Best Book Hangovers
Book Hangover: the condition in which attachment to a book or series that has ended causes the reader traumatic emotional distress.
Here are some of the books that I still think about, long after I've finished reading them.
A Conjuring of Light by VE Schwab.
The final installment in the trilogy was the closing of an emotional chapter in my reading life as well. While book 1 A Darker Shade of Magic was my favourite in the series, book 3 left me crying because that meant the story was over. The author tied up the story in a beautifully heartbreaking and equally uplifting way. After following these deeply flawed and captivating characters on their journey for three books, both the physical and emotional turmoil they were subjected to, I was wrecked when the story finally came to a close. Luckily, this isn't the end of the Darker Shade of Magic world, as the author has mentioned there will be a spin-off series, and there are whispers of it being turned into a movie!
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
Ugggggh this book. I had to wait a few weeks before picking up a new story after this one. This book only had the impact it did on me because I have read all the other installments in the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympic series. I can't talk about the cause of my anguish without giving away any spoilers, but all I will say is that this story hurt me, and in the best way possible. This is book 3 in the Trial of Apollo series, which has been one of Riordan's best in my opinion, and I can't wait to read the rest.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
If there was ever a book that made me want to re-read it immediately it was this one. That was because once it was over and all the pieces had been tied together, my jaw was left on the floor. There were so many little details that had a purpose in the end, I look forward to reading it back again someday and trying to catch the clues. Normally I'm not a big fan of the overly surprising reveal because it seems like the answers come out of nowhere or make me feel stupid as a reader, but in this case, it was explained smoothly and the characters were so wonderfully flawed as they string you along, that I was very willing to suspend my disbelief and just go for the ride.
Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
This is a book I still think about, but not necessary for a good reason. Firstly it wasn't within the style of books I usually like to read. It was published in 1970, and because of that, it has the older style of over-descriptive writing that was common at the time. Even still, I found the story a great mix of absurd and clever. However, this was the book that really taught me I have a bias for happy endings. I did not like how this book ended, even though it is in line with the Geoffrey of Monmouth's account of the King Arthur legend. To be frank, it pissed me off where the author chose to leave this book and did not motivate me to pick up the next in the series. It just goes to show that no matter how much you might love a book while you're reading it, the ending really makes or breaks a story. nd because of its ending, this book still bugs me.
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
My most recent book love, this story captivated me from the first page. I know I love a book when my reading gets slower the farther I get because I don't want it to end. What made me love this book more than anything was the setting. The author did a fabulous job of transporting the reader into this world through lush descriptions and sensory activation. I also have a new book boyfriend, and I really want to try Bolivian food.