

Cassandra Clare has proven to me over the years that her writing can make me feel so much better, regardless of how tough a certain situation may seem. Her books have been there for me countless times, through many difficult situations and heartbreaks (especially The Infernal Devices series) and I feel really lucky that this hasn’t changed over the years.

So, if you want to see things from a distance, get some perspective in your life, then I highly suggest you read Chain of Gold, if you haven’t done so already. I don’t know why it took me so very long to read this particular MASTERPIECE, but now I have, I love it with every fibre of my being. It reminds us that, even if we think that we know someone, there’s always a fine chance that this someone may surprise us in the most unexpected ways. It reminds us of friendship and family, love and sacrifice, honour and bravery.

You can bet your bottom dollar that I will DEVOUR Chain of Iron, once my copy arrives!

“We do not get to choose when in our lives we feel pain,” said Matthew. “It comes when it comes, and we try to remember, even though we cannot imagine a day when it will release its hold on us, that all pain fades. All misery passes. Humanity is drawn to light, not darkness.”

~ Chain of Gold (The Lat Hours, #1), by Cassandra Clare

3. Lore, by Alexandra Bracken

What can I say about this book that hasn’t been said and written in my review?

I love it! I adore it! And I think that you will adore it, too, for Lore is one of these books. The ones that have all these epic quotes that deliver grand messages in their simplicity. It is one of these books that help you feel focused and centred. It helps you remember that you’ve faced shitty situations in the past, and yet you persevered. You survived.

I know it’s funny for me to say this to you, when it’s kind of hard for me to truly remember that I will survive. It’s just that, when I boost you, somehow I feel like I’m boosting myself, too. And history has proven that together, we can achieve great things. So why not face difficult situations together, by motivating one another? Then again, if you’re one of those “suffering in silence” people, that’s also accepted and respected. Just know that I’m always here, whenever you want to talk. And do know that Lore will also be there for you, simply to remind you that…

“It’s really rare to find someone who accepts you completely.”

~ Lore, by Alexandra Bracken

So, when you do find that someone, don’t let them go away. Life’s too short for regrets and second guessing. Take that from me.

4. Red, White & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston

It’s totally fine to need something light and heart-warming sometimes. Something that will make you laugh and cry, and then laugh again, until you cry, simply because it feels so freaking accurate and you can relate 100% with what the characters are facing and dealing with.

Red, White & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston, is exactly that kind of book. It is modern and refreshing, yet somehow classic, as well. It is a book that will make you feel good about yourself. It will make you feel proud of yourself. And it will remind you that there’s still beauty out there, no matter how messy things may seem right now.

Besides, everything in life contains a certain amount of risk. I’ve said it before but I’m gonna say it again. It’s far better to make a wrong choice than to make no choice at all. It’s far better to try and fail, than to not try at all. At least, if you try, you’ll know. You won’t have to guess. And you won’t waste countless nights, sleepless, wondering how things would’ve been if you had made a certain decision.

“Sometimes you just jump and hope it’s not a cliff.”

~ Red, White & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston

5. The Love of Cavafy, by Constantine P. Cavafy

I know some of you may not recognise this particular book. But for my Greek friends all around the globe, if you haven’t read this poetry collection by Cavafy, you really need to.

It’s bittersweet and melancholic, but after reading and rereading it, you’ll feel… lighter, less blue. I know I did the first three times I read it. At the end of the day, this book reminds you what life’s for. Loving… Taking risks… Laughing… Traveling… Making mistakes… It’s all part of this grand circus called “life”. You just have to be bold enough to embrace it all. The good and the bad.

Some days may be harder than others. When you feel like you’re in a bad day, remember this:

“The future days stand before us 

like a row of candles all alight – 

golden, warm and lively candles.”

~ Candles, by Constantine P. Cavafy

It’s far better to have lived, loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. It means you haven’t met the beauties of life yet. So, keep looking. Not necessarily for a romantic love. But something, someone you feel passionate about. Something, someone that brings light and joy in your life.

Never give up! Everything will be all right in the end. And if it’s not all right, then it’s not the end yet!

I believe I can keep going on and on about inspiring and motivating books. Books like Heart of Thorns and Furyborn, Divine Comedy and Me Before You. Books like the first poetry tome, by Leivaditis, and Goblin Garden, by my dearest friend, my Darkling, Christine Bottas.

All of them will make you cry. Yet all of them will make you stronger in the end.

I know it’s hard sometimes to get up in the morning and just make it through the day. Trust me, that’s what I’ve been doing for the past couple of months. There are good and bad days for all of us. And I know that during the bad days, all you want to do is to turn it off, whatever it is inside you that hurts you, and for life to just give you a break.

I know it’s fucking hard to pretend like you are doing fine, when in fact you’re not. I do know it. But when things get really gloomy, just remind yourselves that brave characters like Dante and Cordelia Carstairs, Castor and Azriel, they made it in the end.

If they can do it, then so can we!

Thank you all so very much for being here once again. I know I say this every time, but it truly means the world to me and I want you to know that I most certainly don’t take your presence here for granted.

Have a wonderful rest of the week, dearies. Stay safe and stay positive. Well, as positive as you can be.

Till next time… Toodles!