My Top 5 Books with Katie McElroy

These five books are in no particular order or specific genre (but mostly romance novels) I hope you enjoy this feature post by one of my closest friends:) I can thank Katie for introducing me to almost every book I have ever read and for that I am most definitely a smarter person and a hopeless romantic. (thanks!) Happy reading!


Hi everyone! My name is Katie McElroy (pronounced Mackelroy<3)! I am a second-year Environmental Studies major at UC Santa Barbara! Go Gauchos:) I met Olivia in high school and we quickly became close friends. I am so happy I get to participate in one of her creative ventures and talk to you guys about books!

Like most people, quarantine was a time of great isolation. I often found myself drowsily waiting for the days to pass. With far too much free time and a lack of activity options, I turned to reading. Growing up, I hated reading. I didn’t understand how people could sit for hours mindlessly flipping through pages without taking breaks. I would roll my eyes as my English teachers would pull (what seemed to be) far-off conclusions and metaphors from what I saw as mundane and straightforward sentences. However, when I had nothing else to do and no other place to be, I finally was able to appreciate the lure of reading. Reading allows you to escape into fictitious stories and forget about the monotony of everyday life. This is what saved me during quarantine. I am so incredibly thankful I was able to find an ardent passion in such a colorless period in my life. I don’t think I would be the same person I am today without literature.

So, without further ado, here are my 5 favorite books I’ve read thus far with no specific genre and or time period. (Yes, most of these novels have romantic undertones. But hey, I am nothing but a sucker for love.)

All book titles are linked directly to Amazon so you can shop for your next read!

In this novel, you follow two main characters, Elliot and Macy, as they reflect on their childhood love and dissect what exactly went wrong. The book flips back and forth from a past and present perspective as the estranged lovers are able to find themselves again. This book shattered my heart then almost immediately sewed it back together. Elliot and Macy’s love is able to be rekindled through their shared admiration. This book made my already high expectations for love even higher.

If I am being completely honest, the first time I read this book I didn’t love it. I recently reread it and it absolutely threw my mind for a loop. The story is narrated by the main character, Richard, a Greek major at a small New England college. Almost immediately, you are made aware of the fact that he and his friends carried out the murder of their classmate, Bunny Coracan. Rather than a standard who-done-it novel this book is more of a why did they do it. The book can be quite slow at parts, however, the last 150 pages will absolutely fascinate you.

This is my most recent read and it immediately got 5 stars from me. This book is a memoir of Dolly’s life starting from middle school and finishing at the present. Her chaotic stories turn into life lessons that wrap up beautifully. It explores themes of grief, heartbreak, love, and friendship. It made me want to experience and romanticize my life without losing sight of myself. Cannot recommend this novel more!!

This is by far the best mystery novel I have ever read. Despite its long 512 pages, I read this book in a short two days. The writing keeps you so enthralled you won’t be able to stop. The book follows the daily lives of gluttonous, rich parents leading up to the murder of one of them. I was unable to predict what would happen. If you are interested in a puzzling crime novel that keeps you on your toes until the end, this is the book for you!

This is the ultimate classic love story. I read it for the first time this fall after years of watching the movies. I cannot express how much this story means to me. Jane Austen had the ability to construct the most infatuating love stories that keep you engrossed the entire time. She forges love that satisfies the cravings of any hopeless romantic. Mr. Darcy is the epitome of everything I desire in a partner. I will forever be in love with their love. If you read any novel on this list, please let it be this one.

 

Thank you so much for spending time with me and allowing me to discuss one of my favorite topics: literature! If you want to chat more about books, Follow me on Goodreads (Katie McElroy, my profile picture is my dog) or follow me on Instagram @katie.mcelroyy!

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