lou's library

Sometimes you read a book and realise it is simply perfect. There is not a single thing to criticise, it’s a masterpiece and you are a blessed soul for getting to read it. One of the best feelings in the world, in my humble opinion. So I thought it would be fun for me to shout from the rooftops about some books that I loved so much I could not shut up about them for weeks. Chances are I’m still annoying everyone around me ranting about these books today. Sorry, not sorry!

I’m The King Of The Castle by Susan Hill

I remember finishing this book as though it was yesterday. It was Sunday afternoon, I was laying on my bed, shut the book and stared at the wall for ten minutes straight. Then I texted my best friend and told her to read I’m The King Of The Castle immediately. I simply had to talk to someone about it, it was that good and haunting and intense and oh so devastating. It follows Charles, a young boy who moves onto an estate with his mother, who will be working as a housekeeper there. The master of the estate also has a son who is a similar age to Charles. It’s an eerie tale of childhood, jealousy, bullying, extreme emotions and the longing for companionship (do check the trigger warnings before deciding to read this!). Charles is one of the most endearing literary characters I have ever come across and I still think about him frequently. I’m The King Of The Castle is so full of observations that paint a picture in your mind so clear that it feels as though you are there with the characters. There’s so much humanity in these pages, so much of what makes people good and bad, and it’s written so masterfully, that I absolutely could not put this book down. Truth be told, I still haven’t moved on from this gorgeous novel, and I know it will stay with me forever. Utter perfection.

One Grand Summer by Ewald Arenz

I read this in the original German, so I very much hope the translation of One Grand Summer is good, because part of what made me love this book was the writing. The story follows a group of teenage friends over a summer. It’s a simple tale, in lots of way, but also full of adolescent emotions and drama and fun. It takes you right back to being a teenager, without belittling them or pretending that none of it matters as it’s ‘only’ about kids. One Grand Summer is also so incredible at recalling those endless summers you experienced as a child and teen, when you didn’t have to worry about anything for weeks, and life felt simpler. This book made me deeply nostalgic for my own teenage years (although they weren’t even that great, if I take off my rose-tinted glasses) and made me envy all those teenagers who still get to have summers like that. I would highly recommend reading it in summer, so if you live in the Southern hemisphere, you’re in for a treat (the rest of us shall have to be patient or escape on a plane headed somewhere hot). Also, Ewald Arenz has a way of writing characters that makes them feel so real it’s as if they are about to jump off the page. Do yourself a favour and read this perfect story, I promise it will feel like a hug.

Don’t Let The Forest In by C. G. Drews

If One Grand Summer is a giant hug, Don’t Let The Forest In is a punch to the gut (but in a good way!). It will make you fall in love with the protgaonists Andrew and Thomas and then will keep you on the edge of your seat for the remainder of the book. It’s a dark gothic story following two boys attending boarding school together. But something isn’t quite right with the forest outside the school grounds, and also not with the boys’ mental health, for that matter. Don’t Let The Forest In is an intense read, so do please check the trigger warnings and decide carefully whether you feel up for it. The writing is some of the most stunning I have come across recently, with sentences so perfect I could only shake my head at them. It’s a short read, but my god, does it pack a punch! I was there with the boys every step of the way, both scared of what might happen next and cheering them on. It’s difficult to talk about this book without giving anything away, but if you’re into fairytales and dark academia vibes, I would highly recommend giving Don’t Let The Forest In a try!

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Ah, the inspiration for this blog post. Maybe, just maybe, I finished Rebecca a couple of days ago and perhaps I have been quite unable to shut up about it since. Daphne Du Maurier created a masterpiece about jealousy, obsession, desperation and uncertainty. The story follows a young unnamed woman who (rather spontaenously, it has to be said) marries a man she has met in the South of France. He then takes her back to his Cornish mansion Manderley (a complete vibe, would love to stay there), where his deceased first wife still seems to be omnipresent. The story unravels from there, but just know that Rebecca is a masterclass in human emotions, the irrational decisions we make when under pressure, and how very often, things are not quite what they seem. I could not put this book down and audibly gasped out loud multiple times. And even while I had more than half the book left to read, I knew it would become a new favourite. It simply was that good. Can someone please read Rebecca as soon as possible, because I’m dying to talk about the characters and that plot twist and also the significance of names in the book!!!

Writing this blog post has made me even more excited about these stunning books!! They have my heart and I hope they will conquer yours should you choose to read them. I also have reviews of Rebecca and Don’t Let The Forest In, in case you’re interested! Happy reading ❤