I read.....a lot.
And I have read many many books throughout the years.
Here are some of my all-time favorites (in no particular order of course):
The Graceling Trilogy- Kristin Cashore
It’s got both multiple strong female and male leads, love, deception, magic, murder, survival, family, strength, independence, and a way with words that draws you in so that you can see everything in that black print. All three books have a different main character, but they are all tied together in the end.
Harry Potter- J.K. Rowling.
I grew up on these books. They taught me courage, friendship, and that magic is real….if only you believe. As Dumbledore said, “It is out choices…..that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities”. And I’m still waiting on my acceptance letter.
The Hunger Games Triology- Suzanne Collins
Explaining these books to people who have seen the movie, but never actually read the books, is exhausting. They don’t get it. And they won’t. Set in a future America where WWIII has destroyed humanity, the Capitol controls everything. Including the lives of 24 children every year who must fight to the death. So down with the Capitol!
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy- J.R.R. Tolkien
I have spent hours reading these books and watching these movies. The entire world that Tolkien created, including full languages, is hard to comprehend. One person made ALL of this. Within those pages is a world of magic and treason, evil and goodness, darkness and light. It is a constant battle against those that would destroy the world. It all feels so real that you’re left wondering if Tolkien hasn’t actually been there and just hasn’t told us exactly where it is we too can find it.
The Edge Chronicles- Paul Stewart and Chris Riddle.
Stewart and Riddle create a whole new world just like Tolkein did, albeit maybe not quite so detailed. But they invent characters and monsters that have never had a likeness in our world to compare them to. They give them names that make no sense in any language. But they are able to describe them in such an eloquent way that you’re left wondering why you didn’t know a gloamglozer, a fromp, or a wig-wig existed before.
Pegasus- Robin McKinley.
Robin is a master with words. I’ve always loved horses, so I might have a little bias towards this book. But she’s good. It always amazes me that writers are still coming up with original and intriguing ideas to capture and ensnarl us with.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians- Rick Riordan.
Are these books make for ages 8-16? Eh- maybe. But I like them. Greek mythology of any kind is also a weakness of mine. Adventure combined with fantastical creatures and race to save humanity- yeah, I’ll probably read it. And they are actually very very good. I couldn’t put them down.
Myst- Robyn and Rand Miller/David Wingrove.
I played the computer game before I read the books. With my brother. He loved them. (Even though we had to use the walkthroughs) And I loved it because we didn’t fight while we played. One of us would read the walkthrough while the other played the game. When I realized when I was older that they were actually based on books, I jumped on them. They are very good. Again, and entirely alien world that you get to create in your mind from a simple black and white page. It’s been a while since I read them, but they are awesome.
His Dark Materials- Philip Pullman
Yes, I know the controversy over these books here in the South. Yes, God dies in the last book. Yes, Pullman is an atheist. But they are good books and they make for a lighting speed page-turning read. I loved them. And honestly, I didn’t realize they were so atheistic while I read them- they were just a GREAT story to me and that’s all they are going to be.
The Pellinor Series- Alison Croggon
These books follow a young, brave heroine from close to far who must battle evil at all turns. Along the way, you meet an abundance of deep characters. The Crow was my least favorite in the series, but it had to be done- backstories had to be told. All in all, an excellent read.
The Host- Stephenie Meyer
Yes, this is the author of the Twilight Series. No, I don’t like the movies. This book is nothing like those. In a world where aliens have invaded most earthling’s bodies, including the main character of the book, some have managed to remain hidden and hope for a savior. It’s a bit romantic-ish at times, but it was very very good.
The Septimus Heap Series- Angie Sage
Yes, again, they are for kids. But they are an engrossing and easy read. They follow a young boy who finds out he is someone completely other than what he has grown up thinking. There’s magic galore in them and an new adventure in each book.
The Abhorsen Trilogy- Garth Nix
I FLEW through these books. In the first, a young girl must take the place of her father after he passes…the role of Abhorsen- Necromancer. In the second, another young heroine must take up the cloak of her inheritance- Remembrancer- Past Seer. In the third, both must fight together to save the world from destruction.
The Chronicles of Narnia- C.S. Lewis
Oh Narnia! How I wanted so badly to go there! These are a classic and every child should read them. So many different story lines and so many characters to love. And talking animals- who wouldn’t want talking animals??
The Inkheart Trilogy- Cornelia Funke
A book series about a book. Yes please! Ink. Spell. Death. Those three magic words are the keys to this series. A woman is trapped in a magic book and madman has been loosed into ours. These stories follow the woman’s family on the harrowing quest to return both worlds to balance.
The Inheritance Trilogy- Christopher Pullman
If it’s got dragons in it, I’ll probably love it. This series had me waiting on baited breath for each new installment. An evil king and his dragon have rule over all the land and it’s up to one small boy and the only dragon left to pull the forces of good together an defeat him once and for all. The fate of the dragons and the land depends on it.
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