There are many, many fantastic books out there, the majority of which I have not read or probably ever will.
However, I am an avid reader of fiction books, and over the last few years have attempted (and enjoyed!) a number of classic works. Here is a selection of my absolute favourites (no spoilers, of course), which are great for dipping back into literature if it’s been a while since you’ve picked up a book…..
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
This novel is relatively short, but it’s very sweet. It follows the life of Scout, a child growing up in Alabama, documenting her childish adventures. I love how Lee adapts her writing as Scout matures through the book.
Even though the book deals with severe issues such as racial injustice and rape, the events are told through Scout’s eyes so there is an element of innocence and humour that lightens the mood.
I highly recommend reading this during these times of change and the protests surrounding racial inequality, as it is eye-opening to see not much has changed since Lee wrote the novel, in relation to the treatment of black people in America.
Emma by Jane Austen (1815)
Jane Austen is mostly well-known for her novel Pride and Prejudice, which I have also read, but I definitely preferred Emma. Emma Woodhouse is described as rich, smart and beautiful, but she gets herself into some trouble when she tries “matchmaking” amongst her friends.
The book is very amusing, but still has a touch of Austen’s fairytale magic, while still highlighting the treatment of people in different social classes at the time.
This is a great story if you’re a sucker for a beautiful romance novel!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)
If I had to choose, I would always say F. Scott Fitzgerald is my favourite author of all time. There is a sort of indescribable beauty in the way he wrote, mainly focusing his stories on New York glitz and glamour.
For those wanting to read one of his books, The Great Gatsby is by far the best place to begin, as it’s by far the most famous. Many people vaguely know the story from the film, but personally I don’t think any adaptation can give Fitzgerald’s writing justice.
The Great Gatsby is a pretty short read, so it can easily be devoured within a few sittings. There are so many golden phrases you’ll find, so I’m sure you’ll be like me and want to read his other works. ‘The Beautiful and Damned‘ is a great next step.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847)
This is one of the novels I read while the UK was in Lockdown, and I loved it. I was completely glued to it and finished it within a few days.
It follows the life of, obviously, Jane Eyre, and her romance with Mr Rochester, a mysterious character who’s hiding a very dark secret. I love how Brontë continuously links back to Jane’s childhood, which you may at first think is an irrelevant back story, but it actually strongly influences her thoughts later on. This sort of character depth and development is why the novel is one of my favourites.
The writing is fantastic with many gems, and I highly recommend to fans of Jane Austen :).
Looking For Alaska by John Green (2005)
Choosing a favourite John Green book is incredibly difficult as they’re all amazing, but I think this one tops them all.
This book tells the story of Miles “Pudge” Halter and his life at a new boarding school, centering on his fascination with the gorgeous and mysterious Alaska Young.
Green always gives his protagonists an unusual quirk, and Pudge’s one is my favourite: he’s got an obsession with the last words of famous people, including Kennedy, Tolstoy and Edison. These short but meaningful phrases shape Pudge’s experiences and his actions throughout the book.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (2014)
During by last years of primary school and early years of secondary, I had a much lighter workload than I do now. This of course meant I had lots of time to read YA novels, and one of the definite standouts was We Were Liars.
Throughout the book there is clearly a mystery or secret being kept from the reader, but the crazy ending will have you seeing the entire story in a completely different way – I was so shocked!
It’s a wonderfully suspenseful thriller for those who crave a good psychologically mind-twisting read.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (2013)
If you’ve read the Divergent and Hunger Games trilogies, but find yourself stuck looking for another great dystopian read, look no further.
Told from the viewpoints of a variety of characters, the 5th Wave is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure following Cassie Sullivan, a girl on the run from aliens who have wiped out the majority of the population.
It’s fast-moving and always exciting!
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1877)
Now, at the time of writing, I haven’t yet finished this book, but am about halfway through. However, I am still including Anna Karenina on this list, because a) I am absolutely loving it so far, and b) it’s one of the best works of literature ~ever~ so it deserves a spot almost automatically.
For those who feel intimated by reading a Tolstoy because of their reputation, I feel you. At first I felt as though I had to enjoy the book, but that wasn’t difficult because I soon realised just how good it is. Give it a try and digest it slowly so you can fully appreciate the complexities of the story.
Tolstoy’s writing is so different from anything I’ve ever seen. Anna Karenina is written in the 3rd person, but he’s constantly showing the thoughts of all the characters in the room and switching between their lives. By not wasting any time on irrelevant descriptions, you feel more immersed in the world, as if you know all the characters personally.
I’ll probably update this review once I’ve finished the book :).
Overall, I hope that I have given you an insight into my book obsession, as well as given some good recommendations. As you can tell, I enjoy a wide range of genres! Let me know if you try reading any of these books and what you thought of them. <3
Much love from yours truly,
A.B. xx
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.