Just thinking about these books gives me joy:). They're not extremely well-known, a classic in the high school literary curriculum if you will. But they are absolutely amazing. Just in case you haven't read them yet, I won't spoil it. But I'll tell you a little bit about why they're a complete 10/10.

The Sun Also Rises: It's actually the only book I've read by Ernest Hemingway, but it's certainly made me want to try more of his work. Set in Europe, it features a post WWI climate of the "lost generation." The main character, Jake, is fine in every way, except being physically impotent from the war. He's in love with Brett, a real player, but who loves him back. Then there's Robert Cohn, a boxer who's not a veteran, and who's personality resembles that of an overgrown child. Weaving from action to inner thought, from logic to emotion, this story perfectly encapsulates the angst and feeling of not belonging that pervaded the era. It's the perfect balance between realism and fiction.

Far from the Madding Crowd: If you haven't already read my article on books by Thomas Hardy, it will give you a much better description of this book. But the reason it's a complete 10/10 is because it has everything, and I mean everything that anyone (I) wants in a good fiction book. Even though it's set in the 1800's, it's got this whimsical rural England setting that's just...awesome. You have the good, old, dependable hero Gabriel Oak, the headstrong female main character Bathsheba Everdeen, the arrogant prick Sergeant Troy, the unfortunate crazy guy William Boldwood, and a bunch of nosy villagers. What could be better? In all seriousness though, this novel does have from misfortune, but ends happy, which I always love to see. It's got a playful atmosphere, important themes, and really incredible characters. Thank you Hardy, for this masterpiece.

Alpharetta, Georgia

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