Books, Books, Books

I’ll be the first to admit it: I’m a book worm.  I love to read.  If I get my hands on a good book, I just get sucked right in.  I can’t stop thinking about it.  (It’s actually happening to me right now; I’m dying to get home so I can read the last 50 pages or so of my book!)  Anyways, I figured I should share some book love.  I didn’t put them in any particular order, I just listed them as they came to mind.  I’m always looking for suggestions, so please leave me some recommendations in the comments!

The Wheel of Time

This series is definitely not for everyone.  For those of you who know me, this series is everything to me.  I can’t get enough of it.  The fourteenth (yup, fourteenth) and final book just came out.  That’s the book calling my name at home.  If you like fantasy, then you have to read this.  It’s not always fast-moving, but the story is so complex and interwoven that you’ll easily get sucked in.  I’m not kidding, over the course of the series, you follow different characters each part of a different story-line that all ends up crossing and tying in together.  If you enjoyed the Lord of the Rings, then I would highly recommend this series to you.  I think I’ve read the whole series 4-5 times now.  Like I said, I just love this series.

Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks books tend to be nice, easy reads.  I find myself drawn to his stories more during the summer or when I’m on holiday.  Without fail, you’re going to fall in love, potentially have your heart broken, and have a happy ending.  Some of my favourites are The Rescue, The Wedding, Dear John, and the Last Song.  Don’t cop out and see the movies first!  These books are worth reading!

A Song of Ice and Fire

This series is better known as the Game of Thrones (which as adapted into a series by HBO).  This is another fantasy series, but it’s completely different from the Wheel of Time.  This is not traditional fantasy; it’s vulgar, brutal, and significantly more “adult” than the Wheel of Time.  It is, however, just as complex and engrossing as the Wheel of Time.  This series moves at a much quicker pace though.  (Which makes sense given that the series is only expected to be 7 books; half the length of Wheel of Time).

The Book of Negroes

I don’t know if I have ever been more inspired by a story of survival and perserverence.  You will most likely end up crying when you read this and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart (there are some pretty brutal scenes), but I can assure you, it will change your life.  Although the storyline is fiction, it’s based on actual events.  The main character will stick to your heart forever; you will never forget her or this book.

Jodi Piccoult

Jodi Piccoult is a safe bet if you’re looking for fiction that reads as non-fiction.  Most of her books end up with some component of law – usually a trial.  I find that there’s usually a completely unforseen twist that really sucks me in and keeps me frantically turning the pages.  Some of my favourites from her are The Pact, Handle with Care, Plain Truth, and Nineteen Minutes.  Don’t read too many of her books back to back though, or you’ll probably notice that her writing style doesn’t vary much book to book.

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter

This book is a heart-wrencher.  This is the story of a man who gives up one of his twins, a girl with Down Syndrome, to a nurse, immediately after she is born.  He tells his wife that the baby didn’t survive.  This secret eats away at their marriage and affects both of them in different ways.  You follow both the parents with their other baby (a boy), and the child with Down Syndrome as they grow up.  You probably won’t be able to put this book down.

Room

This is a haunting story of imprisonment told from the perspective of a five-year-old boy named Jack. His mom was kidnapped and locked away.  While still in captivity  she has a son, Jack, who has only even known a life inside “Room”.  Since this has all he’s ever known, Jack likes living in Room, and doesn’t want to leave; but his mom does.  Jack will melt your heart and have you cheering for joy.  Although hard to understand at first because 5-year-old Jack is the one telling the story, you’ll be rewarded for putting your time in.

Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is another go-to author if you’re looking for a love story and a light read.  Her books keep you guessing and her characters tend to be people you want to be friends with.  My favourites from her are Something Blue and Baby Proof.  These are great reads for the beach or during holidays.

Have you read any of these books/authors/series?  Which is your favorite?  Did I miss a winner?  Make sure you let me know in the comments!