Have you ever read a book and just fell in love with it? I have. A lot. But that's okay! It just means that you have something you can share with friends, family and children in the future. For me, I read a lot of different types of books. I like romance, but I also like young adult as well as fantasy, paranormal, and almost anything about werewolves and/or vampires. So here is a list of some of my favorite books that I think are must reads for everybody.
1. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead
OMG do I love this book! This year is actually the 10th anniversary of its publication, and I so want that edition of the book. As the title does give away, it's about vampires. However, these vampires are completely different from those you may have read about or watched in a movie. Simply, there are two types of full vampire, Moroi and Strigoi, while there is a half-vampire race called the Dhamphir. I love the book because the story line is just amazing. It follows Rose Hathaway on her journey to becoming a Guardian and protecting her best friend, Lissa Dragomir, who is of noble blood. This is quite simply a must read because it keeps you on your toes. You almost never expect what happens. It also just has an amazing network of relationships, as well as a good amount of drama. And hey, maybe a little romance thrown in. But once you read this book, you'll have to read the rest of the series. Also, the book is better than the movie although the movie is pretty close to being a good replica of it.
2. "The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green
If you love great books that pull your emotions out of the deepest, darkest part of your soul, this is your book. Yes, it's basically a romantic tragedy because both of them have cancer and eventually one of them is going to die before the other, but I think it has a lot of messages. I love this book, will probably reread it at least once a year. Honestly, I don't even know what to say about this book to make anyone want to read it. Just know that despite the well of feels you will be feeling, it's an amazing book.
3. "Into the Wild" by Erin Hunter
Okay, now this is another series that is just AMAZING. "The Warrior Cats" are, obviously, about cats. Through these books, it's like you're thrown into the mind of a cat and how it might be for them. It's just... Wow. I read the first book in fifth grade and read a lot of the series with my best friend. We would share our thoughts on the books, share the books we had, and almost every Christmas we were asking for more of them. It just keeps you hooked in this small world where everything is controlled and ran by cats. For a small break down of the books, it starts out about four clans of cats, each with its own leader, and is broken down to follow a certain group of cats from the clans. The first part of the series is about Firestar. If anything, read them for the really creative names that you could possibly use to someday name your animals.
4. "Looking for Alaska" by John Green
Yes, another J.G. book. He is legit one of my favorite authors because he writes about things that a lot of people don't want to think about or write about on a normal basis. He brings the ugliness of the world upfront in our minds and takes on journeys full of the feels! But this is a really awesome book. I feel this one is full of layers of meaning and messages, things that any English teacher love because it's like their dream book of symbols and other English class things. It's a ride from the view point of Miles, who falls in love with Alaska, the girl who changes his world. The 'after' definitely takes an impact, but I feel like the before had just as much impact. I don't care either way, I love it. Another feely book though! So beware.
5. "A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly
Oh gosh, where to even begin with this book. The setting is in the early 1900's, the first page starting with a Thursday in 1906. It follows Mattie Gokey's story, from murder to becoming the thing she wants to be in the world - a teacher. It's about family, loss and love. It has all sorts of messages, meanings, symbols... Just everything! It draws you in and keeps you hooked until the very end. The most amazing thing, I think, is that the book is actually a story based off a real one—the one about murder. To find out more, you really have to read the book because there is no way I can give that away when it's such a big part of the novel.
6. "Deep Down Popular" by Phoebe Stone
Another of my all time favorites that I read when I was younger. I think I've read this at least once every year since I first read it. It's just so cute! The story is told from the view point of Jessie Lou Ferguson, a loner tomboy who has a crush on the soccer star, Conrad Parker Smith. These two are just too adorable as they start to bond after Conrad hurts his leg and needs help home. It's kind of like a first love book, where Conrad and Jessie Lou become the best of friends. I think people should read it simply because it's a beautiful story.
7. "An Ocean Apart, a World Away" by Lensey Namioka
Alright, so this is another book about a girl following her dreams, chasing them and making them happen. However, this girl is under a lot of pressure and there is a lot of things against her. Yanyan Zhangs wishes to go to America to a university to study to become a doctor, something that used to be considered as impossible for women. But she fought for it! The nice thing is that there is a bit of romance thrown in as well as adventure! It's very interesting and hooks you in until you read all of it!
This doesn't even begin to give away all of my favorite books, but I figured I should probably stop and give people some time to read these. All of them have a deeper meaning, and I love reading them. I feel that anyone who enjoys reading would also enjoy these books! So if you do, or already have, read any of them, maybe let me know what you thought of them and we can have a book discussion!
