01

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

I don't know what I could possibly say about this series to do it justice. I think it speaks for itself. I have never come across a world, fictional or not, that holds a candle to the world of Harry Potter. I have fallen in love again and again with every character (except Voldamort and Professor Umbridge of course). If I'm feeling overwhelmed and need to escape from my world for a little while I pick up a Harry Potter book. I don't think this series will ever be bumped out of first place. It has a special place in my heart. Always.

 

02

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien is a brilliant author. The Things They Carried is a fictional Vietnam war story that is entirely true. How can such a paradox exist? You'll have to read it to find out, because there is no way I can explain it better than O'Brien. This book will change your life.

 

03

The Martian by Andy Weir

An american mission has made it to mars. A sandstorm hits and disaster strikes. Mark Watney wakes up to find his team mates gone and his air supply failing. In a thrilling tale we follow Watney as he fights for his life on an uninhabitable planet. This was a book I couldn't put down. It earns the number one spot because, on top of being thrilling and thought provoking, it made me laugh out loud every step along the way. I don't reread many books, but this will soon be among the lucky few. Read it!

 

04

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi) and his family board a boat in search of a better life. They bring their clothes, their determination, and their zoo animals. Disaster strikes and Pi is forced to fight for his life (are we noticing a theme?) in the middle of the ocean, with only zoo animals to keep him company. This was the first book I read in 2016 and it has remained right up there in the top two. I love a good survival story, but Yann Martel gave this book some serious debth. He presents a very interesting view on religion that I have never seen before. (The movie left that discussion out almost entirely, which is one of the many reason I can't stand the movie, but that is for another blog post all together). This book facilitated a plethora of brilliant literary tactics that made me love it more and more with every page. A must read.

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05

The Shining by Stephen King

No one can write a thriller like Stephen King can. The Shining was my first Stephen King read and it catapulted me in to an obsession with all things thrilling. This horror novel was complex, suspenseful, terrifying, and beautifully written. Stephen King used this horror story to explore the dangers of alcoholism and the isolation a family in that situation feels. It is a genius vessel for an important social commentary-- this is so much more than a horror story. The writing style was absolutely enveloping. I was drawn into the story with vivid descriptions that actually held my attention. King use parenthesis to denote intruding thoughts. This use of parenthesis was creepy at a genius level. The story structure King built allowed for a massive build of suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning.

 

06

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is the queen of dystopian novels, and this book earned her the crown. The Handmaid's Tale is the story of a terrifying America not too far removed from the America I live in today. This fictional goverment has taken away women's rights. Why? To protect them, of course! The scary thing is that the argument these fictional government leaders present could actually convince people to fall for such system a system. Are you looking for an important book? Something that will make you think? Pick up The Handmaid's Tale, and, when you're done, lend it out to all your friends.

 

07

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

You're not into dystopians and survival stories? That's okay! The Nightengale is historical fiction. The Nightengale tells the enthralling story of two sisters in France during World War II. These two women could not be more different from each other, and that dynamic makes for a very powerful story. Vianne fights for her daughter and her home by surviving day to day. Isabelle takes a more direct path and joins the resistance. The two sisters deal with aspects of war that we don't talk about in school. This book will leave you blubbering in a pile of tissues calling everyone you love to tell them how much you appreciate them. This is definitely a feminine read, but I convinced my dad to read it and he ended up loving it, so ladies AND gentlemen give this book a chance!

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08

The Giver by Lois Lowry

We have another dystopian on the list! Jonas lives in a world void of color. He spends his childhood waiting for the day when he will be given his life assignment. Will he be a Storyteller, a Nurturer, a Caretaker of the Old, a Doctor, or an Engineer? When the day finally comes Jonas is selected for a special role- a role none of his classmates have ever heard of. He is to become the Receiver. Jonas learns that there is joy in the world beyond what he had every imagined, but there is also pain. Is it better to feel joy if you are also plagued by pain, or is it better to feel nothing at all? This novel is beautiful, distrubing, and wonderfully consise. You can easily read it in a single day, so you have no excuse for passing this up.

 

09

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

I am not easily won over by contemporary young adult novels, but Rainbow Rowell delivered an intimate, gripping, honest young love story between the two misfits, Eleanor and Park. Eleanor is a quirky girl with unruly red hair. Park is a nerdy boy trying to fit in. Park... there's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises. Eleanor... making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough. This painfully honest teenage love story will leave you longing for your high school sweetheart. Watch out! Don't forget tissues for this one!

 

10

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

"Planes going into buildings. Bodies falling. Planes going into buildings. Bodies falling. Planes going into buildings. Planes going into buildings. Planes going into buildings."

This book was incredible. I cried in the beginning. I cried in the middle. I broke down sobbing at the end. This book takes all the pain and fear of losing someone you love and puts it on paper in a way that is both completely honest and brilliantly poetic. Grab a box of tissues, a cup of tea, and maybe a teddy bear before you dive into this heart melting story.