30 Books I’d Keep If I Were Marie Kondo

Here is to my first post for the Bookending Spring Event! If you have no idea what I’m talking about, please head over to @bookend_events on twitter to catch up on all that’s been happening! You can also find more info from Sam @ Fictionally Sam and Clo @ BookDragons who just happen to be hosting this glorious event. If you want to check out all the hosts and prompts for this event, please see the announcement on Sam’s blog here!

Thank you to AJ at For the Love of Diversity in Books for creating this prompt! Be sure to head over to her blog to check out her content and the original post. Another thank you to Sam @ Fictionally Sam for hosting!

Okay, this Marie Kondo meme is kind of a pet peeve for me. She actually says you should keep however many books you want as long as they make you happy or *spark joy*. For her, that is 30. For you/me/book people in general, it could be a couple, it could be 300. It’s all very 100% subbjective. No one is trying to police your book buying habit, people!!!! Her book is actually very insightful, and if you ever feel like you own too many things, or your life is cluttered with random stuff you don’t even really like that much, I would definitely recommend picking up The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

Regardless, this is a fun prompt, and I can’t wait to pit my favorite books against one another to see who will make it to my final 30 books. *muahahahah*

Full disclosure, I don’t actually own all of the books I’m going to be talking about below lmao. I know you may think that fully goes against what this prompt is about and you might be right. But I’m going to do it anyway. (don’t @ me pls) Let’s just say that owning the below books would be my ideal 30-book collection, and unfortunately I don’t currently own all of my favorite books *cries*

Harry Potter | J.K. Rowling (7)

I feel like this is self explanatory. Grew up with them. Will forever reread them. Worth having at least one copy in my collection.

The Illuminae Files | Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (3)

Oh god these books are just so freaking good. Every time I think about them my mind if blown over and over again. They’re definitely worth a reread asap. If you love bad ass, snarky characters, insidious AI, all in a sci-fi setting, you must read this series right now.

The Diviners Series | Libba Bray (3)

Another series that blew me away. I don’t know how Libba Bray did it. The writing, the research that must have went into this. If you like historical fantasy, anything paranormal, and lovably flawed characters, this is the series for you.

I’ll Give You The Sun | Jandy Nelson (1)

Forever and always my all-time favorite book. The writing is impeccable. The story heart wrenching. Read it now.

Fangirl | Rainbow Rowell (1)

I should reread this book soon. It’s just so cute, I love the characters in this one, and am obsessed with the college setting.

Villains Series | V.E. Schwab (2)

These covers alone are worth owning. GORGEOUS. If you like anything remotely morally grey these books are killer. Literally. (haha!) Vengeful is the superior book imo, but both are worth a read.

Wayfarers Series | Becky Chambers (3)

As I’m writing reasons why I love these books, I’m remembering again how amazing all of them are lol. These books are *chefs kiss* perfect. If you like sci-fi, or if you don’t like sci-fi, I think you need to read these. They have some of the best developed characters I’ve ever read. Ohmygodsogood.

Wayward Children’s Series | Seanan McGuire (4)

I think I have a type of book I like? The writing here is amazing. The world building is literally insane. I don’t understand. My favorite is probably Down Among the Sticks and Bones, but all are amazing.

Ember In The Ashes Series | Sabaa Tahir (3)

I think this is the fantasy series that really got me back into reading fantasy. I’m *patiently* waiting for the fourth book to come out, and will 100% reread these before then. It has some of the best twists I’ve read in awhile that shocked me so intensely I had physical reactions lmao.

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Taylor Jenkins Reid (1)

If you haven’t heard about this book, where have you been? It has some of the best character development and is written so smartly. Read it and love it.

The Astonishing Color of After | Emily X.R. Pan (1)

This is hearbreaking and beautiful and has some amazing metaphors. I’m starting to realize my favorites are just flowery writing and magical realism. This is that.

The Love That Split the World | Emily Henry (1)

A gorgeous love story mixed with a mystery. It made me sob more than any book ever has.