One of my favorite things a person can do for me is recommend a good book! Books are my life, and to read a person's favorite book lets you learn a little bit about that person! So I've decided to recommend some amazing books that I've read over the years! It's so difficult narrowing it down, but if you are in need of a new book to read, here are my personal favorites!
1. "Just Listen" by Sarah Dessen
I first read this book in middle school, and I still love it, eight years later! It's about a girl named Annabel Green who, on the outside, looks like she has it all. She's beautiful and she models. But after her friendship with Clarke and Sophie ends and she goes to a new school, she finds herself alone and isolated. She soon meets Owen, a music-obsessed guy who has a temper for the books. With her developed friendship with him, she learns how to stand up for herself and to speak out. It's a very inspirational book and not only do I recommend this book, but this author!
2. "Gilgamesh" by Stephen Mitchell
This is my favorite book of all time. It's a classic and it's a page turner. (I recommend the book version shown above. It's easier to read than the original.) Gilgamesh is a tyrant king that treats his people poorly. Aruru, the goddess of creation, created Enkidu to send to earth and change Gilgamesh for the better. The entire epic is about Gilgamesh's transformation from a tyrant king to a noble ruler. If you read no other book from this list, I highly suggest you read this one.
3. "Blood and Chocolate" by Annette Curtis Klause
This is my favorite lycanthropy fiction story I've ever read. No, it's not a "Twilight" remake. This story has love, adventure and suspense all wrapped up into one beautiful book. The story takes place in Maryland. Vivian Gandillon is a werewolf that belongs to a pack. When her father passes away, the pack is leaderless and in disarray. She enjoys changing into a wolf and enjoys her life with her pack, even though it's a heavy weight on her shoulders. She soon meets Aiden, a regular human that she finds herself drawn to. She wants to reveal herself to him, but is too afraid of the consequences that would follow. After a grisly murder takes place that threatens the packs secret existence, Vivian must face dangers that she never thought she'd face. Just a warning: once you start reading this, you won't be able to stop!
4. "Hush Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick
I first read this book when I was a freshman in high school, and I was so hooked on this book series that my grades actually started to suffer because of it! (Don't do that!) This book is the first in an entire series written by Becca Fitzpatrick. Nora Grey meets a mysterious man named Patch, and soon they fall in love. The twist: Patch is a fallen angel. They have a slight "Beauty and the Beast" relationship, but with dangers lurking around every corner, Patch must protect Nora at all costs. It's an excellent young adult book!
5. "Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle" by L.J. Smith
I owe SO MUCH to the "Vampire Diaries" book series. This is the first book of the series, which is why I recommend this one. (My favorite of the series is "Shadow Souls!") When I was a freshman in college, I was so confused with deciding what I wanted my major to be. I knew I loved writing, but didn't know if being an English major was the best decision. I went on a limb and decided to email my favorite author who wrote this book: L.J. Smith. I emailed her and told her my predicament and I honestly didn't think she'd email me back. Low and behold, within six hours she emailed me back with great advice! She signed her email, "us writers have to stick together!" and I knew immediately what I needed to do with my life! There is indeed a show that is based off the book series, but I recommend the book more than the show!
The book series is about a girl named Elena Gilbert that has everything going for her. She's a blonde, blue-eyed high schooler that has popularity down pat. Soon, she meets the enticing Stefan Salvatore. There's something different about him that she can't quite put her finger on. Well, she would've never guessed that he's a vampire. Again, NO, this is not a remake of "Twilight." The entire book series consists of them going to different universes, angels, werewolves, demons, witches and so much more! After she meets Stefan's brother, Damon Salvatore, she finds herself in a dangerous love triangle.
Whether you decide to check out one of the books I mentioned, or read another book entirely, reading is very important! No matter what kind of books you are into, reading expands the mind and heals the soul! May I recommend a quiet place and some tea?
Thank you!
